OTR Hoops: Rocky Top Invitational ’26-’27 Standouts – May 8, 2025
Gatlinburg, TN- The On the Radar Rocky Top Invitational was held at Rocky Top Sports World this past weekend. Several teams from multiple states participated in the event. Here is a look at some of 2026 and 2027 standouts.
By: Joel Hillsman
DeShawn Coulter 2026 (Charlotte Aces); Coulter is savvy lefty that can impact the game in multiple ways. In three games we charted Coulter averaged 10ppg with a high of 18 (6-three-pointers made) and tallied over five assists in those outings. Coulter is a pass-first guard that knows how to get others involved while also knowing how to get his own shot via the drive or the perimeter. He finishes at the rim, plays through contact, is a sound decision-maker in the open floor and in the half court, plays physical on defense without drawing the whistle and has a knack for knowing how to impact the game in key moments. In one game he finished with 13 points, 9 in the second half in the final 6 minutes along with 3 assists, where his defense set the tone for his offensive production that led directly to a victory. Coulter plays with an edge and a chip on his shoulder and must continue to be tracked.
Gerkari Stegall 2026 (IBA 17U); Stegall is a hair in a biscuit, just waiting to be found. The 6’7 prospect has a hard-nosed approach to the game and does a lot of the dirty work from getting 50/50 balls, altering/blocking shots (keeping the ball in play) and attacks the glass with reckless abandonment. In three games we observed he finished with a double-double in all three games averaging 14.6ppg and 11rpg. Stegall showed he can step out and knock down the three-pointer, guards well on the perimeter and is not shy of contact on both ends of the floor when hitting the glass. Stegall will continue to be tracked and should garner more attention from opponents and our service as the spring and summer progresses.
Amari Owens 2026 (Kentucky Hoops Dream 17U) (saw him last year as 16U); The crafty lefty guard was found last year at the Rocky Top Invitational and stood out once again this year. Owens displayed an improved perimeter jumper to go with his cat-quick speed and control. Owens’ quickness and open floor decision-making keeps pressure on the defense. Owens tallied multiple assists in the games we observed and improved footwork defensively which led to multiple steals/deflections. Owens development is being noticed as he had received multiple offers at the mid-major level. Continue to track Owens.
Michael Cleaver 2027 (Kentucky Hoop Dreams 16U); Cleaver played on the both 16U and 17U teams for Kentucky Hoop Dreams in the event. Basketball in Cleaver’s bloodline as both of his parents played at the collegiate level. The 6’4 wing is smooth perimeter shooter who moves well without the ball and knocked down four three-pointers in one game we observed. He has good length which he uses to effect the opponents by disrupting the passing lanes, getting multiple strips and deflections. Cleaver is a high IQ player that plays with control, allows the game to come to him and knowns when to pick his spots to impact the game without forcing it. As Cleaver continues to develop and adds to his game he will be a prospect to track especially while playing two different roles for the 16U and 17U teams.
Ivan Moskalenko 2027 (B Maze Elite UAA 16U) It was a year ago Moskalenko popped on the radar here at the Rocky Top Invitational. A year later the overall development was on display. The stretch four has refined his interior game with several post moves and an improved soft touch around the rim. He has improved his perimeter range and knocked in several mid-range jumpers and three-pointers throughout the course of the event. The same grit is there as he had multiple 8+ rebounding efforts, played tough defense in the interior and showed agility while guarding on the perimeter. His ballhanding, when needed keeps pressure on the defense and, he has gotten stronger which always him to play through tougher contact, to either finish strong or get to the foul line. Moskalenko’s upside high and is a must to continue to track.
Shannon McArthur 2027 (Team Speights RED 16U); McArthur has good size at 6’5 and is active on the offensive glass, runs floor well, finished in transition contested on defense. In one full game we charted he recorded a 12-point 10-rebound double-double with a number of those rebounds and points coming via second chance opportunities in a victory. His defensive activity was present as well by stopping drives to the paint, denying his man the ball and altering shots without fouling. McArthur should continue to round his overall game as the spring and summer goes and will be tracked.
Rydrell Lundy 2027 (Only1Elite 16U); Lundy is an explosive guard that showed off his perimeter shooting connecting on 11 three-pointers in the three games we observed. In two of those games he finished with 26 and 21 points respectively with multiple assists and key rebounds. Lundy is stronger than he appears especially when attacking the basket with direct line drives. As he continues to hone his defense to improve his overall game, he will be a prospect that will be tracked.
Urjah Newkirk 2027 (Team Speights RED 16U) Newkirk will not jump out at you but his command of the offense and his ability to dictate the game will. Newkirk tallied 14 points 6 assists in the full game we observed and made several extra passes (hockey assists) that led to buckets. Defensively he uses his quickness to disrupt opponents and cause live ball turnovers to start transition play. He showed the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter although as he continues to develop that portion of his game he will become extremely hard to guard.
Justin Simmons 2027 (Georgia Canes); Simmons hands and quickness on the defensive end stood out the most. In two tight ball games inside of 5 minutes remaining, he tallied 6 steals- all leading to points that kept his team in it at the end and led to a victory in another. Simmons is highly coachable, plays with poise, toughness and rarely presses in tough situations. He finished with 17 points (13 in the second half) with a pair of three-pointers in his best offensive output in a victory.
