Snellville, GA – The NGSHoops 2030 Elite 60 featured a number of young prospects that showed flashes throughout the weekend and gave us plenty to keep an eye on. Some were already familiar names, while others used the event to make a stronger impression. Below are a few more rising names from the weekend that stood out with their play and overall potential.
’30 Deuce Jackson – 5’8” PG from North Oconee HS (GA)
Crafty scoring point guard with deep range and plenty of creativity off the bounce. Can create his own shot and does a good job keeping defenders off balance with his handle. Quietly went out and got after it on both ends of the floor without needing a lot of attention. Plays with a very calm demeanor and rarely looked rattled. Also showed good vision when taking on more of a distributor role. Scoring comes naturally to him, but he showed that he can create for others as well.
’30 Malachi Hill – 5’10” PG from Forest Park HS (GA)
Shifty guard with high level top speed and the ability to attack defenders head on. Weaves in and out of traffic with his handle and is extremely difficult to keep in front once he gets going downhill. Natural shot maker that showed he can score the ball at an efficient clip from different areas of the floor. Has really good shooting touch and also sees the floor well as a passer. Dangerous guard because he can score it himself or use his speed to create opportunities for others.
’30 Jaiden Rivera – 6’4” SG from Knoxville Catholic HS (TN)
Tall athletic shooting guard that was extremely efficient from long range throughout the weekend. His shot is a little unorthodox, but he has shown enough consistency with it that you have to respect him from deep. Gets above the rim in transition and moves really well without the basketball. Played very unselfishly and never seemed concerned with forcing his own offense. Has great energy on the floor and does a good job finding ways to stay involved whether he has the ball or not.
’30 Jazz Hector – 5’10” PG from West Charlotte HS (NC)
Crafty floor general that breaks defenders down with his creativity off the dribble. Has a natural knack for finding his way to the basket and seems comfortable attacking gaps whenever they open up. Really fast in transition and does a good job pushing the pace without completely losing control. What also stood out was his understanding of floor spacing. Sees where the openings are and understands where he needs to be better than most players his age. Really good feel for the point guard position.
’30 Blair Williams – 5’7” PG from Newton HS (GA)
Arguably the best pure passing guard that I watched over the weekend. Never got sped up by pressure defense and consistently got wherever he wanted on the floor. Picked defenses apart out of pick and roll actions and repeatedly found teammates for easy opportunities. Threw countless assists throughout the weekend and seemed to always know where the next pass needed to go. Played with great poise and patience. Really impressive feel for the game as a distributor.
’30 Dylan Tolson – 6’1” SG from Seckinger HS (GA)
High motor guard with good length and athleticism that played with great energy on both sides of the floor. Came away with countless deflections and steals because of how active he was defensively. Also created extra possessions with his effort around the basket and converted several put-back layups. What surprised me was his ability to create some offense for himself off the dribble. Also showed promise as a catch and shoot threat. Did a little bit of everything without needing the ball constantly.
’30 Ke’Andra Jelks – 6’4” PF from Tucker HS (GA)
Long and versatile forward that did his job well on both ends of the floor. Rebounded the ball at a high level and has the ability to grab it and immediately make a play as the primary ball-handler in transition. That gives him another dimension beyond simply playing around the basket. His activity also created several second opportunities for his team throughout the weekend. Stayed involved on the glass and consistently found ways to impact possessions with his length and effort.
’30 Joseph Sanders – 6’4” SF from Mount Paran Christian (GA)
Intense wing that plays extremely hard on both ends of the court. Has good length and explosion and uses both to his advantage when defending. Guarded multiple positions comfortably and did not shy away from physical matchups. Has very strong upper body strength and does a good job powering his way through contact when attacking. Plays with a level of physicality that stands out immediately. Tough wing that can make his presence felt without needing everything run through him.
’30 Jayden Bland – 5’9” CG from Hillcrest HS (SC)
Smart combo guard that made an impact on each game without having to dominate the basketball. Made quick decisions when it came to passing, shooting or relocating and rarely seemed to hold the ball unnecessarily. Made several plays around the basket and showed that he can handle pressure without getting sped up. Stayed composed even when bigger or more aggressive defenders picked him up. Really solid feel for how to play within an offense and make the right play.
’30 Matai Tevaga – 6’4” SF from Nature Coast Technical HS (FL)
Big bodied wing that can seamlessly slide over to the power forward spot when needed. Rebounded the ball well and created problems because of his strength and size from the mid-post. Has a soft touch around the basket and does a good job using fakes to get defenders off balance and create space. Comfortable playing through contact and doesn’t need much room to get a good look inside. His ability to play both forward spots gives him some really useful versatility.
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