OTR Hoops: Rocky Top Invitational Standouts Part 2 via @JHillsman – May 8, 2024
Gatlinburg, TN- The On the Radar Rocky Top Invitational continued to feature multiple teams and players from multiple states. Here is a look at the 2025 and 2026 standouts from the event.
By: Joel Hillsman
2025 Andy Johnson – Kentucky Hoop Dreams (Pictured Above); Johnson is a rangy wing that is very decisive in his game, can shoot it from the mid-range and the perimeter off the catch and off the bounce and can play above the rim. His length was shown with several deflections and keeping the ball alive on rebounds and causing havoc on the defensive end. He averaged 18 points in the two full games we tracked.
2025 Storm Taylor– NXT LVL Kings; Taylor has motor that goes nonstop. The guard carried the load for NXT LVL Kings averaging 22 points and 4 assists in two full games we charted. Taylor controls the tempo, plays though contact at the rim, continuously puts pressure on defense with his straight-line drives, can shoot it from the perimeter (he finished one game with five three-pointers) and is a nuisance on defense. He never shied away from the moment with included a game-winning three-pointer in a sudden death overtime win.
2025 Malachi Coleman-Kentucky Hoop Dreams; Coleman is a quick lefty guard with a nice perimeter jumper and plays savvy in the halfcourt. He is a very good rebounding guard that is always around the ball, especially on the defensive end. Coleman finished with 14 points with three three-pointers made in a win over No Excuses Elite. The bulk of that scoring came in the first half and in the second half he showed he could control the tempo and facilitate.
2025 Josh Mickell– All Georgia Elite 17U; Mickell is the engine for an up-tempo team. He is constantly harassing opponents on defense which led to numerous steals and easy fast break buckets for either himself or a teammate. He has the quickness to blow by defenders and possesses a jumper that keeps defenses honest. He averaged over 20-points for the weekend and has a high ceiling as he continues to develop.
2025 Christopher Cowan– Team Ambition 17U; Cowan showed his ability to score the basketball averaging 23.3 points in three games we tracked. He did it by scoring inside on tough drives with either hand, outside with the mid-range jumper and some extended perimeter shooting. He plays at a breakneck pace yet is under control most times and sees the floor well. He uses defense to create offense and tallied four steals in one game that led directly to eight points.
2025 AJ Pettway– Tennessee Panthers 17U; Pettway is true point guard that also can score. He engineers the offense well, controls the tempo, distributes the ball, knows how to get to his spots, has a nice pull up jumper and plays aggressive defense.
2025 Davenport (DJ) Cox– Hype Hawks DJ 17U; Cox continued to display the growth in his game. He showcased an improved perimeter shooting touch and aggression on the glass. He can score off the dribble or the catch, finishes well once below the foul line and was a pest defensively. Cox’s overall game is rounding into form and as it does, he will be one to track.
2026 Jamarcus Harrison– SW Swamp Squad 2026; Harrison is a dynamic guard that is quick to the bucket, flies in the open floor, has active hands defensively, shoots it well from the perimeter and knows how to score. In three games we tracked Harrison 20ppg with 12 three-pointers and averaged 4 assists. He kept the defense on its heels because of his ability to score, penetrate and dime it off to teammates. Keep track off this young man for sure.
2026 Sean Capshaw– TN Impact 2026 FAM; Capshaw had a solid performance in two games on Saturday averaging 18.5ppg with a high of 24 points that included six three-pointers. He is a versatile player that can attack you off the drive, slashing without the ball or with his perimeter shooting abilities. He uses his length to his advantage on defense to contest shots and rise over opponents for rebounds.
2026 Amari Owens– Kentucky Hoops 16U; Owens is lefty that gets to the basket in a hurry. He has the craftiness to navigate a defense however his overall speed makes it hard for defenses to make him change directions. He is a gifted passer whether it be in the half-court or in transition.
2026 Casen Jones– SW Swamp Squad 2026; Jones displayed an overall game that featured scoring, rebounding, defending and resilience. Jones rebounding was very impressive because he plays bigger than he is and uses his strength to his advantage. He can score as well, averaging nearly 17 points per game in the three games we tracked by scoring inside and outside with numerous tough putbacks for second chance points.
2026 Bill Lewis– Kentucky Hoop Dreams; Lewis blends into the game well and when you look up, he has 20 points, several rebounds and is making impact plays possession after possession. He has a nice size at 6’4, a fluid jump shot, boxes out well on the glass and rotates effectively on defense which leads to forcing poor decisions from the offense. He truly has a balanced game with a very high IQ.
