Rocky Top Invitational – 17U Eye-Catchers Part 2

GATLINBURG, TN – Such a great variety of teams descend on this vacation hamlet for OTR’s Rocky Top Invitational, it’s a favorite on the spring calendar for scouts.

I bounced between 17U and 15U most of the weekend, here were some of the guys in 17s who caught eyes, in multiple parts.

Part 2:

By: Keith Agran

I'm sure it's as much the clearly keen basketball instincts that I dig about Bryant's game as much as his obvious scoring chops with @HypeHawks 17U, a little bigger and stronger he remains one of those guys someone will be thrilled they got a hold off at the next level pic.twitter.com/dily6Gg6Tb

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) May 7, 2023

Jacob Bryant | G | 2024 | HYPE Hawks

Is often on the floor at the same time with unsigned 2023 PG Mekhi Craft making for a tough twosome to deal with, have been able to follow Bryant’s progression from OTR’s The Opening in 2022 to now and it has been eye-opening, has grown some adding a layer of physicality to a cerebral approach that has always been different, multi-level scoring threat and terrific decision-maker after seeing some of the 2023 PG’s who’ve signed recently it would surprise me if Bryant is on the board very long as next spring approaches.

@StarsBballClub Premier 17U has a bunch of options at point and when they play 4 guards it's tough to deal with, Dean stood out with his pure athleticism, some real explosion off the deck at the rim, and pure speed straight ahead with the ball pic.twitter.com/UIr2V4sb4b

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) May 7, 2023

Blake Dean | G | 2024 | Stars Nashville Premier

So athletic he wowed with how he was able to accelerate past people and get through traffic, such a depth of variety in what the Stars teams bring each time we see them it’s often hard to pick one, Dean however has that athletic edge which at the PG spot in particular is a separator, well-rounded guy who can defend, get up above the rim and be a willing facilitator with so many options around him in support.

Dominating performance by @PrimetimeTn earlier as they bring a solid product yearly to our floors, Taylor in particular stood out among a balanced group as he had back to back alley-oop finishes, but did impressive damage away from the basket as well pic.twitter.com/G1RFPIfHnN

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) May 7, 2023

Kaleb Walker | G | 2024 | Tennessee Primetime (pictured at top)

Always look forward to seeing Primetime as they always have a guy or two to uncover, alongside Walker were several other guards who impressed but Walker added some of the weekend’s best flair with a pair of eyebrow-raising alley-oops which not only energized his team but showed off the athleticism which he had been showing from the perimeter as a driver and scorer, looks like a college-ready guy upstairs as well.

If you're talking pass-first guys much like yesterday AND you can guard the ball like @tnpanthershoops guard AJ Petway can AND you're an enthusiastic and vocal teammate who's playing up, these are crucial traits you can bank on to get the right kind of attention to yourself pic.twitter.com/9fTnlmy5Fe

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) May 7, 2023

AJ Petway | G | 2025 | Tennessee Panthers

Petway caught our scouts attention at Sweet Sixteen as well but I hadn’t caught that until after seeing him in Gatlinburg, while surely talented playing up with no issues I was drawn to his energy and vocal style which not only got guys in good spots but kept his Panthers teammates engaged and enthused, passing and scoring for modern PG’s remain key aspects bu the way he guarded the ball and talked on the floor are serious pluses that can separate a guy from a large pool.

FLAM Elite 17U out of Chattanooga has a gem of a player to watch in Holland, 17 easy-looking points with a variety of flair-inspired and sound basketball plays which can carve you up or make you pay from distance @houstonholland8 pic.twitter.com/CjA5aCTAuy

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) May 7, 2023

Houston Holland | G | 2024 | Flam Elite

This Chattanooga-based org played some solid basketball as I saw them dismantle a Sunday opponent and do it with efficient and sound play, Holland really impressed as a mix of old-school creative driver and deadly jump shooter and it as fun to see him get his scoop layups and use angles to flip up one-handers around defenders, he’s got good size for the 2 and deceptive speed off the bounce but added some pull-up moves which only added to the creative package.

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 also spent 3 years as a sports writer at two newspapers in New Jersey. After a championship-coaching background on the HS-level also in NJ, he accepted the Girl’s Basketball Head Coaching position in May 2022 at Mt Bethel Christian Academy and now balances scouting and coaching still with a keen eye on talent around the region. You can reach him at keithagran1@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @BracketSage.