The Main Event: 17U Top Performers, Part II
Atlanta, GA - The Main Event is officially in the books. The three-day event at Suwanee Sports Academy was an event filled with some of the best independent teams around and also some top shoe teams for showcase games.
We’re kicking off our event coverage by looking at the top performers from the 17U division, headlined by some of the best overall players in the event.
Without further adieu, here’s our second installment of the top performers from the 17U division…
Josh Wilkerson, SMB - Wilkerson is a guy that college programs are going to be interested in. Size and shooting ability. It doesn’t stop at just shooting. Wilkerson has the size and timing that translates into him being a strong rebounder. He has good size at the guard spot with a stout frame.
Our Alabama editor, Garrett Tucker was spot on with his blurb about Wilkerson after The Alabama Fall Preview, "One of the most frequent I heard yesterday morning at the #FallPreview was “Who’s number 168? He’s all over the place.” That is none other than 2026 Buckhorn wing Josh Wilkerson, who I think is slated for a coming out party this season. He was one of my favorite guys from camp."
Playing at Buckhorn (AL) High School, Wilkerson has been leaned on to be a much bigger offensive threat for the Bucs and he is up to the task. - Justin Byerly
Tyler Jones, Team Thad - I have seen Jones quite a bit and he still impresses me. With Team Thad not really pulling away from Team Person, when Jones got on the ball, nobody wanted the ball. His defensive intensity caused some turnovers and helped Thad push the lead.
When he is not defending, Jones thrives at attacking the paint and the rim. He can make shots from the mid-range and out to the three-point line. Christ School has had its share of really strong college-level guards and Jones will be the next one. - Justin Byerly
Jake Mihalick, Hoop Atlanta - College coaches are always looking for guys with size that can stretch the floor. What we saw on Saturday was what they wanted with the play of Hoop Atlanta’s Jake Mihalick.
At 6-foot-10, Mihalick can shoot over smaller defenders and can battle in the paint with the big guys. In a 82-80 win over Team Person, Mihalick scored 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. In the big win over Atlanta Xpress, 60-45, Mihalick was unstoppable going for 25 points (6-9 from the three-point line) , 5 rebounds and 4 blocks.
The big man out of Habersham Central High School, north of Atlanta, Mihalick looked the part of a guy that should be on college radars with his play and size. - Justin Byerly
Jossiah Johnson, Team Wall - I have always said, give me a tough Georgia guard, an athletic wing from Florida and a North Carolina coached prospect and I can win some games, this is my North Carolina selection for our Top Performers list.
Johnson is a tough, gritty, powerful wing that produces. Team Wall fell to 1-2 on the weekend but Johnson was a bright spot for the program named after one of the greats from North Carolina.
JJ is a guy that can do many things on the floor that lead to wins. He can grab boards, come up with deflections and steals, score when he wants and be a vocal leader on the floor. - Justin Byerly
Sean Alicea, Norcross Heat - Sean Alicea put together an impressive weekend running the show for Norcross Heat 2026. The smooth lead guard stood out with his ability to score in bunches and make the game easier for everyone around him. Whether it was pushing the pace in transition or creating off the bounce, Alicea looked in full control throughout the weekend.
He thrived against high-level competition, showing no hesitation attacking the rim and finishing through contact. He also consistently made the right reads, threading passes to open teammates and setting up easy buckets. His ability to operate in tight spaces, keep the ball on a string, and stay poised under pressure was on full display.
Alicea scored at all three levels, especially off the dribble, and proved he could take over stretches of a game when needed. With his combination of IQ, pace, and production, he was one of the most consistent backcourt performers in the gym. Keep an eye on him—he’s trending up. - Mekhi Mckinney
