OTR Hoops: Sweet Sixteen Saturday Standouts (Hillsman) – May 22, 2024

The On the Radar Sweet Sixteen was held this past weekend during the Live Period for college coach scouting. The NCAA recruiting calendar has changed from years past and so this was the first Live Period held in May and this deep into the travel ball season. Here is a look at those that stood out during the later portion of the action at Next Play 360 on Saturday, Day 2.

By: Joel Hillsman

2024 Xavier Perry– Charlotte Aces- Xavier Perry is a smaller guard with a heart size that cannot be measured. Perry never backs down from a challenge and is a legitimate basketball player. Perry’s strongest asset is his silky-smooth shot which he gets off on defenders of all sizes. In his final two games he averaged 28.5 points while making a combined ten three-pointers. He sprayed it in from everywhere on the floor off the catch and off the bounce. He is crafty in getting to the rim, finishes at the rim, has the vision to set up teammates for easy finishes and is always under control. Perry’s defense is aided by his quick hands and his ability to guard his yard against bigger opponents and funnel opponents into the teeth of the defense.

2025 Ben Lee- Team Dickerson Black- Lee is has a fluid game on the perimeter highlighted by a 23-point effort with five made three-pointers in a one-point Team Dickerson Black win over No Excuses Elite. Lee showed the ability to knock down multiple shots with defenders in his face, put it on the floor and finish at the rim and with a pull-up jumper. Lee played well off the ball and is a quality rebounder from his guard spot. Defensively he is always attached to his man, rotates, and plays solid on the ball defense.

2025 Daniel Daramola– Team Forrest 17U-The 6’10 Daramola is a noted high-energy guy that displayed s an offensive game that is rounding into form. Daramola displayed an effective face-up game, back to the basket game and mid-range game. Defensively he contested, altered, and blocked shots using his length, is an effective rebounder and communicates. Daramola posted a double-double of 18 points 11 rebounds and 3 blocks in the full game we charted. The development of his offensive game has Daramola’s stock on the rise.

2026 Kayden Allen– Nightrydas 2026 EYBL- Allen has gotten bigger and stronger and displayed an improved shooting touch in the mid-range. In a victory he tallied 24 points with no three-pointers made while showing a lethal display of the mid-range, the pull-up jumper, and the drive. Allen finishes at the rim through contact and with dunks. Defensively Allen’s denials and rotations are crisp, he guards his yard and is active in contesting and altering shots.

2026 Malik Gillespie– WR All-Stars- Gillespie displayed an improved jumper that is more fluid than we have seen in the past. He was getting to his spots off the dribble and knocking in jumpers from those different spots on the floor, most notably around the elbows. Gillespie also showed off his athletic ability by catching design lobs plays within the offense. He played on and off the ball and when on the ball facilitated the offense with improved flow. He uses his length defensively to deny his opponent the ball and to get deflections and steals. Gillespie is also moving his feet better on defense, allowing him to become a better on-ball defender.