Spending some time in Atlanta and before I head to Lakepoint for the Nike EYBL, I did catch quality talent at OTR’s ‘Who Wants The Smoke’ last weekend. I wrote about 11 but more than that impressed me. Let’s take a dive on what I saw.
Jayden Williams, 2024 6’9 Forward - Atlanta Celtics: Was impressed with his overall versatility. Game came easy for him at ‘Who Wants The Smoke.’ Wiry with a big-time wingspan and can handle it, finish around the rim and someone that can make an open perimeter shot. Defensively was doing a good job protecting the rim as well. Williams moves well, can score inside and out and is a 2024 big that could blow up this April Live Period.
Akai Fleming, 2025 6’4 Guard - Atlanta Celtics 16U: Fleming has a knack for scoring the ball and he can get hot quickly. Showed three level scoring but was impressed with his accuracy from 3-point land.
Zion Greene, 2025 6’3 CG - AOT Elite 16U: Greene was fun to watch. Explosive athlete that plays with a lot of power as well. Intercepted passing lanes like a defensive back, continued to put rim pressure when the ball was in his hands. One thing about Zion that makes him a tough cover is he’s a lefty shooter, but actually is a strong finisher and attacks with right hand. One to watch this spring and summer.
Cam Smith, 2025 6’6 Wing - AOT Elite 16U: Younger brother of OTE’s Tyler Smith. Cam is a lefty attacking wing that’s strong in transition as a finisher. Rebounds and ignites break, crashes offensive glass and has a nice shooting stroke off the catch from three. Can see where the upside is and with more polishing of his footwork, skill and balance, Smith could turn himself into a higher-end D1 basketball player.
Cannon Richards, 2024 6’7 SF - Game Elite 17U: I like Cannon’s game a lot. A big wing that can make shots from the outside off the catch and on the move. Active with movement off the ball allows himself to be in position to score.
Peyton Marshall, 2024 6’11 C - Game Elite 17U: Big fella is a load on the block. A wide body post with terrific footwork. Uses broad frame to carve out space inside and is a good finisher around the rim. Even with how big he is, he can mix it up with finesse and brute strength when he operates in the post. Can be scary the day he’s in great shape and could be a really good college player.
Jeremiah Wilkinson, 2024 6’ PG - Game Elite 17U: Lefty, scoring pg that packed a strong offensive punch for Game Elite. Accurate shooter from deep, adequate at getting to spots to score while also making solid reads when attacking.
Amir Taylor, 2025 6’8 PF - Game Elite 16U: Amir is a tough cover. Broad built, about 6’8 and is a formidable inside/out scoring threat. Good handle, nice footwork and is a capable shooter (still can grow as a shooter) from outside. Could throw it to him inside and generate a clean look for himself or for his teammates with passes.
Ian Smikle, 2024 6’7 PF - Georgia Stars 17U: A strong built forward that’s a load in the paint. Finishes through contact. Good rebounder, feel, collects missed shots out of his area and generates second chance opportunities for his squad. Protected the rim well as he gets off the floor fairly quick.
Caleb Wilson, 2025 6’10 Forward - Georgia Stars 16U: A lot to like with Caleb. With his height, he plays with motor and grabs rebounds and blocks shots. Offensively, there is a ton of upside. Shot looks clean and made some mid-range fade-aways. Best basketball is ahead of him.
Matthew Able, 2025 6’4 SG - Georgia Stars 15U: Son of Douglas Able, who played at Boston College and enjoyed a professional career. Matthew stood out early with his 3-point shooting. Was connecting triples off the dribble in transition as well as pull-up mid-rangers also. Has a good feel for the game and knows when he needs to be more assertive with the ball.