Sweet Sixteen Session 2 – Saturday Impression-Makers Pt 2

MARIETTA, GA – Moved to Kell HS for Day 2 of OTR’s Sweet Sixteen Session 2, as three courts of 17U action went all day.

Some guys who made Impressions, part 2:

By:  Keith Agran

Alex Collier | F | 2024 | Above Academy

With shooting galore around them it helps Above Academy bigs Jack Sullivan (left) and Alex Collier find space and get the ball in quality finishing position, saw Sullivan at The Gauntlet too and the sticky-handed Collier was tough today at the basket – @OTRHoops Sweet Sixteen 2 pic.twitter.com/BXCtkXzJGQ

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 29, 2023

Playing alongside 6-9 Jack Sullivan he was quite the beast even being slightly undersized for the 5, Sullivan plays an effective stretch 4 with his shooting and passing so Collier spends his time working the block and is a tough finisher who’s at his most comfortable it appears working hard in close.

CJ King | G | 2024 | Team Knight

Entertaining battle between @TeamKnightHoopz 17U and Game Elite Mac, athletes getting up and down the floor, but you couldn't miss King's explosiveness with the ball, and as a penetrate and kick guy he was masterful, a refreshing and real floor general pic.twitter.com/XzVE9HCI2o

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 29, 2023

One of the better all-around PG’s I myself got to see over three different venues, explosive athlete up and down the court but a keen eye for the right feed and plenty of athletic finishing on the drive, lockdown defender.

Mathieu Nader | G | 2024 | Rocket City Suns (pictured at top)

Getting some serious Jalen Rose vibes from @NkMathieu, and not just the lefty thing, he plays as a big PG for @RocketCitySuns and guards 1 to 4 as well, has control of the ball and never appears rushed, makes quick and precise decisions, far too good a player to be available pic.twitter.com/sVrd4ES3Xe

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 29, 2023

Like King above had a blast watching Nader and he’s far too good a point guard prospect to still be available, like I said with the Jalen Rose comparisons he plays just like him and was a first-team All-Weekend guy to me as he dished, scored and maneuvered the defense like a college guy, this Rocket City program out of Huntsville, AL is very interesting and plays a solid brand of ball.

Caden Goins | G | 2024 | Charge Academy

Goins of @CHARGEACADEMY 17U may have a much needed edge in what is yearly a crowded SG market out of Atlanta, such length at 6-4 and open court ability w at the rim finishing can wow you, and a full year with the young risers at @CGHS_BB should also make for more eyeballs pic.twitter.com/Ofj3kyUh1W

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 29, 2023

Much like what I saw when I visited their workout Goins was exceptionally athletic in a world with a lot of good athletes running around out there, mix in that with sound basketball instincts and an ability to score from a variety of spots and with his size it’s super intriguing stuff as he gets set for a full season at Central Gwinnett.

Agbo Ogbonna | G | 2023 | FastBreak

It was 20 pretty impressively dominant points in a tight W over Charge Academy for @FastBreakAAU 17U center Agbo Ogbonna, the Nigerian import isn't a 6-9 gazelle like many from the continent who come west, but a 6-6 bruiser and leaper with feet and hands you can surely work with pic.twitter.com/brpPgXY514

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 29, 2023

Was a handful as a slightly undersized but powerful and agile post, don’t get preoccupied with the fact that he’s not 6-9 as he can finish hard an fast or get off the deck and show off next-level athleticism, another surprising available senior as well as he can put it in the hole and rebound.

Arnett Hayes Jr | G | 2025 | Team Scoot

I've been tracking @realteamscoot 2025 since our opening @OTRHoops weekend, and while many of the faces are the same, today was my first close look at Hayes, and as good as they already were playing up in 17s his speed and aggressive plays to the basket are a huge added weapon pic.twitter.com/cLeWCZR2Ke

— Keith Agran (@BracketSage) April 29, 2023

Have seen this 2025 Scoot group a bunch and love what they are now and what they can become as pre-seniors next Spring, Hayes wasn’t with them earlier in March when I was introduced to these guys but he adds a dimension of speed that takes them to another level, great burst with and without the ball and doesn’t miss a ton of chances as a scoring guard at the basket.

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.