The SEBA "Hoops & Hope" Showcase was a free, nonprofit-exposure event which provided Class of 2021 high school seniors the opportunity to compete and display their skills in front of college coaches, media, and scouts.
Here is Part 1 in a series of reports profiling the Event's Top Performers:
Here is Part 1 in a series of reports profiling the Event's Top Performers:
Kristian Ford (6' 4, SG, East Paulding; 2021)
Could make a strong case for the event's top performer on the day. After a very strong summer on the travel ball circuit, Kristian brought that same momentum into Hoops & Hope and shined brightly. He is a long scoring guard with good athleticism and a wiry strength that allows him to finish well at the cup. His perimeter skill set is extremely versatile. Whether scoring on pull-ups, long treys, or breaking his defender off the dribble, he was an absolute handful for opposing defenses. Thrives in the open court; plays with good speed but under control. Defensively, made several impressive plays with his length and athleticism. Would expect both Low Major D1's and D2 programs from across the South to be taking close look. Has the tools to be very good player at the next level.
Could make a strong case for the event's top performer on the day. After a very strong summer on the travel ball circuit, Kristian brought that same momentum into Hoops & Hope and shined brightly. He is a long scoring guard with good athleticism and a wiry strength that allows him to finish well at the cup. His perimeter skill set is extremely versatile. Whether scoring on pull-ups, long treys, or breaking his defender off the dribble, he was an absolute handful for opposing defenses. Thrives in the open court; plays with good speed but under control. Defensively, made several impressive plays with his length and athleticism. Would expect both Low Major D1's and D2 programs from across the South to be taking close look. Has the tools to be very good player at the next level.
Jason Edwards (6' 0, PG, Parkview; 2021)
Explosive Point Guard who is wired to score the basketball at a high clip. Plays with great energy, skill, and confidence. Uses his exceptional speed and quickness to get in the paint at will. Elite finisher around the basket; great body control. Has the rare ability to finish very consistently amongst the trees and thru contact. Has nice pull-up game from mid-range and shot the three ball at a high percentage. Led entire Gwinnett County, a National hotbed for hoops talent, in scoring last year as a Junior at 21 PPG. Should be one of the State's top players this coming season in Class 7A. Has 4.0 GPA in classroom. Has all the ingredients to be a standout guard at the College level.
Explosive Point Guard who is wired to score the basketball at a high clip. Plays with great energy, skill, and confidence. Uses his exceptional speed and quickness to get in the paint at will. Elite finisher around the basket; great body control. Has the rare ability to finish very consistently amongst the trees and thru contact. Has nice pull-up game from mid-range and shot the three ball at a high percentage. Led entire Gwinnett County, a National hotbed for hoops talent, in scoring last year as a Junior at 21 PPG. Should be one of the State's top players this coming season in Class 7A. Has 4.0 GPA in classroom. Has all the ingredients to be a standout guard at the College level.
Franklin Almonte (6' 5, Wing/Forward, Dalton; 2021)
Very talented prospect with exceptional potential. A native of the Dominican Republic, he is tremendous "Rodman like" rebounder with long frame and excellent leaping ability. Was an absolute beast on the offensive boards. Scored at a high clip around the rim and in the paint. Can hit the mid-range shot with consistency and had several nice assists to cutting teammates. As impressive as his offensive play was, he did a great job blocking shots and providing help defense to teammates. Averaged 23 ppg and an eye popping 17 rebounds per game last season as a Junior (which ranked him Top 10 nationally according to maxpreps). He is a true gem up in far North Georgia near the Tennessee border. He is a player worthy of strong looks from College programs.
Very talented prospect with exceptional potential. A native of the Dominican Republic, he is tremendous "Rodman like" rebounder with long frame and excellent leaping ability. Was an absolute beast on the offensive boards. Scored at a high clip around the rim and in the paint. Can hit the mid-range shot with consistency and had several nice assists to cutting teammates. As impressive as his offensive play was, he did a great job blocking shots and providing help defense to teammates. Averaged 23 ppg and an eye popping 17 rebounds per game last season as a Junior (which ranked him Top 10 nationally according to maxpreps). He is a true gem up in far North Georgia near the Tennessee border. He is a player worthy of strong looks from College programs.
