2023 Grassroots Showcase 17U Standouts III
LOUISVILLE, Ky—During the biggest live period event of the year to this point, our crew was getting after it in the gym catching some guys for the first time this season, and tracking some of the prospects that have been rising on our platform this spring.
These are some more of the guys that earned spots in our notes from the weekend.
Related: 2023 Grassroots Showcase 17U Standouts | 2023 Grassroots Showcase Standouts II
I’m becoming more steadfast in my belief that Sebastian Akins is a must-see point guard for D1 coaches. By the time the fall hits, he should have a healthy list of suitors. His overall impact can’t be overstated. He’s the engine that drives the ship for this 1 of 1 team. The athletic wings and forwards are the highlight of the team, but Akins is the one that keeps everything organized and together. He puts them in the best situations to be successful as the head of the offense. While his team management and distribution are his best assets, he can be the primary scorer too. Akins picked up his first D1 offer from IUPUI after the Jaguars were on hand for multiple 1 of 1 games over the weekend. - Josh Tec
Hamlett was one of the trending prospects that came out of the high school season, so it was nice to put eyes on him in a different environment with the Celtics. Needless to say, the junior was as good as advertised. The 6-foot-5 lefty played both guard spots effectively, whether he was acting as a point guard and playmaker for his teammates or a versatile scoring option for his team. Hamlett gave defenders fits with some shifty ball skills and his ability to get to the rim, and then he tossed in some made 3’s, too. With his versatility in the backcourt, Division I schools will be all over this one. - Garrett Tucker
TNBA South always has sleeper prospects, and this TNBA South Santana team is no exception. Kalleal Jones was an eye-catcher this past weekend in Louisville. His athleticism shined. Jones is a guard that can make some plays that pop, especially at the rim. He has solid size in the backcourt and can shoot it pretty well. His impact can be felt in other areas as well. Jones is a quality defender and did his part on the glass. He’ll be able to help a program at the next level and could wind up being a steal. - Josh Tec
Justin Young and I have been high on what David Clark can be as a prospect for a while. With the Atlanta Allstars, he had a solid weekend in Louisville at the Grassroots Showcase. At 6-foot-7 Clark is a versatile wing who makes an impact on both ends of the floor and at multiple positions. He can score on all levels, and he impacts the game in areas outside of a general box score. Clark is a D1 wing. Several coaches came by to check him out this past weekend, and his offers list should begin to take form after a second round of evaluations later in the summer. - Josh Tec
Fettinger is a double-double machine for OTP National. The 6-foot-6 wing plays with power. He attacks the basket and pursues rebounds hard. Fettinger is athletic and skilled. He can thrive both around the basket and on the perimeter. His jumper is smooth and he has range out to the 3-point line. He may be a little under-the-radar now, but his production on the floor speaks for itself. Coaches should circle around on him in June and July. - Josh Tec
I’ll be totally transparent here: the Alabama Generals had another quality weekend with us, and I could very easily mention a number of players on the 17U squad. However, I feel like Namon Hobson has surfed under the radar to this point and that’s an injustice. The stout 6-foot-2 guard has a knack for getting a bucket when his team needs one and he can do it in a variety of ways. The lefty has a deceptive first step that allows him to break down defenses and is a vital part of his success. Hobson’s style of play also translates to wins when it comes down to it — just look at their 3-1 record. - Garrett Tucker
Jarvis Wright is one of the best shooters in Georgia, and he brought that skill set with him to Louisville for South Georgia Elite. The 2025 guard has deep range, and he’s not shy about letting it fly. He dropped six 3-pointers in a game on Saturday, and that’s not some out-of-this-world feat for him. That’s a pretty common deal for Wright. I know that 2025 isn’t the spotlight of recruiting right now, but for coaches that need shooting, write his name down for the future. He can light it up. We’ve seen it for years. - Josh Tec
