Bruton’s Scouting Notebook: ATL HoopFest (3/15-3/17) Middle School

Recently, ATL HoopFest took over Dobbs Creek Recreation Center in Cumming, GA. Looking back, the gym was full of energy, talent, and names to remember. Here are a few middle school prospects that stood out.

Amir Cuyler | 6’3″ SF | Bo Bell Elite | Class of 2029
Cuyler was everywhere. Deflected passes, challenged shots, flew around the floor. Athletic wing that doesn’t need the ball to affect the game. He played with consistent motor and made things happen on both ends. Long, agile, and plays like a glue guy with upside. If his handle and jumper continue to progress, the long-term potential is high.

Cannon Combs | 6’8″ PF | Premiere Elite | Class of 2029
Combs is a flat-out force in the paint. Dominated the interior with size and timing. Blocks shots, finishes plays, and clears space when he seals. He altered nearly every shot around the rim and had stretches where he completely owned the paint. Didn’t try to do too much, just stuck to what he does well. For his age and size, his coordination and footwork are already ahead of the curve.

Denny Stomer | 5’10” PG | Team HIM | Class of 2029
Stomer is relentless. He lived in the paint all weekend long. Tight handle, and plays through contact. Gets downhill quickly and doesn’t waste time over-dribbling. Always looking to put pressure on the defense and create chaos. One of those guards you hate to guard but love to have on your side.

Dylan Smith | 5’11” SG | Bo Bell Elite | Class of 2029
Smith moves off the ball like a vet. Constant motion, always relocating, and when he gets his feet set, it’s likely going in. Doesn’t try to do too much—he finds the gaps and makes teams pay. Reads closeouts well and knows how to slide into open pockets. Smart, efficient, and confident when the ball touches his hands.

Hollis Rucker | 6’3″ F | Bo Bell Elite | Class of 2029
Rucker brings versatility to the wing/forward spot. Can defend inside or out, score from multiple levels, and plays with a steady motor. He did the dirty work when needed and showed flashes of offensive upside. Good lateral movement for his size and rarely forced the action. One of those players every coach loves—productive without needing plays run for him.

Kedar Washington | 5’9″ PG | Team Magic | Class of 2029
Washington showed real flashes as a scoring lead guard. He’s got a good handle, clean mechanics, and a mindset to go get it. Once he gets downhill, he’s crafty finishing through length and has a smooth pull-up. Looked comfortable running the offense or playing off-ball. As his strength develops, so will his consistency as a floor general.

Trace Adcock | 6’3″ PG | Georgia Generals | Class of 2029
Adcock is a sniper with elite range. Uses his length to see over defenders and plays angles well on defense. Created turnovers, made tough reads, and hit big shots consistently. Stayed composed against pressure and made the game slow down when he had the ball. High-ceiling guard with tools that translate well beyond middle school.

Xavier Beavers | 6’2″ CG | Alabama Premier | Class of 2029
Beavers is one of those guards that just gets it. He plays the right way, communicates, and makes others better. Can run the show or play off the ball. Always made the right decision and didn’t try to force plays that weren’t there. Mature in his approach and led with his voice and playmaking.

Zaire Colbert | 6’1″ CG | Team Magic | Class of 2029
Colbert is a polished guard prospect with a grown-man frame. Has a clean jumper, great feel for when to attack, and plays both ends. His court vision stood out, and he didn’t shy away from defensive assignments either. Made winning plays when it mattered. Already has the look of a future leader at the high school level and beyond.

Adam Oche | 6’4″ C | Flame | Class of 2030
Oche is a big with mobility and good instincts. Plays physical, blocks shots, and has good touch around the rim. He ran the floor better than most his size and didn’t get tired easily. Understands positioning and stays vertical when contesting. Still raw in spots, but the physical tools are there in a big way.

Beckham Reeve | 6’0″ SG | TDBA Gold | Class of 2030
Reeve can flat-out score. Confident shooter with underrated bounce off the dribble. His shot release is quick and clean, and he hit big ones in rhythm. He was a tough cover in transition and played with great pace. Also made sound reads as a secondary ball-handler.

Braylen Williams | 5’6″ PG | Waycross SuperSonics | Class of 2030
Williams has serious wheels. Fast in the open court and decisive with the ball. Sees the floor well and makes advanced reads in transition. He didn’t get sped up despite constant pressure and always looked to involve teammates. One of the better natural passers in the gym.

