WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – There was a SEC flavor to the first day of the Phenom Hoops National Showcase on Friday at the beautiful Forsyth Country Day School. Several future SEC players did work and fans of Mississippi State and Tennessee would have enjoyed the action. We break down the commitments and bring to light a couple of new names to chart.

SUPER SEVEN

Eli Wright, SG, 22 Feet Academy (SC), 2016: What a night for the future Mississippi State Bulldog. He was unstoppable from all spots on the floor, hitting three-pointers, scoring with beautiful drives to the rim and turning defense into offense. Looking bigger and stronger than he was in the summer, Wright played the part of a guy that was ready for the next level in the SEC. His confidence was high, his production was efficient and his overall showing was one of the best of the day.
STATS: 28 points (12-15 FG, 2-3 from 3, 2-4 FT), 6 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists

Mario Kegler, SF/PF, Oak Hill Academy (VA), 2016: The big man they call Biscuit was pouring it on Providence Day like heavy gravy on a cold Sunday morning. The Mississippi native was rolling in the first half, drilling four three-pointers and set the tone early for how he was going to play on Friday. Kegler used his great 6-foot-7 frame to rise up and score over defenders and was the beneficiary of quick guards that collapse the defenses. Kegler was in a great zone and knew it. He let it fly with confidence and never took the foot off the glass.
STATS: 25 points (9-15 FG, 6-9 from 3, 1-1 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist

Grant Williams, PF, Providence Day (NC), 2016: You’re never going to worry about effort with the future Tennessee big man. Never. Paired against a big Oak Hill frontline, Williams stepped into the ring and threw haymakers like he’s been there before. The 6-foot-7 forward played above the rim and played with strength below it. Never one to back down from a challenge, Williams was good in defeat and did all that he could for his overmatched team. Williams signed with Tennessee after the game.
STATS: 23 points (8-13 FG, 1-2 from 3, 6-11 FT), 9 rebounds, 5 rebounds

Godwin Boahen, PG, Hill Academy (CAN), 2016: The 5-foot-9 Canadian was the bright spot in the day’s best match-up of teams and talent. He’s a speedster with a creative handle. Boahen used his extra gear to explode to the rim and scored in traffic, against big rim protectors and versus physical defenders. It was a great showing and he paced his squad to a hard-fought victory. Boahen is holding offers from Eastern Kentucky and Niagara. He’s worthy of a good look by low to mid-majors searching for a scoring point guard.
STATS: 27 points (8-12 FG, 5-9 from 3, 6-9 FT), 2 steals, 2 rebounds

Braxton Key, SF, Oak Hill Academy (VA), 2016: Mr. Efficiency. The Nashville native always fills a stat sheet and in a highly competitive match-up versus a very talented Providence Day team, the future Alabama player was the glue for the loaded Oak Hill squad. He was very efficient scorer, getting points from all spots on the floor, took smart shots, played tough in the paint against one of the best tough guys around in Grant Williams. He allowed Kegler to spot up and have free reign from three, too. Key will be the ultimate high-major teammate in SEC play.
STATS: 20 points (8-10 FG, 1-1 from 3, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Michael Okauru, CG, Ravenscroft (NC), 2017: There was some intrigue coming into the event surrounding Okauru and boy, did the junior stand out amongst his peers. Displaying a very laid back demeanor but deceptive athleticism, scoring prowess in the open floor, and passing skills out on the perimeter, the upside from the Carolina native is something that must be addressed. He hushed the naysayers by making three perimeter jumpers, rebounded the basketball, and defended the passing lanes, all adding up to quite the college prospect in the 2017 class.
STATS: 26 points (11-20 FG, 3-6 from 3, 1-2 FT), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, 1 block

John Fulkerson, PF, Christ School (NC), 2016: High energy, high production and good athleticism were the common traits thrown around scout’s row when watching the future Tennessee Volunteer on Friday against 22 Foot Academy. The 6-foot-8 forward had a good game against a bigger and more athletic team. Fulkerson played very well in the match-up and was the best big man on the floor for the game.
STATS: 14 points (7-13 FG, 0-1 from 3), 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block