The On3 Awards: 3rd annual Big Shots Prep Nationals
On3 was courtside along with hundreds of college coaches for Big Shots 3rd Annual Prep Nationals. The tournament brought 96 teams from around the United States and Canada to compete in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Truly the only event of its kind was a buffet of talent for college coaches and scouts to take in. Below are the On3 Awards from the three-day event.
Most Valuable Player
6-2 senior Elijah Jamison
Jamison answered the bell whenever Charlotte (NC) Liberty Heights needed a run. He handled the ball, kept it out of trouble, and went on a personal eight-point run that put Liberty Heights up in the final minutes of the championship game. He averaged 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists per game. Jamison claims offers from Wichita State, Middle Tennessee, Wilmington, and more.
Most Outstanding Player
6-1 freshman Eli Ellis
Ellis is a known commodity; highlight videographers follow him around every game he plays. However, the Hickory (NC) Moravian Prep freshman finds a way to produce. He went for 20 points in the second half of the championship game alone. He averaged 19 points per game and claimed offers from West Virginia and South Carolina.
Defensive Player of the Tournament
6-8 senior Ezra Ausar
Ausar is such a versatile defender. In the win against the top 15 ranked Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy, he held their high-major center to six points. In the championship game against Moravian Prep, Ausar played at the point of the press, guarding primarily guards. Also playing into this is rebounding, as Ausar is one of the best rebounders on the East Coast, averaging just over ten rebounds through his 28 game season. The 240-pound Ausar claims offers from Texas A&M, Wichita State, UMass, and others.
Top Freshman
6-6 freshman Efeosa Oliogu
This live-viewing was On3’s first of Oliogu, and we walked away impressed. The 6-foot-6 wing has a strong frame with the wing handle to get downhill and the shot-making ability to score at each level. The Toronto (CAN) United Scholastic Academy wing has early P5 offers from Providence, DePaul, and others.
On3 Awards 1st Team
6-5 junior Jelani Hamilton
Powder Springs (GA) Cumberland Academy
22.3 points per game
Claimed offers: Auburn, Georgia Tech, Xavier, Georgia, Virginia Tech, etc.
6-10 junior Carson Cooper
Bradenton (FL) IMG National Spotlight
15.3 points per game
Claimed offers: Duquesne, Vermont, Eastern Michigan, etc.
6-3 senior Takai Simpkins
Charlotte (NC) Liberty Heights Varsity
19.3 points per game
Committed to Illinois State
6-5 junior Freddie Dilione
Raleigh (NC) Word of God
22.3 points per game
Claimed offers: VCU, Xavier, Seton Hall, LSU, Providence, St. John’s, Virginia Tech, etc.
6-0 senior Jayden Epps
Lincolnton (NC) Combine Academy
17.7 points per game
Signed to Illinois
On3 Awards 2nd Team
6-10 senior Armani Mighty
Toronto (CAN) United Scholastic Academy
10 points per game
Signed to Boston College
6-2 junior Fred Payne
Spring (TX) Legacy School of Sport Sciences
14 points per game
Claimed offers: Houston, North Texas, etc.
6-7 senior Raphael Gay
Winston-Salem (NC) Christian
19.3 points per game
Claimed offers: N/A
6-5 junior Silas Demary
Charlotte (NC) Liberty Heights National
12 points per game
Claimed offers: St. John’s, VCU, Texas A&M, Povidence, etc.
6-6 junior Isaiah Coleman
Fort Washington (MD) National Christian
18.7 points per game
Claimed offers: Xavier, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, DePaul, etc.