Peach Jam: Day 1 Top Performers
North Augusta, South Carolina – Many of the nation’s top high school basketball players came together in South Carolina to compete for Nike’s Peach Jam title. On3 was courtside with other pre-approved media and NBA Scouts to watch the talent.
Let’s discuss the top performers that I saw from day one of Peach Jam.
On3 MVP: Four-star SF Jackson McAndrew
Jackson McAndrew was never rushed when he had the ball, showcasing a smooth and efficient floor game. McAndrew’s superpower is his shooting; at a lengthy 6-foot-8, he is comfortable off the catch, off movement, or off the pull-up.
He will need to continue adding weight, bringing strength to his core and his base. However, McAndrew’s ball skills and production are tough to ignore at this point. He is comfortable handling the ball in the open floor, pushing the break, and making reads. McAndrew, who is currently ranked No. 47 in the 2024 On3 150, is also tougher than his frame would suggest, mixing it up around the basket, snagging area rebounds, and affecting shots around the rim.
McAndrew finished with 31 points, going 11-for-19 from the field with 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
2. Four-star SF Drake Powell (UNC)
Drake Powell is considered one of the better connecting pieces in the 2024 class. For starters, the 6-foot-6 wing, who is committed to North Carolina, is a premier perimeter defender. He uses his long arms and quick anticipation to both guard the ball and aggressively get in the passing lanes.
He is also a capable ball handler in the half-court. Powell is a quick processor, and while he is not a paint-touch type, he delivers good reads and can make plays in the pick-and-roll. The game-changer today for Powell was the shooting. A sub-20 percent three-point shooter on the year, he finished 3-for-3 from beyond the arc and 7-for-10 from the field in this one.
Winning things seem to follow Powell around, and his 20 points today helped Team CP3 get a 22-point win.
3. Five-star SF Cooper Flagg (2025)
On the day he was named the new No. 1 player in the 2025 On3 150, Cooper Flagg led his Maine United team to a 20-point win. The shot was not falling for the 6-foot-8 wing, but he had his fingerprints firmly on the rest of the game. Flagg is a premier defensive presence. His timing and instincts on that end of the floor can change the course of a game.
Not only is Flagg one of the nation’s best shot blockers, but he can also slide his feet and guard on the perimeter. His length and instincts get him deflections in the passing lanes, truly guarding one through five in this game. Offensively, Flagg had trouble finding spacing. Each time he touched the ball, the defense collapsed. Flagg had no issue spreading the ball around to find teammates for open looks, showcasing high-level court vision and precise passing touch.
Flagg finished with 7 points, on 3-for-10 from the field. He also added 12 rebounds, 10 blocks, 6 assists, and 2 steals in the win.
4. SF Jaylan Mitchell (2027)
This was my first live viewing of Jaylan Mitchell, and it left a lasting impression. The 6-foot-6 wing from Evansville, Indiana, has a smooth game. He is comfortable handling the ball in the half-court, getting to the basket or stepping into his shot. He is also a good rebounder, collecting boards in his area using his soft hands and long arms.
His recruitment is just starting, On3 will not be ranking the 2027 class for more than 12 months. However, his 18 points and 4 rebounds on 4-for-8 from three is a good place to start.
5. SF AJ Dybantsa (2026)
The game simply comes easy to some, AJ Dybantsa is one of those guys. The 6-foot-8 wing, who is playing up two age groups, showcased an array of scoring chops, capable of getting his buckets at multiple levels, creating his offense in the half-court off two or three dribbles.
Dybantsa is a lengthy wing with a projectable frame. He has explosive pop, which helps create separation, but it is his footwork that has been developing the most over the last couple of months. He has a smooth shooting stroke, capable of burying deep threes, but his work from 18 feet and in is where he gets his work done.
On3 has not ranked the 2026 class and will not do so for another couple of months. However, Dybantsa is trending as the top prospect in that class and one of the best in all of high school basketball. He finished with 21 points in the narrow loss today.
6. Four-star SG Jalil Bethea
You can be sure that Jalil Bethea is going to go out and produce numbers. He has done it all travel season long, averaging 18.6 points, and leading the best team on Nike’s EYBL Circuit in scoring during the regular season. The long-armed 6-foot-4 guard also shot 42.6 percent from three.
Bethea’s Team Final squad took home a 12-point win on day one of Peach Jam. Bethea went out and did what he has done all season, finishing with 19 points on 7-for-11 from the field and 3-for-6 from three. He plays with an extra sense of confidence, playing aggressive defense and talking a little bit of that talk on the floor. Bethea bumped up to No. 14 in the recent 2024 On3 150 update.
Other notables
Five-star SF Karter Knox (Florida Rebels) is explosive. He sat a good bit of the first half with foul trouble but came alive in the second. The younger brother of Kevin Knox, Karter, handled the ball well and made good decisions. His aggressive straight-line drives got him to the rim or the free-throw line. He finished with 19 points on 5-for-9 from three.
Four-star C Marial Akuentok (UPlay Canada 17s) knows who he is as a player, and there is a lot of value in that. He protected the rim, rebounded with two hands in traffic, and finished around the basket. He had 8 points and 10 rebounds.
Four-star SG Joson Sanon (Expressions 17s) was lights out in the first half. He has a smooth game, never forcing the action. The jump shot is pure, and he was able to get into the paint, attack closeouts, and finish plays. He had 20 points.
Four-star PF Chris Cenac (LivOn 17u) is an intriguing prospect. You immediately notice the length and his mobility. He is not afraid to mix it up around the paint, is a good area rebounder, and has defensive instincts. Raw but productive, and the upside is clear.
Four-star PG Jase Richardson (Paul George Elite) has incredible poise on the floor. He has a crafty handle, gets to his spots, and just exudes confidence when the ball is in his hands. He had 14 poitns and 5 rebounds in tonight’s win.
Four-star SF Tounde Yessoufou (Team WhyNot 17u) simply makes the plays that win ball games. He is a lengthy and strong-framed 6-foot-6, and the defense plays at multiple positions. He straight-line drives to the rim in the half-court, and he is a good rebounder. There may be some aesthetic questions at times, but you never question the production at the end of the day.
In a game where shot-making comes at a premium, four-star SF Isaiah Evans (Team Cp3) is an ultimate shot-maker. The 6-foot-6 Duke commit is capable of getting his shot off, off the catch, at any level, and his next shot is always the best shot.
Four-star PG Nyk Lewis (Team Takeover 17s) is tough as nails. He defends the point of attack, and he is not afraid of the moment. Lewis came up with two loose balls at the end of the game and knocked down his free throws as the game wound down.
2026 SF Cole Cloer (Team CP3 15s) is an intriguing class of 2026 wing. He has a great frame with good length and is very bursty, playing above the rim in traffic. He was also confident with his jump shot, knocking down a catch and shoot three as well as a two-dribble pull-up.
2026 SF Jalen Montonati (MoKan 15s) got hot in the second half of his game and got his flame thrower working. he finished the game with 23 points, going 4-for-7 from three. He has good size at 6-foot-6 and plays with a great motor and the utmost confidence.
Four-star PG Jerry Easter (All Ohio 17s) played an aggressive game. Even with the shot not falling, he was able to touch the paint and make some plays. The class of 2025 guard had 16 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
Four-star PF Morez Johnson (Meanstreets) plays with aggression. He is a powerful player on the block, chasing rebounds and wanting contact to finish through. The 6-foot-7 Illinois commit is a no-nonsense type of player. You know what you’re getting, and he delivers.
2027 PG Patrick Otey (Expressions 15s) plays with a lot of sauce and is in total command of what is going on on the court. He is a crafty passer with excellent vision. Otey has a great handle with an excellent change of pace and direction and he knocked down shots with range. He bled confidence.
Four-star PG Bishop Boswell (Team CP3) is one of those guys who simply makes plays, and that is his appeal. The point guard touched the paint, where he delivered consistent reads. He also knocked down shots at each level. He finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in the win.
Three-star C Daniel Jacobsen (JL3) is a legit 7-footer with fluidity and touch. While he will need to continue adding strength, the way he moves and the shooting range give intrigue toward his upside.
Three-star C Emmanuel Stephen (Paul George Eltie) had complete control of the paint tonight. He is an excellent rebounder with strong hands and great instincts to go get it. He finished with dunks around the rim and blocked shots. Stephen had 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in tonight’s win.