Young and Porter Dominate Peach jam, Showcase future NBA Talent
In a performance that foreshadowed their future NBA careers, Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr. led their respective teams to a dominant, undefeated run at Peach Jam. Young, a highly touted prospect ranked No. 23 in the ESPN 100 for 2017, showcased his exceptional scoring and playmaking abilities, averaging 27 points, 7.2 assists,and 3.8 rebounds.Porter, ranked No. 2 in his class, was equally impressive, contributing 26.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, and three steals per game.
Young’s stellar freshman season at Oklahoma saw him lead the nation in both points and assists. His collegiate success translated directly to the professional level when he was selected fifth overall by the Dallas mavericks in the 2018 NBA Draft, immediately after which he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Porter’s impressive pre-NBA accolades included being chosen 14th overall in the same draft by the Denver Nuggets.
the Peach Jam has historically served as a proving ground for future NBA stars, and the performances of Young and Porter are consistent with this trend. Other notable talents who have shined at the prestigious AAU event include Jayson Tatum and Julius Randle.
Tatum, a formidable offensive threat, led the St. Louis Eagles (Missouri) to the 2015 title game,averaging 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. His combination of size and skill also propelled Chaminade college Prep (Missouri) to its second consecutive state title, earning him the Gatorade National Player of the Year award. Tatum continued his impressive trajectory at Duke,averaging 16.8 points,7.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.1 blocks before being selected third overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Isaiah Briscoe, former NBA guard
Isaiah Briscoe, known for his dynamic play and nicknamed “Must-See TV,” guided the NJ Playaz to the Peach Jam championship in 2014. His exceptional speed, quickness, and advanced ballhandling made him a tough matchup. Ranked No. 13 in the ESPN 100 for 2015, Briscoe averaged 19.2 points and five assists at Peach Jam, including a standout championship game performance with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists. He led Roselle Catholic School (New Jersey) to a state title before a accomplished two-year stint at Kentucky and signing with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Julius Randle, ranked No. 3 in the ESPN 100 for 2013, was a dominant force for the Texas Titans in 2012, showcasing his ability to score from anywhere on the court. The 6-foot-9 forward averaged 23.5 points and 12.5 rebounds, with a season-best game of 31 points and 17 rebounds. randle led Prestonwood Christian Academy (Texas) to a state title as a senior, posting averages of 32.5 points and 22.5 rebounds. He made a significant impact as a freshman at Kentucky, helping the Wildcats reach the Final Four, and was afterward chosen seventh overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the
