Tracking each baller headed to OTE, the innovative program providing an alternative path to professional basketball.
In March, we witnessed the creation of Overtime Elite, a first-of-its-kind initiative meant to provide 16- to 18-year-old boys a new path to pro basketball.
This isn’t a prep school. It’s not the AAU. Rather, the year-round OTE program will provide mentorship and educational resources of the on- and off-court varieties, all while paying them salaries of no less than $100,000 per year.
Since that big announcement, OTE hired NCAA national champion Kevin Ollie as its first-ever head coach and player development director, raised $80 million in Series C funding, announced midtown Atlanta as its future base of operations, and most importantly, began to sign players to its inaugural roster
Let’s meet the 27 players, starting with the most recent, who have signed as of October 2021.
Overtime Elite Roster
Davion Mace
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-7
Home town: Cincinnati, Ohio
Previous team: Woodward High School (Ohio)
High school class: 2021
Date signed: 13 Oct. 2021
Cincinnati’s Davion Mace, originally a member of the high school class of 2021, has the ability to play both forward positions. But don’t get things confused — this kid can break backboards.
And in January of 2021, that’s exactly what he did as a member of the Woodward High School Bulldogs.
Johned Walker
Position: Point guard
Height: 5-foot-10
Place of origin: Puerto Rico
Previous team: Central Point Christian Academy (Florida)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 13 Oct. 2021
Miami-based point guard Johned Walker is a 4-star prospect in the class of 2022 according to Future150, and plays his AAU ball as a member of Nike Team Florida. He’s already appeared for his native Puerto Rico in FIBA youth ball competitions.
Lewis Duarte
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Place of origin: Dominican Republic
Previous team: Victory Christian Center School (North Carolina)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 13 Oct. 2021
A cousin of Indiana Pacers guard Chris Duarte, Dominican-born and Charlotte-based Lewis Duarte is a 3-star prospect and the No. 11 player in North Carolina for the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite. He turned down scholarship offers from schools like Illinois, Washington State, Rutgers, Creighton, and Mississippi State to join OTE.
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TJ Clark
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-4
Home town: Covington, Georgia
Previous team: Newton High School (Georgia)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 4 Sept. 2021
Overtime Elite’s 24th signing is hard-working Georgia shooting guard TJ Clark. A prolific spot-up shooter, Clark averaged 14.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game last season and was named his county’s Player of the Year.
“Representing Covington, Georgia and Newton High School, TJ has quietly built an accomplished resume as a standout student-athlete, where his relentlessness and drive have put him in a position to enhance his game in the OTE environment. He’s joining us with the right kind of chip on his shoulder, focused on continual development and proving he belongs amongst the elite.”
Brandon Williams, Head of OTE Basketball Operations.
Jaylen Martin
Position: Small forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Home town: Tallahassee, Florida
Previous team: Florida State University School
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 4 Sept. 2021
OTE gets some creativity on the wing courtesy ofJaylen Martin. A 4-star prospect and the No. 19 small forward in the class of 2022 according to 247Sports, he’s known as a versatile defender who’s just as comfortable knocking down pull-up jumpers as he is getting to the basket.
Martin previously played AAU ball with Overtime Elite point guard Jazian Gortman with south Florida’s Nightrydas program and had offers on the table from schools like Georgetown, Florida, and Wake Forest.
Jahzare Jackson
Position: Center
Height: 7 feet
Home town: San Diego, California
Previous team: IMG Academy (Florida)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 4 Sept. 2021
Top-100 prospect Jahzare Jackson brings some serious physical presence with him to OTE by way of Bradenton, Florida’s IMG Academy. An AAU teammate of LeBron James Jr. as a member of the North Coast Blue Chips, Jackson is a prolific rebounder with soft scoring touch around the basket.
“There is a reason that Jahzare Jackson has captured the imagination of fans all over the world. He packages a combination of elite size, soft hands, and unusually light feet and athleticism. Joining OTE is a major step for Jahzare’s long-term projection, as he maximizes the expertise of OTE’s elite coaching and high-performance staffs, who are committed to bringing out the best in his game.”
Brandon Williams
Dominick Barlow
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Home town: Dumont, New Jersey
Previous team: Bridgton Academy
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 2 Sept. 2021
A host of top college programs sought the commitment of super-versatile defender Dominick Barlow, from Kansas to Syracuse to Florida to Ohio State. Instead, the No. 1 player in New Jersey for the class of 2022 opts to take his talents to OTE.
