2021 #ATLJAM Top Performers, Part II
The 2021 Atlanta Jam was stocked deep all levels of talent. Our staff had the field covered from top to bottom and had a chance to see some familiar faces along with a new wave of hoopers. We start our week-long coverage with the second of our two-part series of top performers from the event.
The longer the game went on, the more his energy picked up. Boldin Jr. notched 15 points in the Saturday win over Upward Stars Upstate, doing it by-way transition layups & drives to the bucket. Solid passer, as well. On Sunday his explosiveness was on display vs Hawks Elite, slamming two poster-worthy dunks on a defender. In the game vs. TMS, he dropped 17 points in another win. On D, he’ll get you a couple blocks at the rim. He was absolutely one of the top players in the building. - Jerome Reed
The Carolina Pressure Basketball program continues to pump out college level basketball players. Back in 2019, it was Kelton Talford who starred at Winthrop this season and in 2020 it was Chase McDuffie who will be at North Carolina A&T next season. Last night, 5-foot-8 point guard Mike Henderson put on a show against D. Favors Celtics, knocking down six, three-point shots and finishing with 36 points. Henderson plays his high school basketball in Alexandria, Virginia showed more than just an ability to score the ball. He broke defenders down off the dribble and was responsible for a lot of easy baskets off of his assists. Henderson can also defend, on many occasions picking up his man in the full-court. - Justin Byerly
One of the most athletic players at The Atlanta Jam, the Stratford, Connecticut native led Team Pettaway all weekend. The aggressive guard averaged close to 20 points per game over the weekend and scored from all areas of the floor, showing he has to be guarded past the three-point line and defenders have to stay in front of him when he is attacking. Kirkland plays with a high-level of intensity all game and causes problems on the defensive side of the ball with his length. He finished with 22 points for Team Pettaway in a win on opening night. - Justin Byerly
This kid may be the fastest player with the ball in his hands that I have seen all year, including high school season - talk about a blur. He is incredibly quick with the ball in his hands that defenders really have a tough time staying in front of him. The most impressive aspect of his quickness is his ability to remain in control. He can put on a flurry of dribble moves and get from one spot to the next in the blink of an eye. As a smaller guard, he has a canny ability to finish shots once he gets in the lane. Ricks was one of the highest scorers on the weekend. I watched him put up two 30+ point performances and it seemed like every one of his points was easy for him. College coaches looking for a quick guard that can score it should take a look at the available senior out of Columbia. - Brianna Patton
No Hoop Seen event is complete without a Kristian Shaw analysis. Another fine weekend for this burgeoning prospect. This kid simply loves to play. His size, his range, his feel are top notch and they were on full display all weekend here at Atlanta Jam. Not a blow by athlete, but savvy enough with a deadly combination of size and confidence to rise up over smaller defenders and create scoring chances in the paint. He sees the floor, he finds cutters, he understands the mismatch and he attacks the rim. His size and length scream wing but on the right level I'm confident he can be a productive two. As he adds strength to his arsenal of skills, this is a can't miss prospect. - Andre Whitehead
Gaddis Heath may have been the most lethal mid-range player of the entire weekend. He was automatic when he pulled up from the elbow. Heath also had his 3-point shot going at times, and he showed off his athleticism with some head-turning dunks. Heath’s combination of size, athleticism and skill makes him hard to stop. He’s capable of going off for 20 or more on any given night. When the Celtics take the floor, keep an eye on Gaddis Heath because he consistently delivers. -Josh Tec
