Resurgence in Georgia Basketball
The state of Georgia has its fair share of basketball legends.
Headlined by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier (from Atlanta), the Peach State has put out some quality players.
Other players that have come out and made an impact in the NBA are: Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Marietta), Pervis Ellison (Savannah), World B. Free (Atlanta), and Dwight Howard (Atlanta), who still could possibly get some Hall of Fame nods from his reign as arguably the best Center in the league during his time with the Orlando Magic.
But some could say that Georgia hoops have fallen off and that Georgia high school phenoms haven’t lived up to the hype that were expected of them.
But in 2021, we have some players in the Association who have something to say about that.
Anthony Edwards from Atlanta was drafted No. 1 overall in November 2020 out of the University of Georgia by the Minnesota Timberwolves to take over some of the shooting guard duties.
The Holy Spirit alum has been making an instant impact as he’s been paired with young center Karl-Anthony Towns to build upon the Wolves’ future.
So far, the Ant-Man has averaged 13.6 points per game, 2.9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game in his rookie season.
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics has been having the breakout year that the league expected when he was picked third overall from the University of California, Berkley in the 2016 NBA draft.
The small forward out of Wheeler in Marietta has put up a career high 26.3 points per game, five rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.7 steals while leading his team to the top of the Eastern Conference with a 7-3 record.
Collin Sexton, nicknamed ‘Young Bull’ had high praises coming out of Pebblebrook in Marietta as basketball heads watched in awe at his basketball highlights.
In 2018, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Sexton eighth overall out of Alabama, officially beginning the post-LeBron James era as the 4-time champion left to the Los Angeles Lakers that same offseason.
In his third season, Young Bull is posting a career high in points and assists with 25.1 points per game and 3.5 assists per game while playing both guard positions.
Malcolm Brogdon, Greater Atlanta Christian alumni in Norcross headed to the University of Virginia after graduating in 2011.
The combo guard stayed all four years at Virginia and still was drafted and came into the league in 2016 and won Rookie of the Year while on the Bucks as a first year guy at 23-years old.
Brogdon is now on the Indiana Pacers averaging career highs 23.5 points per game and 7.4 assists per game while his team is fourth in the conference.
And lastly, the Fairburn native Wendell Carter attended Pace Academy in Atlanta before committing to Duke University.
Carter was drafted one pick ahead of Collin Sexton at No. 7 by the Chicago Bulls.
The center is still in the Windy City averaging career high 12.8 points per game and 7.8 rebounds.
Georgia has gained some big names in the league as of late, with the majority of them being early picks to transcend the franchise that drafted them.
Georgians, keep your eyes on these hoopers.
Written by: Gerald Thomas, III
