All of the summer live periods have now concluded and schools are getting ready to be back in session, which makes this a good time to reflect on the trends we saw over the last 2 months. There were lots of great events and an abundance of opportunities for players to show their value. Here are 11 uncommitted guys who benefitted from productive play on different stages this summer.
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6’7″ Evan Daniel (North Cobb/Team Forrest)
It was good to see Daniel on the court this summer and fulfilling the potential he has shown since he was a freshman. There’s never been doubt over his ability, but there just hadn’t been a consistent presence or visibility with him in the past. That was not the case the last 2 months as he made favorable impressions on coaches in both June & July. Daniel stands 6’7″ with a 7-foot wingspan to go along with length, activity, athleticism, and promise to his skillset. Offers from Maine, Catawba, and Elizabeth City State have been extended to him as a result of his play. The finished product could be exceptional if he has stability and continued development.
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6’10” Domas Kauzonas (Rabun Gap/Atlanta Timberwolves)
Kauzonas might not fit the stock riser label as much as others considering he’s a guy who I’ve seen as a worthy prospect since the winter, but coaches were finally able to lay eyes on him this spring & summer. His recruitment doesn’t reflect it yet, but as a 6’10” skilled big who can pass, score, and has a good understanding of the game, there’s a lot to like. I think things will pick up for him eventually. The upcoming high school season will provide a good opportunity for Kauzonas to prove himself again.
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6’2″ Jay Boyd (Hiram/Wood Elite)
Boyd’s rise has been steady dating back to the beginning of the travel season, continually gaining confidence in his game and consequently raising his level of play. Each step along the way, Boyd came through for both Hiram & Wood Elite with big scoring outputs while also bringing intensity & competitiveness on the defensive end. He’s fast & physical on his drives to the basket, has explosive leaping ability, and has shown a reliable mid-range jumper with good lift. Boyd is now an established prospect and will have a good number of programs monitoring him during the high school season.
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6’7″ 2024 Braedan Lue (Alexander/Team Huncho)
Lue used to the June Live Periods to generate buzz around his name and although it didn’t get much attention, he ended the summer with a strong showing in California playing up with Huncho’s 17U team. He has impressed with his physicality and ability to be effective in different situations both offensively & defensively. Alexander has a talented team with some good seniors; while Lue’s numbers might not be eye-popping this upcoming season, he should be an important piece to a deep playoff run. Around this time next year, he could very well be a guy whose recruitment has taken off. He claims 5 offers currently from Missouri State, Jacksonville State, Kennesaw State, Western Carolina, and NC A&T.
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6’5″ Preston Parker (Sequoyah/Wood Elite)
Parker has waited his turn at Sequoyah; after a solid junior season alongside 2022’s Dylan Wolle and Kyle Keener, he is taking things to another level as the Chiefs’ main guy. He really got going in June, which we saw at the Relentless Hoops Summer League, and he followed it up by reeling 3 offers at the GBCA Team Camp. Tall shooters are always in demand and that’s what he brings in addition to a fundamental skillset and playing with a chip on his shoulder. There are more schools tracking him closely as we approach the fall and I expect that his numbers this season will be hard to ignore.
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6’3″ AJ Patterson (Mount Vernon/Game Elite Orange)
If you ask Mount Vernon HC Tarrik Mabon, he’ll tell you that Patterson’s seemingly sudden ascension doesn’t come as a surprise. He believes that the ability has been there for a while and Patterson showed it during the summer months after a quiet spring. Patterson is 6’3″ and has true PG qualities; with those on display during June, coaches took notice. At the Relentless Hoops Summer League, he averaged 8 APG in big wins over Kell & Wheeler. He is able to consistently get a piece of the paint by using his size & changing speeds. He has great vision once he gets there and delivers accurate passes to teammates as well as using either hand to finish himself. His recruitment is just beginning to get going.
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6’4″ 2024 Chase Tyler (Hiram/Wood Elite)
Another Hiram & Wood Elite product like Boyd, Tyler put people on notice in recent months as well. He first caught my eye with his defensive impact as he’s long, can really move, and is committed to locking down & forcing turnovers on that end of the floor. Tyler is a more than capable scorer as well. The show he put on at Battle For Georgia to defeat AE5 was as good as it gets. His length & athletic ability helps him as a slasher and in that AE5 matchup he connected on some eye-popping perimeter shots too. He has a dog mentality and it makes a big difference. Tyler is a two-sport athlete that has a bright future in whichever sport he chooses. I look forward to seeing how he keeps progressing on the hardwood.
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6’10” Keinan McFarlande (Denmark/AOT)
After missing all of the 2021-22 high school season, McFarlande was able to make up for lost time during June & July with both Denmark and AOT. He’s a big & wide 6’10” who can space the floor with a confident outside shot on which he has good form. His shooting really stood out but that aforementioned size was impactful down low too. McFarlande has a good motor crashing the glass and protecting the basket. As he continues to gain experience and get in top shape, he will have more college coaches buying his stock. IUPUI recently offered McFarlande at the end of July.
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6’6″ Blake Seitz (North Gwinnett/BCB)
The void left from North Georgia’s 2022 class graduating has provided the opportunity for new faces to emerge & step up; that’s exactly what Seitz has done. He looked ready to make a jump back at our Spring Warmup in March and made the most of his opportunities in recent months, particularly in June. A 6’6″ lefty who can play above the rim, Seitz attacks the basket with a fearless approach despite being on the thinner side and is also a capable shooter from beyond the arc. He’s on college radars now and if he can replicate his play during the 2022-23 season, there will be numerous opportunities available to him.
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6’10” 2024 Cole Kirouac (North Forsyth/Atlanta Xpress)
The consistent steps that Kirouac has taken in his development over the last year or so are very encouraging and it paid off this summer with in-state offers from UGA and Georgia State. His June with North Forsyth was particularly good and he carried that momentum into July with the Xpress. Kirouac is a legit 6’9-10″ now with hands, a good motor, and a nice base of fundamentals to work with. He should keep improving and will be a guy who a variety of D1 programs are recruiting.
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6’3″ 2024 Jabez Jenkins (Newton/Atlanta Xpress)
Jenkins was on that 16U Xpress team with Kirouac and had a productive summer himself. He’s a good athlete with skill on the offensive end, length, and he plays under control. Jenkins keeps things simple and there’s still a lot of potential for him to tap into both offensively & defensively. Like most Newton guys, he comes with a competitive mindset and plays hard. Offers from Kennesaw State, Jackson State, and Tennessee Tech all came in for Jenkins during July. He should have an important supporting role at Newton this winter, which will help to take the load off of their loaded 2023 group.
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