#OTRHoopsReport: 2016 #ATLTipOffWatch – November 11, 2015

Jared Harper led Pebblebrook to the GHSA championship game last year. He is a #ATLTipOffWatch prospect in the class of 2016. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/GHSA

High School Basketball in Georgia is underway this week with many of the schools competing in scrimmages. Our #OTRHoopsReport staff is privileged to serve as voters on that committee at the end of each school season. Use the #ATLTipOffWatch hash tag on twitter to see prospects who are emerging this high school season. Here is a look at the 2016 players from around the city of Atlanta that are early candidates for the Atlanta Tip-Off Club Player of the Year.

By:  @JLHemingwayPSB

2016 ATL Tip-Off Club Watch-List

(Players listed in alphabetical order)

Alterique Gilbert (Lithonia, Ga.), Miller Grove

Position: Combo-Guard
School: Connecticut
Accomplishments: Named to 2015-16 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team
Why he could win: Gilbert will be one of the best play-makers in the city. His ability to slash and hit jumpers make him a 20 point threat nightly. Playing for one of the state’s top teams in Miller Grove will keep the attention on him nightly.

Jared Harper (Mableton, Ga.), Pebblebrook

Position: Point Guard
School: Auburn
Accomplishments: EYBL Summer Jam MVP
Why he could win: Being the point-man for one of the state’s best team’s immediately puts Harper in the conversation as Player of the Year. He scores big points, but sets the table for his teammates with equal effectiveness.

Josh Okogie (Snellville, Ga.), Shiloh

Position: Shooting Guard
School: Georgia Tech
Accomplishments: Averaged double digits this spring/summer with Team CP3; helped lead Shiloh to a GHSA Final Four appearance last year.
Why he could win: Okogie headlines a talented roster for coach Kim Rivers. Shiloh could challenge to be one of the top teams in Gwinnett County and Okogie will be at the center of that run. The athletic 6-4 wing scores efficiently from perimeter while also rebounding his position as well as anyone.

Brandon Robinson (Douglasville, Ga.), Douglas County

Position: Guard
School: North Carolina
Accomplishments: Averaged 7 points per game on the EYBL circuit for the Georgia Stars, who won the Peach Jam
Why he could win: Robinson is one of the more intriguing prospects in the Metro-Atlanta area. He has the size and athleticism to be an effective two-way player. If Douglas County catches fire and makes a deep tourney run, Robinson will be a big reason why.

Kobi Simmons (Alpharetta, Ga.), St. Francis

Position: Guard
School: Undecided
Accomplishments: Concensus 5-star prospect; led the Knights to a state championship last year
Why he could win: Simmons is the city’s most talented player. At 6-foot-5, he is a dynamic athlete who can score in transition or the half court. He has proved that he can produce in the big moments.

The Best Outside of the Metro-Atlanta Area

There is plenty of good basketball that is played outside of the city. Here is a look at a few of the top players in the state, who cannot be considered in the Atlanta Tip-Off Club Player of the Year.

Tyree Crump of Bainbridge, Ga., finished an outstanding summer with the Showtime Hoops. He proved to be one of the top scoring guards nationally during the summer months. He went toe to toe with the top prospects in the country at the NBPA Top 100 Camp and shot the 3-point shot as well as any in the camp. He signed with the University of Georgia today and will give coach Mark Fox an instant scoring punch.

Coach Fox was not finished with recruiting outside of the Metro-Atlanta area when he picked a commitment from 6-5 guard Jordan Harris. The left-handed guard led Seminole County to a state championship last year and should have his team as an early favorite to repeat in class AA.

Morgan County will feel the loss of Tookie Brown this year, but look for Jailyn Ingram to step up big this year. The Florida Atlantic commit is an athletic 6-7 wing forward who will bring scoring and rebounding for the Bulldogs.

 

 College Coaches can get the full report by clicking here! 

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB