GBCA Live: Stock Risers

GBCA Live: Stock Risers

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

EMERSON, Ga. – June has officially ended.

This means all team camps have concluded. Summer shot clock leagues are done. The GBCA Live period finished on a high note. Now, let’s get back to preparing for the July Live Period.

There were several players taking advantage of the moment to shine during the second GBCA-sponsored team camp. 

These are some stock risers and players to watch moving forward. 

Goba has grown all spring

The most improved player since the end of the high school basketball season has been Sha’yah Goba. His game and performance shined this month. After every event, he was one of the standout performers of the weekend.

Things weren’t any different in the consecutive weeks of the GBCA Live periods. The 6-foot-4 wing displayed his versatility, and ability to score the basketball at will. He helped Mount Vernon to some solid wins on the main floor. Even in defeat, Goba was in the mix on both ends of the floor.

If his June continues into July, this Class of 2024 product will garner much more attention from those collegiate programs looking for a high-energy, athletic, and tactical wing.

Ragland picks up plenty of attention 

Being a 6-foot-10 rising junior will always pique the interest of college programs looking for a post player. Seeing the things Mekhi Ragland is doing on the floor many begin paying attention more intently.

Ragland displayed the ability to hit shots inside, and outside, with impressive court vision. The New Jersey native passes well out of a double team or whenever the next pass is the best play on the floor. His footwork inside is impeccable on both ends of the floor. He hedged out and recovered well on the perimeter in pick-and-roll actions. Players his size are hard to come by.

Richards is taking off at the right time

Cannon Richards is easily one of the more under-appreciated forwards in the state of Georgia. He does the things not valued by the average basketball fan who thinks scoring is the only way to get noticed. Richard’s game debunks this completely.

The 6-foot-7 forward is a hybrid post, who is versatile enough to play on both ends of the floor. He is a tenacious defender looking to defend the best post player on the floor and chasing down rebounds like a baseball outfielder. Over the weekend, Richards showed the ability to score the basketball more consistently. He knocked down the mid-range jumper and even a few others from beyond the three-point line. His performance helped him pick up interest and offers from a number of programs in attendance. July will continue his ascension. 

Neal’s game is brewing

Davin Neal’s game is brewing like a slow-cooked meal in a crockpot. He has a good mix of jumpers, drives, long-range three’s and moves in the paint.

The Newton product was one of the more talked about players in the 2025 class among college coaches. They enjoyed seeing Neal’s effort on both ends of the floor. He attacks the rim with vengeance. Every trip up the floor gave the coaches a glimpse into the potential in this youngster’s game.

Neal will flourish this season as more responsibilities will be available for him to succeed.

Prospects to watch

2024 Ramon Soyoye is not hard to miss. He is a 6-foot-10 post player who looks physically great. The Chapel Hill product is a rim protector on the defensive end of the floor. However, his offense is coming along just fine. There were several times throughout the weekend Soyoye nearly unhinged the rim off the backboard. Any program looking for a mobile post player with a tremendous upside should check him out in July.

2024 Javyn Smith is one of the most elite shooters in the state. His ability to get shoots from all over the floor like he’s in a Hot Shots competition is impressive. This Collins Hill guard is a quiet sniper who deserves a serious look from college programs of all levels.

2024 Jah’Kiaus Jones was an intriguing combo guard to watch. The Thompson product plays with a focused demeanor on both ends of the floor. He attacks angles like a bull with some finesse. Jones will be a good prospect to track the remainder of the year. 

2024 Jaylen Colon is one of the more precise shooters in the state. Kell’s primary sniper has the green light from three-point range regardless of where he’s located on the floor. The way Colon shoots the ball he can get rolling like a Las Vegas slot machine hitting triple 7’s. His ability to shoot the ball translates to the next level. 

2024 Blake Wilson is at a new school fitting in like a glove. He is a 6-foot-6 power forward anchoring Hebron Christian’s frontcourt. Wilson quarterbacks the defense with his communication and athleticism He finishes at the rim with authority but also showed the ability to hit a game-winner against his former school Dacula. 