Braylon Tate | 6’4″ PF | J Smoove Select ’30 | Class of 2031
Tate was physically dominant. As a two-sport athlete playing up, he made his presence known. Finished through contact, controlled the paint, and ran the break like a wing. Showed flashes of footwork in the post and soft hands. When locked in, he looked nearly unstoppable at times. 

Brycen Evans | 5’6″ PG | Bo Bell Elite | Class of 2030
Evans is a shot maker with poise. Doesn’t get rattled, plays within the game, and hits big shots. He’s always engaged, vocal on defense, and made smart decisions late in games. Didn’t need volume to make a major impact. Natural floor leader that opens the floor up for everyone.

Camrin Gee | 5’5″ PG | Stonecrest Raptors | Class of 2030
Gee is a slippery, creative ball handler that keeps defenders on skates. His quickness opens up the floor, and he’s not afraid to pull up or drop off a dime. Plays with a fearless attitude and doesn’t shy away from bigger defenders. His confidence spreads to his teammates any time he’s on the floor.

Derrick Tatum Jr. | 5’10” PG | J Smoove Select ’30 | Class of 2031
Tatum Jr. played up and didn’t miss a beat. Explosive first step and gets to the rack almost at will. He’s fearless when attacking and created mismatches with his body control and burst. What stood out most was his ability to adjust mid-air. Hard to guard, even harder to game-plan against.

Isaiah Griffith | 5’9″ SG | Bo Bell | Class of 2030
Griffith shoots it at a high clip and plays smart. Doesn’t over-dribble, doesn’t waste movement. He was surgical in the half court and made defenses respect his range early. Showed maturity in the way he handled defensive attention. The game seems to come naturally to him.

Jaxson Teal | 5’6″ PG | Game Elite | Class of 2030
Teal has flair and fire. Dynamic with the rock and hits shots from tough angles. He brought swagger and energy to every possession and was one of the more exciting guards in his division. What separates him is his pace control and shot-making from deep. He gives his team a chance every time out.

Tallen Pinson | 6’0″ CG | Game Elite | Class of 2030
Pinson is a do-it-all guard that raises the level of his squad. Scores, defends, distributes whatever’s needed. Quietly efficient and doesn’t force action. He just plays the game the right way. Has all the intangibles of a future leader.

Ahzir Hatchett | 6’0″ PF | Celtics Beyond | Class of 2031
Hatchett is a strong-bodied young post with real upside. Already plays hard, finishes through contact, and has soft hands around the rim. He’s coachable, tough, and not afraid to mix it up inside. Took pride in doing the little things whether it was setting hard screens, boxing out, sprinting the floor. With his frame and motor, he’s got the makeup of a very good long-term front-court presence.

Aiden Passmore | 5’6″ CG | E2G | Class of 2031
Passmore brings intensity. Gets in your jersey on defense and makes you work. He scored in a variety of ways and plays with a chip on his shoulder. Has a nice in-between game and made good use of his pull-up. When it came to guarding the ball, he took the challenge every single time.

Damoni Thomas | 5’6″ CG | Georgia Generals | Class of 2031
Thomas pushes the tempo and makes good decisions in space. Scores in the paint, sees over help defenders, and creates angles in transition. Always on the attack and kept defenders backpedaling. Very vocal on the floor and played with great confidence. A catalyst-type player that keeps pressure on defenses for four quarters.

Leshaun Lyle | 5’5″ CG | J Smoove Select | Class of 2031
Lyle was in his bag all weekend. Pure scorer that played up and still controlled the game. Had defenders guessing and was efficient from everywhere on the floor. Showed craft off the bounce and stayed composed even against bigger, stronger guards. He plays like someone who’s used to having the ball in big moments and delivers.

Kyrie Clark | 5’0″ PG | ISO Joe | Class of 2031
Clark is lightning quick and full of confidence. Has great vision, hits open teammates, and doesn’t get intimidated. Makes things happen with speed and savvy—fun player who leaves it all on the floor. Never backed down from contact and routinely beat defenders with the first step. He brings energy the second he checks in.

Nasir Fernandes | 6’0″ SF | Conyers Kingsmen | Class of 2031
Fernandes is a physical wing that loves contact and finishes through it. Brings effort on both ends and isn’t afraid to mix it up on the glass. He gave teams trouble with his motor and willingness to do the dirty work. Played with mature physicality and showed good instincts in help defense. He’s still raw in some areas, but the foundational tools are there.