Georgia has produced some of the finest high school basketball talents since 2000, with standout players making significant impacts in college and the NBA. Dwight Howard tops the list, a dominant force at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy, where he averaged 25 points and 18 rebounds, leading his team to a state title. Following him, Jaylen Brown led Wheeler High to a state championship before an impressive NBA career with the Boston Celtics, including a 2024 championship win.

Lou Williams, a South Gwinnett legend, made a name as the all-time leading scorer in Georgia high school history and became a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year. Rookie sensation Anthony Edwards made waves with Holy Spirit Preparatory, being picked first overall in the 2020 NBA draft. Finally, Isaiah Collier’s back-to-back state titles at Wheeler and subsequent successful debut season with the Utah Jazz round out this impressive cohort of Georgia hoopers.

The Utah Jazz secured an impressive 86-76 victory over the Washington Wizards in the Las Vegas Summer League, showcasing the talents of their 2024 first-round draft picks. Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier combined for a whopping 40 points, leading the Jazz to their first win of the tournament.

Williams led the team with 23 points, shooting 9 of 16 from the field, along with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. His performance was highlighted by three three-pointers and a team-high plus/minus of +15. Collier contributed significantly with 17 points on 7 of 17 shooting, adding two rebounds and three assists. The team's strong performance was further bolstered by Elijah Harkless, who scored 10 points with six assists, and Max Abmas, who added 15 points off the bench. The Wizards struggled, particularly from beyond the arc, shooting just 20% on three-pointers and turning the ball over 17 times. The Jazz will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matchup against the Chicago Bulls.

The Brooklyn Nets are eyeing their opportunities in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, where they hold the eighth overall pick. Amid speculation that Ace Bailey, a forward from Rutgers, may fall in the draft rankings, the Nets are reportedly one of the teams interested in trading up to secure him. Once projected as a top-three pick, Bailey's draft stock could be impacted by his agency's preference for him to remain on the East Coast, ideally somewhere between New York and Atlanta.

Amidst the intrigue, the Nets' interest aligns with reports that Bailey has not yet conducted any workouts with teams, making his situation even more unpredictable. If he drops to the Nets, it would present a significant opportunity for the franchise. As teams like the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Pelicans also vie for a shot at Bailey, the Nets must navigate a competitive landscape in the draft.

The New York Knicks are actively pursuing Jason Kidd as their next head coach following the firing of Tom Thibodeau. Kidd, currently with the Dallas Mavericks, has a positive relationship with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, having coached him in Dallas. However, obstacles exist, including whether the Mavericks will grant permission for the Knicks to speak with Kidd, and if Kidd himself would be interested in leaving his position.

Other candidates for the Knicks' head coach position include Ime Udoka, but it seems unlikely they would get a chance to interview him. The Knicks are seeking an experienced coach, ruling out younger options like Johnnie Bryant. Names like Mike Malone and Mike Brown are also on the radar, but each comes with their own concerns. The Knicks face a potentially messy coaching search without a clear frontrunner in sight.

The NBA's announcement of the 2025 All-Rookie teams revealed some notable omissions from the Utah Jazz. Despite receiving significant support, rookies Isaiah Collier and Kyle Filipowski did not secure spots on either the first or second team. Collier finished just one point behind the second team selection, with 52 points, while Filipowski garnered 19 points, making him the second-highest vote getter left off the list.

Stephen Castle from the San Antonio Spurs, who was unanimously voted as the Rookie of the Year, topped the first-team votes. The voting structure, involving 100 media members, awards two points for first-team votes and one point for second-team votes. Collier's 8.7 points and 6.3 assists per game showcase his potential, while Filipowski's efficiency with 50.2% shooting indicates a bright future for both players, despite their current recognition setback.