The state of Georgia always produces high-level talent and on our HoopSeen stage, those sleepers come to life and wake up the hoops world. Our Justin Young looks at three sleepers who used the Best of the South stage to jump start their stories and recruitment.  

Shawn Smith, Team Strap, CG, 2020 (pictured)

If there was a true breakout guy from the Best of the South from the state of Georgia, he’s your guy. Smith has been impressive at every stop this year on our HoopSeen stage because of his scoring touch paired with high-level athleticism. But at this event, well, he went to another level. Smith has the feel of a true sleeper guard that low-major programs should take a good look at. He’s now the go-to guy at Newton High School for new head coach Charlemagne Gibbons. Newton has always been a program for great college guard prospects and Smith looks like he could be the next in line at the eastern suburb school off Interstate 20. - Justin Young 

Jakob Radaker, God’s Property, PF, 2020 

There was a good buzz surrounding the big man from northeast Georgia. The 6-foot-9 forward showed that he’s a perfect pick and pop player with size. In today’s modern-day game where fours and fives routinely hit three-pointers, it was hard to not be intrigued by Radaker. He has the tools to develop into a nice player at the Division I level. The big man also showed good moments at the June NCAA evaluation events. His summer body of work has been intriguing enough to warrant conversations in college recruiting meetings now that the summer is coming to a close. - Justin Young 

Chris Newell, Game Elite Orange, CG, 2021  

The class of 2021 guard was outstanding at the Best of the South, scoring 26 points a game and shot lights out throughout the event. Newell was very productive this travel season and produced every time out and on every stage. He’s firmly supplanted himself on the top sleeper list for Georgia’s 2021 class. The 6-foot guard played great on this NCAA Live Period stage and ended his summer season as productive as any junior from the Peach State. Don’t be surprised to see him continue it on at The Walker School this winter.