The Georgia Hoopstars routinely produce competitive teams that compete at #TeamPSB events. Photo cred – Ty Freeman/#PSBTipOffClassic
The Georgia Hoopstars concluded another successful campaign on the travel circuit. Coach JD Davis’ group competed on the biggest stages in front of hundreds of college coaches which provided invaluable exposure for his players from the Metro-Atlanta area. Here is the rundown on this year’s season.
Coach JD Davis
By: @JLHemingwayPSB
Program Director
JD Davis
Program Headquarters
Lilburn, Ga.
Official Twitter
Class of 2016 Jonnae Johnson
PeachStateBasketball.com Tournaments Attended:
#PSBPreSeason
#PSBSpringShowdown
#PSBTipOffClassic
#PSBMayDay
#PSBRealDeal
#PSBElite32 Session I & II
#PSBEndoftheRoad
Alumnae Catch-up
Kianna Holland played for the Georgia Hoopstars in front of packed crowds at PeachStateBasketball.com events.
There are several former Hoopstars achieving success at the next level. Kaliyah Mitchell enters her junior year at Penn State after earning Academic All-Big Ten honors last season. She also led the Lady Lions in rebounds (7.0) per game while also averaging 8.3 points per game. Breanna Richardson also enters her junior year at Mississippi State after starting 14 games for coach Vic Schaefer. She averaged 8.4 points and 5.7 rebounds per game last season. She also was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team two seasons ago. Also keep an eye on Kiana Holland who will finally get her chance to suit up for the Buckeyes at Ohio State. After transferring from Duke and being medically red-shirted another year, she enters her third year of college but is just a freshman with her eligibility.
Highlights of Holland courtesy of @BrandonClayPSB and @KrisWatkinsPSB
Committed Players
Faustine Aifuwa – LSU
Sydney Fields – FIU
Tyra Johnson – Auburn
Class of 2016 Khari Jernigan
Notable Uncommitted 2016 Players
Tamecia Blue
Kamera Harris
Kiersten Hunter
Khari Jernigan
Jonnae Johnson
Christina Massey
Jazmine Smith
Program Vision JD Davis:
Coach JD Davis first got into the girls grassroots basketball when his daughter, Sparkle, began competing in 1995. Through the process of helping Sparkle sign with Auburn out of high school, coach Davis realized that he could help other players in the future. In 2002 Davis created the Georgia Hoopstars and joined the #PSBFamily in 2006.
Class of 2019 Kimia Carter
Coach Davis had this to say for the focus of the Hoopstar program, “I am going to keep doing this as long as I can help players get scholarships. Seeing players have success and go on to the next level is what excites me.”
Coach Davis went on to talk about the process that is necessary for success, “We always strive to be competitive. We want to play in championship games and be seen on @SUVtv. But in the end what matters most is helping kids get an education.”
With so many choices available to prospects, coach Davis said this, “As long as a player and their family are realistic, we will be able to get them the opportunities needed.”
Season Highlights
The Hoopstars have played in many memorable games over the years at #TeamPSB events. This year was no different, but coach Davis mentions one game in particular. He says, “One of the best games of the summer was at the #PSBRealDeal where we played Team Takeover EYBL. The back row was packed with college coaches.”
Coach Davis went on to say, “What I like the best from the summer circuit is where we can play the best teams from around the country. The exhibition schedules at #TeamPSB events allow us to get the games that we would not otherwise get.”
The Hoopstars were also a feature team in nearly every Championship Sunday at PSB tourneys. As coach Davis mentioned again, “We love playing on @SUVtv and playing for championships. It gives our team and players a great level of visibility.”
Individual Standouts
LSU commit Faustine Aifuwa
Add 6-foot-5 center Faustine Aifuwa of Dacula, Ga., to the list of Hoopstar alumnae that will play on television in future years. Aifuwa recently gave her verbal commitment to coach Nikki Fargas at LSU. The No. 91 ranked player in the class of 2016 became one of the most pursued prospects nationally. Her ability to block or alter shots in the lane will give Aifuwa an opportunity to contribute immediately in Baton Rouge. Her offensive output is on a steady incline in recent evaluations.
Point guard Tyra Johnson of Decatur, Ala., joined the Hoopstars this season. Johnson and Aifuwa made one of the most formidable inside-out combinations nationwide. Johnson, who is ranked No. 117 per ProspectsNation.com, gave her verbal commitment to Auburn University this fall. Her play-making ability was first seen at the #CoachHemiShowcase in March of 2014. Since then, Johnson solidified her reputation as a point guard who can put up numbers with the ball in her hands.
Highlights of Tyra Johnson courtesy of @KrisWatkinsPSB
Other standouts from this year’s season with the Hoopstars included class of 2016 post Kamera Harris of Hampton, Ga. The 6-2 post player is one of the best available post players in the Southeast. The Harris and Aifuwa combo along the front-line made it impossible for teams to get a clean look inside.
Class of 2016 Jazmine Smith
Guard Jonnae Johnson of Dacula, Ga., could be considered the engine of the Hoopstars back court. Her constant energy on both ends of the floor made her a favorite of ProspectsNation.com evaluators. Also point guard Jazmine Smith of Lawrenceville, Ga., had a solid season with coach Davis’ group. Her leadership and ball handling gave her several looks from college coaches this summer. Guards Tamecia Blue of Dutchtown, Ga., and Kiersten Hunter of Lilburn, Ga., gave the Hoopstars plenty of depth as ball handlers and defenders. Christina Massey of Snellville, Ga., is one of the top available forwards in Gwinnett County. At 6-1 she has length, athleticism and projects as a versatile forward at the next level. Finally, senior Sydney Fields of Ga., was a late addition to the roster for the fall weekend. Her athleticism showed very brightly on the big stage at the #PSBEndoftheRoad, which resulted in a scholarship offer from Florida International University. She accepted that offer a few weeks later.
Future
Class of 2017 Abbie Franklin
The Hoopstars have a roster loaded with talent for the future. The class of 2017 features guards Tatum McQuillen of Gainseville, Ga., and Abbie Franklin of Homer, Ga., who both had solid performances on the fall evaluation weekend. Add in forward Alex Bolling and Alaina Bock both of Dacula, Ga., and coach Davis’ team should have plenty of size along the frontline.
Class of 2018 JahChe Whitfield
Coach Davis was particularly excited about the 2018 additions in Jah’Che Whitfield and Destinee Jordan both of Columbia, S.C., who bring athleticism and play-making to the roster. Finally, the Hoopstars having a budding star in Kimia Carter of Chattanooga, Tenn., in the class of 2019. Her size and athleticism at a young age have her the radar as a must-track guard in the region.
ProspectsNationTV presented by the SUVtv: Georgia Hoopstars vs. Team Takeover from #PSBRealDeal
Jonathan Hemingway is the Assistant Director of Scouting for the JumpOffPlus.com International Scouting Report, is on the Naismith Trophy Board of Selectors and owns CoachHemi.com, the go-to source for coaches for X’s and O’s. He is the floor director of #TeamEBA camps, a site director for #TeamPSB tournaments and can be reached at [email protected].
