Marietta, GA – The 2031 Elite 60 Showcase brought together some of the top young prospects from across the Southeast for an invite-only event loaded with talent. Each year, there have been several young prospects that introduced themselves to the national stage via this showcase. Much of the same happened over the course of the weekend.
Grayson Howard – 6’2” SG (GA) smooth guard that makes shots from multiple spots on the court. Played within the flow of the game and never really forced the issue offensively. Did a good job taking what the defense gave him and letting his opportunities come naturally. Moved well off the ball and was consistently ready when the basketball found him. Got quickly into his reads once he had the ball and was very decisive with what he wanted to do. Really good feel for when to shoot, when to attack and when to keep the ball moving.
Cooper Head – 5’5” PG (GA) super quick floor general that consistently made plays in the paint. Has good vision under pressure and a strong tight handle that allows him to keep control of the ball in traffic. Fast in the open floor and does a good job pushing the pace when opportunities are there. Defensively he is a big time threat to pick the pocket of any ball-handler that gets loose with the basketball. Quick hands and quick feet make him difficult to deal with on both ends. Really active guard that can impact the game with his speed and pressure.
Braylon Tate – 6’4” F (GA) strong forward that showed flashes of developing into more of a wing long term. Was excellent on the glass and used his strength well when battling for position. Can handle the basketball well enough in transition to make plays and showed some comfort operating away from the paint. Has soft touch around the basket and does a really good job keeping defenders on his hip once he gets position. Multi-sport athlete with strength athleticism and developing skill. Has the tools to be a mismatch problem for years to come.
Collin Upshaw – 5’5” CG (GA) the amount of shots he was able to make throughout the weekend was very impressive. Despite his size he played much bigger than his listed height against virtually every defender he saw. Got into the paint at will and showed really good pace with the basketball in his hands. Rarely looks sped up. At times he was virtually a guarantee to bury a shot from beyond the arc and made defenses pay whenever they gave him space. Tough scoring guard that consistently found ways to put the ball in the basket.
Nasir Fernandes – 6’3” SF (GA) long active wing that created havoc on both ends of the floor. Was always a lurking threat to block a shot as a help-side defender and used his length extremely well around the basket. On the offensive end, his non-stop movement led to quite a few put-back buckets and closeout attacks. Can’t stress enough how much of a motor he played with throughout the event. Seemed to always be involved in the action and never stopped competing. Love his long term projection with the length, activity and motor he already brings.
Brendan Hollingsworth – 5’7” PG (GA) tremendously gifted guard that can change a game on the defensive side of the ball while also being a very difficult cover offensively. Showed that he can create shots for himself under pressure and didn’t seem bothered when longer defenders were matched up against him. Made some difficult shots against bigger players and consistently found ways to create enough space. Very strong and durable guard that handled physical play well throughout the event. Made a huge impact on both ends and was difficult to keep out of the action.
Hayes Wood – 5’2” PG (SC) pure floor general that made everyone around him better. Displayed high level court vision and made some of the most difficult passes look simple. Does a great job finding the open man and keeping the basketball moving. Despite his size he has the skill to consistently get paint touches even when bigger players try to get physical with him. Stayed under control and continued to make plays once he got inside the defense. Really good feel for the game and the type of point guard that makes things easier for everyone around him.
Kyrie Simpson – 5’9” CG (GA) crafty guard with a very high skill level. Is adept at pulling up from mid-range and looked very comfortable creating his own shot in that area. Can extend his range out to the 3-pt line which gives him another option when defenders play too far off. At his best as a creator with the ball in his hands and has a shifty handle that allows him to keep defenders off balance. Does a good job getting to spots on the floor where he is comfortable and has several ways to create a clean look.
Johod Lovett – 6’5” SF (GA) strong athletic wing that doesn’t mind getting physical inside the paint. Rises up easily for two-handed dunks and has the strength to finish plays around the basket through contact. Is also a reliable option with his back to the basket and showed that he can score without needing to face up every possession. Has soft touch around the paint and consistently found ways to produce inside. Physical athletic wing that uses his strength well and gave his team reliable production throughout the event.
NGS Hoops
