When the whispers morph from hushed tones to the clacking of several people talking, you have to pay attention.

And people are talking about Rayshaun Hammonds of Norcross High School this prep season. The 6-foot-7 junior is off to a dazzling start to the year and has the Blue Devils playing at a competitive and productive level as we approach holiday tournament season.

Hammonds is routinely recording double-doubles and playing like some of the great big men that have donned the Norcross uniforms.

The local pundits have noticed. His coach has noticed. The competition has noticed. College coaches are noticing, too. Hammonds is starting to realize the potential he has in the game of basketball.

“I’m off to a good start. I’ve been playing real hard in practice. Coach (Jesse McMillan) has been getting on me in practice to be a leader and step up with this team. I’m learning what it means to put the team on your back. Ever since Ricky (Madison, who is High Point) and the other guys left, we had to step up.”

Hammonds was sensational in his match-up against fellow high-major prospect MJ Walker, a two-time state champion junior at Jonesboro. Both were brilliant in the match-up. Hammonds had 30 points and 13 rebounds in the game. On the season, he is averaging 22 points, 9.3 rebounds, two assists and 1.6 steals a game.

If you’ve paid attention, Hammonds has been on the uptick for a while. He closed out the summer strong with the Atlanta Xpress 16 and under program. Hammonds was the co-MVP of the Fall Preview camp, too.

“I feel like I can always do better. I know I can always get better when I get in the gym,” Hammonds said. “When I look back to last year when I was basically a nobody to where I am now and where my life is it, I know that came from work.”

Prior to the season officially starting, Hammonds took a visit to Georgia and Alabama unofficially.

“They were good experiences. I liked to meet the coaches and their families. Their campuses are nice, too,” Hammonds said.

Virginia Commonwealth was in to see him last week and the Rams have made him a priority, Hammonds said. Georgia (offer) Florida International (offer), Florida (offer), Texas Tech (offer)

Alabama, Georgia State and Richmond are all involved, too.

“My mom said I can go to wherever I want to go to school. I know wherever I go to school, my mom is going to be able to see me,” Hammond said.

“I’m not thinking about (recruiting) right now. I’m just letting things happen. I just have to hoop.”