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OTRHoops – Emerging Names from GCBA Live Period – June 22, 2023

OTRHoops - Emerging Names from GCBA Live Period - June 22, 2023
June 22, 2023

CARTERSVILLE, Georgia, – The NCAA live period in the month of June has become a staple for high school teams in the state of Georgia. Last weekend at Lake Point Sports teams from all over the state of Georgia and a handful of out of state teams packed into the 12-court facility in front of hundreds of college coaches. Our staff was in the stands checking the action. We found the usual standout performers in the state along with a couple of names we expect to see trending heading into next the next high school season.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

The best new name for our staff coming out of the weekend was Maurio Hanson of Julius Chambers High School (NC). He is a 6-foot-7 power forward who is built like a defensive end. Yet he has the footwork and shooting touch to give him a unique blend of finesse to blend with his power frame. He has caught the eyes and attention of college coaches this spring as he has earned offers from across the map including Texas A&M, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, and South Florida. Given his statistics on the EYBL circuit as a high percentage shooter, we believe that even more offers could pile up before the end of the summer.

Coach BJ Roy’s style at Mountain View High School is fast paced, aggressive, and encouraging his players to push the limits on either end of the court. Class of 2024 guard Jah-mel Bruce fits into this philosophy very well. He is an athletic guard that takes advantage of the offensive freedom that is afforded to him by attacking the rim and finding jumpers off the dribble. We believe it is his defensive versatility that will be the key for the Bears this upcoming season.

A player on the rise coming out of this event is class of 2024 wing Ramone Seals with SLAM Tampa Charter. After missing the spring evaluation periods, Seals made sure to grab everyone’s attention with his play at the event. At first glance, the 6-4 guard with broad shoulders could be taken as a front line forward. But it does not take long to see that the Florida native is an expert ball handler who can finish at the rim with devastating force. He was great with the ball in space as he used a quick first step and body control to gain angle to finish at the rim. The skill that should be highlighted, perhaps the most, is his passing ability. He has a good instinct for distributing and is quick to deliver the ball off the dribble in the half court. Keep that in mind when looking at Seals this July.

There never seems to be a shortage of demand for big men who can run the floor and swat shots. This is why class of 2024 center Ramon Soyoye will be hotly pursued this July. The 6-10 Chapel Hill High School product showed these skills and more on Saturday afternoon when we sat on his game versus Westlake. He is the prototype for a center in this modern age because of his ability to rim run after picking missed shots off the glass. His offensive tool bag is there and developing. But college coaches will be anxious to work this big man and make him a defensive anchor.

There is much to get excited about when watching class of 2025 forward/center Jaden Priester with Cross Creek High School. He is a 6-7 front line player with length, mobility, and instinct to finish at the rim. The rising junior showed timing on the defensive end as a shot blocker as well. We took note of his ability to face the basket and hit jumpers within the flow of the offense. His wrist snap at the free throw line is another indicator that Priester could morph into full time trail-4 over time.

One of the more impressive performances at the live period was put in by class of 2026 guard Jayden Joseph from Mater Lakes High School (FL). What made it impressive was that Jospeh led his team to a win over a well-coached and experienced Pace Academy squad. Just a sophomore, Joseph presented himself as a veteran. He had his way on the offensive end scoring points off jumpers and finishes at the rim. Joseph is making his case as one of the top underclass prospects in the Southeast.

Jonathan Hemingway has been a National Evaluator for On the Radar Hoops since 2013. He has been involved in the basketball community since 1995 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him at JLHemingway@gmail.com and follow him on twitter @JL_Hemingway.


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