By Robert Alfonso Jr.
KENNESAW, Ga. – Things are improving and progressing at Kennesaw State University. The men’s basketball program is making strides under the leadership of Amir Abdur-Rahim and staff on the hardwood having made the postseason.
Those changes have created a buzz around the program and campus. Now it is also attracting some prospects looking to be Owls potentially. Abdur-Rahim and KSU hosted 80 high school players on Saturday.
Here are the prospects who made an impression.
Jaxson Jones | 2025 | Archer is a name to add to the class’s long list of rising prospects or hidden gems. The 6-foot-7 lefty understood how to play and get into the pick ‘n roll sets effortlessly. He played excellent defense and passed the ball well. Jones is a solid team guy, who helped win the 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 tournaments. Look for this Tigers prospect.
Tarby Martin | 2025 | East Coweta great looking body and physic. He plays going downhill and gets to the rim while playing through contact. Martin showed plenty of mental toughness playing through a high ankle sprain. This level of mental fortitude showed his ability to battle through when things were not going well.
Jake Hatch | 2023 | Hoover is a highly skilled post player. At 6-foot-10, he was active on both ends of the floor. He showed the ability to be a rim protector and has a good motor. Hatch played inside and out finishing through contact. He extended the floor beyond the free throw line consistently.
Austin Hillsman | 2024 | Union Grove is a utility guy many programs could use. He was always on the glass either keeping things alive for his team or securing the errant shot. Hillsman played big in moments during the 3-on-3 part of camp helping his team advance to the semifinal. He will make a big leap this season.
Kameron Plummer | 2025 | Houston County is one fearless competitor. At 6-foot-1, he plays with control and pace. He is never afraid to mix it up and take charge. Plummer used angles effectively to not only find teammates for easy baskets but also for a chance to make big plays. The court vision matched his passing ability. This was the second consecutive weekend Plummer showed out in metro Atlanta.
Dwight Brown Jr | 2024 | Newton is an intriguing prospect with solid length and skills. He is a relentless defender who was always on the go. Brown looked great in the open court and finished a number of times making some difficult plays. He has a good mid-range jumper. The Rams have themselves another wing that will garner plenty of college attention.
Tobias Rice | 2024 | Booker T Washington continues to make vast improvements. At 6-foot-8, he is athletic and has a physical presence about him that catches one’s eye immediately. His jumper looked decent throughout the camp. Rice will be cooking for the Bulldogs this season.
Tyler Husband | 2023 | Westlake had an impressive day. He displayed an explosive first step and quickness which was difficult to defend. A few times he showed off uber athleticism and was finishing through some tough contact. His skillset is something a college coach and program needs to see in order to appreciate.
Parsa Abedi | 2025 | Pope is the shooter few may know. He shot the basketball during the team session. His jumper was consistent and hard to guard because of the quick release. This Greyhounds’ product is a solid defender.
Eric Garcia | 2023 | Union Grove showed the ability to score the basketball. He played within tight spaces while playing downhill with flare. Garcia played with control at a quick pace.
Cole Buker | 2024 | Mt Bethel is a big man with a solid motor and is fundamentally sound. His effort allowed for many to see his good hands and footwork ran the floor well and the effort led to easy buckets. He also displayed solid leadership with his communication on both ends of the floor.
Reid Celestin | 2023 | Brewster Academy had the furthest to travel to the camp. Celestin is from in San Diego and played for Team Keenan Allen on the West Coast. However, Celestin is from the Decatur, Georgia originally. This 6-foot-6 wing showed playmaking leadership and displayed a high basketball IQ. He makes quick tactical decisions. His ability to rebound outside of his area goes a long way in either him starting the break or minimizing second chance opportunities.
Brandon Peters | 2024 | Woodward Academy showed plenty of high-level skills, calm and poise. He is an explosive scorer capable of filling up the statshet on every trip. Peters analysizes the defense and makes quick calculated decisions to make productive plays. The War Eagles product will make some strong leaps this season.
Cedric Smith | 2023 | Southland Academy has excellent court vision and is able to find teammates where no one would think were open. He put players in good scoring position with three consecutive possessions. Smith distributes the ball to teammates like candy on Halloween. This floor general knows how to run a team and make teammates successful. He is a leader and does it by making plays.
Derrick Roberson | 2026 | Chattanooga Prep is a young player to watch from Tennessee with a promising upside. He knows how to score the ball in the mid-range at a high rate. His footwork around the paint was good for a young player. Many of his open shots came off of ball fakes and patience. He is a decent defender, which will continue to improve through maturity.