ATL Hoopfest 8th Grade Prime Performers

Zaire Colbert | Team Magic | 2029
The question has to be asked. Is Zaire Colbert the best guard in 2029? The most skilled? Answers we expect to get by seasons end. One thing for certain, Colbert is in the upper echelon of players in the class and proves it tournament after tournament and game after game. He can take over a game in the blink of an eye, in a variety of ways. Let’s revisit this soon…

Tarrell Milton | Team Magic | 2029
Standing at 6’5” in the 8th grade Milton has good size and hands. He runs the floor well and keeps his hands high. Milton can alter shots on one end and free teammates up by setting solid screens on the other ends. You can tell Milton works on fundamentals a lot. His development is showing.

Xavier Beavers | Premier Elite | 2029

8th Grade Championship MVP
Beavers is a pure scorer. He has a good shooting form and can take over a game from the free throw line to 25 feet out. It’s rare players use one dribble pull ups effectively anymore, but Beavers is mastering it. His ability to get to the basket and shoot the long ball will make his mid range game the easiest part due to teams under playing or overplaying him.

Antonio Anderson | Premier Elite | 2029
When power meets finesse. Anderson was lethal from the mid to low post. He even snatched down boards and started the break from time to time. He’s an unselfish player who demands attention when his feet touch the paint. Anderson brings the physicality teams need to win.

Kingston Reed | Premier Elite | 2029
The thing that would draw anyone to Reed is the way he sees the floor before he makes his move. He’s dangerous in triple threat position for that very reason. Reed is looking at what you’re giving him before he waste dribbles. He could lead with a dribble, pump fake, pass fake or shot. Reed’s unpredictability takes his game over the top.

Cannon Combs | Premier Elite | 2029
Combs was the equivalent to dominant. Especially in the paint, Combs blocked 10 shots in the championship and altered another 10+. His timing on blocks and rebounds is special. Teams yearn for a big who can stay on the floor without fouling. Combs also has a soft touch around the rim and a nice up and under move when fed in the mid post.

Gavin Barker | Georgia Generals | 2029
Barker had it going from deep throughout the ATL Hoopfest. He’s a player that you can see the growth in year in and year out. He’s constantly adding to his bag and looking for different ways to impact the game.

Ashton Lee | Georgia Generals | 2029
Lee continues to trend upward. He gets great lift on his jumpers can score and make shots in heavy traffic. Lee can ring off 4-5 straight made buckets in the blink of an eye. He’s becoming a prolific scorer that understands the nuances of the game.

Trace Adcock | Georgia Generals | 2029
Adcock’s playmaking ability is an added asset to his game. Now standing around 6’3” the sharpshooting guard can see over defenses and make plays cross court that many guards his age can’t. His reads are on point the most. Adcock understands a pass is quicker than a dribble and to not waste dribbles when you’re open. Bright future ahead for Adcock.

Aden Daniels | Team HIM Black | 2029
Daniels is a dual sport athlete who can take over a game from an athletic standpoint. He attacks downhill, low and on balance to get to the cup. Daniels is also a solid defender that plays the passing lanes looking to turn defense into offense.

Bryan Briley | Team HIM UA | 2029
Briley can make plays with the ball in advantageous situations, thereby maximizing his strengths. He rarely allows the defense to dictate his impact on the game. Briley can see the floor well and looks to help teammates capitalize on scoring opportunities before his own. From the outside looking in, Briley looks like a glue guy that can play. All teams need those.

Johnnie Davis | Jet Academy North | 2029
Davis was one of the most efficient players at ATL Hoopfest. He proved to be capable of scoring on all three levels and not falling in love with the long ball. He used his body wisely when slashing to the paint and took timely outside shots. Davis is progressing nicely.

Jace Dunn | Bo Bell | 2029
Dunn has good size for a forward in the 8th grade. He has a developing skill set that could see him shift more to a wing, as he’s able to put the ball on the ground and make plays for himself and others. Dunn plays with force and flare.