Day 3 BOTS Notebook from Mekhi McKinney
Atlanta, Georgia - The Best of the South is here again. The epicenter of July recruiting happens every year at The Georgia International Convention Center and we were there to take it all in and be the first ones to tell you about the best independent teams in the country. We took in all of the action on Day 3 and let's jump right in.
Kobi Jackson continues to prove he’s one of the most electric guards in the 2027 class. The sharpshooting guard exploded for 43 points—including ten threes—in a massive comeback win over Alpha Elite, scoring 27 of those in the first half alone. Jackson’s craftiness, confidence, and ability to score at all three levels make him nearly impossible to contain when he’s in rhythm. He’s also part of one of the most dynamic backcourts on the circuit alongside Ayden Glenn, whose playmaking opens up even more scoring opportunities for Kobi. Whether it’s lighting it up from deep or creating off the bounce, Jackson is a walking bucket who’s making a strong case for college coaches to take serious notice.
Donaven Thomas has been as dynamic as they come for a scoring guard here at Best of the South. He can create off the bounce, play off the ball, and is efficient at getting to his spots. Thomas ended Saturday with a 39-point performance, putting his flamethrower on full display. He’ll be a steal for a college program at the next level.
I’ve been really impressed with Kyler Theophile so far this weekend. Theophile has a ton of potential to be a valuable roster piece at the next level with his athleticism and feel for the game at 6’6. He’s effective on the break in a variety of ways and makes plays all over the floor. Theophile has caught the attention of a lot of coaches over the last couple of weekends and continues to pick up D1 offers.
Zeki Locus has been huge for HoopAthens this spring and summer, and he’s brought that same consistency to Best of the South this weekend. Locus is extremely effective when getting downhill—finishing around the basket and making plays for teammates. I think a D2, D3, or NAIA program will hit a home run with Locus.
Reno was really impressive in The Golden Franchise’s win earlier. He had one of the highest motors in the building today. The 6’4 wing gave extra effort multiple times, making winning hustle plays to help seal the win. He was great attacking off the catch with straight-line drives and had a couple of above-the-rim finishes.
