OTR Hoops: Rocky Top Invitational Standouts Part I – May 3, 2025

GATLINBURG, Tennessee – More than seventy teams from across the Southeast met up to compete over three days at the Rocky Top Invitational. The event serves as a premier stop on the OTR Circuit to give teams quality competition and thorough media coverage. Here is a selection of top names from the first two days of the event.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Owen Lentz – BMaze 17U – 2026

Lentz is a steady combo guard in the back court capable of excelling in high-pressure situations. He combines high-level skills with notable athleticism, scoring 20 points in an afternoon win we observed courtside. His court vision and ability to hit perimeter jump shots—both from deep and in traffic off the dribble—stood out. This winter, Lentz will suit up for the Webb School of Knoxville for the 2025-26 season.

Ezra Sixto – 423 Elite 17U – 2026

Sixto has the profile of a prospect that college coaches want on their roster. He is a 6-foot-7 forward with long arms and springy legs. He dominated the boards, altered opponents’ shots in the paint, and finished with authority and touch in traffic. His perimeter skills are developing, and based on his footwork and agility, we expect his versatility as a two-way prospect to grow in the coming years.

Travis Campbell – Tennessee Panthers 17U – 2026

Campbell makes our list after leading his team to a win over UWin on Saturday afternoon. He has one of the softest jumpers we evaluated at the event. His high follow through gives his shot arc and a soft roll when it hits the rim. His tight ball-handling and polished footwork complement his shooting. If Campbell maintains this level of play, his production should spike in his senior year.

Gavin Malone – Tigersharks 15U – 2028

Malone was a trending name on Saturday morning, posting 26, 20, and 37 points in his first three games. A terrific shooter from beyond the arc and in the midrange, Malone is more than just a scorer. The skilled guard creates his own shot in the half-court offense and thrives as an instinctive playmaker in critical moments. The Meigs County product is an emerging prospect with significant upside.

Makhi Hammond – UWin Serventz 17U – 2026

Identified last summer for his physical tools, Hammond excels in the run-and-jump game, operating effectively in space as both a defender and a fast-break finisher. Since our initial evaluation, he has added polish, with a consistent three-point shot and confident ball-handling. The Sparkman High School (AL) product is developing into a versatile swing-forward.

Tylin Pace – BMaze 15U – 2028           

Pace burst onto the stage with a 20-point performance on Saturday morning, draining six three-pointers. The left-handed combo guard specializes in creating space and angles off ball screens, keeping defenders off balance with adept ball-handling. He is a valuable asset who complements his team’s roster effectively.

Isaiah Williams – Tennessee Run 16U – 2027

Williams caught our attention on Friday evening. The 6-foot-4 wing scored 19, 18, and 16 points in his first three games, including five three-pointers in the opener, cementing his reputation as a sharpshooter. Beyond shooting, he is active as a defender and rebounder, while also facilitating the half-court offense with his ball-handling.

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.