OTR Hoops: Who Wants the Smoke – Day 2 Top 2026 Performers (Sandy) – May 13, 2024
Who Wants the Smoke: Day 2 2026 Top Performers
By: Kyle Sandy
2026 5-11 G Grant McDuffie – Team Person – Milton (Pictured)
McDuffie was electrifying in Team Person’s 64-47 win over Upward Stars CSRA, pouring in 28 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. McDuffie drilled a pair of threes to mix in with buckets from the mid-range and at the rim. Grant was elusive with the ball, creating space off the dribble as he got to his spots routinely with a smooth pull-up and deep range. He showed toughness downhill, converting multiple And-1s. McDuffie’s diverse scoring attack was paired with a harassing 94-foot defense, frustrating opponents as they tried to advance the ball to the frontcourt.
2026 5-8 G Dyson Beaty – Team Person – Lambert
The little lefty bombed three threes in the first half and finished with 14 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Dyson is lightning quick, both with his first step and his release. Off the bounce, Beaty uses his low center of gravity to squirt past defenders allowing him to get into the lane and kick out to open shooters.
2026 6-2 G Thomas Rouse – Carolina Celtics – Eastside
Rouse is a long-armed guard with a nice floor game. He shoots the ball well from beyond the arc and is a sneaky good slasher that can finish with dunks. When he puts the ball on the floor, Rouse does a nice job surveying the defense and finding the open man. In two wins on Saturday morning, Thomas averaged 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal.
2026 6-1 G MJ Raymond – Carolina Celtics
When the Carolina Celtics needed outside shots to be made, MJ Raymond delivered hitting three timely triples in a 53-48 win over Head Hunters Elite. Raymond did a bulk of his damage from the corners as a catch-and-shoot specialist. Defensively, MJ rotated well for steals.
2026 6-2 W Alvarez Smith – Carolina Celtics – Mauldin
The undersized forward was a workhorse in a pair of Carolina Celtics wins on Saturday morning, playing up in 17U. Smith plays exceptionally hard. He has a nose for the ball as he attacks rebounds and challenges shots. Alvarez has a soft scoring touch. He can step outside to hit the three, but is at his best from 15-feet and in. Smith knocks down jumpers from the mid-range, scores on putbacks and tosses in floaters. Alvarez averaged 16.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2 blocks in wins over the GA Thunder and Head Hunters Elite.
2026 6-3 F Aaden McDowell – Carolina Celtics – Fountain Inn
McDowell provides toughness and versatility. While he was primarily used in the paint as the Celtics’ biggest player, Aaden also flashed agility on the wing and managed to draw fouls in the paint once getting downhill.
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