High school basketball is officially here in Georgia. One of the nation’s most loaded states from top to bottom, the Peachtree State is absolutely stacked with elite individual talent and perennial powerhouse programs in virtually every GHSA division (six to be exact). Talent runs rich and there was no better way to tip off the season (official GHSA start date was Nov. 7) than with an eight game slate at the Georgia Elite 8 Tournament of Champions.
Held Wheeler (Marietta, Ga.), the No. 15 team in the preseason Ballislife FAB 50, the TOC brought some elite matchups of Top 10 programs from all cross the state of Georgia. While host Wheeler did not participate in the event, virtually every game went down to the wire and had it not been for the transfers of 2025 Ballislife National Freshman of the Year A.J. Williams (Dutchtown to Eagles Landing Christian Academy) and Bentley Luasenko (Pace Academy to Woodward Academy), the collection of in-state talent at traditional high schools was outstanding and it reflected in the competition throughout the day.
Here are some of the top performers from the 2025 Georgia Elite 8 Tournament of Champions:
MJ Curry, 6’5, SG/SF, Grayson HS (GA), 2027
The most dominant performer at the Georgia Elite 8 TOC was undoubtedly MJ Curry, a smooth swingman with track type athleticism. The new addition to Grayson showed his crazy end to end speed in transition, can take you off the bounce with straight line drives, and hit five 3-pointers during his 27-point performance in Class 6A #2 Grayson’s 77-54 win over Class 4A #3 Pace Academy. Curry made the move from Grovetown to the Georgia power and has picked up offers from the likes of Florida State, USC, Tennessee, Xavier, and countless other high major programs.
Chase Lumpkin, 6’4, SG, McEachern HS (GA), 2027
The most highly recruited junior of the event was Chase Lumpkin, the next guard in line out of Georgia power McEachern. With an absolutely monster second half performance in which he scored 26 of his 28 points, you could see the talent that has made him a priority recruit for many blue bloods. The three level scorer didn’t do anything fancy, but will blow you away with his efficient ability to score the ball from all three levels via his methodical change of speed. The USA Basketball invite holds offers from Florida State, Auburn, Georgia Tech, and recently was on campus for a visit at Kentucky.
Asa Montgomery, 6’7, SF/PF, Hillgrove HS (GA), 2027
Shortly behind Curry and Lumpkin in the top junior performers was Asa Montgomery, a new age forward out of Hillgrove. While more of a natural wing, Montgomery used his versatility on the defensive end to provide an interior presence with his length and agility for his high school squad in their game against Dutchtown. The first step, athleticism, and outside shooting stroke that he offers also enables him to play completely on the perimeter when needed. Owning offers from the likes of Auburn, Georgia, and Florida State, Montgomery will have no shortage of elite programs vying for his services in today’s positionless game of basketball.
Tobias Brinkley, 6’6, SF, Decatur HS (GA), 2026
A player who I hadn’t seen, but walked away loving the long term potential of was Tobias Brinkley, a lanky swingman from Decatur. The lefty was a solid 3-point shooter, played above the rim on both ends of the floor, and really showed the vision and decision making to make you consider options with him as a facilitator at the next level. Heading to Tulane next year, Brinkley is just scratching the surface of how good he can ultimately become.
Austin Leonard, 6’4, PG/SG, Grayson HS (GA), 2029
One of thew better freshmen in the state of Georgia, Austin Leonard certainly left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was ready to play at the varsity level at the Elite 8 TOC. Possessing the size and game to play either guard spot, Leonard was incredibly patient with the ball in his hands, showed nice touch as a finisher in the paint, and the ability to shoot the ball from beyond the arc. While it is still extremely early in the process and it was my first time seeing Austin, his 12 point, 7 rebound showing definitely showed why there’s such a buzz around him in Atlanta.
Tristan Edwards, 6’8, SF, Wilson Academy (GA), 2029
The best freshman at the Pangos All-East Frosh Soph Camp last month in New Jersey showed that he can be the offensive focal point for a young Wilson Academy squad against older competition. The Canadian swingman used his size to finish in the paint, shot the ball well from beyond the arc, and was a threat on the glass on both ends of the hardwood. While his team fell to a stacked Gainesville unit, the 19-point showing that Edwards had left no doubt in anyone’s mind of the immense talent that he possesses.
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