#OTRHoopsReport – Georgia Challenge Headliners – September 23, 2014

With several offers already under his belt, class of 2015 post Trey Kalina of Marietta, Ga., is poised for a big senior year. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/OTR

DULUTH, Ga. – The Georgia Challenge presented by On the Radar Hoops is the place to be to  face the region’s top talent and getting great exposure. This year over 100 high school prospects packed into Joe Marelle Gymnasium at Duluth High School to make a name for themselves. Here are several players who lived up to their reputations last weekend.

Top Talent Take the Georgia Challenge

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

Kameron Calhoun (Suwanee, Ga.), – North Gwinnett HS – 2015

Calhoun is one of the members of the so called ‘Stackhouse kids,’ who moved to the North Gwinnett district to live with the former NBA All-Star, Jerry Stackhouse. The 6-foot-4 forward has always been noted for his superb athleticism and tremendous lift in the paint. Now in his senior year and many of his former teammates moving on, Calhoun is primed for a breakout year. His strength and lift is more pronounced with maturity. Keep a close on eye on his productivity while playing for Zach Smith’s Bulldogs this year.

Jared Harper (Atlanta, Ga.), – Pebblebrook HS – 2016

Harper is riding the wave of momentum, which started this summer while playing for the Southern Stampede on the EYBL circuit. It continued at the EBA All-American Camp where he put on a clinic on how to play the point guard position. His skill was evident again this weekend as he hit numerous 3-point jumpers in transition and off of the ball screen. He is a shot maker that possesses uncanny ability to find the crevice in the defense. It is no surprise that he holds offers from programs such as Old Dominion, Ole Miss and Richmond. Look for those offers to grow as he transfers to play with the highly talented Pebblebrook team this year.

Tyrell Johnson (Lithonia, Ga.), – Stephenson HS – 2015

We have seen Johnson numerous times over the past year and each time he impresses our staff with his length and versatility. This weekend was no different as he punished the rim with multiple dunks after he exploded past opposing defenders. Johnson positioned himself as one of the state’s premier combo-forwards coming out of this weekend. Keep an eye on the 6-7 prospect’s recruitment as a number of schools in the region as well from around the nation should be in to watch him this year play for Stephenson.

Trey Kalina (Marietta, Ga.), – North Cobb Christian HS – 2015

Quality post players are a scarce resource in the game of basketball. Finding a 7-foot post player who can run the floor, shoot the face up jumper while having the lift to finish over unsuspecting defenders is liken to finding ‘Bigfoot’ in some recruiting classes. However, Trey Kalina possesses all of the aforementioned skills and put together a very productive afternoon at the Georgia Challenge. The 7-foot center already holds a number of offers from regional schools such as Florida Atlanta, Florida International, James Madison plus others. As higher ranked post players begin to commit in upcoming weeks, look for Kalina’s recruiting stock to rise.

Davion Thomas (Columbus, Ga.), – Northside Columbus HS – 2016

We first got a up close look at Thomas’ talent this spring at the Sweet 16. The athletic forward stands at 6-9 and presents a true match-up problem along the front-line. He is mobile enough to slash past slow footed defenders while providing the length needed to control the glass. While he may be most effective at the power forward position on the offensive end, he has the foot speed to guard multiple positions on the floor. Clemson is the latest school to check in on the forward’s talent.

Reggie Todd (Mobile, Ala.), – Blount HS – 2016

Todd is one of the top slashers in his class. Standing at 6-5 he has ideal height to play on the wing with athleticism to match. It was this talent that OTRHoopsReport.com evaluator Brandon Clay saw first at the Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis, Mo., in June of this year. That performance combined with another solid showing at the Georgia Challenge earned him the No. 57 spot in the BCSElite 60. The one area that Todd will need to continue to develop in months to come is the consistency on his jump shot. There are signs of hope in that area as we saw him drop a couple in game play this weekend.

Exposure and Showcase Opportunities:

October 11 – CoachHemi.com Fall Workout
October 18 – Peach State Basketball Top 40 Workout

 

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. 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