Brian Flinn:
Future150 National Recruiting Analyst. Covering high school basketball nationally.
Atlanta, GA (Future150) -- The Atlanta Main Event is perennially filled with some of the top talent from Atlanta, as well as the Southeast. This year was no different, as a number of players used the platform to put themselves firmly on the radar.
Team Thad had their loaded 16U group play up in the 17U division, and were able to take home the title. With five players ranked in the Top 150, they were far and away the most talented team in the tournament and proved that. Point guard Tyler Harris looked incredibly comfortable running the show and appears to be the straw that stirs the talented Team Thad drink. Plenty of other players turned in stellar performances though, and have momentum moving into the all important live periods:
Tyler Thornton, 2017 PF, Atlanta Select-Silver: One of the best low-post scorers in the field, Thornton was almost impossible for teams to match up with one-on-one offensively. He scored with a number of post moves on the low block and has learned how to use his speed to create serious problems for his defender.
Kaiden Rice, 2017 SF, Central Carolina Force: Rice was one of the better shooters in the event and looks poised to be one of the breakout stars of the live periods later this month. At 6-foot-6, he has fantastic size for the perimeter and seemingly limitless range. As soon as he learns to become more assertive, look out. Adding the 1 and 2 dribble pull game to his arsenal will go along way.
Marquaevious Williams, 2017 SF, Atlanta Express: Williams was a force on both ends of the glass this past weekend. He is still a fantastic athlete who excels when he is slashing to the hoop. At this point, Williams is best used as a defender and transition settings. He will be one to keep an eye on going into the live period.
Dathan Boyd, 2017 PG, Atlanta Express: Boyd is a scoring lead guard who can do it all. He has excellent court vision and loves to score in transion. He has improved his leadership qualities and makes everyone better by him being on the court. He has put on 10 pounds of muscle and has becomre more athletic. It definitley helped him in his game. Solid overall performance this past weekend.
Rodgerick Brown, 2018 SG, Team Thad: A bit of a do-it-all wing, Brown has the frame that makes High-Major coaches drool. At 6-foot-6, he is a fantastic rebounder and slasher. Brown has improved his ball-handling over the past few months and is a dangerous offensive player that is sure to pick up more offers soon.
Rudy Fitsgibbons III, 2018 CG, NWGA Select: Fitsgibbons did a great job of both distributing and knocking down jumpers throughout the weekend. Offensively he is very skilled, but he needs to get better as a defender.
Noah Davis, 2017 SG, Brazoria Ballers: Davis is a big time shooter who could provide value at the next level thanks to his ability to stretch the defenses. He hit eight threes in a close loss on Saturday. His defense will need to improve, but Ivy League programs should be making a push for him.
Drue Drinnon, 2018 CG, Team Thad: Drinnon can play either position and did whatever his team needed him to do throughout the weekend. He scored on all three levels and has improved his change of pace when attacking defenders. The former Elite 24 MVP is equally comfortable playing either guard position and looks like he's ready to prove his five-star status. A big Spring will go along way in proving the doubters wrong.
DeShawn Thomas, 2017 PF, Central Carolina Force: A bouncy face-up four man, Merriweather looks to be just scratching the surface of his potential. He can hit mid-range jumpers and is quick enough to take his man off the dribble. He isn't the strongest player, and will need to get tougher in order to guard bigger players.
Octavious Merriweather, 2017 PF, Alabama Celtics: A bouncy face-up four man, Merriweather looks to be just scratching the surface of his potential. He can hit mid-range jumpers and is quick enough to take his man off the dribble. He isn't the strongest player, and will need to get tougher in order to guard bigger players.
Olando Merrick, 2017 SF, Ware Prep Raiders: Merrick is an athletic wing prospect who rebounds the ball well and can knock down mid-range jumpers. He is also a decent slasher and has the strength to guard bigger forwards. He must improve as a ball-handler so he can create his own shot moving forward.
J.J. Cobb, 2017 SG, Atlanta Select Red: Cobb is an athletic slashing wing who plays hard almost 100% of the time he is on the floor. He rebounds it very well for a guard, as his athleticism allows him to play bigger than he is.
Joshua Williams, 2016 PG, Georgia Buckeyes: Williams scored in bunches all weekend long and at times looked unguardable. He is super quick in transition and can stop on a dime and drain a jumper with ease. His abilities to lead a team were certainly on display and Williams could be a nice D2 or D3 point guard.
Tim Samuel, 2017 SF, Brazoria Ballers: Samuel had several games this past weekend where he proved that he could be a division one prospect. The powerful wing finished at the rim and showed that he could rebound the ball as well. Samuel also has an advanced basketball IQ and consistently made plays that college coaches would have certainly appreciated.
Jaquan Morris, 2017 PG, Gods Property: Morris is a quick and athletic point guard that can do it all. Over the weekend he displayed his scoring ability by knocking down jumpers. He plays above the rim and knows how to use ball screens to his advantage allowing him to get open looks all weekend long.
Micheal Joseph, 2017 SF, God Property: Joseph is a skilled forward that made plays on both ends of the court. He scored on all three levels and rebounded the bal at a high rate all weekend.
Jordan Farmer, 2017 PG, Ware Prep Raiders: Jordan is smooth and efficient point guard that is very unselfish. He can score at a high level too, as he put up points on all three levels.
Tyres Berryman, 2017 PG, ATL knights: Berryman is compact and physical point guard that is skilled and smart. A solid ball handler and mid range shooter, who also uses his speed to get to the rim. He also has a high basketball IQ and could be a player that high-D2 programs should be keeping an eye on.
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