Who wants the Smoke? Rundown – May 7, 2021

POWDER SPRINGS, Georgia– The 2ndannual On the Radar Hoops Who Wants the Smoke? featured nearly 200 teams from all over the Southeast. Players from many of these teams received invaluable media coverage and attention on social media. With the future of the summer evaluation periods still undecided, travel teams understand the necessity of getting their prospects in front of the biggest media voices in grassroots basketball. Here is a rundown of the prospects who caught our attention on Saturday afternoon.

Follow: @OntheRadarHoops @DrKrisWatkins& @Jr_OTRH on Twitter for highlights and updates

By: Jonathan Hemingway

Micah Bell – Core 4, (Douglasville, Georgia) – 2022

Bell came up big in a Saturday afternoon win versus the Atlanta All-Stars. He scored 21 points with 3-pointers and high-flying dunks. The 6-foot-4 guard can play both back court positions. He can be the lead playmaker for his team, or he can play off the ball and space the floor with his long-range shooting. Analyzing the information on his recruitment, he is vastly undervalued amongst college coaches.


Samarion Grant – MEBO, (Jackson, Mississippi) – 2022

Grant is a point guard who can shoot the lights out. He scored 18 points, on six 3-pointers, in a match-up versus ABC Elite. He is quick with the ball going either direction. The 5-11 junior also uses the ball screen effectively to create space on the perimeter.

Trevon Payton – Trendsetters, (Snellville, Georgia) – 2022

Payton is a guard with a lot of tools in his skill bag. The 6-5 guard proved to be a threat to score in transition in a match-up versus YSE Hustle. He is quick to pull-up from the arc, or he can get into the lane to score in traffic. His length combined with his skills make him a prospect that should be tracked closely headed into the summer months.

Josh Reed – AC Georgia, (Atlanta, Georgia) – 2022

Reed possesses a rare combination of size, strength and finesse. He can mix up his tactics depending on how the defense is playing him. Add in his range to the arc and his touch on his floater and Reed has all the markings of an elite scorer at this level. He hit a game winner in double OT versus H.Y.P.E. on Saturday afternoon to highlight his day.

Jameel Rideout – Atlanta Celtics, (Lilburn, Georgia) – 2022

There are not many guards that have elevated their game like Rideout has in recent years. The 6-2 emerged on to the scene as a knockdown corner 3 shooter as a freshman. Since then, he has progressively added pieces to his game. Now he is at the point where he can take the keys and drive the car on most nights. His 28-point outing in a win for the Celtics was an eye-opener as he scored with 3-pointers and 3-point plays in traffic. He may have the profile of a prospect that will garner attention from coaches nationally.


Jamichael Stillwell – ABC Elite, (Chattanooga, Tennessee) – 2022

OTR evaluator Willy Evans tabbed Stillwell as one of the top newcomers at last weekend’s event. And this is for good reason. Stillwell has the size, strength and touch to score consistently around the rim. He instinctively knows how to use his body to create angles for entry passes from the perimeter. In an age where most people undervalue interior scoring, Stillwell demonstrates why that notion is a fallacy. He is efficient and productive. We expect to hear the 6-7 forward’s name a lot more in months to come.

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on twitter @JLHemingwayPSB