OTR The Opening 17U Standouts – March 21, 2023

OTR’s The Opening: 17u Standouts
This weekend played host to The Opening, On The Radar’s first circuit event of the spring and the competition did not disappoint. I hovered between the 4 courts at Woodstock High School, catching as much 17u action as possible. These are a few guys that made big impressions on opening weekend.

By: Cam Rickers (@CamRickersHoops)

2024 G Brentis Schaeffer – Game Elite K (Langston Hughes)
While we’re only 4 games into the spring circuit, Brentis Schaeffer has already helped his stock tremendously in my eyes. Schaeffer is able to be a ball dominant point guard for Game Elite K which allows him to showcase the full package of skills. He had a huge game against the Norcross Heat, going for 26 points in the win. Schaeffer changes speeds really well as a ball-handler and uses that to penetrate the defense and create offensive looks. Expect the dynamic point guard to grow in relevancy this spring and summer.

2024 F William Jobe – Team Dickerson Black (King’s Ridge)
After watching William Jobe this weekend and in the latter portion of the high school season, I can’t say enough about the necessary steps his game has taken. Jobe has always been a gifted shooter and that’s still a major part of his game but Jobe is now more willing than ever to mix it up around the paint. He swatted a number of opposing layups this weekend and rebounded with a lot of energy. Team Dickerson Black is a team you’ll want to see at OTR events this spring, William Jobe a big reason why.

2024 G Rob Hunter – Atlanta Stars (Roswell)
The Atlanta Stars were new to me coming into the weekend but when I saw Rob Hunter throw the jersey on, I decided to take a seat and he made my time worthwhile. Hunter is a skilled point guard with a nifty handle, able to create shots off the bounce or create looks for others. He had several tough finishes through contact, maintaining body control all the way through and this is where I’ve seen him take the biggest leap. If Hunter can continue to scale back the turnovers, we’re looking at a legitimate college guard prospect.

2024 W Richard Rojas – Drill Academy (Old Suwanee Christian)
Richard Rojas was very impressive in a solid all-around weekend from Drill Academy’s 17u. His point total over both days has to be near the top after he went for 29 against Dunwoody United and then followed that with a 27-point game against Game Elite Mac. Rojas is an athletic slasher that plays above the rim and always runs the floor hard. I watched him play some tough defense as well, multiple chase-down blocks and some solid on-ball defense, He’s currently at Old Suwanee Christian after beginning the year at Mountain View.

2024 G Cam Perkins – Warner Robins All-Stars (Warner Robins)
Rarely do you ever get a poor performance out of Camryn Perkins, as consistent as any point guard you’ll find in his class. The lefty, Perkins is a strong-ballhandler that can score from all three levels and break defenders down using different combinations of dribble moves. He’s got a great understanding of the game and makes the right reads with confidence. Fort Valley St and Miles College have already offered and were wise to jump in early.

2024 G Yuta Yumamoto – Georgia Legacy (Chattahoochee)
Yuta Yumamoto has grown and developed within the Georgia Legacy program for years now to the point where I think a lot of people look at him as the poster child for all the great work Legacy has done. His game takes leaps forward every year and his work ethic is as clear to see as anyone’s. He was an instrumental part of Legacy’s success this weekend, running the offense with poise while knocking down several three-pointers in the process. While many will try to overlook Yumamoto because of his size and stature, his production can’t be ignored.