2026 Bama Jam: 17U Top Performers, Part I
HOOVER, AL – After a busy weekend at the Finley Center, the 2026 edition of Bama Jam is officially in the books. Looking back at Saturday and Sunday’s action, there’s plenty of news and notes to comb through.
With that being said, 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 first round of top performers from the 17U division…
Grant Smith, 2027 F, Team Global Elite: Smith was a staff-favorite last season after a couple of impressive showings throughout the travel season. He started things off on the correct foot this year, too, as he was one of the most talked about players at Bama Jam. There’s so much uniqueness that comes with his body and game. The long, lanky 6-foot-7 forward is extremely skilled and is more than capable of pulling a defensive rebound and initiating transition. Smith is also dangerous on offense with the ability to put the ball on the floor and make shots from the perimeter. No matter the situation, he does it all under control and with a smooth feel for the game. You don’t find that much with players like this. Team Global Elite will play in Atlanta Jam for the May live period and I’m interested to see what schools come to watch Smith. He’s an intriguing guy that will command attention from a variety of different levels. - Garrett Tucker
L.J. Williams, 2028 PF, BMaze Elite: Williams was the talk of the Finley Center this weekend. As I walked through the stands, I heard people asking “have you seen number 14 from BMaze play?” That was consistent across two days of action and Williams lived up to the billing. The 6-foot-8 sophomore has a rare combination of size, strength, explosiveness and mobility that project him to be a high-major prospect at the next level. Williams used those attributes to be a mismatch problem for opposing teams. He took advantage of his springy bounce and dunked everything around the rim, but he also kept defenses honest with his soft touch and shooting ability from out to 18 feet. - Garrett Tucker
Riley Bryant, 2027 CG, Hawks Elite: I’ve been a huge Riley Bryant fan for a few years now. In fact, he was one of the top performers from the 16U division last year at Bama Jam. He picked up right where he left off last year, showing the ability to score from all three levels. The Thompson (AL) junior made 10-plus three-pointers over the course of four games, staking his claim as one of the top shot-makers in the event. However, he showed me he is more than capable of also being a primary ball-handler. Bryant was comfortable with the ball in his hands and made the right decisions. In the past, I’ve preferred him strictly as a 2 guard, but he proved this weekend that he is a legitimate combo guard. - Garrett Tucker
Chris Johnson, 2026 PF, Shockers: Johnson is running it back with the Shockers this spring as an unsigned senior, and if this weekend was any indication, he could be a popular prospect for college coaches. The 6-foot-7 forward has always thrived in the paint with his physicality and finishing ability. However, this weekend, he showcased some range and made several three-point attempts. I can see him catching college coaches’ eyes over the next few weeks with his versatility and an expanding offensive arsenal. - Garrett Tucker
Landon Henderson, 2027 PG, Pro One Academic: I’ll be honest here: Landon Henderson is a better player than I originally realized. The savvy floor general showcased his scoring ability in Saturday’s opening game, as he scored 28 points in any form or fashion you could imagine. At first glance, Henderson looks like a small, unassuming guard that keeps the ball moving. But when you get right into it, he’s a deceiving quick-twitch athlete that can put defenders in a blender. Henderson’s quick first step and knowledge of the game aided him throughout the weekend, whether he was playing in pick-and-roll opportunities or attacking baseline drives. He’s going to be a fun one to watch this travel season. - Garrett Tucker