#RockyTopInvitational – Top Floor Generals

GATLINBURG, TN – A tremendous field traversed the surrounding Smoky Mountains to converge on a little village in Tennessee, but with big goals in mind to improve as basketball players and gain exposure from the finest circuit in the Southeast.

From OTR’s Rocky Top Invitational, an event growing in stature in the region, we look next at Top Flor Generals I saw from the weekend (Georgia guys have high schools in parentheses).

By: Keith Agran

Trevor Barrett | Grassroots NC 17U | 2023

The former Team Renegades out of North Carolina compiled yet another strong group for Rocky Top and at the forefront handling and distributing was Barrett, prototypical PG with all the skills in the open floor be it pushing pace or slowing things down for one of many offensive options to pop open, on his own he was a blur getting into gaps and creating offense for himself, has full capabilities from multiple levels scoring it, very sound in all aspects and will be a sure-fire steady contributor on the college-level.

Brandon Fussell | Pro One Select 17U | 2023

Part 2 of the above tweet was Fussell and he went head to head with Barrett most of the game in a fun one to watch, third time getting eyes on him after he stood out at both April live periods with OTR, has just a classic feel to how he approaches the PG spot, can be a scorer for you with good burst to the basket and plenty of range on the shot, as a facilitator he’s a good as anyone I’ve seen all spring as he will make more good decisions than bad, power-packed into his 6-foot frame he like Barrett will be a solid contributor at the next level all his time there.

Kenyatta Carbon | Upnext Elite 17U | 2023

Played all 5 positions just as he does for his small high school in Kentucky, on this list because he did handle it quite a bit and the pure athletic ability was on display as he drove it and skied over guys to the basket, a football prospect as well it showed in his all-out style and physical brand when he wasn’t showing off the leaping ability, as mentioned guarded all 5 spots and did it with energy and a sound approach as he went after the ball like it was his last meal every time down, should basketball become his #1 pursuit the PG spot is his best bet around 6-feet tall.

Donovan Smith | Stars Nashville Moran 17U | 2023 (pictured at top)

Described by the Stars guys as “the full package on and off the court” with his academic excellence and student involvement also large parts of his college package, on the court he was sound and easy to like as a lead man with all the tools to be an attacking point or in using his high IQ as a true pass-first game-changer, with a good frame for the attack all the outstanding qualities he appears to have off the court show in his cool and calm way of breaking down opponents, A+ on-ball defending as well, screams all the things you want in a college student-athlete.

Delani Hammonds | Team Synergy 17U | 2023

A king at the blow-by Hammonds used a boundless energy supply to lead what was one of the better overall teams I saw all weekend, with options galore for him to find Hammonds was more than a willing distributor but he was noticeable for his ability to break down defenses be it for his own excellent finishing around the basket or a drive and kind to one of their many shooters, with all the athletes around him it would seem an easy job for any PG but Hammonds played with a moxie and awareness that separated him.

Asa Price | Palmetto City Hurricanes 16U | 2024

Enjoyed watching this gritty group from South Carolina, leading the charge most times down the floor was Price who was as vocal a leader as I heard all weekend, constantly communicating he kept his team in order and helped get guys into the best spots to attack, a good athlete who was a very willing pass-first guy but showed off 3-point range later in the game, like all Hurricanes a willing and effective defender, packing on a little weight will help him stand out more in a crowded PG market in the Southeast right now.

Will Googins | Carolina Riptide 16U | 2024

Was a straight bucket in the game vs Promise Elite as every time Promise made a run Googins either made a deep 3 or got to the hole or found an open teammate with a crafty drive, it was quite the performance as that kind of clutch play adds an element to a player’s attraction, the willingness to take the big shot is one thing but for it to be the right play often is wholly another, will battle the under 6-foot size argument but with that kind of skill and daring he can get past that and excel for a school willing to take the chance.

Izayah Porter | AJ Bouye Elite 17U | 2023 (Douglas County)

Stood out this past January when I saw him at Chapel Hill for an MLK event, on a young DCHS team that never found its stride Porter played with a great motor and showed excellent court awareness at both ends, with AJ Bouye and plentiful options around him he has taken that a step further as a facilitator and can really get at the basket with exceptional athletic skill, tremendous defender he will get up into your shorts.

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.