2024 Tennessee Jam: 17U Top Performers, Part I
The inaugural Tennessee Jam has officially come and gone. The Memphis Sports & Event Center was the epicenter of the Grind City this weekend as teams from all over the South competed in the beautiful, state-of-the-art facility.
Looking back on the action-packed weekend, there was a variety of talent from all different levels. As you can expect, there were plenty of standouts from the action in Memphis.
Without further adieu, here’s our first round of top performers from the 17U division…
Johnson backed up his national ranking as a five-star point guard this weekend, showcasing his well-rounded game on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot-4 guard is one of the most versatile guards in the country. He can score it, he can make shots with range, he defends, and he wins. There isn’t much more to ask of him. Johnson made some tough finishes through contact around the rim while also filling it up from behind the arc. On defense, he caused havoc with his length and quickness. It will be fun to see who prioritizes him as the May evaluation period closes in.
If you’re a JUCO coach looking for a guy that can fill it up, look no further than A.J. Gray. The unsigned senior had an impressive weekend for Tennessee Run, pacing the 17U division by scoring over 24 points per game in four games of action. Gray spent a lot of his time making shots from the perimeter, but he also showed the ability to put the ball on the floor and make plays at the rim. There’s a lot of natural offensive talent here. I’d keep an eye on the name for those programs still constructing rosters for the future.
Cobb really popped onto the radar with a couple of high scoring games on Saturday, where he scored 16 and 20 in two games of action. The Vestavia Hills (AL) guard did a quality job scoring the basketball, but, make no mistake about it: he’s an efficient table-setter for others. Cobb did a phenomenal job seeing the floor and knowing where teammates were at all times. He showed a cerebral feel for the game and made his teammates better each possession. With a high-academic background and a solid skill-set, you’ll see plenty of non-D1 programs showing interest in Cobb.
Bryson Johnson, a 6’2 combo guard for TNBC, had a great weekend in our first-ever Tennessee Jam. The Bartlett (TN) native tossed in a couple of threes early but was more effective getting to the rim in transition and in space in the half court. Johnson, who is a superb athlete and defender, will be one of the more interesting prospects to keep your eye on as the summer continues.
