7/20/2014 football Edit

Peach Jam: Briscoe rises up

Dan McDonald

Rivals.com Basketball Recruiting Contributing National Analyst

THE RIVALS150: Class of 2014 | 2015 | 2016

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- The talent-laden Peach Jam event showcased more outstanding performances on Saturday. Isaiah Briscoe, Quinndary Weatherspoon and Alterique Gilbert all improved their stock in front of some of the nation's top coaches.

Briscoe comes through

The quarterfinal matchup between the Playaz and the Texas Titans featured several highly rated recruits, and the game did not disappoint.

In a game that came down to the last minute of the game, the Playaz pulled out 66-59 win and advanced to the semifinals in large part due to the play of five-star guard Isaiah Briscoe. Although not one of his better shooting games from the perimeter, his physicality allowed to score around the rim just about whenever he wants. His size, strength, versatility and ability to raise the level of play of his teammates is very similar to Marcus Smart, formerly of Oklahoma State and now with the Boston Celtics.

The Playaz also received significant contributions from Shakur Juiston, a bouncy 6-foot-7 power forward. Juiston consistently reeled in tough rebounds and finished in traffic. Word amongst coaches in attendance is that his recruitment will be taking off when he returns home from the Peach Jam.

Weatherspoon on the rise

Jackson Tigers guard Quinndary Weatherspoon came into the Peach Jam as a relative unknown. He's not going to leave that way. On Saturday morning, he had several head coaches taking in his game such as Anthony Grant, Mark Fox, Mike Anderson and Cuonzo Martin.

Despite losing to Team Penny, Weatherspoon pumped in 27 points. A wiry 6-foot-4 guard, the three-star prospect has a pure stroke (he was 5-for-9 from three-point range) and a nice mid-range game. Like a lot of kids his age, Weatherspoon will need to fill out his thin frame in order to be more effective off the dribble, but he's very tough despite his lack of strength. Long term, he looks to have potential to be a combo guard at the high-major level.

At the moment, he says Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Wichita State and Murray State have offered him a scholarship. He thinks Georgia will be next. Alabama and Auburn have also been showing heavy interest.

Gilbert goes for 31

Although CP3 didn't advance out of their pool at the Peach Jam, they did manage to win two games in large part due to the play of point guard Alterique Gilbert.

In a Saturday morning win over CIA Bounce, the Georgia native went for a quiet 31 points, if that's even possible. In a back-and-forth game, Gilbert made all the right decisions and big plays, whether it was creating for himself or his teammates. With his team down two mid-way through the second half, Gilbert rattled off nine straight points to put some distance between CP3 and CIA Bounce and that proved to be the difference in the game.

Gilbert, ranked 93rd in the 2016 Rivals150, currently holds offers from Auburn, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Miami, Texas A&M and Wake Forest.

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