HOOVER, AL — We were back at the Finley Center on Saturday for day two of the Bama Jam. With bracket play in full swing, our staff had a chance to put eyes on every team in our field.

With that being said, here are the biggest storylines from the day in Garrett Tucker’s eyes… 

JEREMIAH WILSON MAKES HIS CASE

The Alabama Fusion 16U bunch is extremely talented, especially in the backcourt. But in their first game of the day, 2025 Buckhorn (AL) guard Jeremiah Wilson left no doubt who was the best player on the floor.

A lanky 6-foot-4 combo guard, Wilson caught our attention with his shot-making ability. The lefty converted shot after shot all over the floor, whether it was from the mid-range or from behind the three-point line.

While his shooting and scoring was impressive, the most impressive aspect of Wilson’s game is his vision, touch, and passing. He demonstrated an advanced feel for the game to go along with his excellent vision. The sophomore did a nice job of spraying the ball around to teammates for scoring opportunities. 

If I was a college coach, I’d be buying stock now in Wilson. His best basketball looks to be ahead of him.

HELLO, MY NAME IS…

My favorite part of the HoopSeen platform is being introduced to a player our staff wasn’t aware of prior to the event. This weekend, that player is 2025 Columbus (MS) guard Jace O’Neal.

Playing with Armstead Athletics — ran by former Wichita State guard Malcolm Armstead — the 6-foot-2 guard filled it up in both games on Saturday, including 23 points in their first game of action.

O’Neal (pictured) is crafty with the ball in his hands and has some creativity to his game. He also gets off the floor with his jump shot, allowing him to shoot over defenders and convert makes at a higher rate. He was one of the toughest shot-makers I saw today — and that’s saying something.

I’ll be interested to follow O’Neal for the rest of the travel season. I think he’s a nice sleeper to take note of going forward, though.

THE BEST GAME I SAW… 

One of the best games I saw all day was a 14U matchup with the Alabama Legends and Sumner Elite. Oh yeah, the game also tipped off first thing in the morning. 

Despite the early tip-off, Tennessee-based Sumner Elite came out crisp with their free-flowing offense. They did a nice job of running extended possessions and getting good shots, many which were three-pointers early in the game. Connor Arrington and Zach Wakefield came out and made some big shots throughout the game.

The Alabama Legends have a promising group of rising 9th graders from the Tuscaloosa area. Point guard D.J. Sullivan is a pivotal piece to the puzzle for the team with his ability to get downhill and make plays. However, Miles Madden may be the overall X-factor for them.

At the end of regulation, Sumner Elite’s Talon Davenport nailed a long three-pointer to send the game to overtime. They ultimately had a chance to win the game again at the end of the first overtime, but some pesky defense reigned supreme for the Legends. It was a fantastic battle to start the day with.

OTHER STANDOUTS

I thought 2025 Lauderdale County (AL) guard Braylon Dame was good for the Alabama Generals 16U group. A heady guard with a high IQ, Dame made quality decisions each time down the floor. He also made some 3’s and took some charges, showing he’s not afraid to do the little things. He’s a valuable piece for them going into championship Sunday.

2026 Albertville (AL) forward Keandre Yancy raised some eyebrows with his play on Saturday. The 6-foot-5 forward has a strong base and isn’t afraid to compete on both ends of the floor. The blue-collar workhorse dove on the floor for loose balls and competed throughout the day. I like what he could be, especially as a freshman prospect.

I have heard some rumblings about 2025 Montgomery Academy (AL) guard Skyler Stovall over the last few weeks. Well, it’s safe to say he lived up to the billing on Saturday, as he finished both games with 20+ points. The long, lanky guard is a stat stuffer that can move the needle for his team. I’ll be sure to check him out more tomorrow.