OTR Hoops: Saturday Standouts from the Carolina Mania – April 6, 2024
SPARTANBURG, South Carolina, – On the Radar Hoops brought its team of media members and staff to host the Carolina Mania. Many of the top sponsored programs and independent teams squared off in quality competition. Here is a rundown of upperclassmen who caught our attention from Saturday’s action.
By: Jonathan Hemingway
DJ Thomas – Team Breakdown – 2024
Thomas delivered the performance of the day. He recorded 32 points in a win. The unsigned senior plays with confidence. He shoots the ball at a high clip from the arc. His footwork is complemented by his ball fakes that gets defenders off balance. Thomas is listed at 6-foot-7 and has a frame that can impact traffic. He is a prospect that should be given an opportunity at the collegiate level.
Sayvion Saunders – Rare 1s – 2024
Saunders is another unsigned senior who impressed on Saturday afternoon. He is a physically impressive prospect. We estimate his size to around 6-8 with good mobility. He flushed dunks in the lane and proved that he could run the floor like a wing. There are plenty of tools for a college coach to work with and develop.
Payton Waites – Atlanta All Stars – 2025
Waites confidence in his shot is unmatched. With under a minute to go versus KST and with only a 2-point lead, he fired up a 3-pointer without hesitation and connected. That ultimately secured the win for the All-Stars. He finished with 26 points which included six 3-pointers. Waites is projecting as one of the top shooters we have evaluated so far this spring.
Nas Berry – PSB Elite – 2025
Berry makes this list given his poise and confidence as a ball handler. He is a well-rounded point guard who possesses skill and headiness. We took note of his dribble moves and ability to keep his center of gravity low when defenders lunge at him in transition. He is a player capable of carrying his team with scoring or with his distribution.
Jordan Watford – Upward Stars – 2025
Watford is an impressive athlete and a prospect to take note of this spring and summer. Listed at 6-4, he can change the game with his transition finishing. He gets out on the fastbreak quickly and will finish above the rim. When considering Watford’s physical talent and instincts on the court, we predict plenty of recruiting activity in the coming months.
Jordyn Washington – Rare 1s – 2025
Washington is a poised point guard who led his team to a win this afternoon. His ball handling and strength versus pressure make him an ideal leader in the back court. With the game in the balance and Pro One Select turning the defensive pressure up with physicality, it was Washington’s calmness that steadied the ship and secured the victory.
Markell Hollis – KST – 2025
Hollis stuck a one-handed finish on a baseline drive to clinch a win on Saturday afternoon. Beyond his late game heroics, he also proved to be a prospect worth tracking given his size and athleticism. He can power past defenders off the drive. While he can also use soft touch on his jumper. We like his profile as a wing scorer at the next level.
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.
