We are officially at the midway point in the Grassroots season, where we will be highlighting our top players to watch in each class as we approach the high school Live Periods later this month. Here are 10 (ten) players to know in the upcoming junior class:
6-2 CG Jaryn Williams, Grayson (GA), Team S.M.A.S.H PRO 17U
The 6-foot-2 rising junior guard is the true definition of a floor general, consistently putting his teammates in the best position to succeed on the offensive end. He shows great poise and patience on the offensive end while remaining under control, as his assist-to-turnover ratio is at a very good rate for his position. He also puts in a ton of effort, using his athleticism to patrol the paint and limit opponents from getting second-chance scoring opportunities. His combination of scoring at all three levels, playmaking, rebounding, and defending the passing gaps speaks true volume about the ceiling this young prospect has going into the summer Live Periods.
6-3 SG LJ Bacon, The First Academy (Orlando) (FL), Sunshine Elite 17U
The 6-foot-3 rising junior guard plays with a great feel and understanding of the game. On offense, he has a strong knack for attacking downhill, finishing around the rim as well as displaying an efficient mid-range game. His court vision when he has the basketball in his hands is top-notch, where he can get his teammates involved in transition as well as in the half-court offense. On defense, he is active when guarding out on the perimeter as well as being an underrated rebounder for his size.
6-5 SF Lorenzo Hall, Hilliard (FL), Tre Mann Elite NXTPRO 16U
The 6-foot-5 rising junior wing is a long and wiry athlete who adds versatile playmaking around the rim, where he was absorbing contact as well as making strong passes to his teammates. On defense, he contributed with his length, where he was altering shots around the rim, efficient in the passing lanes, and playing above the rim without fouling. He is also efficient when it comes to defending the perimeter as his footwork and body positioning continue to improve. With more confidence and the ability to be a two-way playmaker, I fully expect college coaches to start showing interest in Hall.
6-10 PF Xavier Hall, Davidson Day (NC), Team CP3 All-Stars 16U
The 6-foot-10 rising junior power forward continues to make noise on the national level. On offense, he is a furious finisher when it comes to the point of attack when playing above the rim. He runs the floor exceptionally well for his size, as well as where he can get out in transition, finishing lobs, as well as stopping on a dime, where he can be effective in the mid-range game. On defense, he can guard positions 1 through 5 with his length and athleticism where he displays elite footwork and is very patient where he stays disciplined and can challenge shots without fouling.
6-2 PG Brielen Craft, Pace Academy (GA), Georgia Stars EYBL 16U
The 6-foot-2 rising junior guard is already gaining national attention, where he has been an upcoming prospect since he was in the 8th grade. He is one of the purest shooters in the class, where he doesn’t need a ton of time to get off his jump shot in the open court. He also possesses great court vision where he is an unselfish guard who makes strong reads to his teammates in transition as well as in a half-court offense. He’s already hearing from several Power 4 schools as he picked up offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and several others when he was just a freshman.
6-2 PG Austin Sears, Montgomery County (KY), Bradley Beal Elite 16U EYBL
The 6-foot-2 rising senior guard is one of the top scorers in the Bluegrass State, where he can make defenders pay off the catch and dribble. He is also an above-average rebounder with elite athleticism for his size, as he can battle on the glass with anybody. His versatility allows him to guard positions 1 through 4, where his length plays a huge factor in the passing lanes, forcing turnovers, as well as altering shots around the rim. With more run and confidence in his overall game, Sears could emerge himself as one of the top-ranked guards in the country for his class.
7-0 C Ahmadou “Bamba” Touray, IMG Academy (FL), Tre Mann Elite PRO16 17U
The 7-foot rising junior center is a Top-10 nationally ranked prospect, according to On3 & 247Sports, where he has a smooth jump shot and is unafraid to expand his game on the offensive end. His inside-out presence draws multiple looks from the defense as he has a smooth and confident handle out on the perimeter. On the defensive end, he can guard multiple positions with his frame and footwork. Touray currently holds offers from Ole Miss, NC State, UNLV, and multiple others.
6-10 PF Jermaine Agyeman, Westwood Christian (FL), Team Miami NXTPRO 16U
The 6-foot-10 rising junior power forward has quietly emerged as a name to watch heading into the summer Live Period. On the offensive end, he is versatile, where he can impact the game in a variety of ways, and he brings inside scoring as well as being comfortable shooting from the perimeter. His aggressiveness around the rim on both ends of the floor, whether it’s finishing dunks off lobs or blocking shots on the defensive end, Agyeman is a name that scouts are going to want to keep an eye on. He consistently runs the floor well for his size and is the first one down the court in transition scoring opportunities.
6-4 CG Kaharri Coleman, West Charlotte (NC), Team CP3 16U
The 6-foot-4 rising junior combo guard is a highly skilled point guard who runs the offense with a strong blend of pace, poise, and unselfishness. He possesses an extremely calm demeanor and seems largely unaffected by defensive pressure with the ball in his hands. Coleman’s tight, crafty handle and ability to change speeds allow him to effortlessly break down opponents off the bounce. He touches the paint at a high volume and consistently makes the right reads. On defense, he does a great job of reacting to the passing lanes, rebounds well for his position, and reliably pushes the break in transition scoring opportunities.
6-3 PG Tai Bell, Christopher Columbus (FL), JET Academy EYBL 16U
Bell has made a name for himself on the national stage since the start of his 8th grade season where he played at Pembroke Pines Charter, before making the move to Mater Lakes Academy as a freshman and helping lead the Bears to a pair of state championships during his freshman and sophomore seasons. His name is in basketball royalty as he is the son of 12-year NBA veteran Raja Bell and is the younger brother of Texas Longhorns quarterback Dia Bell, who led American Heritage Plantation to a pair of state championships on the Gridiron.