OTR Hoops: OTR Sweet 16 Sunday Standouts – May 19, 2024

MARIETTA, Georgia, – The Sweet 16 hosted by On the Radar Hoops gave college coaches from the Southeast a great opportunity to evaluate prospects. Several players earned offers over the weekend. Here is a second look at names who caught the eyes of our evaluators.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Will Ilsley – Recruiting Boost – 2025

Ilsley and his teammates from the Recruiting Boost program brought an international flavor to the Sweet 16. The Australian native brings size, athleticism, and skill to the floor. The 6-foot-8 forward showed most production in the ball screen action at the top of the key where he could slip screens and roll to the rim when the defense tried to trap the ball handler. Given his size and agility, he gets a lot of production scoring in the lane after rolling hard to the rim. His decision making is also notable in this area. He possesses the ball skill to dish to teammates when the help defense rotates to take away his basket attacks.

Ladarrin Hooper – Crimson Kings – 2025

Hooper caught fire on Sunday afternoon with a 25-point effort in a win. The 6-4 guard has a lanky build and arms that easily drape into the passing lanes when he is on defense. On the offensive end, Hooper’s shooting ability is what stood out. He connected on five 3-pointers and complemented his shooting skills with timely slashes to the bucket. We expect Hooper to be on the verge of a breakout senior season.

Tyler Robertson – Crimson Kings – 2025

Robertson paired alongside Hooper (above) to create a great 1-2 combo for the Kings. Robertson’s game is built upon his physicality and strength around the free throw line. He is a well-built wing-forward with soft touch when shooting midrange shots in the paint. He uses footwork and pivots to create angles and space to score in traffic. His 15 points were key for his team’s victory on Sunday afternoon.

Jaylin Sweat – Gold Elite – 2026

Sweat is a prospect full of athleticism, length and potential. We get the impression that his best days of ball are still in front of him. He is a lengthy forward who runs the court like a guard and blocks shots like a center. The lefty grabbed our attention with a couple of dunks and transition finishes. Playing up in the 17U bracket

Thomas Rouse – Carolina Celtics – 2026

Rouse flashed his talent on Sunday afternoon in a win. A lanky, skilled guard, he can score the ball in several ways. He shot the jumper with confidence and slashed the baseline to score off the bounce. His poise when the defense pressed up when he handled is also notable here. It is a bit early to say what Rouse’s potential specialty will be the next level, but he certainly has the makings of a prospect on the rise coming out of this weekend.

Adam McDowell – Carolina Celtics – 2026

McDowell is one of those prospects who can be a combo threat at the rim or while facing up on the perimeter. He was effective in transition for the Celtics as a finisher on the fastbreak. His length, long arms combined with his athleticism make McDowell a recruiting target for the next level.

Kaden Lawson – Cam Sports South – 2026

Lawson impressed evaluators and onlookers with his play at the tournament. The Tift County product is a well-built 6-foot-8 athlete. He glided across the court blocking shots and bending rims with dunks. The lefty forward even stepped out to show his perimeter jumper from beyond the 3-point arc. With two years of high school eligibility in front of him, Lawson is positioned as one the next best prospects to emerge from South Georgia.

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 JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.