Cartersville, Ga. — The Class of 2028 division may have been the youngest group of players in attendance for the inaugural Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off, but the field certainly did not lack when it came to talent. Each of…

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Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log inCartersville, Ga. — The Class of 2028 division may have been the youngest group of players in attendance for the inaugural Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off, but the field certainly did not lack when it came to talent. Each of the pool play pairings featured a number of nationally recognized teams and individuals. In part one of a four-part series, here are a handful of prospects that earned attention due to their stellar performances over the weekend…
Ryan Bell | Auburn, GA | Class of 2028
A well-built guard, Bell was one of the more productive members of the Team Huncho (GA) Bell squad that managed to close out their weekend at the Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off with a victory against another local group in the Georgia State Warriors. Bell’s offensive productivity was certainly a plus for his squad, as the 5-foot-2 backcourt prospect flashed the strength to finish in the lane, but also demonstrated the ability to knock down jumpers off the catch as evidenced by the five three-pointers that he converted during the event’s final day. Expect Bell to continue being a leader for this team as the season moves forward.
Derrick “Doc” Caldwell | Charlotte, NC | Class of 2028
Caldwell was one of several standouts on the Team CP3 (NC) Basketball Academy roster and had more than few impressive moments at the Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off. As part of a balanced backcourt attack, Caldwell was fairly efficient with his opportunities, capitalizing on his open looks as a shooter but also proving capable of facilitating by finding open teammates in the halfcourt. The North Carolina native seemed to settle in as the weekend moved along and it’s clear that he will be expected to play a major role in determining the overall success of this club during the upcoming circuit season.
Antoine Caughman | Columbia, SC | Class of 2028
A talented wing with excellent size and fluidity for his current stage of development, the 5-foot-6 athlete impressed with his motor and pursuit of the ball on both ends of the floor at the Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off. One of the more physically gifted players in the fifth-grade division, Caughman consistently attacked the rim, and displayed excellent versatility through his willingness to play on the perimeter as well as in the paint. As one of the more promising performers among his peers at the tournament, the all-around skill development of the South Carolina native is worth monitoring, as his future on the hardwood is intriguing.
Emory Chaney | Charlotte, NC | Class of 2028
What Chaney lacks in size he more than makes up for with immense skill. The diminutive lead guard hasn’t quite reached the five-foot mark yet, but that didn’t stop him from being arguably the most productive player in the 5th grade division at the Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off. The Team CP3 (NC) Basketball Academy lead guard shot the ball at an extremely efficient clip and was highly effective in making plays from multiple spots on the perimeter. He was a crucial part of his squad’s unbeaten run through a competitive grouping of teams in pool play that resulted in a runner-up finish on this particular weekend.
Cadence Collins | Fort Oglethorpe, GA | Class of 2028
Collins has my vote as one of the more underrated players in the fifth-grade division at the Prep Hoops Next Southeast Kick-Off. The more you watch him in action, the more you appreciate his effect on the game. The Georgia native suited up with Team CP3 (NC) Basketball Academy and his impact was undeniable, specifically in regard to his comfort level in both halfcourt as well as more up-tempo settings. A versatile backcourt prospect, Collins stuffed the stat sheet beyond the scoring column in a multitude of ways, embracing difficult defensive assignments and adapting to a number of roles throughout the tournament.
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