Peach State Explosion: Middle & Youth Standouts
2033 Zamari Hendrix – PG | TLBA (NC)
Crafty lefty who made things happen with the ball in his hands. Hendrix kept defenders guessing with a tight crossover, good pace, and confidence as a passer. He played unselfish, kept the ball moving, and showed strong instincts for someone so young. Didn’t back down from older players and held his own all weekend. There’s a natural flair to his game that makes him fun to watch.
2030 Sire Scott – 6’3” F | Team Bo Bell (GA)
Scott brought a physical presence to every game. Rebounded well on both ends, played through contact and scored around the rim with a soft touch. He played with great balance and body control in the paint. For a young forward, his activity level was nonstop, and he didn’t take plays off. If he continues to stretch his game out, there’s a lot to like about where this goes long term.
2031 Carmel “CJ” Allen – 6’0” F | One Step Away (GA)
Allen is a multi-sport star who played with strength and agility beyond his age. He was one of the more dominant physical matchups on the floor, bullying his way to the rim but also showing soft hands and a good touch. What made him stand out was how nimble he moved for his size. He ran the floor hard and handled contact like it was nothing. Has a chance to be a high level athlete with continued development.
2033 Chase King – CG | AE5 (GA)
King is a long, active young guard who showed flashes of shot creation and strong instincts. He played with confidence, communicated on the floor, and didn’t shy away from big moments. His jumper looked smooth and his motor stayed consistent. Made plays on both ends and showed real upside as he fills into his frame. Has the foundation you want in a young guard prospect.
2030 Cole Fritz – Scenic City Warriors (TN)
Fritz played up and looked like he belonged. Strong lefty who brought energy and toughness defensively. He rebounded, rotated well and made simple winning plays. On offense, he didn’t force things but contributed by moving the ball and taking good shots when they were there. Versatile, coachable, and competitive. The type of kid who will win a ton of games during his playing career.
2029 Hudson Monroe – CG | Scenic City Warriors (TN)
Monroe is a smart combo guard with a strong understanding of his role. He moved well without the ball, knocked down open looks and made quick decisions in the halfcourt. He didn’t over-dribble or play outside of himself, but he was always in the right spots. High IQ player who played winning basketball all weekend and was key to bringing home the championship for his team.
2030 Dylan White – G | Team H.I.M Select (GA)
White brings a strong frame to the guard position and made his impact felt right away. He scored in spurts, crashed the boards from the perimeter and stayed active defensively. At around 6’0”, he played bigger than listed and embraced physical play. There’s a lot to like in how he competes.
2030 Jordan Pettaway – 5’6” | Team H.I.M Select (GA)
Pettaway was a shot maker who showed no fear. Hit timely jumpers, ran the floor well and didn’t shy away from contact. Played bigger than his size and made tough plays on both ends. When the game got close, he stepped up to the plate and made things happen.
2030 Mbo Abdulai – G | Jones Middle Hoopers (GA)
Abdulai was an incredibly shifty guard that played with patience. Has a creative handle and a smooth looking form. He kept defenders guessing with quick changes of pace and didn’t waste dribbles. He has huge upside but is still piecing it all together. If he puts it all together, he’s going to be tough to keep in front of.
2030 Derrick Green Jr – G | Jones Middle Hoopers (GA)
Green Jr. was a scoring machine who got to his spots at will in the matchup that I saw. Whether it was midrange pull-ups or straight-line drives, he found ways to score without overcomplicating things. He read defenders well and adjusted in real time. Hard to contain once he got downhill. Big-time scorer with confidence while still playing an unselfish brand of basketball.
2032 Braeden Idehen – 6’1” PF | Team EYA (GA)
Idehen looked dominant at times for a 5th grader. Controlled the paint on both ends, scored with his back to the basket and protected the rim without fouling. Rebounded in traffic and even pushed the break a few times. Showed flashes of ball skills that could develop into more. Strong young big with real upside.
2032 Omar Lovett – 5’9” PG | Team EYA (GA)
Lovett had size and speed that separated him from others in his grade. He made good decisions, saw over the top of the defense and stayed in attack mode. Scored off the bounce, found open teammates and didn’t try to do too much. For a young point guard, he played under control and looked confident doing it. Hit some bigtime shots down the stretch to lead his team to the title.
2033 Calan Howard | PG | AE5 (GA)
Howard continues to be one of the more refined guards in Georgia for his grade. He’s already got a strong understanding of pace and spacing and he consistently made reads that older guards still struggle with. He saw plays before they happened, got teammates involved early and showed a willingness to lead. He doesn’t play rushed, doesn’t over-dribble and he always seems to be in control. As his body fills out and he gains more reps, the ceiling here could be high.