2024 Best of the South: 17U Top Performers, Part IV
Another Best of the South is officially behind us. Our staff was all over Cobb County Galleria and spent the entire weekend sorting out the best of the best. Meet some of the 17 and under top performers from the NCAA Live Period event.
RELATED: Part I | Part II | Part III
Rodney Henderson, TN Tigers: This dude was on a tear at The Best of the South. Throughout the week, Henderson came up with big bucket after big bucket for Chip Smith’s Tennessee Tigers squad. In their match-up Sunday morning, Henderson scored 28 points and dominated the last two minutes of regulation and overtime to secure the win with drives to the basket and foul shots. The two-time All-State selection has been one of the best guards we’ve seen on our HoopSeen stage this travel season. He is one of those players that has a great motor and the will to win. Whenever the game was close, he was the guy that you knew was going to come up with a big bucket or even get a defensive stop and steal. - Justin Byerly
Jordan Lindsey, Open Court: I’ve been tracking Lindsey for the last few months after he caught my eye during the June scholastic period. After watching him closely this weekend, I’m all in on the well-rounded point guard. The 6-foot-1 floor general never pushes the issue or gets rattled. He understands the game well, along with the importance of ball movement and getting paint touches. Lindsey was a nightmare for opposing defenders with his quick first step and ability to get in the lane. However, he was an even bigger headache for opposing ball-handlers with his defense. There aren’t many players getting past Lindsey – mark it down. Huntington extended a scholarship offer on Monday, and I think we’ll see plenty of more coming in the next few months. - Garrett Tucker
Eli Stapler, Pro One Select Academic: As I wrote in my notebook on Saturday, Stapler put together a terrific weekend while piloting the Pro One Select Academic squad. In particular, he was huge down the stretch in a couple of close games, making pivotal plays that translate to winning. The senior lead guard does all the simple things: he advances the ball in transition, makes the extra pass, and is capable of hitting shots. I thought Stapler helped himself with his weekend. - Garrett Tucker
Miles George, SEBA F.C.I: I’ve been able to watch the SEBA F.C.I team several times this summer and Miles George has improved tremendously each time I’ve watched. George is a Swiss army knife, he has all the tools to be an elite guard at the next level. He's quick, athletic, and attacks the paint hard. On the defensive end, he’s a lockdown defender. His long, lanky frame allows him to disrupt passing lanes and pickpockets to get out on fast breaks. George’s jump shot doesn’t go unnoticed, either. His pull-up jumper is deadly and if left alone outside he’ll torch opposing defenders. - Zack Cepress
Jayden Dickens, Team Scoot TJ: There’s so much intrigue that comes with Dickens’ game. First and foremost, you can expect his effort and energy to be there every time out, just like it was during Best of the South. But when you really get into the other intangibles and measurables, it’s quite mesmerizing. Dickens is a skilled and lengthy guard at 6-foot-6 that knows how to make the right basketball play, whether it’s scoring himself or putting someone else in position to score. He did plenty of both this weekend in what turned into a quality showing – and his best basketball is ahead. - Garrett Tucker
