Elite 32: Day 1 Notebook

Elite 32: Day 1 Notebook

By Robert Alfonso Jr.

MARIETTA, GA – The final NCAA Live Period of the summer basketball season and the level of competition picked up like the July heat in the state of Georgia.

On The Radar Hoops Elite 32 provided the stage for the best independent programs in 5e country to compete in front of college coaches. The players did not disappoint to every college coaches delight. Here are some players who made a point to get noticed.

Stock Risers

Team Forrest 17U team has two players coaches are eager to see. First, Christian Fussell caught college coaches attention in April and it continues. The 6-foot-10 Greenforest product is a force inside capable of dominating the game on both ends of the floor. He can score with either hand and takes up space like 18-wheelers jam up I-75 traffic.

Now the second TF player picking up some recruiting steam is Melvin Edwards. The 2020 Carrollton High product put on a show Thursday. He threw down some thunderous dunks, while also finishing through contact. His motor is a reason coaches like Kennesaw State, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and others sit up a little more attentive when he’s on the floor.

Daren Patrick is a Class of 2020 product who is catching some attention. The former Sprayberry High product, who will attend The Skill Factory in the fall, went to work pouring in multiple double-digit performances PSB Elite Coble and New Orleans Elite. He is competitor on both ends of the floor. However, his ability to knock down shots in critical moments shows the type of moxy college coaches enjoy in a player.

2020 has some BIGS

College coaches looking for some size in the Class of 2020 have a chance to find one here.

Christian Huntley, of PSB Elite, is a wiry 6-foot-9 player with the ability to stretch the floor as he has a nice touch from beyond the three-point line. He currently holds offers from James Madison, High Pint, Presbyterian, Winthrop, UNC Charlotte, Boston College, Towson, Fairfield, Mercer and UNC Asheville. Some more could be added after this weekend for the Class of 2020 product.

Derick Hamilton is a mountainous individual. The 2020 New Orleans Elite post hard to move. He takes up space in the middle on both ends of t(e floor. However, his size does not impede him from being active on either end of the floor. He rebounds well and just knows how to lock it down inside.

Alexis Jackson is easily the most intriguing player in this conversation. At 6-foot-11, from Cy Fair Learning and All 4 Sports Dream Team Elite of Houston, provided plenty of energy in the late game. He is long yet extremely active. His ability to change opponents shots was impressive. This Class of 2020 product finishes around the basket. However, you can see some development needs to continue to be made. Still worth the look.

Let’s make a point

Some point made it a point to show they are more than capable of running a team. Here are some guys who danced with the ball but played it calm the entire time.

Andrew Thelwell has made some impressive strides this summer. The 2020 a product from PHS Elite is playing with a confidence that is tough to match right now. Everything he is doing on the court is applying pressure to opponents on either end of the floor. He can see the ball at a high level with the ability to score it the same way. This 6-foot-3 guard will Garner plenty attention soon enough.

Michael Thomas controlled the pace of play for LiveOn/Fleur De Lis. This 2020 Hamilton Christian School floor general was a maestro with the ball in his hand, he danced through pressure rarely meeting any resistance. He can ball in tight spaces getting the ball to teammates in the highest scoring position possible.