Courtside Notes: Kelly Memorial Classic (2025)
Cumming, GA – The NGSHoops.com Kelly Memorial Classic was back once again at Dobbs Creek Recreation Center and didn’t disappoint. I took note of a handful of talented prospects & provided my opinion of their prospective ability. Read more below.
Cari Rainey | 5’9″ CG | Griffin Elite | Class of 2027
Lefty bucket-getter with no fear. Rainey got hot in a hurry and showed a deep offensive bag. Strong finisher, ultra-competitive, and always looking to make a play. He did a great job of setting the tone every game. When his jumper is falling, he becomes nearly unguardable. Never backed down from a challenge. A clear leader on the floor.
Case Shropshire | 6’2″ G | TDBA | Class of 2028
Strong, versatile guard that can do a bit of everything. Handled the ball, hit the three, rebounded like a forward. Played through contact and defended multiple positions without issue—real glue guy. Very vocal with teammates and consistently made winning plays. The type of player that thrives in tight games.
Carson Hart | 6’0″ G | Shooters Paradise | Class of 2028
One of the top shot-makers at the event. Hart gets shifty when needed but does a lot of his damage off the catch or off screens. Lives at the line and plays with confidence and elevates when it matters most. Can create his own look late in the shot clock and isn’t afraid of the moment. Guarded his position well and competed the full length of the floor.
Delbert Freeman | 6’1″ G | YSE | Class of 2028
Lefty sniper with long arms and sneaky bounce. Stretched the floor and finished above the rim when defenders flew by. Played within himself and looked like a natural scorer in both half-court and transition. Great instincts off the ball and finds ways to get open without forcing the issue. Showed he can be a high-volume scorer when given the green light.
Jacori Thompson | 6’7″ W | Team HIM | Class of 2029
Thompson has all-world upside. Dominated stretches with size, athleticism, and skill. When he turned it on, there was no stopping him—pure mismatch at every level. Glimpses of perimeter creation and defensive versatility were eye-opening. One of the most physically gifted players in the gym with clear next-level tools.
Symeon Watson | 6’7″ SG | Atlanta Swish | Class of 2029
Watson is smooth, long, and extremely skilled. Shot it well from deep, created off the bounce, and altered shots defensively. Future high-major wing with all the tools. Moves like a guard and has the length of a big wing. Still just scratching the surface of what he can become.
Nigel Matthews | 6’4″ W | Team Scoot | Class of 2029
Big, physical wing that can bully his way to the paint or crash the glass. Also stepped out and showed signs of an expanding game. Played unselfishly and embraced the dirty work—great foundation. Can guard multiple positions and didn’t need plays drawn up to make an impact. Stock rising.
Antwain Johnson | 6’0″ SF | iDBA | Class of 2029 (2030)
Played up and didn’t blink. Johnson has a non-stop motor and finds ways to score in the paint. Showed toughness around the rim and kept defenses on their heels all weekend. Made a lot of effort plays that don’t show up in the box score. Was one of the more physically mature players in attendance.
Jacorey Lee | 5’10” G | ADG Hoops | Class of 2029
One of the more complete guards in his class from the Atlanta area. Can score it, set the table, and take over as needed. Stayed in control and kept his team flowing under pressure. Showed leadership qualities and made big shots in close games. Natural floor general with a grown man approach.
Braylon Makaya | 5’9″ G | Team Chosen | Class of 2029
Makaya was a magnet for the ball on defense and a smooth operator on offense. Anticipated passing lanes, racked up steals, and scored from every level. Always active and made high IQ plays throughout. Thrives in chaos—turned defense into offense constantly.
Tamir Coppins | 5’9″ PG | Team Scoot | Class of 2029
Scoring point guard with a polished feel for the game. Used the glass well on drives and knocked down the three ball with consistency. Smart shot selection and deceptive first step made him tough to stay in front of. Has a scorer’s mindset but also found open teammates at the right moments. High floor, productive player.
Romeo Kemp | 5’10” G | Double Trouble | Class of 2029
Strong-framed scoring guard with good change of pace. Created shots off hesitation moves and was hard to trap. Crafty and efficient—kept his foot on the gas all game. Attacked mismatches and made good reads. Could get hot in a hurry when the ball found him.
Trenton Adams | 5’7″ CG | ATL Swish | Class of 2029 (2030)
Played up two age groups and didn’t just survive, but thrived. Quick release from deep, aggressive in transition, and one of the top scorers in the gym. Played with purpose and never backed down. Scored at all three levels and brought great energy to every game. Name to know moving forward.
