TNBA South Elite Makes Statement Winning 12U Title
by Eric Hampford, Future150 (1:18 PM CT, Tue April 11, 2017)

Powder Springs, GA (Future150) -- In an overtime thriller in the 6th grade division, TNBA South Elite (FL) took down the Atlanta Celtics in one of the most heated games of the entire Future150 Main Event Atlanta tournament. A theme that we saw throughout the weekend, star forward Kaven Call was dominant, scoring 28 points and doing absolutely everything he could to lead his team to the tournament title. Nick King was the other double-figure scorer, dropping in 10 points, while Asaad Waseem was the x-factor, playing tenacious defense and doing all the things that don't show up in the box score. As usual, the Celtics used a team effort to give the opposition all they could handle before falling short in the overtime period.

Future150 Main Event Atlanta 12U Standouts:

Kaven Call, 2023 SF, TNBA South Elite (FL): The 6'1" small forward used this past weekend as his coming-out party, showing the Future150 staff that he's currently tracking as one of the top 10 prospects in the country for his class. Right now, he can play any and every position on the floor. He can score, rebound, handle the basketball, & also shows good open-court vision as well. Right now, the Apopka, Florida prospect is an absolute stud at the 12U level.

Isaiah Collier, 2023 PG, Atlanta Celtics (GA): Another prospect currently tracking as a potential elite player in his class is the 5'5" point guard. A player with fantastic vision and flashy playmaking ability, he was the leader of a talented Celtics backcourt all weekend long. As he grows and develops his jump shot, he's going to be a major problem in the state of Georgia and beyond.

Braeden Marshall, 2023 SG, TNBA South Elite (FL): The 5'5" shooting guard was a standout this past weekend thanks to his scoring prowess and smooth playmaking skills. He routinely made plays around the rim and knocked down some jumpers as well, which made the defense very confused on how exactly to defend him. Look for him to see his reputation grow in the state of Florida this AAU season.

Jelani 'Tank' Thurman, 2023 Post, Atlanta Celtics (GA): The leader on the interior for the talented Celtics was the 5'10" big man. A strong player with a nose for the basketball, he controlled the glass for his team all weekend long. As far as bloodlines go, he's the son of former WNBA player Kara Braxton (6'6") & former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman, so it's easy to envision him becoming a very dominant post down the line.

Jacob Kimpson, 2023 F, Fast Break Basketball (TN): The 5'5" forward shined against very tough competition in his game against the Atlanta Celtics on Sunday morning. He played like a man possessed on the glass, and finished plays around the rim against a very big Celtics front line. We also loved the motor he plays with every single game. We look forward to watching him again at Future150 Main Event Birmingham next month.

Kobe Small, 2023 PG, SEC Elite (AL): Small is a crafty little floor general that showed capabilities from scoring at all three levels and was good at keeping the defense on their toes. He had one of the highest motors of all the standout players in the 12U division and would never stop until he heard a whistle blow. Small definitely has the potential to a great lead man that coahces love to have because of his energy, motor, and how coachable he is during games. 

Jamar Graham, 2023 SF, Atlanta Select Scholars (GA): Graham scored 13 points during pool play against SEC Elite and was showcasing his great slashing and rebounding abiltiies for a young wing. Standing around 5'9" he has decent size and length for his age, if he grows a few more inches before he gets to the 7th grade, he is going to be a real issue for defense's to match-up against.