HOOVER, AL – Action tipped off on Friday night at the beautiful Finley Center for the Bama Jam’s first day of action. This year marks the largest number of teams we’ve ever had for the event, so, as expected, there was plenty of basketball to be seen on the opening night.

With that being said, here are the biggest storylines from Garrett Tucker’s point of view…

DEVIN BARKSDALE BECOMING APPOINTMENT VIEWING

Fresh off a state championship with Jacksonville (AL), 2025 point guard Devin Barksdale ran the show for We Play Basketball Club 16U group on Friday night. Despite a loss, the savvy floor general was impressive.

Barksdale’s advanced feel for the game, ability to make the right play, and passing ability were all on display early and often. The 6-foot guard kept his teammates on their toes by spraying the ball around and being a true facilitator. His ability to navigate the pick-and-roll is particularly noteworthy, too. In fact, he excelled in those situations throughout the night, whether it was dumping it off to the roll man or taking his own shot in rhythm.

Barksdale’s style of play is also very entertaining to watch – so much so that he’s becoming appointment viewing for me. He has a certain flair and creativity that makes people gravitate toward him. His skill-set and basketball IQ make him an excellent prospect for the future, and I expect him to be a hot name during the travel season.

HELLO, MY NAME IS…

Jeremiah Ford, a guard from Ramsay (AL), caught the attention of many with his performance with Pro One Select Mullins in the 16U division. Ford’s playing style is characterized by his intensity and willingness to do whatever it takes to put points on the board.

Ford’s ability to manufacture points and was important for Pro One early in their game against We Play. The 6-foot-3 guard created scoring opportunities with deflections and steals on defense, creating scoring chances for himself and his teammates. He did a nice job of scoring at the rim at an efficient rate while also keepings things simple.

I’ll be checking out more of Ford and Pro One Select Mullins going forward. They have a roster that meshes well together and could provide some nice sleepers to watch.

JSI Elite’s 15U group has some intriguing players that I was introduced to on opening night. Freshmen Kaleb Carson and Brady Wadsworth led the way in a win, but players like Cash Rief and Aidan Williams were also intriguing.

If you’re looking for some underclassmen that will make an impact on the varsity level soon, look no further than these guys.

THE GENERAL WAY

It never fails that the Alabama Generals put together some squads that can go. Nothing is different this weekend – the group from the Shoals area had a nice showing across all age groups to open the event.

Jalen Chandler, a 6-foot-6 forward in the 2025 class, is also a reigning state champion. He was a standout for the 16U group with his performance on both ends of the court. Chandler’s athleticism and motor were particularly impressive, making him a force to be reckoned with. The sophomore caused chaos with his length and defensive acumen.

One of the highlights of the game was Chandler’s dunk over an opposing player. IT got the crowd on its feet and produced one of the most exciting highlights from the night. They play was a testament to his explosiveness, and it showed just how dominant he can be when he’s in the zone. Expect to hear his name more in the future.

Another Alabama General that performed well to open Bama Jam was none other than 2024 wing Keshawn Watkins. The 6-foot-4 wing lit up the scoreboards all season long for Columbia High School, and he did quite the same at the Finley Center on Friday.

One of Watkins’ greatest strengths is his ability to score in bunches. He has a variety of ways to put points on the board, whether it’s through his shooting ability, his quickness off the dribble, or his rugged finishing skills around the basket. He’s a player who can heat up quickly and put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.

JACOBY HILL IS IN THE MIDST OF HIS ASCENT

I’ll have plenty more on 2025 Central Phenix City (AL) guard Jacoby Hill throughout the weekend, but I think it’s safe to say the sophomore is in the midst of a special run on the basketball floor.

The talented scorer lit the AHSAA state tournament on fire in February and he’s followed it up with encore sessions thus far to begin the travel season. The 6-foot-4 guard is a gifted scorer that can put things together in a hurry. In a stacked 2025 class in Alabama, he could very well be the best prospect of them all.

Stay tuned to more on Hill over the next few days.