Another spring and summer has come and gone at Suwanee Sports Academy, and the 2015 travel ball season is officially behind us. A lot happened over the course of the last few months at SSA, and a lot of good basketball was played. There were memorable moments, players who exploded onto the scene, and scholarships that were earned. Here is a quick look back at all the action:

MVP: Wendell Carter, Georgia Stars

Thinking back on the best players that I saw all summer, my mind always goes back to Wendell Carter. The 2017 Pace Academy product was a monster every time out. With a college ready body and elite level skill set, Carter is going to be an absolute force over the course of the next couple years. In the heated debate on the top prospect nationally in the class of 2017, he would be my choice. This blue chipper will be fought over by the college basketball blue bloods. 

First Team All SSA

Udoka Azubuike, Georgia Stars: A monstrous physical presence, Azubuike’s size and strength were impossible to match up with all summer. Surprisingly, he did not take down any rims at SSA, which we were fearful of each time he stepped on the floor

Ikey Obiagu, Georgia Stars: Another Georgia Stars big man? Yes. Obiagu started his emergence at our Elite Preview in March and continued his march up the national rankings, blocking all kinds of shots along the way. He was easily the best defensive player that stepped in the building this year. 

Ephraim Tshimanga, Team Impact: From the Georgia Cup to Atlanta Jam to Best of the South to Summer Jam, we saw a lot of Tshimanga this year, and he made the best of his opportunities. The 2016 Allatoona point guard had some very memorable performances with us this year. 

Darius Allen, Team MOAM: A standout at Gibbons and Best of the South, Allen proved that he could be a stock riser over the course of the next few months. The Florida high flyer has athleticism for days and showed that he can be a true shooting guard, putting the ball on the floor and shooting it from the perimeter. 

Trent Frazier, Wellington Wolves: There were few players who made a bigger impression on me than Frazier. The lefty point guard came into Atlanta Jam a relative unknown, but that did not last long at all. Through Atlanta Jam and Best of the South, Frazier proved that he has the abilities to play with anyone and should be considered a high major target for Power Five schools. 

Second Team All SSA

DJ Bryant, Team Speights: Bryant was one of many guards for Team Speights that were impressive at SSA this summer. His ability to control the point combined with his leadership and passing ability made for some of the most impressive performances that we saw from the point guard spot all year.

Chaundee Brown, SE Elite: There were few guards who provided the physical presence that Brown did at SSA this summer. A monster on both sides of the floor, Brown was relentless each and every time we saw him. His ceiling is incredibly high, and he proved that he should be on high major radars. 

Darius Perry, Game Elite: Coming off of a state title with Wheeler, Perry was a player we were used to seeing. But that didn’t stop him from impressing at SSA this year. Perry has a tenacity that is hard to match, and it seemed like he was out on a mission to prove his status among the elite 2017 guards in the nation. 

Zion Williamson, SC Hornets: One of the biggest discoveries of the Summer was this 2018 Spartanburg product playing in the 16U division of Gibbons. And dominating at that. Williamson looked like a no brainer high major prospect who can really fill it up on the offensive end. Remember this name. 

Javien Williams, Birmingham Storm: One of the best performers that we saw this Spring, Williams was a top performer at Atlanta Jam and Gibbons. He made his living attacking the rim and scoring the ball at will. Our own Garrett Tucker warned us about him coming into Atlanta Jam, and he was absolutely right. 

Best Individual Performance

Markelle Fultz, DC Blue Devils, UAA Finals vs. Sports U: This one was a no-brainer for me. 29 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists from the point guard position says a lot, but throw in the plays that don’t show up in the scorebook and putting a defender on a poster with maybe the most impressive single play I saw all summer and you have a special performance. Special enough for me to consider Fultz a top five player in 2016.

Best Game

Travelers vs. PSB Select, BOTS Quarterfinals: Basketball purists eat your heart out. This one was nothing but fun from start to finish. Great matchups all over the board, and a fantastic finish with a game winning spinning layup from Jordan Shepherd made for a memorable game that we will talk about until the next BOTS. 

Best Matchup

Ikey Obiagu vs. Zach Brown, Nike MDC: When the 16U Georgia Stars and Nike Team South Beach were set to clash, the matchup between these two giant 7-footers was a must-see. They went back and forth, attacking each other and testing one another’s shot blocking abilities. This one was a fun matchup between two elite high major big men. 

Best Overall Tournament Performance

Udoka Azubuike, Georgia Stars, Bob Gibbons TOC: Physically dominating every game, Azubuike dunked his way to the MVP of the 17U division at Gibbons. Nobody could stop the big man from working his way into the lane, and once he catches there, it’s game over for the defense. 

Best Sleeper To Emerge

Jules Jasmin, Savon’s Academy: Emerging onto the scene on the opening night of Gibbons against Stackhouse Elite, Jasminput up huge scoring numbers through that tournament and again at BOTS. This 2017 Palm Beach prospect is a flat out bucket getter and should be on the radars of MM & HM coaches. 

Most Exciting Performer

Devontae Shuler, SC Hornets: Not seeing Shuler at Gibbons was slightly disappointing, but he came back with a vengeance at Nike MDC. He was entertainment in its purest form, with an ability to score the ball from every level along with some electrifying dunks that had the gym buzzing.