Best of HoopSeen 2020: Top 2022 Prospects, part II
As we put a bow on the long, strange trip that the 2020 season has been, we wanted to look back on the best of from our platform.
Today we dive into our team’s Best of the Class of 2022. We polled our staff on the absolute best they saw from the action. Today we start with the juniors. You are going to want to know more about this group in the years to come.
RELATED: Best game of 2020 travel season | Top 2022 players | Top 2023 players
One of the most electrifying prospects we saw on our stage over the course of the summer, Gortman is as fast from end to end of the floor that I have seen over the past 10 years. His change-of-direction leaves defenders wondering which way the 6-foot-1 guard went. He showed he can consistently knock down shots from the outside, he draws defenders in on him and is able to have the court-vision to find open teammates resulting in easy baskets. He holds high-major offers across the board and I expect this one to end up in the Palmetto State at either South Carolina or Clemson. - Justin Byerly
Playing with Tea Marie during our HoopSeen/BetheBeast Always Live Showcase, Green showed he was worthy of being ranked as the #1 prospect in North Carolina for the class of 2022. The Christ School (NC) rising junior displayed a high-level scoring prowess throughout the weekend. Green, at 6-foot-8 displayed improved footwork and the ability to get to the rim from the perimeter while also being able to score in the post against some of the top players in the region in what was arguably the top showcase event in the country at Suwanee Sports Academy. Green has offers from some of the top-programs in the country and has the ability to come in and make an impact from day one. - Justin Byerly
The Game Elite 2022 3BB3 team played up at our HoopSeen/Be The Beast Always Live Showcase and went to work. Hawkins was one of the best rebounders in the event. Playing alongside one of the best backcourts in the South, Hawkins had a lot of one-on-one opportunities inside the paint. When he focuses on producing near the rim, Hawkins is at his very best. Sure, he can step out and knock down a jumper. But Hawkins shined more when he was High-majors continue to monitor his game. Now back on the coastline of Georgia, we will learn who really is interested if and when college coaches can get back out on the physical recruiting trail. Who will make their way to Glynn Academy to see Hawkins play? Right now Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida are in the mix.
If you saw Team Florida 2022 at all at any of our events this year, it was pretty clear that this team was loaded with prospects with size. Laurient was one of those players. The 6-foot-9 forward paired length and athleticism with rebounding and shot-blocking. That’s where his impact was felt the most. He has bounce and power and used both to rise up and play above the rim. But don’t discount that as his offensive game not being there. It is. He’s still a work in progress, sure, but when he gets into the paint, watch out. Lorient has all kinds of high-major potential as any big man we saw on our platform. Every year we see guys from Florida with his tools rise up and grow into a highly sought after guy. Just ask guys like Jon Isaac or Isaiah Adams or Josh Minott. Laurient could be next in line. - Justin Young
