2022 Best of the South Top Overall Performers, IV
ATLANTA, GA - Throughout the week, we’ve taken a deep dive into the loaded 17U division at last week’s Best of the South. We’ve hit on some of the performers that left their mark on the weekend and made impressions on our staff. Now, we’re excited to bring you some more of those guys.
For the other standouts, check the links below.
Providence assistant coach Jeff Battle has done a remarkable job over the years with his ability to evaluate and recruit players. Dual Is the next guy that falls into the category for Jeff Battle. He has the size at 6-foot-5 and the length causing a lot of problems on defense, he is able to score off the dribble, knockdown shots from the perimeter, and he plays with a lot of energy on the floor. In a few of the games that we saw he was able to impact the game in so many different ways and even if he wasn’t scoring he was still making things hard for the opposition. - Justin Byerly
Owens impressed us with Carolina Pressure over the week with his size and his ability to score not only in the paint but also from the perimeter. In multiple games Owens was able to knock down shots from beyond the three-point line and was able to get a lot of points down on the block of rebounds and around the rim. Owens looks to have the size at 6 foot six to be able to play the three or the four at the college level depending on the race situation. - Justin Byerly
I saw something in Nixon early this spring that caught my eye. He played with fearlessness and aggression which really impressed me. Nixon is confident in his ability and it radiates to those watching. He can be a prolific scorer when he gets going. Shooting from midrange is automatic for Nixon, and he has a consistent 3-point shot that he can pull out whenever to keep teams honest. All of the things that liked early in the AAU season were on display at Best of the South on the biggest stage. In a game against George Hill—with two high-major prospects—Nixon was easily one of the best players on the floor. With a crowd of onlookers that included hordes of college coaches, Nixon wanted the ball. He didn’t shy away from the moment and ended up with 20-plus points in one of the weekend’s best individual performances. - Josh Tec
Team Wright dominated the 17U Green championship with the help of its 2025, 6-foot-6 wing, Ladainian Brooks. The rising sophomore helped spark a 20-3 run that opened the game by going on an 11-0 run by himself. Brooks was hard to stop when he had the ball around the basket. Whether slashing, establishing position by moving without the ball, cleaning up on the offensive glass, or getting out in transition, Brooks was automatic at the rim. He finished their championship game with 21 points and showed that there’s no shortage of talent in Florida’s 2025 wing class. - Josh Tec
In San Antonio Future's run to a 17U championship in the white bracket, 2025 guard Camden Cowgill certainly stood out as an impact player. His ability to score the ball—especially from beyond the arc—opened things up for everyone else on the floor. Cowgill’s a player who can rattle off double-digit points in the blink of an eye. During their championship game, Cowgill forced his opponent to face guard him, and rather than force shots while he was hot, he recognized the situation and let his teammates take advantage of a defense that was keying on him. He was one of the many players that I liked when I thought they were playing in their respective age groups, but when I saw that he was a 2025 playing 17U, my intrigue rose a little more. - Josh Tec
