Three Things from Day One at The Bob Gibbons TOC
SUWANEE, GA - The granddaddy of high school basketball events is back at Suwanee Sports Academy and surrounding venues for the weekend. Last night we got things started off and it is looking like it will be shaping into a big weekend for travel basketball.
Upward Stars-Upstate Makes Strong First Impression
With a roster of guys from the upstate of South Carolina, this squad looked like they can win multiple games at one of the biggest events of the year. Leading the way for Upward Stars-Upstate was Terry Leonard Jr., with 17 points including two three-pointers and an array of baskets near the rim on finishes.
The 2023 guard is quick with the ball in his hands, he can get out in transition and understands how to score from all over the floor. He has a knack for scoring and is a good finisher. He was named to the all-state team for South Carolina this past season at Dorman HS.
Also leading the way for Upward Stars-Upstate was Jamarcus Wilkins. The 6-foot-7 forward has length and a nice little turn around hook-shot. He has a soft-touch and with his length he can get a lot of rebounds. Wilkins has a quick second-jump and can make some shots from the perimeter, stretching the floor. He finished with 14 points on a very balanced Upward Stars-Upstate team that took down The Atlanta Timberwolves.
No Guts No Glory
The program based out of the Raleigh area of North Carolina is playing in their second event with us at HoopSeen and I am really interested in seeing how Isaiah Otyaluk progresses over the summer.
He has the length, skillset and the shooting ability to be a major problem. He is one of those guys that just doesn't understand exactly what he can be. He is quick laterally, he has nearly a 7-foot wingspan and he plays hard. He finished with 18 points for No Guts No Glory in their win over TNBA South. Otyaluk can alter shot selection, he can rebound and he can stretch the floor. A lot to like with this one and he is playing up as a 2024 prospect in the 17U bracket.
Overall Thoughts
This was a solid start to what is going to end up as only being a tournament that gets better with each day. The Bob Gibbons Tournament of Champions is an event that I have been going to on and off for since 2009 when it was held in the Raleigh, North Carolina around the campuses of North Carolina, North Carolina State and Duke University. It is paying homage to one of the most renowned scouts that this game has seen in Bob Gibbons. As Justin Young said on twitter yesterday, Gibbons should be enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame and this tournament is sort of our way of saying thank you to a guy that helped a lot of us get into the business. With bracket play starting this morning, it is going to be interesting to see how this all unfolds and who will be playing for the hardware on Sunday. Buckle up.
