Top Performers at The Elite Preview
The Elite Preview was a raving success on Saturday at Norcross High School as 80 of Georgia's top prospects took to the floor. Here's our top picks for the top overall performers from the loaded camp. Robert Alfonso, Jr. and Justin Young break down their picks for top performers.
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Malik Beasley, St. Francis – If there was one player who made an emphatic splash at the Elite Preview, Beasley did just that on one play. He raced up court and in one explosive step to the rim, the 6-foot-4 combo guard threw down the hardest one-handed dunk. However, this was not the only thing he did. Beasley showed his utility list of moves, strength and athleticism the entire weekend. He can score from all three levels of the court and is a hard nose defender. Plays like the one caught on video (which someone has) will have his stock skyrocket.– RA |
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Ronald Bell, North Atlanta, 2016- Well, hello! The athletic sophomore came into camp and raised the level of competition the minute he stepped onto the court. Bell laid it all on the line and emptied the tank. He played with a great sense of urgency, showed off great leadership and production. The 6-foot-5 slasher was a bull to the basket and was one of the toughest players to defend in the entire camp. Bell started the travel season off with a bang and raised the bar for himself on Saturday. What a day's work from Bell. - JY |
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Jaylen Brown, Wheeler, 2015- From a mental approach, I'm not sure there was a more professional player in the gym on Saturday than Georgia's top overall prospect. Brown led the way in every setting - practice, games, competition drills - with vocal leadership, mature action and pure results. He set the bar for the rest of the camp and took every activity serious. It was so refreshing to see the best of the best perform like the best of the best. Brown solidified himself as the top dog in the Peach State with his showing. - JY |
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Kaiser Gates, St. Francis – Versatility is easily the best word that comes to mind when evaluating this 6-foot-7 forward. Gates demonstrated the ability to be a hard nose defender, while being part of the team that finished in the finals of The King of the Court. He was energetic and never backed down from any on coming defender. Gates rebounded well in traffic and out of his area. His mid-range jumper and ability to knock down the 3-pointer makes him a matchup problem. - RA |
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Daniel Giddens, Wheeler – The definition of monster on both ends of the floor can be summarized in two plays. Giddens pulled a rebound from well above the rim over to would-be opponents and threw an outlet pass on a dime to an open teammate. On the next sequence, he caught the ball while running to the front of the rim for a two-handed dunk down that nearly ripped the bolds structure holding it together. Giddens displayed moves inside the basket while also starting the break a few times off the dribble after grabbing defensive rebound. While college programs are looking for a monster presence inside, Giddens’ phone will ring off the hook some more with performances like the one during the Elite Preview. – RA |
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Tobias Howard, North Gwinnett– Skill, speed and shot-maker are the three things that describe this point guard. Howard adapted to the talent around him. There were times he showed his leadership skills and ran the team. Howard hit jumpers from all over the court. His defensive skills was emphasized because Howard was part of the King of the Court drill, which challenged teams to stop the offense from scoring. This will be a big summer for one of the highly valued point guards in the state. – RA |
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Ty Hudson, Pebblebrook, 2015 - After a terrific junior season, Hudson played like a man still very much on a mission. The lefty point guard continues to show off a skill set that college coaches will find very attractive in a month's time when the live evaluation weekend comes around. Hudson scored, lead, directed his offense, competed in drills, accepted coaching and lead by verbal commands and actions. Hudson proved himself as a player that will see his recruitment spike when coaches can watch him in April. - JY |
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Derek Ogbeide, Pebblebrook, 2015 - The 6-foot-8, 230-pound big man was a disrupting force inside the middle at The Elite Preview. He played as hard as any big man in camp, blocked shots, rebounded and scored five feet and in. His presence altered the shots of several other attempts. Ogbeide was one of the first players to jump into a practice session with Dennis Felton and his team coach. All and all, Ogbeide continued his progress from a great junior campaign for coach George Washington. A big spring awaits.- JY |
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Tre Scott, McIntosh County Institute, 2015- For the second opportunity in a row, the South Georgia forward came to Atlanta and proved himself as a guy that has to be considered as one of the best in the Peach State's impressive 2015 class. He is a bit taller and stronger from the last time he came to The Preview. That allowed him to out muscle guys on the low block. He's also versatile enough to take his game out to the three-point line. Scott is under-appreciated as a passer and has the length and footspeed to develop into a terrific defender at the next level. - JY |
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Kobi Simmons, St. Francis, 2016 – Being one of the top players in the country did not stop this sophomore to show his peers why. The 6-foot-5 point guard was spectacular in running the team and knocking jump shots from all over the floor. His attitude in going at everyone in front of him was not for the weak at heart. Simmons competed and played at a high level leaving no doubt. His stock will continue to rise this summer. – RA |