Asher Williams | 5’8″ G | Atlanta Tropics | Class of 2029
Crafty and composed with the ball in his hands. Could hit from deep or drive and kick, depending on the look. Steady presence with a calm demeanor—coaches trust guys like him. Created for others without over-dribbling. Consistent contributor in big moments.
Chase Jackson | 5’6″ PG | GTA | Class of 2029
Jackson played like a vet. Under control, made the right decisions, and didn’t shy away from contact. Played with poise and dictated tempo when it mattered most. Always in the right spot and brought structure to his team’s offense. Very coachable and clutch.
Justin Lamissiere | 5’7″ PG | Jet Academy | Class of 2029
Knock-down shooter with a tight handle. Didn’t need much space to let it fly and hit some big ones in key moments. Comfortable creating for himself or others—natural scoring guard. Shot selection was impressive for his age. Cool under pressure and efficient.
Justin Wallaston | 5’8″ CG | Gwinnett Eagles | Class of 2029
Quick-twitch combo guard who turned defense into offense in a flash. Played hard, pushed the tempo, and got to the rim. Very productive all weekend. Made hustle plays and had a knack for finding the right angles. Energizer.
Gia Vo | 5’7″ PG | Next Level Elite | Class of 2029
Flair, burst, and confidence. Vo was a rhythm player that could score in bunches when he got hot. Created highlights every time down—always a threat. Showed real shot creation ability with both hands. Fun to watch and dangerous in transition.
Puffy Walker | 6’0″ G | Team Scoot North | Class of 2029
Lefty guard with strength and pace. Attacked the rim hard and played with downhill energy. Tough to contain once he got a shoulder past the defender. Brought consistent physicality on defense too. Low-maintenance, high-impact.
Tajai Cook | 5’6″ G | USBC | Class of 2029
Cook played with real toughness and didn’t hesitate to mix it up. Could score inside and out, and brought intensity to both ends of the floor. Underrated motor. Made winning plays in tight possessions. Never afraid of contact.
Adam Sulewski | 6’0″ G | Team HIM Select | Class of 2030
Big-bodied guard with wing skills and range. Comfortable handling the ball or playing off it. Knocked down shots and rebounded well for his position. Created space well and held his own defensively. One of the more underrated players in his group.
Jaden Clay | 6’1″ G | NME | Class of 2030
Clay was a problem downhill. Strong build, great body control, and explosive through gaps. Defensively, he stayed locked in and set the tone physically. Got to the rim at will and punished defenders who weren’t ready. Brings toughness.
Miles Sharpless | 5’7″ G | AGA | Class of 2030
Sharpless was consistent and efficient. Found his spots, played under control, and finished well in traffic. The type of guard that doesn’t make many mistakes. Trusted with the ball and made key decisions late. Super steady.
Santana Uriostegui | 5’9″ G | TDBA | Class of 2030
Crafty scorer who used footwork and quickness to carve out space. Showed creativity with his finishes and great feel around screens. Smooth and composed. Wasn’t rattled by pressure and made good reads in traffic. Quiet killer.
Zy’iere Shealy | 5’8″ G | EP | Class of 2030
Lefty with pace and patience. Got to his spots, didn’t rush, and made smart reads. Mature game for his age and scored it efficiently. Operated like a veteran. Has an old soul game with new-age flair.
Matthew McDowell | 6’0″ G | Hendrixx Elite | Class of 2031
One of the more complete 6th graders in the gym. Long arms, good footwork, and finished with control in traffic. His feel for the open floor stood out. Hard to contain once he gets a full head of steam in transition. Also made some nice reads as a passer.
Devonta Marsh | 5’6″ PG | ATL Celtics Beyond | Class of 2031
Shifty point guard that played with purpose. Kept his dribble alive, attacked gaps, and kept defenses on edge. Never looked sped up at any point. Has helped lead his team to multiple championships already this summer. The future is bright.
Shane Gordon | 5’5″ G | AE5 | Class of 2031
High-level shooter with confidence well beyond his years. Played up a division and held his own with ease. Knocked down big shots and played like a veteran. A young guard to remember. Has “future star” written all over him.
Dawson Nasrallah | PG | Young Buckets | Class of 2032
Young but fearless. Buried defenders with stepbacks & completely lost defenders off the dribble with combo moves. Has some serious potential with his skillset and athleticism at such a young age. Electric with the ball and doesn’t shy away from the big stage.
