#OTRHoopsReport – Holiday Hoopsgiving RECAP – November 28, 2022
SNELLVILLE, Georgia, – The Holiday Hoopsgiving kicked off last weekend with many of the top teams in the lineup. Our OTR staff got a firsthand look at the matchups and the prospects in the two day showcase format. Here is our offering of the top prospects from day one of the event.
By: Jonathan Hemingway (@JL_Hemingway)
Randy Latham – Langston Hughes – 2023
Latham’s third quarter fueled a Langston Hughes win over Meadowcreek. The 6-foot-2 guard came out of the locker room from halftime and led his team to a 20 (+) point victory. Latham is a guard who can split time as either a point guard or complementary guard on the wing. The strength of his game is his mid-range pull-up game. He has a good first step and has a good feel for scoring in traffic.
Nazir Griffin – Shiloh High School – 2023
Griffin is a terrific athlete who terrorizes opponents on either end of the court. He is the tip of the spear for the Generals as a playmaker and lead defender. He turned the momentum in the second half in a win over Buckhorn High School (AL). Griffin blends quickness and strength in the open court to be a consistent finisher at the bucket. He also uses a nice change of pace and crossover moves to get to his spot to score. On the defensive end his quick feet and anticipation skills often force opponents into mistakes.
Caleb Holt – Buckhorn High School – 2026
If Holt was not on your radar coming into this event, he ought to be at the top of any class of 2026 list coming out of the event. He is a 6-6 shooting guard with elite athleticism. He has bounce to finish above the rim and will often win 50/50 balls in the lane because of his quick hops. The strength of Holt’s game, however, centers around his scoring mentality. He can turn the corner with the dribble to score in traffic but can also stroke the 3-pointer with a confident release. We expect to hear more from Holt soon.
Trentyn Flowers – Combine Academy – 2024
Flowers is my top player from the event. He is easily a 5-star caliber prospect. He also has pro-game length to go along with a well-rounded skill set. He is a 6-9 wing who can legitimately play 1-4 at the next level. He shoots the ball from the arc at a high clip while also being able to initiate the half court as a lead guard. What impressed me the most about Flowers was his willingness to be active on the glass and the defensive end. He did not shy away from contact nor the physicality of the game. This combined with his very good passing ability and willingness to get others involved in the game is an indication that Flowers has the pedigree of a future pro.
Trey Green – Prolific Prep – 2023
Green is a playmaker. The 6-foot guard can impact the game as a shooter or as a point guard setting up his teammates. He is quick. Quick trigger. Quick handle. Quick crossover. And he put points on the board quickly in a win over SoCal Academy. The Xavier bound guard is confident handling the ball with either hand in traffic. He is the type of player that is readymade for the modern game because he can score the ball with 3-point shooting or set up teammates within the halfcourt the offense.
CJ Brown – Kell High School – 2024
Brown did not lead Longhorns in points, but he did have the play of the game that secured an overtime win versus Greenforest. In the game’s deciding moment. With Greenforest on a fastbreak with less than :30 left in overtime; Brown elevated and picked the ball right off the backboard with both hands. It was a play that you would only expect to see in the NBA, but Brown has the explosiveness to mimic that level of play on a high school court. Brown has a handful of Power 5 Conference offers not only because of his athleticism, but because of what he can do with the ball in his hands. He is a terrific playmaker who can blow past defenders with a quick shake and burst. If the Longhorns make a postseason run, it will be likely be behind the playmaking of Brown.
Bryce Cash – Carmel Christian – 2023
In a game that had a seesaw of momentum, it was ultimately Cash who provided the stability for Carmel Christian for the win. He is a 6-6 wing-forward with a good frame and athleticism. He used his strong frame to score buckets in the paint down the stretch in this game. He displayed his blue-collar attitude and made the winning plays that provided the difference over Calvary Christian. The combination of versatility and competitiveness make him an attractive prospect at the collegiate level.
Derek Dixon – Gonzaga College School – 2025
Dixon looks to have a complete skill set as a sophomore. Competing on a big stage, he plays the game with poise and fundamentals. He has a smooth jumper from 3-point range and will mix in some playmaking off the dribble as well. His passing is what impressed me the most. He has vision and a touch to put the ball in the right spot at the right time for his teammates. I expect Dixon to be a prospect of interest for college coaches in upcoming years.
Nykolas Lewis – Gonzaga College School – 2025
Lewis was the difference in Gonzaga win over Pebblebrook. He scored 24 points and added 5 rebounds and 4 steals. The 6-foot point guard is quick and aggressive when attacking the lane with the dribble. He also proved to be a consistent shooter from beyond the arc when he is given space. However, it was his work on the defensive end that should be most noted here. He is a bulldog when defending the ball and will often force opponents into bad decisions. Expect Lewis to become one of the top point guards in his class if he stays on his current trajectory with coach Steve Turner.
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.
