OTR Hoops: Hoop State Challenge Day 1 Standouts – April 12, 2025

GREENSBORO, North Carolina, – The second annual Georgia vs. North Carolina Challenge kicked off today at the Greensboro Coliseum.  More than 70 teams from around the Southeast packed into the sporting facility for competition and exposure. This event fosters a friendly rivalry between teams from both states determining which state earns bragging rights this year. Here is a list of 2026 players who stood out on Day One.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Cooper Glover – Atlanta All-Stars – 2026

Glover’s game is blossoming. The lefty guard is settling into a role as a lead playmaker with the Atlanta All-Stars. He routinely slices through the defense, draws help, and pitches open shooters around the perimeter. His jumper is rounding into form as well. In Game Two of the afternoon, he drained four 3-pointers to power his team to win.

2026 @cooperglover26 is a lefty slasher/play maker who has really improved his outside stroke Constantly attacking the paint where he can finish through contact or find open teammates for easy bucks Bigger guard who crashes glass

📌@OntheRadarHoops@AtlAllStars_@TaiYoungHoops pic.twitter.com/cgrqHkMGrE

— Dr. Kris Watkins (@DrKrisWatkins) April 13, 2025

Jyi Dawkins – Garner Road – 2026

Dawkins has a game without holes. The lefty sinks midrange jumpers with ease off the pull-up. He possesses athleticism to elevate in transition. He plays with efficiency and rarely tries to do too much. He scored a game-high 18 points in a convincing win. Dawkins is a steady guard on the wing who looks ready to contribute at the collegiate level.

Blake Walker – Brickhouse Monopoly – 2026

Walker had the play of the day in his team’s opening matchup. In a tie game with the clock winding down, he took the ball and drove down the lane looking to score. Elevating off his inside foot and moving his body to slide through defenders, he drained a floater while getting fouled. He sank the bonus free throw and sealed a victory for his team. Walker is an athletic wing with ideal size to play on the perimeter. With an intent to score and range to the 3-point arc, he is poised for a big spring and summer on the travel circuit.

Ayden Johnson – Team CP3 EYCL – 2026

Johnson is one of the quickest point guards we evaluated on Saturday. He wasted no time bringing maximum energy and hustle in his team’s opening game. He used his quick hands and feet to create deflections and snatch steals in his team’s full-court pressure. He then turned those open-court opportunities into easy layups in transition. The lefty proved to be equally as effective in the half-court as a playmaker. He turned the corner on the ball screen and made plays for himself and others.

Doug Smith – PSB Elite – 2026

Smith heated up in the second half of his team’s opening game of the day. He scored 20 second half points which included four 3-pointers. Smith is more than a shooter. He is an all-around guard who can put the ball on the deck to create and score. He is also able to use his size and footwork to grab loose balls and rebounds in traffic. Smith earned his spot on this list with a standout performance.

Zack Cullen – Strictly Ballas National – 2026

Cullen is a shooting guard who can heat up from range in a hurry. He plays the game with confidence and is unafraid to shoot when he has a step to see the rim. Cullen is a good all-around athlete as well. He plays with a little bounce in his step, which keeps opponents off balance.

Trevor Manhertz – Garner Road – 2026

Manhertz is a prospect on the rise in the state of North Carolina. After picking up an offer this week from Boston University, he backed up his reputation with a solid all-around game. He hit a couple of jumpers and showed a polished finesse game. It was his activity on the defensive end that cemented his status for this list. He blocked shots and fought for rebounds. This combination of offensive skill with defensive upside explains why college coaches are interested in Manhertz at the next level.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at CoachHemi@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @CoachHemi.