Garrett Tucker:
Future150 Southeast Analyst. Covering high school basketball across the Southeast.
Suwanee, GA (Future150) -- Some of the Southeast's best grassroots teams met at Suwanee Sports Academy this weekend for the annual Bob Gibbon's Tournament of Champions.
Hundreds of college coaches were in attendance on the opening night of the second live period to evaluate prospects.
Here is a list of players that performed well on Friday night:
Brandon Ingram, 2015 SF, Team Stackhouse Elite: Ingram was one of the best prospects in attendance this weekend and he will only get better. At 6-foot-7, Ingram has a skill-set to play anywhere from the 1 to the 4. He is very versatile with his offensive arsenal. He has the ability to take bigger defenders out on the perimeter or take smaller defenders down low, where he can execute post moves with his back to the basket or face-up.
Jawun Evans, 2015 PG, SC Raptors Elite: Evans was easily one of the more intriguing point guard prospects over the weekend. He is extremely quick and athletic, especially in transition, where he thrives. He showed the ability to get in the lane to finish for himself or make plays for other. He will be highly sought after in the next few months among mid-major plus coaches.
Kobi Simmons, 2016 CG, Atlanta Celtics: Simmons may end up being one of the top point guards in his class, if not the top in a few years. With his length and wingspan at 6-foot-4, the freshman causes problems for others on the perimeter. He also can make plays for himself in the half-court, whether it is getting to the basket or pulling up for a jumper. Simmons gets his shot off very quick, making it difficult for opposing players to block it.
Tobias Howard, 2015 PG, Stackhouse Elite: Stackhouse Elite showed they are ready to compete with bigger name teams, and Howard was one of the main reasons why. The 6-foot point guard played with a high motor the entire weekend and competed with opposing guards. He is very quick with his game, allowing him to avoid pressure in the backcourt. He changed speeds very effectively, as he got in the lane for easy baskets. Howard also has a nice body that he used to be physical and pull competitive rebounds. The sophomore point guard definitely enhanced his stock this weekend.
Hunter Ware, 2014 SG, Team Impact: Ware may be one of the best shooters in Georgia, and he showed his shooting touch off this weekend. Behind his three-point shooting, Team Impact almost pulled a comeback and upset on the Upward Stars. Ware is a high-volume shooter, but he can also make other plays for himself and teammates. He will really help a mid-major at the next level.
Braxton Blackwell, 2016 SF, Atlanta Celtics: Versatility and point forward defines freshmen Braxton Blackwell. At one point this past weekend, Blackwell was playing anywhere from the 1 to the 4, and he did it all effectively. He handled the ball nicely on the perimeter and helped direct his team to get open, as well as hitting some jumpers to keep the defense honest. He also pulled key rebounds game after game.
Keith Pinckney, 2014 PG, Upward Stars: In his first weekend with the Upward Stars, Pinckney looked as comfortable as ever. The point guard was getting in the lane and making plays on a consistent basis. He finished at the rim and kicked it off to open teammates, making the correct pass nearly every time. He has a college-ready body and will be ready for the next level when he hits the college game. He could see his stock continue to grow later in the summer.
Jarvis Calhoun, 2014 SG, Birmingham Ice: The UAB-commit only got to play Friday night, but as usual, he did not disappoint with shooting display. Calhoun is by far the best pure shooter in Alabama, and one could make a case for him to compete in the Southeast. He hit several shots Friday to help pace his team to victory. While his shooting is his best attribute, the 6-foot shooter has also been working on his point guard skills to transform into a reliable combo guy. Calhoun showed nice flashes of creating for himself and others.
Justin Simmons, 2014 SF, Tennessee Chosen Few: After seeing Simmons last weekend, he proved he was no fluke at Bob Gibbons. The wing showed off his sneaky athleticism, as he flew around the rim and hit the boards hard. He also showed the ability to score from all three levels during the tournament. Many coaches raved about how hard he played the game and his competitive attitude.
Derrick Brooks, 2014 PG, Q6 All-Stars Elite: If any point guard excelled in the pick-and-roll play this weekend, it was Derrick Brooks. The 6-foot-2 point guard made great decisions coming off screens, as he usually drove the ball and finished with easy lay-ins or with a nice floater. He also showed the ability to pass it off to the screener for an easy jumper or layup. He has a great body for the next level and with his length, he will be tracked more as the AAU period goes on.
Gage Ellis, 2015 SG, SC Raptors Elite: Ellis did a great job of getting others involved over the weekend. He made extra passes in transition and easy dishes in the half-court to put his teammates in easier positions to score. The 6-foot-4 combo guard was one of the best passing guards we saw, and his unselfishness will pay dividends. He also showed the ability to hit a couple of shots from the outside.
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