Next in the Nati Saturday Top Performers
Written by Tony Peters
Top Performers
Stehl Bates | 2026 | 6’0 SG | John Glenn | SEO Crush
SEO Crush had plenty of buzz due to the Maysville players on their roster. However, Bates was the one that stole the show against a high level Team Drifty team on Saturday. Bates was arguably the best shot maker on the floor against Drifty making shots off the catch as well as off the dribble drive. With the length Drifty’s guards brought to the table, Bates quickly adapted using the pump fake to then get into his drive and shot. Small colleges should keep an eye on Bates as he continues to play with Crush as well as this upcoming season with John Glenn.
Gator Nichols | 2026 | 6’0 CG | Maysville | SEO Crush
When everyone was talking about Crush this weekend, the first thing people mentioned was Nichols was part of that group. The Division IV Player of the Year struggled to get quality shots against the bigger defenders on Team Drifty, but he found other ways to get involved. A true combo guard, Nichols drew double teams and traps and possessed the vision to get teammates involved in the halfcourt. While he’s only 6’0, Nichols has that toughness factor and wasn’t afraid of going right at defenders to force a stop and kick. Nichols buried a few 3’s off the catch in transition to showcase his scoring touch. But his ability to get others involved when he wasn’t get shots up shows why Nichols is truly one of the best guards in the state.
Josiah Parker | 2025 | 6’6 PF | Combine Academy (NC) | Team Drifty
I could’ve put Parker in either the Saturday or Sunday top performers. I felt the FAU commit made his biggest impact Saturday against SEO Crush. I’ve seen Parker before this weekend and was impressed with his pace of play combined with athletic capabilities. Both were on display again as he was able to get whatever shot he wanted in the paint. Parker was solid with his finishing, getting floaters to fall if he wasn’t dunking. While Parker was clearly bigger than the opposing guards/wings, he showcased craftiness and shiftiness finishing in the paint in traffic. Even got some uncontested looks with his off-ball movement. Parker attracted the crowd “Woah” moment when he threw down a one-handed tomahawk dunk over a Crush defender, cementing that athleticism on full display. Parker plays with a ton of confidence when he’s on the floor and it becomes contagious throughout the duration of a game.
Marcis Ponder | 2026 | 6’11 C | West Oaks (FL) | Team Drifty
Ponder certainly caught eyes before any games even tipped off Saturday with his towering size and muscular build. At 6’11, Ponder exemplifies a true Center in today’s game. Excelled in the dunker spot, benefitting from dump passes and lob passes. Almost everything in the paint was a dunk for him against a much smaller SEO Crush team. Ponder runs the floor well and had some showcase moments in transition catching some alley-oops. The size he brings makes him a no brainer Division I target. I will be interested to see how Ponder affects the game when he has a similar sized big defending him. But his physicality and motor should give him an edge against whoever matches up.
AJ Williams | 2028 | 6’7 SF | Dutchtown (GA) | Team Drifty
The scary thing after the fact in researching Williams was the fact he’s playing up two levels at 17U. A 2028 prospect, Williams looked like a true 17U player with his 6’7 frame and scoring potential. He was a consistent lob threat for Team Drifty showcasing his vertical leap on the receiving end of alley-oops as well as some eye-catching dunks with the ball. Not only was Williams solid above the rim, but he extends his scoring outside the paint as he drilled the game-winning 3PT shot to beat SEO Crush Saturday afternoon. The fact Williams looks and plays the part as a younger player only magnifies the potential ceiling he has with further development and growth.