The State of Georgia, Make some Noise!

The Grassroots of Georgia

The Men among Boys in 2007

In the high school class of 2007, the state of Georgia had two stars ranked in the nation's top 30. J.J. Hickson out of Wheeler High School was ranked in the top 10 overall as the #2 forward in the class. Gani Lawal from Norcross High School, who was ranked 29th overall, was a participant in the 2007 McDonald's All-American game. Can't leave out the flashy 6'3" guard out of Meadowcreek High School, Chris Allen. Adjusting to the new rule, regardless of how much potential they held for the pro level, all three graduated from grade school and moved onto the collegiate level.

Hickson challenged his skill level when he enrolled to N.C. State as he had hopes of helping a struggling team in a consistently powerful conference. The season didn't exactly go as planned but regardless of the team's inconsistency, Hickson had impressive numbers as a freshman and showed that he had the ability to take his game to the next level. When the season concluded without a March Madness berth, Hickson declared himself into the 2008 NBA draft and never looked back as the Cleveland Cavaliers picked him 19th overall. Currently in his rookie campaign, the former McDonald's All-American out of Marietta, Georgia is averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds off the bench as a role player for the Eastern power house Cavs. Keep an eye out for this young star in the making as he continues to improve his numbers over the progressing years.

Gani Lawal stayed close to home as he signed with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

He quickly got onto the court as he even started some games, showing flashes of unbelievable talent. The skilled forward had plenty of basketball ability but what he lacked was consistency and unselfishness. The young "Georgia Star" had the opportunity to declare for the 2008 draft as a possible first rounder but decided to return for his sophomore year in order to improve his numbers and strengthen his draft stock. Early on in his sophomore season,

Lawal's success had him predicted as a top lottery pick in many mock drafts but recent displays of struggles for him and his team has dropped his stock drastically. NBAdraft.net currently has Lawal going in the top 10 of the 2010 NBA draft which would mean he would have to return for a junior year. Even if the big man decides to enter himself into the draft this year, he would be more than sure to get drafted

by someone, but an extra year of collegiate level basketball never hurts... Most of the time... (Knock on wood). Lawal may not be as talented overall as Hickson, but he has the skill set to be very good when he decides to be more wise with and without the basketball.

Chris Allen once dominated the gymnasiums of many high school gyms as he would show off his athleticism by consistently putting up jaw dropping jams on a daily basis. His freshman year in East Lansing wasn't exactly how he expected it to be like. The highly recruited guard got a slap of reality as he quickly saw that he wouldn't be going up against those small high school defenders anymore. The Big-10 showed Mr. Allen that they weren't going to make it easy for him. Allen accepted the role as a back up off the bench and was humbled by the great coach, Tom Izzo. Allen, who is currently in his sophomore season at Michigan State, has improved greatly under the wing of Coach Izzo and is playing a huge role for the current top team in the Big-10 conference. Expect this young guard to spend as much time as he can in the collegiate level, only looking to get better.

The Athletes of 2008

Georgia proudly represented 4 of the top 23 players in the class of 2008.

2008's Mr. GA Basketball, Al-Farouq Aminu, was not only ranked #7 overall in the nation, but was the #1 forward in the entire country. The athletic Wing Forward out of Norcross, Georgia was always known as a force in the state of Georgia but was questioned in his ability to be successful in the collegiate level. Aminu spent most of his high school basketball career as a silent killer by scoring left and right, inside and out, making plays, without getting noticed too much. By the end of the game, The young Nigerian Prince would have "out of this world" stats that most spectators would not realize without looking at the box score. Aminu who never really tried to show off or juice up his stats, scored just 2 points in the 2008 McDonald's All-American game and critics began to jump all over Aminu's back. Then the 2008-09 collegiate season began. Aminu quickly silenced all the haters as he debuted with a double-double, putting up 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. The All-American Freshman has helped Wake

Forest put on a show this season as one of the elite teams in the nation as he has averaged nearly a double-double every game with 13 points and 8 rebounds. Aminu currently holds a career high of 26 points and 14 rebounds in separate games and he is only looking to get better. The diaper dandy has a choice of entering the 2009 draft after this year as most mock drafts have him going in the top 10, or he has the decision of returning for his sophomore year as a possible Naismith candidate along with one of the top returning teams in the country. This guy has very good motives and only looks to improve as the sky is the limit for the young star.

"Aminu soars through the sky as he

displays sheer athleticism and versatility"

#12 in the nation's class of '08, Chris Singleton, was a stat racker as he guided his multiple

high school teams to success day in and day out. The #3 forward in the nation followed Aminu into the ACC as he signed with the Seminoles of Florida State. Another quiet team on the rise in the Atlantic Coast, used Singleton diligently as Singleton was quick to impress by spending most of the game on the hardwood and off the bench. Singleton proved to the entire country that he could grab rebounds by recording a career high 17 rebounds in his college debut as he complemented that impressive feat with 12 points in a double-double effort. Singleton doesn't currently have much of a draft stock but will soon enough be on the radar of many NBA scouts as the forward portrays some similarities to the "Matrix" man, Shawn Marion.

