2022 HoopSeen Association All 16U team
The 16 and under divison of the HoopSeen Association was loaded with next-level talent. Our staff dove into the division and same up with our First Team selections. Meet the best of the best from the 16U HSA in 2022.
From early on in the spring, Bailey was an eye-catcher on a Team Mookie squad with a lot of bonafide dudes on it. After putting in my fair share of hours in the gym this year, One of the memories that has stuck with me was seeing Fred Bailey for the first time in April. As soon as I sat down, it was apparent that he was a player I needed to familiarize myself with.
He’s a quick, athletic guard with a strong build. Bailey’s at his best when he’s operating downhill and looking to score at the rim or dish to open teammates. He absorbs contact well and finishes through bigger defenders. Bailey’s a confident shooter from midrange out to the perimeter.
Guards like Bailey are always in demand. When I think about the class of 2024 stepping into the forefront of the recruiting world next year, Fred Bailey is a guy that I can see drawing a ton of interest from coaches. - Josh Tec
Sometimes it is all about how you finish. And for Fulton and his teammates on Team Wall, they closed out the 2022 season strong. The 6-foot-6 forward was one of the most versatile and productive players in the 16 and under division at the Best of the South. He helped pilot his team to the championship in fine fashion.
In today’s game, interchangeable forwards have as much value as any player on the floor. He can guard the paint on defense, be a team’s go-to rebounder and be a threat away from the basket on the offensive side of the ball.
Fulton looks like a player who is on the cusp of a big come up on the court and in recruiting circles. Don’t be surprised if he becomes a hot name in the fall and into the scholastic season with college coaches. His profile is just beginning to grow. We saw it happen up close and personal this season. Fulton was outstanding and is only going to get better. - Justin Young
We’ve become accustomed to the Atlanta Allstars producing and developing next-level talent. We saw their 2023 group draw crowds of college coaches during each live period event. The 2024 Allstars look poised to follow suit when their time comes next year, and Jax Abernathy should be one of the guys who sees his stock rise over the next year.
Abernathy performed at a high level every weekend. He’s a guard with size, poise, and the ability to score in bunches. Abernathy can play on and off the ball. When he’s operating with the ball in his hands, he doesn’t allow defenders to speed him up or take him out of his game. Abernathy is always in control. And, perhaps most importantly to college coaches, he can shoot it consistently from 3-point range.
This year, several members of the 2023 Allstars saw significant boosts in their recruitments around the second live period in April. By then end of the summer, three had committed to quality D1 programs. When next spring comes, I could see Abernathy following a similar trajectory.
When there’s more distance between us and the 2022 HoopSeen travel season, one of the lasting memories will be how well the 2024 Tennessee Tigers closed out their season. Leading that charge was point guard Parker Robison.
Robison understands the game well and his basketball instincts are well-represented on both ends of the floor. He’s a smart, opportunistic defender who blows up plays and gets steals. When he’s leading the Tigers’ offense, he’s unflappable and steady. Coaches love guys like Robison because of his reliability.
If you’re looking for a point guard that will be the engine that helps propel a team to success, Robison is a guy to add to your list. - Josh Tec
When coming up with this list, we had to take a step back and take in the totality of the season. Sometimes it’s hard to remember what happened back in the earlier portions of the spring, but one thing I remember clearly is Stars Basketball-Bonds rattling off eight wins in a row over the course of two weekends at the Grassroots Showcase in Louisville and Bama Jam in Hoover. Their run culminated in a championship in ‘Bama. At the heart of their success during that time was Evan Gainer.
Gainer is a consistent scoring threat who can get on a hot streak from the 3-point line and create serious separation in a game. He’s a guy who’s always prepared to let it fly from distance. He impacts the game in more ways than just shooting though. Gainer is a good distributor who can rack up assists in a hurry with the scoring threats surrounding him. When paired with backcourt mate Davis Long, Gainer is half of a potent tandem that’s difficult to stop.
This Stars Basketball group won a heck of a lot more than they lost with us this season. A guy like Gainer averaging north of 15 points per game on a week-by-week basis certainly contributed to that success. We always know we can expect good things when a Stars Basketball team takes the floor.
