Strictly BBall Newsletter 4

Overtime Elite Season Preview, Karter Knox Shines & College Commitments

Got questions about OTE? We got you covered!

by Griffin Greenberg on October 24

Another week of big college commitments as we inch closer to the start of the season. This week’s edition of the Strictly BBall newsletter previews Overtime Elite’s league which features many 5-star recruits. One being Karter Knox, who is making his case as a top 5 player in the country!

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Strictly BBall Player of the Week

by Griffin Greenberg 

Karter Knox - 21.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.0 BPG, 1.0 SPG

Knox put together a dominant showing with Rod Wave Elite in Overtime Elite’s Jamboree event this past weekend. Knox is a dangerous player for defenses to try and stop on the court because of how much he can do offensively. His shot making is elite, giving him the ability to create off the dribble, his catch and shoot 3 point ability proved to be crucial for an RWE team that otherwise lacks in that area, and he has impressive athleticism that makes him a dominant force when driving.

Karter’s big moment was in the 2nd half in RWE’s game against Columbus and the Boozer Twins. He scored 21 2nd half points in that game and led RWE to a W against a team that many consider to be top 5 in the country. Following that game Karter said on the OTE broadcast that he believes he’s the best player in the country.

Strictly Joe’s Take

by Joe Doerrer

Karter might be the first OTE Season MVP in history without the last name Thompson. I was in Atlanta for Karter’s big opening weekend where he averaged 21.5 PPG. Following Karter’s 26 point performance against The Explorers I talked to some other spectators of the game. One comparison that came up for Karter was a young Paul Pierce. A Small Forward that can do it all on offense and uses big slow strides at times to get to his spots.

Overtime Elite Season Preview

by Joe Doerrer

Overtime Elite lost Amen and Ausar Thompson to the NBA Draft, but has added multiple 5 stars and a whole bunch of new teams to the league for this season.

I know a lot of people have questions about OTE, so I’m going to do my best to answer those questions by previewing all 8 teams competing for the 3rd OTE championship.

1. RWE

The name RWE comes from the viral AAU team created by YouTuber Cam Wilder. But this RWE OTE team, based in-house in Atlanta, is not just for content. This is a legit powerhouse high school basketball squad that already has a win against the Boozer Twins under its belt.

This squad is led by Karter Knox on offense, but they will really win games on defense. 4 star Daquan Davis compares his game to Marcus Smart. Kentucky commit Somto Cyril is one of the best rim protectors in the country. And Nathan Missia-Dio is a lengthy and athletic defensive swiss army knife.

RWE is the early front-runner for the title.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Karter Knox

2. Cold Hearts

The Cold Hearts are another team based in-house at the OTE facilities in Atlanta. Nobody expected this team to beat the Boozer Twins last weekend, but that is exactly what they did.

This squad is led by Brazilian 2024 NBA Draft prospect Reynan Dos Santos. He had 15 points in the win over The Explorers. The Cold Hearts also feature Purdue commit Kanon Catchings, a smooth 6’8 wing who is one of the best long term prospects inside that OTE building. Running the point for this squad is 5 star Junior Mikel Brown, a crafty score-first guard who hit a dagger 4 point play vs the Boozers. Holding down the paint for this squad is 4 star John Bol, a 7’2 center who is a defensive stalwart.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Reynan Dos Santos

3. City Reapers

The City Reapers may be the weakest of the 3 teams based in Atlanta, but the talent on this squad is still nothing to scoff at.

They feature 5-star 6’8 forward Bryson Tiller, who many are very high on as a future NBA Draft prospect. The leading scorer for this team last weekend was Amari Evans, a strong 6’5 guard that can score in a number of ways. The Reapers also have the only two 3rd year OTE players in Jah Jackson and Jalen Lewis as well as high flyer Jahki Howard. The X-Factor for this squad will be 5 star guard Tyler Jackson who was traded this week from RWE to the Reapers after a disappointing opening weekend.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Bryson Tiller

4. YNG Dreamerz

The next 5 teams are all NOT based in Atlanta, which will really expand the geographical reach of OTE this season.

Last season the Dreamerz were an Atlanta-based team that featured Izan Almansa, Jazian Gortman, and Alex Sarr. This season the Dreamerz are moving to North Carolina and will be led by Eli and Isaac Ellis. Last year Eli was in a role player position behind the Thompson Twins on the City Reapers. But now he will be back in the primary role ready to go for league MVP.

This team will really be hard to beat with the way they will move the ball and percentage they will shoot from behind the arch.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Eli Ellis

5. Rolling Loud

OTE has collabed with Rolling Loud in the past, but this season they have taken that partnership to another level with the naming rights to an entire team.

They are led by Creighton commit Larry Johnson, who I think is one of the most underrated players in the country. He is a super athletic 6’5 guard that plays with an incredible amount of energy and can fill it up in a hurry. This team also features one of the purest shot creators in the country in Naas Cunningham. Naas was once ranked No. 1 in the entire country, but after a somewhat disappointing season last year has fallen to No. 53. I am going to say this right now, it will become quite obvious that that rankings is too low. This duo will make a lot of noise at OTE this season.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Larry Johnson

6. Jelly Fam

One of the biggest basketball movements of the last decade, Jelly Fam, has made its comeback. The original Jelly Fam originated in New York, so of course the Jelly Fam OTE team is based in New York. And they have brought in some of the top talent in the state.

