Icebreaker Notebook: Loaded with prospects

Icebreaker Notebook: Loaded with prospects

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

AUGUSTA, GA – The Icebreaker is always the early start of the travel season.

Players and coaches come out looking to start this long basketball journey that starts in the spring and heads deep into the summer. Now, seeing players this early is not the finished product. The early March event gives everyone a glimpse of what teams have headed into the Live Period in April.

Here are some players we thought were solid from each class.

Class of 2022

Markel Lloyd | Juice All-Stars

Being a physical player at the guard spot gives a player advantages. Lloyd gets into the lane and finishes with two-feet inside. His court vision gets teammates the ball. He makes basketball plays on both ends of the ball. 

Class of 2023

Jalen Patrick | Southern Kings 

If there was anyone with the confidence of a shooter is this young man. He shot the grip off the basketball. This two-sport athlete at Hepzibah High is a tough-minded guard with plenty of heart. He makes confident plays. The leadership on the floor is easy to see why several Power 5 football programs are interested in this gridiron prospect. The way he shoots the ball and plays college programs could offer him an opportunity at the next level. 

Brandon Crawford | HYB Raps Extreme

At 6-foot-7, this Irmo High product is long and wiry. He is active around the rim with pinpoint timing. This paid off enough to help the team advance to the championship round of the tournament. His offensive skills are raw. 

Zy’Quan Grant | AC Elite

If there is a picture of a pitfall on the hardwood this guard’s name may be the entire definition to the word. The Butler High product is an in-your-face player. He competes on both ends of the floor. His ability to lock down on the defensive end is impressive. There is no pushing him around. Offensively, he will put pressure on defenders and flex skills to achieve success on the floor. 

Khalon Hudson | Southern Kings

This is a walking hidden gem in all of Georgia. The Westside High wing is such an explosive athlete. He makes winning plays on both ends of the floor. His desire to play defense is nothing short of impressive. He never gives ground or gives up too much leeway. The 6-foot-5 wing is an assassin on offense knocking down shots and finishing at the basket with purpose. His ability to handle the ball more fluid is something that must improve. He is getting attention from Atlantic 10 programs thus far. 

Ellis Jones | HYB Raps Extreme

Shooting is at a premium for college programs. If you can do it consistently enough a program will peek a coach’s interest. This Ben Lippen High product knocks it down consistently enough to have the team’s confidence to hit the open shot.

Christopher Parker | Team USC

If college programs are in the market for a player capable of contributing on campus may need to check on this AC Flora prospect. Parker has great physic and a strong desire to play physical on either end of the floor. He has enough touch and balance on the court were throwing him off his line is not easy. His ability to rebound outside of the area is impressive.

Antoine Lorick | Southern Kings

There are college programs looking for an explosive wing player, who is not afraid to play inside. They may want to check in on this Cross Creek High product. He finishes everything and anything near the rim. The 6-foot-6 prospect is explosive and energetic. His talents are solid. He plays defense where opponents are second-guessing themselves in attacking the rim. His timing, length, and athleticism make it hard on opponents. The more his offensive skills improve college programs will appreciate his value. 

Erik Konstad | DB Elite

Size is a necessity for all college programs. Konstad is one college programs should consider. At 6-foot-11, the center is a mountain of a man. He is a raw talent but has skills inside in keeping the ball high to finish. The Voyager Academy is a work in progress that can become a dominating force. He is a DII guy today. His work ethic will determine the level he plays. 

Malik Smith | AC Elite

At first look, one would assume he should be on the football field. However, when you see him on the hardwood there are some sharp skills in his game. The Butler High product has a good IQ. He understands how to use his offensive/defensive tackle body. His feet around the basket are nimble. Now, his conditioning needs to improve.

Avainte Alexander | Charlotte Jets

The Mallard Creek High product is a prolific scorer. He can hit shots from all angles of the floor. His float game is strong and his mid-range jumper is consistent. He has a smooth flow to his game. Alexander is a projected DII player. The way he plays will attract the attention of college coaches. 

Class of 2024

Noah Towles | Juice All-Stars

The explosive athlete is more than just about being athletic. He is a dynamic player. He pressures the ball like a piranha surrounding raw meat. There are deflections and steals occurring around him. He puts pressure on teams on the offensive end of the floor. This Word of God prospect is electrifying. He is a DI prospect, who will impact a program with his energy.

Braylen Smith | Southern Kings

If there was a player working out on the floor all the time was this Augusta Christian product. He has a strong knack for scoring the basketball. His ability to get to the rim made him difficult to defend.

Class of 2025

Favion Kirkwood | Savannah Fire

This shifty guard has such a nose for scoring. He knows how to fill it up. His squad looks to him for leadership and intensity. He has answered their call all the time for them. The future looks bright with this type of talent coming through Johnson-Savannah High.

Bryson Drummond | 1 SC Elite

If getting to the basket was a person, this youngster is an example of getting things done. The Greenville (SC) High product is constantly traveling downhill on defenders. He knows how to absorb contact through traffic. His speed is such a problem for those facing him.

DeRon Dunbar | Upward Stars CSRA

This budding prospect has all the tools to be something special. His feel and approach to the game were evident all weekend. He never looks rattled under pressure and knows how to play with pace. The Augusta (GA) High is poised and in control. 

Da’Vion Nesbit | HYB Raptors

He is a high-energy level player on both ends of the floor. The Derher High product is efficient at getting to the rim. He finishes through contact and is in control. His weakness is to improve in the mid-range game. Look for him to make major strides as the year progresses.

Lamont Britt | Team USC

His mind frame is locked into being a competitor on both ends of the floor. The Gray Collegiate Academy product is a big physical prospect capable of playing on the perimeter. He has a great touch near or away from the basket. The strength allows him to control opponents right now. He can put the ball on the floor.

Amarte Tolbert | TM Elite

The superior athlete from Hepzibah High knows how to play one way – fast and downhill. There is no stopping him once that is put into his mind. He makes all the athletic plays possible like rebounding outside of his area. When his skills start meeting his athleticism things can get interesting.

Caden Edmond | Shot Callers Nation

He plays for the team with the correct name. The Central Pageland product knocks down shots from all over the floor. His mid-range game, in a 3-point hungry world, is impeccable. Edmond’s stroke is smooth and makes a splash as it slices through the net. His ability to shoot the ball is at a premium. There is a chance a program could use his skills. Shooters like him can play at any level. The more his skills improve, outside of just shooting, will determine his level.

Abel Etienne Jr. | World Class Athletes

The Greenforest Christian Academy product is a small and compact floor general. He gets through traffic with ease and bounces off defenders like a bumper car. His ability to absorb contact and to finish is beneficial. Etienne hits a lot of shots with his mid-range. He understands how to play. His improvement and development will come as he continues to learn how to run a team.

Gavin Owens | 1 SC Elite

Some may not see the value of a young 6-foot-5 Owens. The Wren High product is a valuable prospect for the things done on the floor. He rebounds well and has a great feel for the game despite being an interior player. This young guy will continue to look better as his skills grow. His touch is smooth inside.