OTR Hoops: Top 2028 Prospects from the Rocky Top Invitational – May 6, 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 the 2028 standouts.
By: Joel Hillsman
2028 Gavin Malone (Tigersharks TN); Malone led the Tigersharks to a 4-0 weekend averaging 26ppg and connected on 16 three-pointers. In addition to his perimeter shooting, Malone showed the ability to get to the basket and finish at the rim off the drive, got others involved while operating the offense, has active hands on defense and is always around the ball with his hustle. Malone led his high school in scoring as a freshman last season and with the growth he has shown in the spring overall, he will be a prospect to continue to track.
2028 JaCaden Evans-(Carolina Premier RED 15U); Evans is a confident and lanky player that has long arms that he uses to his advantage on defense and is a quality defender that forces his opponents into tough shots and rebounds well. During one stretch his one-on-one defense directly led to three missed field goals by the opponent and three defensive rebounds for Evans. Offensively he can create his own shot off the drive or from the perimeter with a nice pull-up game. He is a sound passer that made several post-entry passes for assists that led directly to baskets for his teammates. In three games we charted he averaged 14ppg with a high of 21 points (14 in the second half) to go with 5 rebounds and 3 steals in a victory. As he continues to grow and gets stronger, he will be a prospect to be tracked.
2028 Isaac Sowemimo– (FEA 2028) Sowemimo is a slashing wing that consistently puts pressure on the defense as he knows how to get to the basket. In three games we charted him averaging 15ppg for a balanced team. He hits the glass, runs the floor well, communicates, used his defense to create offense and plays with poise. As we continue to track him, we will look to see how the perimeter game develops which will add another element to his game.
2028 JJ Lassiter-(Carolina Premier RED 15U); Lassiter is a crafty lefty that can score in the paint and from the perimeter. He had scoring efforts of 24, 23 and 16 points and connected on seven three-pointers as Carolina Premier went 4-0. At 6’5 Lassiter will continue to grow and use his body even more to his advantage to go with his high activity on the glass on both ends. Lassiter handles the ball well and can create his own shot off the dribble, has good footwork, runs the floor well and defends without fouling as he altered or blocked several shots throughout the event. Lassiter will continue to be tracked.
2028 Porter Dickson (2028 FBC Reign 15U); Dickson can flat out, shoot the cover off the basketball, especially off the catch. In three games we tracked he connected on 15 three-pointers and averaged 20ppg with a high of 27 with seven three-pointers in a victory. Dickson has a nice frame at 6’2 and is very unselfish especially once the defense is drawn to him which allowed him to create other scoring opportunities for teammates. As he continues to develop his overall game and adjusts to different defenses that are thrown at him, he will have a very high upside and will continue to be tracked.
2028 Jackson Reed (Charlotte Aces 17U); Reed is 2028 that played up on the 17U team in this event. Reed’s potential is evident in his overall game and staying within his role on the 17U team. Coming off the bench his biggest impact was on defense. He would routinely be matched up with the opponents’ top player/scorer and would use his size (6’4) and length to give opponents fits. He guards his yard, defends without fouling and provided good help side defense. Although not asked to do much offensively in his current role, he can slash to the basket for buckets, hit shots from the perimeter and is active on the glass. Reed is a must to be tracked going forward.
2028 Jamari Gatson (FEA); Gatson (6’5) intrigued us throughout the weekend with his overall sound play. He averaged 11.6ppg in three games to go with multiple rebounds and blocked shots. Gatson routinely posted up and kept defenders on his back while using his long wingspan to catch entry passes that either led directly to a bucket or an assist. He showed a soft touch around the rim, has a quality jump hook and can step out and hit the three. His highlight showing from the perimeter was a 14-point effort where he connected in four three-pointers. Gatson’s development will be interesting to track.
