2025 Best of the South: 16U Top Performers, Part I
Yet another Best of the South is officially behind us and the 2025 stanza didn’t disappoint. Our staff patrolled the Georgia International Convention Center throughout the weekend, looking for the next group of players to start – or continue – their respective stories.
Meet some of our 16-and-under top performers from the July NCAA live period event…
RELATED: 17U Top Performers, Part I | Part II | Part III
Donovan Swain, Team Gold Coast: Donovan Swain picked up his first Division I offer a couple of weeks ago from Kennesaw State University—and he showed flashes of exactly why. At 6-foot-3 and still growing, Swain has a great feel for the game and a smooth handle, but it’s his shooting ability that really stands out. He can knock down shots with range, off the bounce, or off the catch. Like other Team Gold Coast guards I’ve covered, Swain is an active defender and plays the game the right way. As he continues to grow and fill out physically, he’ll be a name to watch as a consistent stock riser in the class of 2027. - Mekhi McKinney
Dalton Black, Refuse to Lose: Refuse To Lose (HSA) guard Dalton Black has made his mark as one of the top scorers in the HoopSeen Association this year. He dropped a jaw-dropping 51 points in his first piece of action here at Best Of The South and followed it up with more big performances throughout the weekend. Black is a smooth, confident scorer who can fill it up from all three levels. His ability to take over games makes him a must-watch prospect for college coaches. - Mekhi McKinney
Hogan Labyak, Atlanta Timberwolves: Labyak was one of the best shooters in the building at Best of the South – just ask the teams he matched up against. The 6-foot-1 sniper showcased his range and quick release each, but here’s the best part: he’s not just a shooter. With a strong frame and decent athleticism, Labyak was able to keep defenses honest with his play off the dribble. He showed he was strong enough to take some bumps on straight-line drives and compete with bigger players. The rising junior had two 30-point games at BOTS, too. - Garrett Tucker
Kobi Jackson, Tennessee Tigers: Kobi Jackson has been one of my favorite players to watch this AAU season. He plays with a level of confidence and poise that immediately grabs your attention. Jackson is very crafty with the ball and a sniper from both three-point range and the midrange. As a smaller guard, he’s learned how to navigate through traffic and finish among the trees. His scoring ability draws so much attention, and he’s made major strides as a playmaker this summer—really taking his game to the next level. - Mekhi Mckinney
Miles Warren, Pro One Academic: You’ve gotta love the guys that always make winning plays. Fortunately for everyone involved, there’s a lot of those type players for Pro One Academic 16U, and point guard Miles Warren is the epitome of such. The 6-foot floor general fought and scrapped each game for Academic, moving the needle and giving them a better opportunity to win each time out. He showed his fearlessness when attacking the rim, taking on bigger defenders in the paint and still making quality decisions. Warren also showed his ability to use a ball screen or come off of pin-down screens for scoring opportunities throughout the weekend. To top things off, there were a couple of games where Warren closed out wins at the free-throw line. Needless to say, the kid is a winner and he makes his team better each time out. - Garrett Tucker
