SUWANEE, Ga—We’re fully in it now. The AAU season has kicked off, which means the Georgia Cup series is underway. There are always players who use this platform to start their stories. Davion Mitchell played on this very stage once upon a time. 

Now, it’s time for a new crop to etch their names in the annals of history. I spent the first day of the first Georgia Cup weekend checking out some of the younger players of the weekend because it felt appropriate to start with the players who are kicking off a significant chapter in their basketball careers. 

Total Eclipse

Georgia Eclipse 2026 started the weekend off with a bang. Right off the bat, their size and athleticism impressed among the 14U ranks. Stifling rim protection and a dominant outing on the glass paved the way for a weekend-opening win for the Eclipse. What impressed me beyond their physicality and athleticism was their skill and willingness to share the basketball. This entire team makes smart, crisp passes, and they have guards who can break down defenses and create for everyone. 

Their roster is filled with talented players, who I imagine myself writing about more in the future. Kadin Fossung, Jamarcus Harrison and Chasen Jones are all physical forwards who can own the paint and the glass. It felt like any missed shot was going to end up in their hands. 

Jamauri Ivory and Marko Mattis are skilled guards who can break people down off the bounce and create for themselves or everyone else around them. 

Treasure Demory is a perfect mixture of all of the above on the wing. He’s got some of the attributes of the team’s forwards, but he’s got the wiggle of their guards too. 

Let me reiterate what struck me the most about this team too. Everyone passes the ball so well. I found myself saying “great pass” to myself for the entire game. 

Peyton Zachary Shines 

Zachary showed up to the Dawgs Elite 2026 game a tad late because of a school field trip. Man, field trips were the best. I can’t blame the guy. 

When he got in the game, he immediately stood out as the best player on the floor. There’s so much to love about the guard’s game. What smacks you in the face right off the rip is how quick and shifty he is. Zachary can take someone off the dribble whenever he wants. He can get to his spots whenever he wants. His playmaking ability was the best I saw all night. 

A more intricate part of his game is his leadership. It’s one of the most important point guard traits, and he has it. He’s vocal and tells his guys where they need to be. He’s the first guy doling out high fives after plays. 

This guy is seriously awesome. 

Bison Stampede

The Georgia Bison’s 13U squad stampeded their way to a near-50-point win in the second game of the night. Nine Bison scored in the game. They were led by their high-powered backcourt comprised of Kevin Rogers and Amari Emory who finished with 17 points and 11 points respectively. 

With their skilled guards and their depth, this is going to be a tough squad to eliminate in the 13U division.