ATLANTA — Over 75 college and NBA scouts attended the Overtime Elite Pro Day this week, including 29 of the 30 NBA teams and more than 70 college personnel.
OTE has some of the best prospects in the country, and coaches from over 60 programs showed up including North Carolina’s Hubert Davis, LSU’s Matt McMahon, Auburn’s Bruce Pearl, Missouri’s Dennis Gates, Kim English from Providence, Virginia’s Tony Bennett and many others.
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The event started with each positional group going through skill workouts, then transitioned into 3-on-3 and 5-on-5. Here’s what I saw:
The MVPs
Tyler Jackson
• 6-foot-2, guard
• Class of 2025
• No. 16 in 247Sports Composite
• Uncommitted
5⭐️ PG Tyler Jackson put on a show at the @OvertimeElite combine
Very poised and can get anywhere on the floor when he wants. He was the most consistent player in the gym
Syracuse, Auburn, Texas, TCU, Indiana, Kansas, Louisville, NC State, Tennessee, North Carolina, LSU,… pic.twitter.com/qNZFNz0jp1
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) September 19, 2023
No one was more consistent at the combine than Tyler Jackson, as he led the event in assists and finished top 5 in scoring. Jackson plays at his own pace and is always in control when the ball is in his hands. Good shooter off the dribble, especially from the mid-range. You could tell the other prospects loved playing with Jackson as he made them better and allowed them to showcase their strengths. Five-star prospect Karter Knox and Jackson had a good rapport along with Kentucky commit Somto Cyril. Jackson is currently the No. 3 point guard in the 2025 class, but he could see his ranking go up if he continues to play at a high level.
Jahki Howard
• 6-foot-6, forward
• Class of 2024
• No. 71 in 247Sports Composite
• Uncommitted
Another standout was 4⭐️Jahki Howard (@showtime_ki)
Made highlight-reel plays and made shots. Highly talented kid. If he can put it all together……. Watch out
He recently visited Arizona State @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/xWevZ5iFRV
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) September 19, 2023
Arguably the most naturally gifted prospect in the gym, Howard has always been an elite athlete but showcased he can make shots off the dribble at a reasonable clip. When he makes shots, he is tough to guard because of his ability to finish above the rim. He’ll need to improve as a shooter off the catch, but he is an excellent cutter who punishes defenders trying to alter his shot at the rim. He could be a star at the next level if he can put it all together. Howard recently took a visit to Arizona State, but his recruitment is still wide open.
Potential future draft picks
Bryson Tiller
• 6-foot-8, forward
• Class of 2025
• No. 7 in 247Sports Composite
• Uncommitted
Here’s a few clips of 5⭐️ Bryson Tiller (@brysontiller_11)
He gets better each time I see him. Jump-shot has improved, underrated as a playmaker, physical gifted forward that is a mismatch problem @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/iRFiaXsScn
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) September 19, 2023
Tiller was arguably the most pro-ready prospect with his ability to stretch the floor and use his physical gifts (top 7 in standing reach and wingspan) to score at will. He gets better each time I see him, and at the combine he made shots all over the floor. He has the potential to be an elite pick-and-pop prospect. He handles it better than given credit for and is an underrated passer. He made a few eye-opening passes to free his teammates up for easy baskets. Tiller currently has 21 Division I offers including North Carolina, Kansas, Georgia Tech, Auburn, Ole Miss and Virginia. All of them except Kansas and Ole Miss had their head coach in attendance.
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Karter Knox
• 6-foot-5, guard
• Class of 2024
• No. 11 in 247Sports Composite
• Uncommitted
Here’s a few highlights of Kentucky commit Somto Cyril and 5⭐️Karter Knox @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/QP8jiG0933
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) September 19, 2023
In May, Knox cut his list to eight: LSU, Arkansas, G League Ignite, Kentucky, Florida State, USF, and Auburn.
Except for Arkansas, all those programs had their eyes on the No. 11 prospect as he made one tough shot after another. He displayed why he could be a potential draft pick in two years. Knox is the brother of former Kentucky star and NBA player Kevin Knox. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound forward is one of eight top-15 prospects in the 2024 class who haven’t committed to a school yet. Knox is a big-time shotmaker who can score in bunches when needed. Many Kentucky fans would love to see him follow his brother’s footsteps and commit to the Wildcats, but there’s no update on when his decision will be made, Knox and Cyril did play well together and have chemistry.
Most intriguing underclassmen
Marcis Ponder
• 7-foot, center
• Class of 2026
• Unranked but will be soon
• Uncommitted
Ponder was the best big man in the gym while also being one of the youngest. He is a physically imposing prospect who moves opposing defenders out of the way for rebounds or tough finishes around the rim. Will need to get in better shape but still plays with a high motor. 2024 Missouri commit Peyton Marshall and Ponder went at it during the 3-on-3 portion while Ponder looked good as a low-post defender. He held his ground, contested shots without fouling and grabbed almost every defensive rebound. Offensively, he’s a next-level screener, finishes well at the rim and has shown flashes of being able to make mid-range jumpers. Ponder had the longest wingspan (7-foot-7.5) and hands (10.5 inches) at the combine. He already holds offers from Alabama, Florida State, Mississippi State, UCF and Chicago State.
Lincoln Cosby
• 6-foot-9, forward
• Class of 2027
• Unranked but will be soon
• Uncommitted
If Cosby develops properly, he could be the best prospect in the 2027 class and could hear his name called by Adam Silver. Although he has a long way to go until then, the tools are there, and for a 14-year-old to hold his own with 17-, 18- and 19-year-olds is impressive. He proved that he belonged. His jump shot is coming along mechanically, but the intangibles, skill set and natural gifts like height and length are all there. It’s easy to see why scouts are high on the 6-foot-9 forward with an 8-foot-10 standing reach. He moves well and has the handle to match. His versatility will be his calling card as he continues to develop. Cosby is a name to monitor for years to come.
Best committed prospects
Daquan Davis
• 6-foot-1, guard
• Class of 2024
• No. 126 in 247Sports Composite
• Providence commit
Providence coach Kim English sat courtside watching his future point guard put on a show as he was able to get in the lane whenever he wanted to create shots for others. He was second at the Pro Day in assists. You could see the smile on his face when Davis made a big shot or a splash play to get a bucket. Davis was a top-3 guard at the event and will fit in nicely with English’s style when he arrives on campus. Adding Davis was a great start on the recruiting trail for English and staff.
Another standout was Providence commit Daquan Davis (@thedaquandavis)
Was one of the better guards in the gym, made shots at a high-level.
Kim English was in attendance @TheAthleticCBB pic.twitter.com/GMCXZbqc2T
— Tobias Bass (@tobias_bass) September 20, 2023
(Photo: Courtesy of Extra Eyes Media)