OTR Hoops: Playmakers from the Carolina Mayhem – July 8, 2024

GREENSBORO, North Carolina, – July kicked off with the OTR Carolina Mayhem at Proehlific Park. Many of the top programs from the Carolinas were in the building to gear up for the open periods in upcoming weeks. Here is a list of PLAYMAKERS that emerged from the weekend.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Dionte Neal – Team CP3 – 2026

Neal earned recognition with his play on Sunday afternoon. He is a quick playmaker capable of putting points up in a hurry. He thrives in the Team CP3 up tempo style where he is free to roam from sideline to sideline as a pesky on ball defender. Watch for his pull-up jumper as well. He can stop-gather-snap the wrist as quick as any guard we watched this weekend.

Elton James – Team United – 2026

James brings an ideal combination of size and shooting ability. His production in the final game on Sunday proved to be the difference for a win. He is capable of finishing at the rim in traffic. Yet it is the range of his jumper that will have coaches anxious to watch him during the live period next weekend.

Jossiah Johnson – Team Wall – 2026

Johnson submitted his application for the most dominant performance of the weekend. With his team trailing with double digits early in the second half, Johnson turned up his effort and production to max capacity. He reeled off 22 second half points. He is a 6-5 wing who can score with the jumper or muscle his way to the mouth of the rim with the drive. He is built well too, which allows him to throw his weight around in the paint.

Syncere Burnette – Team Unshakeable – 2024

Burnette might have been the player that did the most to help his stock coming out of this weekend. Evaluators and fans came away impressed with the effort that the guard gave. He is a twitchy athlete who can turn the corner on the attack. He is also consistent from 3-point range. He is a blur of effort and production, and he earned the respect of all who watched him.

Caiden Jenkins – Team Wall – 2027

Jenkins is one of the few sophomore names that emerged from the event last weekend. He looks to have many of the measurables that a coach is looking for in a collegiate prospect. He has size, strength, versatility. Listed at 6-4, his size is an asset when he attacks the bucket and looks to score in traffic. Yet it was his ball handling and ability to facilitate the offense as a passer and floor leader that gave us the greatest reason for optimism.

Abijah Franklin – Garner Road – 2025

Franklin is potentially the best athlete we evaluated last weekend. The 6-4 guard flew across the court for fast break finishes and dunks. Long arms and a twitchy first step best describe the rising senior’s athleticism. Yet that is not all there is to his game. He sports a soft touch from 3-point range, and he is not afraid to stick his nose into a pile and scrap for a loose ball.

Keep an eye out….

Class of 2026 wing-forward Isaiah Streeter of WCBA is a versatile option on their roster. He provides length and shooting range for his team.

We became intrigued with class of 2026 Josiah Sanders Team CP3 on Sunday afternoon. He is a good-sized prospect who can run the court and flush dunks on the fly. His size and ball skill make him a trackable prospect.

Class of 2025 guard Xavier Longe with All Carolina showed promise as a shooter. He is a floor spacer that can be utilized next to slashing playmakers.

Class of 2026 center Deng Deng with Team United possesses the size and athleticism you need on the interior. He made waves with a few dunks. His ability to alter shots and control the glass makes him an easy plug-and-play option.

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.