Deandre Smart (6' 6, Forward, New Hampstead; 2021)
Strong forward with good bounce and high octane motor; was highly effective as a scorer and rebounder throughout the day. Seemed to always be around the ball and making plays. Gets off the floor quickly and uses his strong frame to power thru contact at the rim. One of the top rebounders in camp. Runs the floor really well as evidenced by impressive alley-oop dunk he converted while running length of floor on the break. Knocked down several mid-range jumpers in flow of the offense. Is the type of interior high energy workhorse that helps good teams win games at College level. Impressive prospect out of Savannah area.
Strong forward with good bounce and high octane motor; was highly effective as a scorer and rebounder throughout the day. Seemed to always be around the ball and making plays. Gets off the floor quickly and uses his strong frame to power thru contact at the rim. One of the top rebounders in camp. Runs the floor really well as evidenced by impressive alley-oop dunk he converted while running length of floor on the break. Knocked down several mid-range jumpers in flow of the offense. Is the type of interior high energy workhorse that helps good teams win games at College level. Impressive prospect out of Savannah area.
Kevin Taylor (6' 5, Wing, Allatoona; 2021)
Active and lengthy wing was one of the event's top scorers. Has a good versatility to his game, can hurt opposing defenses in variety of ways. Very good with the ball in his hands. Creates space and his jumper well off the dribble. Has smooth shooting stroke and knocked down the three ball with good accuracy and range. Keeps defense off balance with ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. Skill set should translate very well to the College game. Expecting a huge Senior season out of him along with fellow Allatoona standouts Cam Baldwin and Isaiah Logan.
Active and lengthy wing was one of the event's top scorers. Has a good versatility to his game, can hurt opposing defenses in variety of ways. Very good with the ball in his hands. Creates space and his jumper well off the dribble. Has smooth shooting stroke and knocked down the three ball with good accuracy and range. Keeps defense off balance with ability to put the ball on the floor and attack the rim. Skill set should translate very well to the College game. Expecting a huge Senior season out of him along with fellow Allatoona standouts Cam Baldwin and Isaiah Logan.
DeCameron Porter (6' 6, Forward, LaFayette; 2021)
Breakout performer whose combination of length, athleticism, and activity around the rim impressed. Came into the event as one of the more unheralded players in attendance, however, his production and potential caught the attention of both College coaches and scouts alike. He was one of the event's top rebounders; was high energy on the offensive and defensive boards; provided strong rim protection. Got out on the break and ran floor well in transition. Stretched the floor with an adequate three point shot. Has a great frame to put on upper body strength. Player who is just scratching the surface in terms of his overall potential; Consistency will be key aspect in his development. Should be one of North Georgia's top players this season.
Related Content:
SEBA Hoops & Hope Recap (3 Takeaways From the Event)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Top Performers (Part 1)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Top Performers (Part 2)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Top Performers (Part 3)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Additional Standouts (Part 4)
Breakout performer whose combination of length, athleticism, and activity around the rim impressed. Came into the event as one of the more unheralded players in attendance, however, his production and potential caught the attention of both College coaches and scouts alike. He was one of the event's top rebounders; was high energy on the offensive and defensive boards; provided strong rim protection. Got out on the break and ran floor well in transition. Stretched the floor with an adequate three point shot. Has a great frame to put on upper body strength. Player who is just scratching the surface in terms of his overall potential; Consistency will be key aspect in his development. Should be one of North Georgia's top players this season.
Related Content:
SEBA Hoops & Hope Recap (3 Takeaways From the Event)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Top Performers (Part 1)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Top Performers (Part 2)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Top Performers (Part 3)
SEBA Hoops & Hope - Additional Standouts (Part 4)
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