Overtime Elite’s OTE Combine notebook

Overtime Elite’s OTE Combine notebook

Atlanta, GA – College coaches, NBA scouts, and a plethora of national scouts ascended on the Overtime Elite Arena for Overtime Elite’s annual OTE Combine Tuesday. The event had approximately 173 different evaluators checking out the latest members to join the organization.

Players were put through a variety of drills and stations based on their positions before playing 3-on-3 and eventually 5-on-5 in front of some notable coaches. Head coaches like Bruce Pearl (Auburn), Kenny Payne (Louisville), Steve Forbes (Wake Forest), Hubert Davis (North Carolina), Tony Bennett (Virginia), Kim English (Providence), Antonio Pettway (Kennesaw State), Matt McMahon (LSU), and Amir Abdul-Rahim (South Florida).

All of them flipped through a program given to them while also scratching notes on those players who caught their eye. They had plenty to see, as did we.

Here is the list of players who made an impression.

Peyton Marshall making strides

Playing in front of Missouri head coach Dennis Gates and assistant CY Young, the 7-.025 footer looked impressive in the big man station setting. The centers displayed excellent footwork and explosive finishes at the rim. He is listed at 326 pounds and has looked like time is being spent in the weight room. This made him a lot more explosive, while also improving his conditioning.

He stepped up to the challenges of playing against players his size. The Missouri commit is one of the best passing players out of the post with either hand, which was an emphasis during the drill station. He took up space inside but was not just looking to force the action. The former Kell High standout is expanding his game outside the paint. It was good to see him compete with every possession and play in longer spurts than he has in the past. This change in environment and expectation will help Marshall in the long run.

Karter Knox is more than a shooter

Knox is a name synonymous with excellence and high expectations. The five star 6-foot-6 wing exceeded those expectations from the drill stations to the full court play. He has always shot the ball with consistency. Now, the level of confidence in shooting it from anywhere on the floor has been unlocked. The Florida native is more than a shooter. He is a slasher and an elite finisher at the rim. His vertical approach was recorded at 34.5. This helped him get those pull up jumpers with ease over all defenders.

What has separated Knox from others shooters, right now, is the willingness to be defense. He fights through screens and is not afraid to get a little physical, something he is accustomed to experiencing. Being the younger brother of former lottery pick Kevin Knox, and current South Florida player Kobe Knox, the younger Knox has always had to carve out his own path. He has narrowed his choices to eight – LSU, Arkansas, G-League Ignite, Kentucky, Florida State, South Florida, Auburn, and Louisville. They were all in attendance.

Jason Jackson reclassifies

Jackson was once a member of the Class of 2023. Things changed when the opportunity to develop presented itself, the Florida native re-classified and is not at OTE. His athleticism is undeniable with a registered approaching vertical measurement of 42-inches. The 6-foot-3 guard, who is committed to Mississippi, is superb in the open court. He needs to improve on tightening things up in the half court set.

Bryson Tiller is loading

The 6-foot-10 forward returns to OTE after winning the championship with the City Reapers. While that is in the past you can see Tiller is focused on the future. He looked great physically in all the stations and playing with a high level of confidence. Coaches surrounding the court were looking and analyzing everything. They talked about him measuring at 6’8.75 but has a 7-foot-2 wingspan, which comes in handing on either end of the court. He is a relentless rebounder and has the potential of playing inside/out.

On many national recruiting 2025 rankings, Tiller is a player many believe is top-10. Some things people will like to see is him taking it to another gear. He averaged 11.5 points and 6.9 rebounds last season at OTE. those numbers should increase as his skills and strength continue to grow.

Marcus Ponder is a BEAST

One things not hard to see is the size of this young man. Ponder stands at 6-foot-10.75 and the baby fat is molding into muscle. He was bending the rim like a Slim Jim. Ponder worked his way around the paint against the older players but wasn’t afraid to bang around inside. He passed the ball a lot better throughout the day. His commitment to his conditioning has helped him.

Being at OTE will help his game tremendously. He will work on fundamentals battling with the other centers. Ponder will have a solid coming out season where his growth will open many eyes.