Wake Forest was truly blessed by the Georgia Class of 2008 as #20 in the nation, Tony Woods, followed his AAU teammate, Aminu, to the same ACC team. Woods, a monster inside at center, was another tremendous add-on to one of the biggest teams ever possibly assembled

in the collegiate level as he quickly became a big time role player off the bench for the young Demon Deacons. Woods spent most of his high school career destroying the paint down low and ripping down rebounds and continued to do so for Wake Forest. Maybe his stats aren't as high as they were in high school, but expect the quiet charismatic center out of Rome, Georgia to play an even bigger role in the following years to come in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Last but not least is the human highlight reel, DeQuan Jones. The freak athlete out of Marietta, Georgia finally gained some respect near the conclusion of his senior year as he spent most of his sophomore and junior year as a 3 star. The young man who plays with springs under his shoes hasn't really done much stat wise for the Miami Hurricanes, but has developed his own highlight tape throughout his freshman season, making monster blocks and impossible to guard dunks. DeQuan might have realized that you can't just dunk on everyone in college, but when his developing basketball IQ catches up to his out of this world athleticism, the hometown favorite from Wheeler High School will soon see his name at the top of the ranks in future potential NBA draft picks.

Not many can get up like this freak of nature.

See for yourself

Haven't had enough?

Other Honorable names in the Deep Georgia pool of the Class of 2008

#30 4 Star Howard Thompkins 6'8" Freshman Forward for the Georgia Bulldogs. Played for Oak Hill High School in his junior year and came back home to play for Wesleyan and led his school to a state championship.

#34 4 Star Wesley Witherspoon 6'8" Wing for the Memphis Tigers. Led Berkmar High School to the state playoffs year after year as he played guard and was nearly impossible to stop at the position.

#59 4 Star Ralph Sampson 6'11" Center for the Minnesota Gophers. Returned to Northview High School after winning three state titles with three separate teams and was reunited with the players he grew up and played with in middle school. He led the Northview Titans to their first state playoff appearance in school history as they lost in the elite 8 to Al-Farouq Aminu and the Norcross Blue Devils in an exciting showdown.

#116 3 Star Travis Leslie 6'6" Wing for the Georgia Bulldogs. Very underrated in high school with lots of upside. Led a powerful 4A team in Columbia to a state championship last year as they overcame top prospect Noel Johnson and Fayette County. Tremendous athleticism. Has the ability to score and is making some noise over at UGA as a true freshman.

2009's very own

Depth wise, the future Georgia freshman class of next year's NCAA season doesn't have much to offer but Derrick Favors is a force to reckon with as he was one of the most highly recruited stars in high school. After finally making a decision to play for Paul Hewitt's Jackets, The top center in the country's class of 09 looks to finish his high school career by bringing his South Atlanta Hornets a state championship. Expect this guy to help the Yellow Jackets become one of the top teams in the ACC once again. Favors hasn't really been challenged too much in high school and is looking for an opponent worthy of his skill set as he is ready for the toughest in the ACC's talented pool of players. Favors could quickly make a turnaround for the Yellow Jackets and could also become a top prospect for the 2010 NBA draft.

Derrick Favors has been watched over by many

college and NBA recruits as he continuously would

improve year after year

The rest of the Georgia 2009 class

#36 4 Star Mfon Udofia 6'2" Guard out of Miller Grove High School. Committed to Georgia Tech. Played on the same AAU team as J.J. Hickson, Dequan Jones, Lorenzo Brown, Richard Howell, Ari Stewart, and Tahj Tate. The Worldwide Renegades.

#38 4 Star Noel Johnson 6'6" Wing out of Fayette County High School. Committed to Southern California. Recognized as possibly the best shooter from any range in the entire state. Often times, when driving to the basket, Johnson would tease his home team fans as he would go up as if he was about to drop down a powerful dunk, but would finish with a layup that had finesse written all over it.

#43 4 Star Lorenzo Brown 6'4" Combo Guard out of Centennial High School. Committed to N.C. State. Led his team to the State Finals during his sophomore year, only to lose to Gani Lawal and Al-Farouq's Norcross Blue Devils. Played in the AAU circuit for the Worldwide Renegades and the Lou Will Elite. Currently is in the state playoffs as he looks to lead the #1 ranked team in the state to a championship.

#48 4 Star Glen Rice 6'4" Wing out of Walton High School. Committed to Georgia Tech. Son of former NBA star and pure shooter, Glen Rice. Plays alongside one of the top Juniors on the rise, Ryan Harrow. Has an unorthodox style of basketball that he seems to not know how to control when he plays but unleashes his true athleticism when least expected, by throwing down a terrible monster jam.

#51 4 Star Richard Howell 6'8" Forward out of Wheeler High School. Committed to N.C. State. A mobile big man who knows how to handle the ball up and down the court. Plays on the Worldwide Renegades.

#53 4 Star Ari Stewart 6'7" Wing out of Wheeler High School. Committed to Wake Forest. An athlete that surprises fans and opponents with his quick explosive style of athleticism. Has range from all over the court and is versatile in any way. A very underrated player at #53. Also plays on the Worldwide Renegades.

#61 4 Star Kenny Hall 6'8" Forward out of Redan High School. Committed to Tennessee. A member of the AAU team, The Georgia Stars. A little under most scout radars but a quiet young worker.

NA 3 Star Tahj Tate 6'3" Guard out of Wheeler High School. College Undecided. Transferred to Wheeler from the state of South Carolina before his Junior year. An explosive guard with a powerful drive. Loves to throw down monster dunks on fast breaks and takes advantage of the smallest of gaps on defense. You don't want to be under the basket when this guy has the ball. When you back up off of him to guard his drive, he will confidently shoot it from wherever he feels. Very underrated as not many scouts have noticed him. Yet...

-Jason C