OTR Hoops: Who Wants the Smoke Sunday Top Performers – May 12, 2025
A list of top performers from Sunday at Who Wants the Smoke? in Marietta, Georgia.
By: Kyle Sandy
2028 6-2 W Owen Ward – Team Scoot – Walton (Pictured)
I was super impressed with Owen Ward’s athleticism and effort. Ward’s motor stood out in a 60-41 win. He was all over the floor making plays, especially on defense. Ward flew around blocking shots without fouling. He got to shots face-to-face and from beyond. Owen’s smooth athleticism pairs well with a frame that already has lean muscle and could pack on even more. On offense, Owen was a monster on the offensive glass, crashing in to earn multiple chances. Ward scored on a left-handed drive, a tough baseline reverse and hit a jumper from the short corner as he piled in 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 8 blocks. I love his long-term upside as a jack of all trades.
2028 5-11 PG Anazhon Purnell – Team Scoot – Chattahoochee County
Purnell is a hidden gem in Class A D-II. The Cusseta guard is a twitchy athlete with a great handle against pressure. Anazhon has no issue breaking off combo moves, going behind his back as he toys with defenders before penetrating. Purnell has advanced vision off the bounce capable of dishing off assists in tight quadrants. Anazhon posted 12 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in the win. He hit two pull-up threes and freed himself with spin moves downhill. The Region 6 A D-II Freshman of the Year has a great future ahead.
2028 5-10 G Najee Reynolds – Devin Butts Elite OTR – Hancock Central
The tough-as-nails guard went for 22 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist and 4 steals against Team Scoot. Reynolds is a sturdily built guard that has a burst of speed to the rim. His strength with the ball allows him to get to the hoop on straight line drives. Najee scores through contact and is a solid jump shooter. He projects to be a big-time scorer moving forward for a Hancock Central team that has a bevvy of sneaky good guards.
2028 5-7 PG Jackson Rusnak – Rivalry Hoops – St. Pius X
Jackson Rusnak was the maestro of a 48-45 win over Atlanta Swish Elite on Mother’s Day morning. The slick playmaker made things happen off the bounce, using quick shiftiness to penetrate. Jackson poured in points and dropped assists, especially out of the pick-and-roll as he showed a deft ability as a pocket passer when hitting his rollers. Rusnak put up points from all three levels when he wasn’t distributing, sinking two three-pointers, netting a mid-range pull-up and finishing with both hands downhill. Jackson went 5-5 from the foul line as he finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 1 block. Rusnak’s feel for the game bodes well for his career.
2028 6-0 C Lucas Rosser – Rivalry Hoops – Marist
Lucas brought his grown man strength from the gridiron to the hardwood as he gobbled up 10 points and 14 rebounds. Rosser is an overpowering force in the paint, a dominant rebounder and physical rim protector. Lucas excels at snatching rebounds with two hands in traffic. The lefty can hit the mid-range jumper and has a drop step to score up close. Lucas has good hand-eye coordination, adept at finishing on the move out of pick-and-rolls.
2028 6-2 C Caleb Wright – Atlanta Swish Elite
Atlanta Swish relied on Caleb Wright’s interior game throughout the day. He’s a strong post presence who can sink the occasional jumper and has enough ball skills to attack coast-to-coast. Wright tallied 15 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block.
2027 6-1 G Cash Langston – R2L – Hewitt-Trussville
The lean lanky guard was smooth in a 50-47 win over Triangle Offense Elite. Cash displayed clean footwork when attacking the basket, using ball fakes before pivoting to play off two feet. Langston packed a punch on the perimeter from beyond the arc, hitting a pair of threes including a step-back pull-up. Cash finished with his left hand in traffic. His court vision led to open three-point looks for teammates. Langston reeled in 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal.
2027 6-5 PF Gehrig Felix – Triangle Offense Elite OTR – Grayson
Felix is an enforcer inside, a burly post presence with great strength. He has a soft touch around the rim, finishing extremely well with both hands. The lefty loves to bang, getting on the offensive glass for putbacks. In the loss, Felix finished with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 2 steals.
2028 6-4 F Josh Cooper – Greater Than Academy OTR – North Cobb Christian
Josh was the best athlete in the gym on Sunday. In a 30-point win, Cooper threw down four dunks. He set up in the high post, catch and immediately look to attack the rim. Josh collected 13 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 2 blocks and plenty of highlight material.
2028 6-4 F Anderson Clemons – Greater Than Academy OTR – West Forsyth
Anderson brought his ballhawk skills from the football field as he dominated in the press with 10 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist and 8 steals. Clemons picked off passes and elevated above all others for rebounds in traffic. He has a great frame for his grade and knows how to use it, playing with excellent energy.
