HoopSeen Tip-Off Day 2 Notebook from Justin Byerly
SUWANEE, GA - The HoopSeen Tip-Off is in full force in the 2024 edition of the prestigious travel event. We have all of the action from Day 2 here just outside of Atlanta, Georgia at The Suwanee Sports Academy. So let's get to talkin' about who stood out from the day.
Hello My Name Is
MJ Harper caught my eye today and I think everyone else on Court 1 at Suwanee Sports Academy. There have only been a handful of times where multiple people walked over to the scorer's table and asked to find out who #1 was. A typical Florida athletic guard that loves to get to the rim, Harper had a huge game against a Georgia Stars team that features two prospects ranked in the top-20 nationally. During one sequence, Harper took the ball from the wing and drove, then rose over two defenders for a dunk that could be heard outside on McGinnis-Ferry Road. Harper currently has an offer from Liberty University and if his play continues with Team Judah this travel season, that list is going to grow. A lot.
Bruton Was Right
My guy, Tony Bruton, who covers ENC as well as anyone told me about this guy. The town of Washington, North Carolina was the home of a guy that you have probably heard of, "The Human Highlight Film", Dominique Wilkins starred at Washington High School before a career at The University of Georgia and then the NBA. Say hello to Chaise Smith. He is the lead guard for Georgia Stars 2026 EYBL team and Smith was outstanding today. He is flashy with his passes, he can rise up and hammer one down on defenders and he can score it, a lot. He's a guy that at this stage is on track to become a high-major guard prospect. He's one in a long list of North Carolina prospects that are in the sophomore class that are trending in that direction. This one is going to be fun to watch over the next few years. Stay tuned.
Team Swish Guards
Team Swish has regularly been one of the top independent programs that we have seen on our HoopSeen stage. Year in and year out. Head Coach Lee Scruggs, who was a junior college All-American before a career at Georgetown has another strong team and it starts with the guards.
Just a month ago, 2025 guard Caiden Brewer led his East Henderson High School squad to its first-ever playoff win and took the Eagles to the third-round of the NCHSAA playoffs. He is a 6-foot-3 guard that can handle the ball, make shots from the outside and penetrate the lane. In their first game today, a blow-out win, the NCBCA District 12 Player of the Year scored 12 points in a win. He can find open teammates and he can score it when needed.
Jaden Palmore, the son of Elon assistant coach Stacey Palmore plays like a typical coach's son. He doesn't turn the ball over, makes good reads and understands the game at a high-level. Palmore, a rising senior at Greensboro Day (NC) School is coached by one of the best to ever do it in Freddy Johnson. The tandem of having a college coach as a dad and the high school coaching of Coach Johnson makes the younger Palmore even more intriguing at the next level. Right now, he is a pass-first point guard, something that is hard to find these days and with his pedigree, I think that Palmore can see the floor at the low-major or Division II level next season.
Trezz Has Another One
The Team Trezz organization continues to produce guys. Every year. This time it's Jordan Matthewson. The class of 2027 prospect, who also excels on the gridiron has some game on the basketball court to match. To start the day off, Matthewson led Team Trezz Chase with 20 points in a win over Redline UA Rise 65-57. He has size and a strong, physical frame that allows him to get position in the paint and make baskets from the perimeter. He is coached at Martin County High School by Bobby Williams, one of North Carolina's best. This one is going to be one to follow over the next few seasons and is looking like a guy that we will hear a lot more about.
