SHReport Summer Showcase – “Separators” Pt 1
WOODSTOCK, GA – Early June means Showcase season takes center stage after travel ball breaks for the month, giving players a chance to get in front of coaches and scouts.
To Etowah HS Kris Watkins and SH Report went, and a good turnout produced some names we know from 2024 and below and some names who emerged and separated:
By: Keith Agran
Tayden Ware | F | 2025 | Lakeview Academy
The Lions are a solid GIAA program and bringing aboard former Buford head coach Benjie Wood only adds to their cachet, Ware was active from the jump around the basket and scored it in a variety of ways.
Interesting right out of the gate in live play for Tayden Ware, the 6-6 Lakeview Academy forward has been super active, 3 straight possessions where he scored in different ways, has a good frame, good D in the post – @SHReport pic.twitter.com/PCKAj2mjFW
— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) June 3, 2023
Ryan Williams | G | 2024 | Hiram
Having recently announced his move to Hiram from North Paulding Williams went out and carved and shot it at a high clip from distance all of which he’s been building for 3 years now, an easy choice as a Top 2 or 3 guy of the day.
Quickly delivering on my prediction from drills, Ryan Williams drawing raves from folks along the end and sidelines with his all-around play, gets more shot opportunities in a camp setting than with @WoodEliteSkillz, and doesn't miss many inside or from his trademark 3-range pic.twitter.com/WdMI20nkCD
— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) June 3, 2023
Malik Gillespie | G | 2026 | Houston County (pictured at top)
Has been on the come for over a year now as last summer’s performance playing all the way up with WR All-Stars 17U team was eye-opening as he was not only worthy of being on that level but excelled, looking bigger and stronger and still only a sophomore he was to me perhaps the best overall prospect from a future perspective in the gym.
His resume suggests he'd be among the top guys in the gym before we started, and he looked the part in live play, Malik Gillespie of Houston County isn't just one of the best 2026s in middle GA, he again looked like one of the best in the state @MalikDaBeast1 pic.twitter.com/X8kB8meQZX
— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) June 3, 2023
Greg Howard Jr | G | 2025 | St Francis
The pure PG savvy and calmness was hard to miss and a welcome visual from a young player in a Showcase atmosphere which can get chaotic, will combine with Reynolds Escher over in Alpharetta for a really good 2025 backcourt combo, a top revelation from the day.
Playing under control in a what can be a chaotic camp environment Greg Howard Jr has drawn praise and is quickly emerging here as a 2025 name to know, the @StFrancishoops1 PG had made some on point dishes and is calm as a cucumber pic.twitter.com/NccSQcvYcZ
— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) June 3, 2023
O’Brien Watkins | G | 2024 | Carrollton
Emerged at least to me at OTR’s Breakout Camp two years ago and has been steadily making a stronger and stronger impression since, plays with such power-packed energy and can really attack the basket at a level which separates, superb floor leader and communicator as well.
It's another level of power at the PG spot we see from 2024 O'Brien Watkins from @CTROJANSBALL20, for starters he's out here hustling like crazy and talking on defense, but when he's determined to get at the basket it's pancake city pic.twitter.com/UZREI3Iwkg
— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) June 3, 2023
Isaac Rorey | G | 2024 | Athens Academy
Another revelation on the afternoon was Rorey out of Athens (GA), good size for the 1 and plays like a veteran who knows his way around a halfcourt set, made a lot of good decisions in an unselfish role which usually stands out at least to me with guys all looking to impress with their scoring alone.
It's PG heavy today as many Showcases are, Isaac Rorey of Athens Academy has separated some, pure lead man instincts with good speed and sound decisions, unselfish and doesn't get lost in some of the end to end messiness pic.twitter.com/iuffs8nmdB
— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) June 3, 2023
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.
