2022 Best of the South Top Overall Performers
ATLANTA, GA - What a week. The Best of the South was a loaded affair and there were so many players to see in action. This is our top five overall performers from the 17 and under division.
When you look at the point guards in this class nationally, I think you can put Harding’s name in the mix for one of the best two dozen in America. That’s how he has played this weekend in Atlanta. Iowa locked him up before other programs had to make some decisions. Harding, to me, was the most in control player in our 17U field. The future Iowa Hawkeye has a control to him that is hard to match at this level. He has leveled up every year he’s played high school aged travel ball and has earned his way into a situation at the Big Ten level. At the Best of the South, he was the best point guard in the field. Mid Pro is the top independent team in the country. - Justin Young
There wasn’t a player who drew more coaches this weekend than Normand. The 6-foot-5 bouncy guard gave the recruiters plenty to think about throughout the Best of the South. His game is founded on competitiveness and his transition to the college game should be seamless. Normand has the goods to be an important player at the next level sooner than later. We had a great preview from him this weekend. The skill he’s adding his game just continues to level up and his confidence anchors his competitiveness. That’s why a host of high-majors have been in to see him here in Atlanta. Normand didn’t disappoint the coaches either. - Justin Young
He will probably tell you this wasn’t his best week of work. Because it wasn’t. But when it mattered, Booker was good in the clutch. George Hill All Indy had to come back and earn some victories and we saw why Booker is a USA Basketball guy and the number one option for some of the biggest blue bloods in college hoops. His size and ability to finish around the rim was unparalleled in this setting. When it mattered, Booker unleashed his talent and helped his team pick up the wins that mattered. - Justin Young
Whitlock was bred to score. He’s a guard who can put points on the board in the blink of an eye from all levels. Whitlock can get by his man consistently, and he doesn’t shy away from contact at the rim. He’s a tough finisher. His in-between game is solid with a nice pull-up jumper and floater package to keep defenders honest. When I saw him over the weekend, his 3-point shot was a reliable catalyst that sparked the rest of his game when he was in a bit of a funk. After seeing a couple go in from distance, all the other parts of his game that make him so dangerous came together nicely. - Josh Tec
For my money, Slaughter was one of the stock risers of the weekend. I can’t think of a guard that consistently impressed more people over the weekend than he did. I’ve been involved in several conversations about him with multiple people seeing him for the first time. I got to see a little bit of Slaughter’s motor and physicality back at the Grassroots Showcase in Louisville, but he’s taken things up a notch here in Atlanta this weekend. He’s a slasher that consistently finishes through contact, and he can play above the rim. With his physical tools and aggressive style of play, he’s an easy shoo-in for a mid-major looking to inject a tough guard that can go out there and get you a bucket when you need one. - Josh Tec
