Top overall performers from the 2025 Best of the South
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 17-and-under top performers from the July NCAA live period event…
Cutter Sisk, Tennessee Tigers: Another weekend, another top performer award for Sisk. This weekend, he played in front of coaches from Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Central Arkansas, UT-Chattanooga, Belmont, Robert Morris, and more. It was a dominating performance in the post from the 6-foot-8 big man. His footwork is as good as I have seen in a while and he is one of the best scoring big men I have watched in a few years. He helped the Tigers to a 6-0 record during the event. His offer list continues to grow and he was the best player we saw on our stage this season. - Justin Byerly
Tatum Holmes, SEBA: Tatum Holmes was a problem for opposing teams all weekend. The 6-foot-5 wing has a strong, college-ready frame and knows exactly how to use it. He finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds in a double-overtime win to end the weekend, showing off his ability to finish above the rim and stay active on the offensive glass. Holmes hit key shots when it mattered, played with great energy, and took pride in defending. He’s the kind of player who makes an impact on both ends of the floor. He can make an impact early at the right level. - Mekhi Mckinney
Kyler Theophile, Team Gold Coast: Theophile showed exactly why he’s been one of the hottest prospects in the South since the June scholastic periods. At 6-foot-6, the long, rangy guard can shoot with extended range and make plays off the bounce. He made his scoring and unselfish play look effortless throughout the weekend as he and his Team Gold Coast team cruised to five wins. Theophile also made an impact on the defensive end of the floor with his length and versatility. In the current era of college basketball, the rising senior has some outstanding qualities that can translate quickly and on multiple levels. I’m buying stock in Theophile and so are plenty of college programs. UT-Chattanooga, Tulsa, UT-San Antonio, and Western Carolina were just some of the Division I schools that watched him throughout the week. Kennesaw State head coach Antoine Pettway was in for multiple games and has prioritized the Florida guard. - Garrett Tucker
Tripp Mason, Pro One Academic: If you’re looking for a group of players that helped themselves on the recruitment front this weekend, you have to start with Mason. The 6-foot-1 sharpshooter lit up the nets inside the Georgia International Convention Center from start to finish at Best of the South. Let these numbers sink in — Game 1: 25 points on six three-pointers. Game 2: 32 points on six three-pointers. Game 3: 28 points on five three-pointers. That was the theme from the weekend for Mason. He made big shots and showed his gritty play, and I expect more and more college programs to start keeping tabs on him. - Garrett Tucker
Donaven Thomas, Griffin Grasshoppers: Thomas has been a regular on our post event content throughout this travel season. The 6-foot-1 guard gets the ink for putting the ball in the basket. He had one of the highest scoring outputs of the weekend on Saturday when he scored 38 points for his squad, The Griffin Grasshoppers. Thomas can hurt the defense in a variety of ways and he can be a secondary or primary option within the offense as a ball handler. I like his ability to create for his shot or get into the lane where he can do more damage. - Justin Byerly
