OTR Hoops: Who Wants the Smoke – Day 3 Top Performers (Sandy) – May 13, 2024

Who Wants The Smoke: Day 3 Top Performers

By: Kyle Sandy

2026 5-8 PG Huey Blalock – Atlanta Timberwolves – Rabun County

The offensive maestro orchestrated 17 made threes in the Timberwolves’ 79-59 win over the GA Canes. Blalock tallied 8 points, 6 rebounds, 12 assists and 1 block. Huey’s shiftiness and court vision make him among Georgia’s elite passers. He gets penetration routinely and always has assists on his mind, passing up short floaters for wide open kick out threes. Huey is the definition of a true pass-first point guard, but he can also score when needed apparent by his Rabun County season average of 16.5 points and 8.2 assists per game.

2027 5-7 G Jamin Martin – Atlanta Timberwolves – Pickens

Wolves hunt in packs. These Atlanta Timberwolves feast on three balls, often led by sharpshooter Jamin Martin, but in their 17 three-pointer barrage Martin sank just two. Instead, the rising sophomore showcased his offense off the dribble. Martin scored in transition twice, moved without the ball to find a hoop on a cut and later took his man off the dribble on a drive to amass 16 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists. Even though Martin is the smallest of a tiny backcourt, his IQ, activity and nose for the ball makes him effective aside from just burying threes.

2026 6-4 G Isaiah Langley – GA Canes – Peachtree Ridge

Isaiah looks like a next level player. A big guard, Langley understands how to use his body when attacking the basket. He absorbs bumps and finishes through contact. He identifies mismatches and will go into the post against smaller defenders. Langley doesn’t get over anxious when he has an advantage down low and doesn’t fall for flops and offensive foul attempts, playing with balance as he gathers himself to score at the rim. Isaiah creates buckets inside the arc in a variety of ways. Whether it be pull-up jumpers, floaters or post ups, Langley is a crafty scorer with both hands with a knack for drawing fouls. Against the Atlanta Timberwolves, Zay went 7-8 from the foul line and finished with 27 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Langley is prime for an explosive final two seasons.

2026 6-0 G Donovan Petidos – GA Canes – Chapel Hill

Donovan caught my eye with his steady play on Sunday. Petidos is a well-rounded offensive threat. He plays off two feet consistently when getting to the basket. Donovan was dangerous in transition, looking to push coast-to-coast once he cleared rebounds. In the half court, Petidos flashed his three-point range, burying three long balls both off the catch and off the dribble against the Atlanta Timberwolves. In total, Donovan racked up 15 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal. Petidos could emerge as a valuable piece in an expanded role this upcoming season at Chapel Hill.

2027 5-10 W Ty Fallecker – Upward Stars Columbia – Indian Land

I loved the toughness of Fallecker, battling the 7-foot James Turic inside in a loss to the Atlanta Gamechangers. Ty brings his football toughness to the hardwood. He was tasked with defending Turic and was a bright spot for the Stars on the backboards, snagging 7 rebounds as they were outrebounded 42-26. Even though he was the smallest player in the paint, Fallecker showed craftiness scoring inside, using the rim to shield shot blockers on reverses. Ty attacked the hoop with drives and converted an And-1 putback on his way to finishing with a team-high 12 points.

2027 6-2 W Eric Thornton – Atlanta Gamechangers – Wilson Academy

The big guard is a highlight waiting to happen when he gets a head of steam. Thornton loves to attack the rim and show off his springs, looking to slam posters on defenders. Eric is tough in transition when filling the lanes but also can score in the halfcourt, showing off touch with floaters and mid-range jumpers. He netted a baseline turnaround as part of his 16-point, 8-rebound, 2-assist, 1-steal, 1-block performance against the Upward Stars. Thornton looks close to being an impact maker at the varsity level.

2027 7-0 C James Turic – Atlanta Gamechangers – Wilson Academy (Pictured)

At 7-foot, James has elite length. He is extremely thin, but Turic holds his own underneath the basket and doesn’t get pushed around too often. He is able to grab rebounds at their highest point and keeps the ball above defenders’ reach when he goes up to score. James finishes well around the basket on post ups, often turning to score over top with short drop ins. Defensively, Turic walls up and lets his wingspan play, blocking shots without having to jump. In a 57-36 win, James collected 8 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks.

2025 6-10 C Fallou Dioum – All GA Elite – BEST Academy

Fallou demands attention with his size. Dioum is a sturdy post presence with strength and length. He gets a lot of his offense off the backboard, using his height to secure rebounds and finish up close. Fallou is a solid athlete. He doesn’t necessarily explode off the ground for catch-and-dunk opportunities, but he is effective and takes his time to finish. He does a good job of getting post real estate and showcased a hook shot inside. In a 55-53 win over Path Hoops, Dioum scored on three putbacks en route to 12 points, 12 rebounds, 1 steal and 2 blocks. It feels like Fallou is flying under the radar heading into his senior season. He has a quality floor at the next level and with college development, could see his ceiling raise considerably.

2026 6-8 F Kaden Lawson – Cam Sports South – Tift County

South Georgia has a nice burgeoning prospect in Kaden Lawson, a long lefty that runs the floor and plays above the rim. Lawson is adept at catching lobs but can also get tough buckets inside and draw fouls by getting deep post position. In a 56-52 loss, Kaden posted 10 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block highlighted by four dunks. Schools will want to keep an eye on his development over his final two seasons.

2027 5-9 G Langston Jones – AJ Bouye Elite – North Atlanta

Langston closed Who Wants The Smoke strong on Sunday, scoring 12 of his 13 points in the second half to rally AJ Bouye Elite past Team EYA after trailing 27-13 at the half to win 47-36. Jones plays with a pep in his step. He’s a sharp athlete with quick movements that gets off the ground swiftly with impressive elevation. Langston got loose in transition, using his speed and bounce to finish at the rim. Jones has a high arc on his jump shot, getting to his spots. He finished with 13 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals.