The Opening: Prospects make a presence early

The Opening: Prospects make a presence early

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

SUWANEE, Ga. – The start of the travel season has finally arrived with The Opening powered by On the Radar Hoops.

This event helps kick start the first of many events teams are looking to attend this spring and summer. Gas prices don’t really matter when many of these players are gassed up and ready to hoop.

Many teams have either re-loaded, re-vamped or just brought back the proven leadership that has made their organization successful in the past.

Here are some standouts from The Opening, who got a leg up to a productive spring.

Domas Kauzonas | 2023 | Atlanta Timberwolves

The 6-foot-10 forward stood out like a sour thumb and it was not solely because of his size. This Rabun Gap product has an array of moves in his arsenal suited for the next level. His footwork and touch around the basket is polished with a European flair. He rebounds the ball at a high level and can take opposing post players off the ball. His travel season should attract many college programs from across the country.

Cade Simmons | 2023 | Norcross Heat

The lefty shooter burned the nets in several games during the start of the travel season. He was able to keep defenses off balance knocking down shots from all over the floor.

Khirus Doucet | 2023 | GA Canes

His ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the basket is impressive. He made plays that kept defenders off balance. This Chapel Hill product is also a solid defender. Never does he let up on either end of the floor.

Keyshawn Hampton | 2023 | Norcross Heat

This Meadowcreek floor general continues to demonstrate the ability to score the basketball. He is more than capable of running a team and putting teammates in scoring opportunities. His relentless effort on defense shows his competitive nature.

Game Elite 16U gets everyone talking

The buzz around the opening weekend of the travel season was not just for the return of spring and summer hoops. There was some noise being about the Game Elite 16U team, which had the return of head coach Chris Williams and Desmond “General” Eastmond back in the fold. Then you add the addition of 7-footer Peyton Marshall along with CJ Brown, which will be discussed below.

However, there was a person everyone was interested in seeing. His name is Caleb Holt. The rising ninth-grader. Yes, the 2026 product made Alabama history this past season starting for the Buckhorn High basketball team. He averaged nearly 16 points a game in his first varsity season. Now, he is about to put those skills and efforts on the national stage.

Holt, from New Castle, AL, looked really poised on the floor among some budding players in the Game Elite uniform. He never looked out of place or uncomfortable. If no one would have mentioned his grade there was no noticeable difference in skills or energy. He is a solid addition to the Adidas-sponsored program.

Marshall, from Kell High, continues to impress. The young fella has trimmed down in a healthy way, His cardio and conditioning can make him a nightmare for opponents. He catches the ball against double teams and finishes above the rim with two hands.

Another player to watch is Brown. The Walker School guard is solid at getting to the rim. He finishes through contact and puts teammates in scoring positions. Brown is poised when running the point guard. He can nail the open jumper too.

This will be a glow-up summer for this unit.

EYA Sports has a wrecking crew

One of the top independent programs in the Peach State EYA Sports 17U squad is loaded. This roster has plenty of players ready to compete at the next level.

Here are some players of note.

Avante Nichols | 2023 | is one explosive player. There are times when an explosive athlete is not necessarily considered skilled. Nichols is skilled and off the charts athletic. He knows how to fill the basket up and makes athletic plays that can catch you off guard. His motor is just different. This 6-foot-3 McDonough High prospect is hearing from some mid-major programs and more will inquire once they see him this travel season.

Daniel Pounds | 2023 | is reclassifying after a successful season at Newton High. The 6-foot-7 forward is an excellent rim protector, who just makes opponents think twice about coming inside. He has the length to rebound outside of his area. Pounds is pound for pound (pun intended) is what a college program will want from an interior player. 

Georgia ManUp’s interior presence solid

Georgia ManUp DeKalb went and anchored its team around two of the better players in the country. Both Keishawn Evans and Mason Lockhart were spectacular for their high school teams this season. Both players are unsigned seniors looking for a college program to believe in them. In the duo’s debut with the Dekalb county team.

Here is what they did to start the season. 

Evans | 2022 | Druid Hills had a strong senior campaign for the Panthers. The 6-foot-6 forward lived up to the reputation on the opening weekend. He was relentless on the class and being a presence on both ends of the floor. Plays are not drawn up for his, which is ok, because he goes to get it off the class.

Lockhard | 2022 | Columbia is one big presence inside. The 6-foot-7 forward is a problem inside. Once he gets it inside there is a chance the defender will not have any success against this nimble player. He constantly moves and leans on opponents, which is exhausting. The results inside finish with a soft touch off the glass or a finish above the rim.