2024 Ernesto Almonte continues to impress at Trinity Christian. The Dominican native has a smooth-looking shot with a good motor. His ability to mix up shots and finishes through contact was solid. Almonte’s body has also changed, which has helped enhance his game.

2024 Justin Payne plays with a lot of heart. He plays the point guard position with confidence. His ability to sprint by defenders helped give North Oconee’s offense an advantage. The Titans’ was fluid with him at the helm. He played with poise despite defensive switches and attention. His performance will help the Titans make another playoff run.  

2024 Jackson Jennings has been flying under the radar for quite some time. The Greenbrier product plays with a chip on his shoulder and a battery pack on his back. He is a tireless competitor with tremendous athleticism, a solid handle, and a consistent jumper. His effort on the floor is unmatched which is exactly what you want from a floor leader.

2025 Jaden Priester showed plenty of promise throughout the weekend. The Cross Creek lefty is a 6-foot-7 who plays well in the mid-post, which extends beyond the arc. He is meticulous in the paint and relentless on the glass.

2025 Rhys Cotton has a new home running the offense. The newest Campbell prospect was on the floor surveying the floor in every way possible. He never wavered from the attention or pressure. Cotton is focused on getting teammates into the correct spot on the floor. Making the move to lead the Spartan’s offense gives the program a true leader. 

2025 Rashund Washington Jr was one of the more surprising players discovered. He is a 6-foot-4 combo guard from East Laurens with plenty of game. His ability to play with the ball and without it was impressive. He was poised but aggressive. Seeing him get paint touches is quick. Look for this name for the next few years.  

2025 Josh Dixon has always been fun to watch. This Milton floor general is the one who gets the Eagles’ offense soaring. His ability to get into the paint and score in a variety of ways is reminiscent of point guards in New York. 

2025 Jaxson Jones was on one all weekend. The 6-foot-7 dual forward was locked in for Collins Hill. This lefty averaged nearly 15 points a game while pushing the ball up the floor. His game extended beyond the three-point line. He battled inside and finished through contact with consistency. Things are beginning to click and his future is bright. 

2025 Josiah Parker needs to be added to the list of players in the class. This Lee County product has a high motor. He wills himself on opponents with his his 6-foot-7 frame. His hands and touch are soft around the rim. He handles the ball well in the open court. Parker is a competitor. His versatility is an issue for opponents. The mix of energy and versatility makes him an attractive prospect.

2026 Tobias Brinkley will not be a secret for long. This St. Pius X prospect fills the stat sheet in a variety of ways. He is not always about throwing his 6-foot-5 frame into the lane for easy layups. Brinkley is not afraid to get into the mix as a rebounder, defender, and doing the dirty work. If he continues to stack days Brinkley’s name will be recognized by many in the future. 

2026 CJ Harper is a name many will hear about sooner than later. The Paideia point guard has a nice feel for the game. He understands how to play and makes the right play without over-dribbling. Harper has picked up an offer from Georgia Tech. After watching him play you can see why a handful of college coaches sat around watching this young talent.

2026 Kevin White III is a shifty and lightning-quick point guard, who knows how to run a program. He will be handling the Newton Rams program this year in any way possible. White has the impeccable court vision to deliver passes for easy baskets. He is a hard-nosed defender looking to finish inside through contact. He will be the leader of the Rams offense soon enough.

2026 Chol Kiir was a nice find on the weekend. The Calvary Christian Day prospect has length and athleticism that will turn anyone’s head. He altered or erased shots on the defensive end while limiting teams to one shot eating the boards at 6-foot-7. Kiir is fantastic on the open floor. As he develops, Savannah could be an eventual stop for college programs. 

2027 Justin Wise is finally in high school. This young man is a talented young man with a tremendous feel for the game. He was on the floor with an experienced North Oconee team and did not look lost like many middle schoolers making the transition. Wise has good court vision dropping off dimes with the ball in his hands. One thing that will keep him on the floor is the way he plays defense.