#OTRHoopsReport: The Opening Stockrisers – April 10, 2018

The Opening provided a prefect platform for teams to showcase before the evaluation period.

Marietta, GA—On the Radar Hoops officially opened up the 2018 spring & summer travel ball season with its inaugural The Opening Tournament. Top shoe-company and independent teams flocked to Wheeler High School (GA) for some intriguing matchups. Hypesouth Media was in attendance and reveals a couple players that turned heads all weekend.

By @HypesouthMedia

6-7 SG, 2020 Brandon Boston Jr, Athletes of Tomorrow (A.O.T.)

Sophomore sharpshooter Brandon Boston, Jr. was nothing more than a spot-up shooter when I watched him at the beginning of the 2017-18 school ball season. Fast forward to this weekend, I was pleasantly surprised by the developmental strides he has made over a four month span. The 6-7 wing demonstrated the ability to shoot it off the bounce in the half-court, bring it up coast to coast, and create scoring opportunities for himself as well as teammates. Boston Jr. was easily one of the more impressive prospects on hand. Look for him to take the Nike EYBL Circuit by storm this travel season and climb in the 2020 national rankings.

6-2 CG, 2019 AJ Watts, Georgia South

The upstart Georgia South travel squad flaunts a couple of the top prospects that South-Georgia has to offer and none raised their stock more than Carver-Columbus guard AJ Watts. The bruising junior unleashed his entire repertoire on the offensive end, showing the ability to knock down pull-up jumpers and finish strong at the rim. Defensively, he disrupted getting into opponents end-to-end. Right now, Watts isn’t a popular name in coaching circles, but expect that to change in a hurry if his play from this weekend carries over into the NCAA live sessions. Coaches add this kid to your notebooks.

2019 Georgia South AJ Watts is The Best Keep Secret in Georgia

Athletic Guard that plays with a high motor and can finish through contact

Finished with 22pts pic.twitter.com/4XlXDLQV7G

— Donte Medlock (@locksWAY_OTR) April 7, 2018

5-11 PG, 2019 Jalen Benjamin, Stackhouse Elite

Benjamin is the epitome of a complete floor general. The feisty point guard played both ends superbly. He made pinpoint passes hitting teammates in rhythm and scored timely baskets when called upon, but what popped off the screen the most was his fearlessness on defense. Benjamin looks to be a nice lower level prospect who has the potential and leadership ability to help immediately.

6-5 SG, 2019 Devin Butts, Warner Robins All-Stars

Butts is another talented Middle-Georgia product that looks to be coming into his own. The 6-5 three-point specialist displayed a sweet shooting stroke this weekend, and is definitely one to monitor heading into the live period. He’s caught the attention of programs such as Georgia State and UNC-Greensboro who were both in to see him last week. Catch him running with Team Georgia Magic during On the Radar’s April live sessions. Coaches in need of a knock down shooter with size, add Butts to your big board.

6-11 C, 2019 Rich Rivers, Team AJ Bouye

Rivers is a big skilled post that showed he can hit jumpers off the pick-and-pop and finish around the rim with either hand. The wide-bodied big man needs to improve his foot speed, but is definitely an interesting prospect given his measurables and skillset. After watching him up close and personal, Rivers is a project who I’d recommend coaches to peek in on during the live period.

7-footer Ritchie Rivers @Rich_Rivers11 of Team AJ Bouye has the ability to stretch the floor with his ability to shoot the ball and finish with either hand around the basket @PRHSBasketball pic.twitter.com/iOSuQedtSL

— Shun Williams (@OntheRadarHoops) April 8, 2018

6-6 CG, 2019 Christian Jackson, GA Canes

Jackson was very impressive with his overall feel for the game. He scored and assisted at a high-clip and looked to be very comfortable doing so. In addition, he showed defensive versatility guarding multiple positions every game. All considered, I expect this kid to make a name for himself come late April and July, he is a player.

5-10 CG, 2019 Jordan Brown, Georgia South

Brown may be small in stature, but he makes up for it with his competitive edge. This kid plays hard and with a lot of energy. Known for his efficiency from beyond the three-point stripe, Brown has noticeably worked on his ball handling and midrange game. Now, he is able to keep defenders off balance and get just about any shot he wants. Playing on a loaded Georgia South squad, Brown may not be one that coaches prioritize, but will definitely pique the interest of someone with his shooting prowess and relentless approach.

’19 Jordan “Snow” Brown

17U Georgia South@Jb_brown1 @GRSportsMedia pic.twitter.com/eelSZf9w3j

— EJ Brown (@AlbEliteTigers) April 10, 2018

Underclassman Watch

6-3 CG, 2021 Javian Mosley, Stackhouse Elite

5-8 PG, 2020 DJ Wright, Club Orange

6-5 F, 2021 Quay Primas, Hypesouth

5-6 PG, 2021 HB Morgan, Warner Robins All-Stars

6-5 F, 2021 Cole Middleton, HYPE Hawks

Kowacie Reeves is a contributor to On the Radar Hoops.