2024 Atlanta Jam: Saturday Notebook
SUWANEE, GA — Day two of the spring evaluation period continued on Saturday at Suwanee Sports Academy with the Atlanta Jam. With dozens of college programs in attendance, we had several notable storylines develop in the day’s time.
Without further adieu, here are the highlights from Saturday’s action from Garrett Tucker’s point of view…
FLORIDA PG SHINES ON BRIGHT STAGE
It’s no secret that Florida Pro has players. Just look at their rosters over the past couple of years, starting with the Thompson twins, Enrico Borio and so on and so forth. After two days of action, I feel like Florida Pro Select guard Christian Smith has helped himself as much as anyone has in the 17U field this weekend.
The 6-foot rising senior is one of the most reliable floor generals I’ve seen thus far. He’s tough as nails, gets plenty of paint touches, and can get a bucket when needed. In the simplest terms, he’s hard to guard and makes winning plays. Just ask the teams that have been matched up with Florida Pro Select this weekend.
Dozens of college coaches have watched Smith and his teammates this weekend. I don’t see how he isn’t one of the most popular guards among college coaches in the building after this weekend. He’s moved the needle that much.
SHOOTING ONTO THE RADAR
Speaking of moving the needle — what about guys that have done so with their shooting ability? We saw plenty of that during Saturday’s action as several guys shot themselves onto the radar.
2025 Fort Payne (AL) wing Josh Scott came into the weekend with a scholarship offer from Montevallo and interest from a plethora of other Division II schools. After this weekend, I think it’s safe to say he’s shot himself onto Division I programs’ radars.
In Pro One Select Academic’s first two games, Scott shot 5 of 7 and 4 of 6 from behind the three-point line. He also added in three more treys in Saturday afternoon’s game. He’s filled it up from deep and made his stamp as one of the biggest stock risers in the field.
Pro One Academic ultimately fell to the Wellington Wolves Select in that afternoon game in large part because of the Wolves’ hot shooting down the stretch. One of the main players behind that was 2025 sharpshooter Landen Harwood.
Harwood had a phenomenal high school season where he averaged over 27 points per game. He’s given us a good look at that scoring ability at the Atlanta Jam thus far. In the win over Pro One, Harwood made four 3’s en route to 18 points. In the morning session he put up 20 points. He’s a shooter to know going into Sunday.
Chris McLavish put up a nice performance in the night cap, making four three-pointers and scoring 24 points for Team Scoot TJ in a win. McLavish has strung together a couple of productive shooting and scoring weekends over the last month or so. He’s another name to be aware of going into Sunday.
THE BEST GAME I SAW…
I don’t think this one is up for debate — the Tennessee Tiger’s improbable come-from-behind victory over Florida Pro was the best game at Suwanee Sports Academy on Saturday.
Florida Pro raced out to an early lead to begin the game and eventually got it to double-digits. However, the Tigers clawed and fought back and ultimately took the lead with less than a minute remaining, holding on for the 56-54 win.
Rodney Henderson has had a quality weekend in the backcourt for the Tigers. He led the way with 15 points while Jeremiah Police, the best available senior in the Atlanta Jam field, led Florida Pro with a game-high 18 points.
It’s hard to beat a tight game in any environment, but it doesn’t get any better than when college coaches are lined up on the baseline. Toss in a couple of traditional quality programs in the Tigers and Florida Pro and you have quite the matchup.
OTHER NOTES…
I thought 2025 guard Skyler Stovall was fantastic for We Play this afternoon. The fast, athletic guard excelled with his quick first step and finishing at the rim. He still has plenty of developing to do, but I like where his game is going. He’s an intriguing guard to watch that will only get better with time.
2025 point guard Rashif Sinkfield got wherever he wanted on Saturday and that usually meant living in the lane. The slippery guard was an instant creator for SCE Sinkfield.
There aren’t many players at the Atlanta Jam that play as effortlessly as 2025 guard K.J. Barnes. The Pro One Select Ben product can fill it up in a hurry but he makes things look so simple. He’s been another favorite of mine so far.