2023 Carolina Jam Top Overall Performers
RALEIGH, NC - The 2023 HoopSeen Carolina Jam was full of studs and the talent filled the spacious Raleigh Convention Center. We will be rolling out the top performers all week long. These guys were the tops for the entire event.
When we look back on the 2023 Carolina Jam, we’ll always start with the play of Eli Ellis on a Saturday afternoon against Team United. Ellis was outstanding. He poured it in to the tune of 21 straight points. He was in a fun zone in a game that drew nearly all of the eyeballs of the hoop heads of the Hoop State. Ellis knocked down big threes. He scored big baskets on big drives. He passed the rock to shooters and controlled the pace throughout. What may have gotten overlooked in his big shot-making Saturday was his competitive leadership and his team’s terrific defense from start to finish. Sometimes it is hard to live up to the hype time and time again. It is even hard to put a win behind the play. Ellis did both. And that left everyone talking. - Justin Young
When it comes to knocking down jumpers, creating shots and being a go-to threat, there may not have been a more valuable player in the 17 and under division than the East Carolina-bound guard. Vick was one of the best shot-creators and shot-makers in the field. His ability to get a shot off against the defense is incredible. Vick can torch the nets with the best of them. He’s been consistent on stages like this, dating back to his middle school days at HoopSeen events. He’s only taken his game up a notch every step along the way at this travel ball level. - Justin Young
Cole is fun to watch. He is so explosive off the dribble when he is attacked in the paint on the rim, he is a downhill guard with a soft touch around the rim. He is good at utilizing his length on defense and in transition. In their matchup against Garner Road, he displayed his ability to score off the ball from all spots on the floor, something that he wasn't able to showcase thoroughly playing alongside Garner Road’s Paul McNeill at Richmond high school. That’s quite a tandem from what we saw this weekend and what helped lead Richmond County high school to the state 4-A finals. - Justin Byerly
I have been watching Passmore now for almost three years. He just continues to get better and better. During Garner Road‘s first game on Saturday, Passmore was running late and arrived right after halftime in work was a close game. Passmore scored 23 points in the second half on a variety of dunks, three-point shots, and athletic finishes at the rim. He can change a game with his leaping ability, causing problems on the defense of end, as well as scoring on opportunities that other players would not be able to be sent to cut his list to 10 schools on May 1 and has quickly became one of the most coveted prospects in the 2024 class. - Justin Byerly
The minute the multi-colored jerseys of 1 of 1 Elite RARE walked came down the escalator of the Raleigh Convention Center, heads turned. As they should. This team was full of size, physicality and wonder. Ware was right there in the middle of it all. Geo Ware didn’t hold back either with his play. He’s physical, explosive, fun and unapologetically athletic. Oftentimes he was the recipient of a big lob pass that resulted in a rim-bender. Other times, his rebounding opened up the break or provided his team with second-chance opportunities. Ware was outstanding last year as an underclassman on the HoopSeen Association platform. This year he could be one of the most impressive players all season long. - Justin Young