This team is headlined by 5 star guard Ian Jackson, a 6’5 uber athletic slasher that is nearly impossible to stop on his way to the rim. Jackson is currently committed to UNC and will be one of the premier talents in the OTE league this year. His backcourt partner will be Elijah Moore, a 6’4 bucket-getter that is ranked in the top 60 players in the 2024 class. Also joining Jelly Fam will be 4 star Mississippi State commit Deli Warren. That guard trio is going to be tough to stop this season.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Ian Jackson

7. Diamond Doves

The Diamond Doves won’t have any 5-star recruits, but are filled with a bunch of underrated hoopers out of Arizona.

Jeremiah Johnson is a 6’3 point guard for this team that is committed to Oklahoma State. Caelum Harris is an athletic Filipino wing that is committed to the University of Nevada. And Cooper Campbell is a steady 6’2 guard that is committed to Troy.

I don’t think anyone is expecting the Doves to compete for a OTE championship, but their experience and cohesiveness could catch teams by surprise.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Jeremiah Johnson

8. Blue Checks

The state of North Carolina will be represented well at OTE this season, and the Blue Checks have a chance to make some noise with this squad.

They are led by Kansas commit Rakease Passmore. Passmore has an NBA frame already and is a guy who can not be stopped in transition. Passmore has also made strides as a shooter, making him an all around offensive weapon. Jahseem Felton is another 4 star on this team, a 6’5 score-first guard that is committed to Seton Hall. That duo could allow the Blue Checks to compete with some of the more talented teams in OTE.

PROJECTED TEAM MVP: Rakease Passmore

Who is this? (Underrated Player Profile)

by Griffin Greenberg

Taj DeGourville of Wasatch Academy (UT)

Taj DeGourville has flown a bit under the radar throughout his high school career and currently stands at a 3-star on most sites. After helping lead Durango (Las Vegas, NV) to a Nevada Class 5A state championship this year, the San Diego State commit announced his transfer to Wasatch Academy where he will play on a national schedule. DeGourville is a great facilitator at the guard spot and can get tough buckets inside. He is a smart player that does a bit of everything on each end that makes winning plays and should find success with Wasatch and San Diego State. He should be a big reason for Wasatch possibly making our Top 10 Rankings throughout the season.

Major Event Schedules Announced

by Griffin Greenberg

Border League East (Arlington, VA) - October 27-29

• Highland School (VA) vs. Gonzaga (DC)

• DeMatha (MD) vs. Jackson Reed High School (DC)

• John Marshall (VA) vs. Mustangs (MD)

• Shabach Christian (MD) vs. Bishop O’Connell (VA)

5 For The Fight National Hoopfest (Pleasant Grove, UT) - November 20-21

Monday, Nov 20:

• Sunrise Christian (KS) vs. Alta (UT)

• No. 2 Link Academy (MO) vs. Canyon International Academy (AZ)

• No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL) vs. Wasatch Academy (UT)

Tuesday, Nov. 21:

• Wheeler (GA) vs. Corner Canyon (UT)

• Wasatch Academy (UT) vs. Orangeville Prep (CAN)

• American Fork (UT) vs. No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL)

• No. 10 AZ Compass (AZ) vs. No. 2 Link Academy (MO)

Weekly Recruiting Update

by Griffin Greenberg

Commitments

Class of 2024 5-star Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, NY) guard Boogie Fland has committed to Kentucky.

Class of 2024 4-star AZ Compass (Chandler, AZ) guard Del Jones has committed to Clemson.

Class of 2025 4-star Long Island Lutheran (Glen Head, NY) center Alier Maluk has committed to Florida State.

Class of 2024 4-star Corner Canyon (Draper, UT) forward Brody Kozlowski has committed to the University of Southern California.

Class of 2024 4-star Harker Heights (Harker Heights, TX) guard David Punch has committed to TCU.

Class of 2024 4-star JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, CA) forward Sebastian Rancik has committed to Colorado.

Class of 2024 4-star Combine Academy (Charlotte, NC) guard Jahseem Felton has committed to Seton Hall.

Class of 2024 4-star AZ Compass (Chandler, AZ) center Ethan Lathan has committed to Old Dominion.

Class of 2024 4-star Kenwood (Chicago, IL) forward Chris Riddle has committed to DePaul.

Class of 2024 4-star La Lumiere (La Porte, IN) guard Ace Buckner has committed to Clemson.

Class of 2024 3-star La Lumiere (Fort Erie International, CAN) guard Ishan Sharma has committed to Virginia.

Commitment Dates

Class of 2024 5-star forward Asa Newell is set to announce his college decision between Georgia, Texas, Alabama, and Gonzaga on October 25th.

Class of 2024 4-star guard Mikey Lewis is set to announce his college decision between Ole Miss, Illinois, and St. Mary’s on October 27th.

Class of 2024 4-star center Jaden Smith is set to announce his college decision between DePaul, Dayton, Arizona State, Fordham, and Loyola Chicago on October 27th.

Class of 2024 4-star guard Casmir Chavis is set to announce his college decision between Washington, Arizona State, West Virginia, and Georgia on October 27th.

Final Schools

Class of 2024 5-star forward Karter Knox is down to 4 options… Kentucky, South Florida, Louisville, and G-League Ignite.

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