#OTRSweet16 Session 1 – Top16U (Kell) Pt 1

MARIETTA, GA – Back to Marietta I went for Day 3 of OTR’s Sweet 16 Session 1, and the day turned up some really good-l0oking 16U talent at Kell HS, as these juniors-to be get their games in order for bigger live periods still to come.

Part 1 of 2:

By Keith Agran

Nick Womack | SG | Inspire Elite | 2024

Super athletic in a hybrid G/F type role, caught the ball in multiple spots on the floor against multiple defenses and was able to score in all of them, nice-looking game from 15+ in with the bounce or facing up on the break or in the halfcourt for this Maryland-product.

Lawson Stephens | SG | HYPE Hawks | 2024

The Providence Christian guard was working his tail off at both ends and that work rate made him and others better, he fits the Storm mold well as a young Chance Thacker-type with more work to be done to get to be as good as the 2022 star, but there was inside-out effectiveness with the shot and the drive.

Ace McKinnie | PF | Southern Kings | 2024

The Kings are Augusta-based but McKinnie hails from Florida and gave us another long and rangy big to admire from the Sunshine State, seriously got off the deck at around 6-8 for putbacks and blocked shots, ran the floor and worked hard to put himself in position to score, ton of upside with the size and movement.

Jamari Mosley | SG | Norcross Heat 2025 | 2025 (pictured above)

This whole Norcross Heat bunch was playing up at Kell along with their regular 16U brethren, Mosley shined yet again after being one of the 2 or 3 best 2026’s I saw last summer, he’s gotten much bigger and stronger and the ceiling for the Collins Hill product is very high, so athletic and so skilled getting at the basket with variety and he can defend 3 spots at this stage.

Sylvester Lewis | PF | Tony Bradley Elite | 2024

Another somewhat raw but still very intriguing young Florida big patrolling the paint and making life difficult defensively for anyone brave enough to drive it near him, on the catch in close he looked comfortable and confident but it will be interesting to see him develop his game further away from the basket, but there’s a ton there with 2 HS seasons to go.

Tavaris Bell | PG | Upward Stars Columbia | 2024

Slick South Carolina-based PG with multi-level scoring ability and speed to burn in space, great on the attack getting at seams and creating chances for himself and others, one of the better passers of the day as he was in control of the action, savvy defender with active hands.

Maurion Gordon | PF | Upward Stars Columbia | 2024

Super active at both ends as he was tough as nails scoring it from 12 feet in and defended with a lot of vigor as Upward teams normally do, a lot of fight and claw in his effort level at about 6-5 and the jump between his junior summer and senior year in 2023 will I think be the real table-turner for this intriguing young South Carolina forward.

Daylan Dixon | SG | OTP | 2024

The Eastside (Covington) guard was a real eye-opener with his combination of physical guard play and deft decision-making, there’s enormous natural ability that is yet to be fully harnessed but under the wing of the OTP banner he can get the work in and unleash some interesting possibilities, took over in stretches with force or finesse.

Wes Harrison | PF | OTP | 2024

Gradually putting his stamp on what should be a fascinating summer for him leading into a season with River Ridge where he and many other 2024’s interspersed around travel teams in town will be stepping into key roles, he’s worked on his body and his game and the results are more above the rim work at 6-6 or so and more quickness and variety below the rim, soft jumper and heads up-D make him a Cherokee-County product to keep an eye on.

Michael White | SG | Norcorss Heat | 2024

Here was White once again showing off his superb all-around scoring game just as he did with a breakout sophomore year at Mountain View, from a pure skill standpoint he was the best player in the gym all day, was getting it done from deep range as is his rep but also showing a real knack for crafty downhill moves that more often than not result in finishes, a star to watch in Gwinnett next fall.

Daron Sturdivant | PG | Norcross Heat | 2024

Stood out for his heady play and noticeable blow-by as he got up and back setting up the likes of White, Devon Moise (McEachern) and Antravin Belcher (Newton) all game long when I saw him, a top on-ball defender of the day I love how he gets to the basket and showed really good poise handling prressure even if playing with Meadowcreek means he’s behind 2023 Keishawn Hampton for now.

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.