2018 #BOTS 17U Top Performers: Part IV
The 2018 Best of the South was loaded with talented players and teams. Our staff has poured through our piles of notes and worked through our notes to identify the very best players in this year's field.
RELATED: Part I | Part II | Part III
Kaleb Coleman, Team M.O.A.M., 2019: As usual, the 6-foot-6 versatile forward was terrific for M.O.A.M. in their 7-0 run at the Best of the South. He’s a terrific match-up problem on both sides of the floor. Coleman is anchored in skill and fundamentals. He knows how to play multiple positions and logs positive minutes at every spot he’s in. He can score by slashing, knocking down face-up jumpers and around the cup in the paint. Overall, he was one of the best performers in the entire event. - Justin Young
Talon Cooper, Upward Stars Upstate, 2019: Coming into the BOTS, Upward Stars Upstate guard Talon Cooper was riding the wave of a few Division 1 programs that decided to extended an offer to him. A single game in which he had 7 threes lead him to pick up offers from Morehead State and Charleston Southern. I echo Justin Young's thoughts that Cooper is of the best at our HoopSeen events this year. - Tai Young
McKenzie McFatten, Team Power, 2019: The athletic power forward has the toughness and motor mid-major programs love to see in big men. He plays hard and competes on every possession. His versatility on the defense end may be his most impressive talent with his ability to bang with a true center and guard a point guard on a ball screen switch. He will be a double-double type of big man for a lucky college program.
Jon Morgan, Atlanta Timberwolves, 2019: Athletic with skill level. That's what you need to know about Atlanta Timberwolves' Jon Morgan. Every time I saw him play, he was making plays. No question. He's a really good athlete at 6'3" that does a really good job of finishing difficult plays. The lefty has a capable set-shot from the perimeter, as well. He’s headed to prep school in the fall, attending Combine Prep here in Georgia. - Kory Keys
Joe Toussaint, PSA Cardinals, 2019 (pictured): The 5-foot-11 New Yorker is the epitome of a current Atlantic 10 guard. He scored in bunches and played to his strength - toughness and speed. Toussiant had his way with the field and played well in front of a number of coaches who came down to metro Atlanta to see him play. Don’t be surprised to see him play multiple seasons as a starter in college. - Justin Young
Jaykwon Walton, 2019 SG, Team Thad: Walton made a loud introduction to the travel circuit in April, but in recent weeks, his performances had hit a wall. Nevertheless, that wasn’t the case this weekend, especially after his impressive 29-point performance to open the weekend. Walton, a smooth, 6-foot-6 wing man, showcased an array of skills, including the ability to score from all 3 levels. After a strong weekend at #BOTS, it’s easy to see why the majority of the SEC is hot on his trail. - Garrett Tucker