#OTRSweet16 – Saturday 17U Gems from McEachern Pt 3

POWDER SPRINGS, GA – The Saturday grind during a live period was in full effect at McEachern HS’s 5 courts on Saturday April 9, here’s Part 3 on the 17u guys who were hard to miss from a rollicking Sweet Sixteen Session 1 in front of a large contingent of coaches.

By Keith Agran

Dylan James | PF | 1Family | 2023

Toughness and sound play at the forward position for one of Florida’s top players it was a pleasure watching James play, had stretches where he basically did whatever he wanted at 6-9 and showed me this being my extended look real range out past the arc to go with the dominant power-game he employs closer in, handles the ball well and is a serious eraser on D as he jumps out the gym, as most already know a high D1 talent whose name will be known even more before long.

Samuel Alexis | PF | 1Family | 2023

Playing alongside James was simply unfair at times as this 1Family team from FL was impressive across the board, Alexis too was a beast inside at 6-9 bulling his way past smaller defenders all weekend, when he too stepped out and knocked down a 3 it became apparent where his stock was as well, perhaps not quite the fleet-footed athlete James is but still a high D1 with all kinds of upside still to unleash with the size and body to match.

Justin McCarter | SG | SEBA | 2023

Showed off the versatility we’ve seen in spurts playing a bit of both guard and forward against a bigger opponent and fairing really well in both roles, has that wiry strong way of playing where he can go physical at 6-5 or turn on the juice and get by folks who underestimate his movement to the goal, can be explosive off the deck or play smart ball below the rim, has a chance to really garner looks this travel season the way he can score for you in so many ways and offer so many dimensions to a next-level roster.

Dante Harrison | CG | SEBA | 2023

When I saw Harrison 2 years ago playing alongside top 2023 GA-prospect Brandon Rechsteiner of Etowah and the Atlanta All-Stars he was noticeable back then as well, incredible top-end speed out in the open floor as he blows by guys like a running back with a step on the defense, he’s added to his frame and can really attack and absorb hits near the basket, love his prospects a lead guard but he can slide the wing with a soft jumper, A+ defender on and off the ball.

Greg Jones | PF | WR All-Stars | 2023

I used the term “bang & wiggle” on social media when watching Jones do a little of both for the always tough and always competitive Warner Robins bunch, he’s a sturdy 6-5 and uses it to bust his way through people on the glass or as an interior presence, but the wiggle part was his ability to use the bounce in the halfcourt or be a terror coming off the wing on the break, another intriguing guy out middle-GA to watch.

Khamren Little | SG | WR All-Stars | 2023

One of the day’s real eye-openers was the versatile and explosive Little, playing alongside rising 2024 PG Cam Perkins makes for one heck of a tough and skilled middle-GA backcourt, Little caused some oohs and aahs from coaches and scouts along the baseline with some high-flying antics but there was also in your face defense at 6-4 that was well-drilled and physical, but looking deeper there was plenty of below the rim skill with the ball to keep an eye on and I hope to see him more before next fall.

Shamarrie Hugie | SG | Georgia Ignites | 2023 (pictured above)

Here was Hugie again showing off his underrated chops as a scorer as the Savannah-based Ignites 17u crew has another good showing in Atlanta after running cover folks for most of last summer as 16’s, Hugie at 6-5 had the coaches whispering and asking questions amongst we scouts and it was easy to see why as he whirled and twirled and skied over a really good Upward Stars team late Saturday, he has the full package as a face-up scoring machine with a mix of power and finesse that is not easy to find, he is in my estimation one of the best players in the state not enough folks know about.

Keith Floyd | PG | Georgia Ignites 2023

Not at all to be outdone by Hugie was the dynamic Floyd who also had a spectacular summer last year and brought all of that with him to Sweet 16 Saturday night, there were few guards I saw all day that covered ground as fast as Floyd did and when he got in a position to attack he was by folks in a flash and was creative and effective going a the basket, add to that really consistent shooting range and this like Hugie is a must-see guard prospect out of Savannah.

Jordan Simpson | SG | Upward Stars Select | 2023

Upward Stars always brings talented rosters among the many teams they bring down from South Carolina and Simpson was terrific in the late Saturday game vs Georgia Ignites, big and strong at around 6-4 he played the bully from the guard spot but showed off some wonderful variety of spin moves and deft finishes using the dribble as well, the stroke was pure and pretty and went several steps past the arc, has the look of a D1 guard to me.

Keith Agran has lived in Georgia since 2011 and joined OTR as a National Evaluator in 2021. He previously scouted for Prep Hoops dating back to 2019 and has both a championship-coaching background on the HS-level and daily newspaper writing experience, both from New Jersey. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.