#OTRSweet16 Session II – Standouts Part III (Hemingway) – April 26, 2022

MARIETTA, Georgia, – In this report we document players who stood out on the third and final day of the OTR Sweet 16 Session II. Marietta High School was filled with buzzer beaters, close competitive games, and of course individual standout performances. Here are the prospects that we took special note of from Sunday at the event.

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Kelechi Akali – Pistons Elite – 2023

We took notice of Akali in a Sunday morning game. He is a 6-foot-6 post player with long arms and plenty of athletic upside. He did a nice job of finishing around the basket in this game. He also showed mobility as he ran the court quickly and was able to defend laterally in the half court. Akali still has offensive polish to attain. However, with the tools we saw on Sunday we believe that he best days of basketball are still in front of him.

Grant Erickson – Atlanta Timberwolves – 2023

Erickson is the type of forward every team needs on its roster. He is the kid he will fight for loose balls, grab rebounds in traffic, and get the timely basket in traffic when it is needed most. What Erickson may lack in length or pure athleticism, he more than makes up for in being a good teammate and being at the right spot at the right time.

Talib Hamilton – CM Knights – 2023

Hamilton is a prospect of much potential. The rangy 6-3 wing is willing to do all the dirty work on either end of the floor. He hustles after loose balls and gives the second effort necessary to finish buckets in traffic. The lefty is great handling in the open floor and can turn the corner to finish in transition. Expect a big senior year from Hamilton this winter.

Markus Leichner – TNT Hoopsquad – 2024

Leichner made a mark on Sunday afternoon with a 15-point outing in a come from behind win. He showed a confident and consistent 3-point stroke. The 6-6 wing proved he can handle the ball as a playmaker as well. There is plenty to be optimistic about with Leichner’s game and not least of all is that he still has two years of high school left.

Jack Strickland – Reid Fundamental – 2024

Strickland showed his pure 3-point stroke in a 16-point outing on Sunday afternoon. The 5-8 guard ran the baseline and found open corners to fire off his jumpers. His buckets came at key moments when the game was still in the balance. Strickland plays the game with an air of confidence, which is a big reason why we expect to hear much more from him in upcoming years.

Kaleb Walker – TN Primetime – 2024

Walker is a high energy combo guard that makes the opposing defenses work to cover him. He can stick the perimeter jumper when he has space. However, it is when he has the ball in his hands that he creates shots at the rim. He does a good job of changing pace and speed to keep defenders off balance. His toughness is an asset when he gets into the lane and draws contact.

Hansen Walsh – Inspire ATL – 2024

Walsh is a gunner. He gets his shot up quick and often accurately from the perimeter. What works best for Walsh’s game is that he works quickly around screens and can get his shot up even off the move. Far from a spot up shooter, his footwork is so refined that he only needs a small gap in between him and the trailing defender to be able to get his shot up. He scored 12 points in a win on Sunday afternoon and that should be an indication for even bigger things to come for the sophomore.

Matthew Williams – Jupiter Jaguars – 2023

Williams seemed to have the game in the palm of his hands from tip to finish on Sunday morning. The 6-3 guard plays primarily off the ball in the half court. This allows him to move and find open spaces to score. He uses his size and mobility to score on the interior as well as around the arc. His soft touch and confident footwork on pull-up jumpers are big areas for his success. Look for more stellar outings from Williams this summer.

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.