Player of the Week
Ronald Holland II, F, G League Ignite
Season Stats: 19.5 PTS, 6.7 REB, 3.1 AST, 44.3 FG%
It is impossible to talk about Ignite without talking about Ronald Holland II. Holland II was the top player in 247Sports 2023 recruit rankings. Instead of going the college route, Holland II chose to play professionally for Ignite of the G League. In his one year with Ignite, Holland II has shown why he was a top prospect. The 6’ 8” forward is averaging over 19 points per game in addition to over 6 rebounds and 3 assists. This stat line is impressive considering the fact that the Texan has to share the ball with talented teammates like Matas Buzelis, Izan Almansa, London Johnson, and Tyler Smith. In two recent contests, Holland II has put up performances of 31 and 25 points. Efforts like this are why Ronald Holland II is seeing his name rising back up draft boards after struggling mightily in the first few months of the season.
Who’s Hot?
Alexandre Sarr, C, NBL
Season Stats: 9.5 PTS, 4.1 REB, 0.8 AST, 52 FG%
Alexandre Sarr has gotten a lot of attention in his short professional career. Sarr, a 7’ 1” center from France, is back on the floor after missing time with injury and has been impressive in his return. The Frenchman played for Overtime Elite from 2021-2023. From there, Sarr decided to join the Perth Wildcats of the NBL. The numbers for Sarr will not blow you away; Sarr is averaging under 10 points per game. That being said, the fluid-moving center is only 18 years old and is only playing 17.3 minutes per game. In late December, Sarr suffered a hip injury keeping him out until the end of January. But in his second game back, Sarr put up a career-high 18 points to go along with 5 blocks – all just in 19 minutes. Alexandre Sarr is a modern center, one that can move better than most his size. Expect the talented big man to potentially be a top-five pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Jacob Toppin, SF, G League
Season Stats: 20.4 PTS, 8.1 REB, 2.5 AST, 52.6 FG%
Jacob Toppin has a surprise so far in his professional career. Jacob, the younger brother of Pacers PF Obi Toppin, played at Rhode Island and Kentucky in his collegiate career. As a senior with the Wildcats, Toppin averaged 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. After going undrafted in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Brooklyn native signed a two-way contract with the neighboring New York Knicks (his brother’s former team). In the G League, Toppin is scoring over 20 points per game and has recent performances of 32 and 36. Toppin has played so well that he has Knicks fans clamoring for his services.
Who’s Not?
Rocco Zikarsky, C, NBL
Season Stats: 3.3 PTS, 2.3 REB, 0.2 AST, 58 FG%
Rocco Zikarsky is one of the youngest players you will see in professional basketball. Zikarsky, a 7-foot-3-inch center, is only 17-years-old. While it is hard to penalize someone so young, the Australian has not played a big role to date. Zikarsky is averaging only 3.3 points per game and is playing a mere 7.1 minutes per game. Part of the reason the big man is not playing much is because he is behind two other centers on the roster. The NBL’s Next Star is with the Brisbane Bullets next year and is not NBA draft-eligible until 2025. Hopefully, Zikarsky can see more playing time and help his draft stock.
Izan Almansa, PF, G League Ignite
Season Stats: 10.0 PTS, 7.4 REB, 1.5 AST, 58.9 FG%
Izan Almansa is a 6’ 10” power forward from Spain. Despite being only 18 years old, Almansa has played in a bunch of different leagues. And Internationally the Spaniard played for the FIBA U16, U17, and U18 teams. Professionally Almansa has played for Overtime Elite and G League Ignite. This season with Ignite, Almansa has had varied success. In some games, the power forward has taken over in the paint with several double-double performances. In other games, Almansa has struggled to score – he has only scored 15 points in the last four games (before a 20-point performance after writing). With more consistency, Almansa could end up being a first round prospect.
Top 5 Future NBA Prospects from Overtime Elite
5. John Bol, C
Season Stats: 11.5 PTS, 10.8 REB, 1.4 AST, 60.0 FG%
No, John Bol is not related to Manute Bol or Bol Bol. That being said, the 7-2 big man’s game shows some similarities to the pair. Bol is the 37th-ranked player in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports. Bol committed to Ole Miss in November. As a member of Cold Hearts in OTE, Bol is averaging a double-double. To go along with his over 11 points per game, Bol is averaging almost 11 rebounds. The big man’s future is bright with the Rebels.
4. Rakease Passmore, SF
Season Stats: 19.5 PTS, 5.4 REB, 2.5 AST, 48.6 FG%
Rakease Passmore has one of the best names you will see in basketball. Ironically, Passmore might be advised to pass less due to his impressive shooting in Overtime Elite. The 6’ 5” small forward is a four-star in the class of 2024. Rated as the 48th overall player by 247Sports, Passmore committed to play for the Kansas Jayhawks over the likes of Indiana, Houston, Florida State, Memphis, Tennessee, and others. With Blue Checks of OTE, Passmore is shooting a solid 48.6% from the floor including a respectable 32.4% from three. I expect big things from Rakease Passmore.
3. Eli Ellis, PG
Season Stats: 33.8 PTS, 6.0 REB, 4.4 AST, 44.9 FG%
While not NBA Draft eligible until 2026, Eli Ellis has been a star in Overtime Elite. The North Carolina native is ranked a four-star prospect by 247Sports. Ellis will stay close to home as he committed to play college basketball with the South Carolina Gamecocks. The 6’ 1” point guard is scoring almost 34 points a game to go along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. OTE’s leading scorer has two games this season with 50 points. Additionally, Ellis has two double-doubles in just 13 games. Ellis has proved he can score with the best of them and has an incredibly bright future in basketball.
2. Karter Knox, SF
Season Stats: 22.1 PTS, 6.7 REB, 2.6 AST, 42.4 FG%
Karter Knox has been a stud in Overtime Elite. Knox, the Florida native stands at 6-foot-6-inches. Knox is a five-star according to 247Sports Composite Ranking. The 18th overall player in the class of 2024 is expected to commit to the Kentucky Wildcats. The small forward is scoring over 22 points per game with RWE of Overtime Elite. Knox’s best game this season features a stat line of 34 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Karter’s older brother Kevin is a forward in the NBA and the younger Knox’s play in OTE has shown that he has good genes. Karter Knox is draft-eligible in 2025 and will likely become a first-round pick.
1. Ian Jackson, SG
Season Stats: 24.7 PTS, 5.8 REB, 3.2 AST, 48.7 FG%
Ian Jackson will likely be a household name in just a couple of years. Jackson, a 6-foot-5-inch shooting guard from the Bronx has been a star in Overtime Elite. Jackson is a five-star in the class of 2024 and has committed to play for Hubert Davis and the North Carolina Tarheels. With Jelly Fam of Overtime Elite, Jackson is scoring nearly 25 points per game with nearly 6 rebounds and 3 assists to go with it. The second-leading scorer is above Ellis on this list due to his size, athletic ability, and the fact that he is a year closer to the NBA than Ellis. Expect Jackson to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.