A high-energy player on both ends of the court, the 247Sports Composite rates Barlow as a 4-star prospect and a top-15 power forward nationally.
Bryson Warren
Position: Point guard/shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-2
Home town: North Little Rock, Arkansas
Previous team: Link Year Prep (Missouri)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 2 Sept. 2021
Combo guard Bryson Warren links up with Overtime Elite — the program’s 20th signing overall — by way of Link Year Prep in Branson, Missouri. He previously starred at Little Rock Central High School, where he was named 2021’s Arkansas Player of the Year as a sophomore after averaging 24.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.
Regarded as an all-around player with a level of basketball IQ and polish to his game that belie his age, the 247Sports Composite rates Warren as a 5-star prospect and the No. 1 player in Missouri for the class of 2023, as well as the No. 4 combo guard and No. 17 overall player in the country.
“It’s hard to imagine a player as developed as Bryson at such a young age. But in addition to his natural talent, the young man puts in the work and leads by example. That’s exactly what you want and need in a point guard – level 5 energy all the time. I can’t wait to coach the total person.”
Kevin Ollie, OTE Head Coach and Head of Player Development
De’Vontes Cobbs
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-3
Home town: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Previous team: Eduprize School (Arizona)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 31 Aug. 2021
Another athletic wing heads to OTE in the form of De’Vontes Cobbs, the No. 17 player in the state of Arizona for in the class of 2022 according to 247Sports.
A legit leaper and two-way threat entering what would have been his senior year of high school, the Eduprize product turned down college offers from Florida, West Virginia, SMU, and Arizona State. He previously played under former NBA point guard Mike Bibby at Shadow Mountain High School and Hillcrest Prep High School.
Malik Bowman
Position: Small forward/power forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Home town: Washington, DC
Previous team: Bishop Walsh High School (Maryland)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 31 Aug. 2021
Overtime Elite’s 18th signing arrives out of Cumberland, Maryland: Malik Bowman, a forward from the class of 2023. He spurned college offers from programs like Ohio State, West Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Wichita State, and Georgetown.
“Malik is an extremely talented and versatile wing who has demonstrated the character, drive and commitment to separate himself on and off the court. With his skill level, maturity, and understanding, he is going to make an immediate impact in the OTE environment. I am excited to see his continued growth, and his game flourish under Coach Ollie and his staff.”
Brandon Williams, via Sports Illustrated
Kok Yat
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Home town: Anchorage, Alaska
Previous team: Norcross High School (Georgia)
High school class: 2021
Date signed: 31 Aug. 2021
Versatile power forward Kok Yat joins a host of intriguing bigs at Overtime Elite, where he heads after previously committing to DePaul University. He reopened his recruitment in May after the Blue Demons underwent a coaching change.
He’s already proven highly adaptable to change, however. Yat rose up the ranks as a member of the high school class of 2022 before reclassifying to 2021 a year ago. According to 247Sports, he’s the No. 25 power forward in the country for ’21 and a top-10 prospect in the state of Georgia. Though he’ll need to add some bulk, he’s known to cover ground quickly and get above the rim.
Tyler Smith
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-10
Home town: Richmond, Texas
Previous team: George Bush High School (Texas)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 23 Aug. 2021
The 16th player to join Overtime Elite is once again a 5-star prospect: big man Tyler Smith out of Fort Bend County, Texas. The No. 3 power forward and No. 15 overall prospect in the class of 2023 according to the 247Sports Composite, Smith chose OTE over college offers from programs like Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor.
An athletic leaper who can space the floor with a reliable jumper, Smith is a truly fascinating prospect at just 16 years of age.
“My goal wasn’t to play college. It’s to play in the NBA. This will get me there faster and make me more ready once I’m there. I’ve been talking to them for three months already. They’ve been telling me they have NBA facilities, trainers, and nutritionists from NBA teams.”
Tyler Smith, via ESPN
Bryce Griggs
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-2
Home town: Missouri City, Texas
Previous team: Hightower High School (Texas)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 13 Aug. 2021
Bryce Griggs makes it two skilled class of 2022 point guard signings in one week for Overtime Elite.
A talented playmaker who sees the floor well and creates opportunities for teammates, Griggs averaged 22.9 points, 4.2 assists, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game as a high school player. He is a top-50 national prospect according to the 247Sports Composite and the nation’s No. 9 point guard for 2022.
Jazian Gortman
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-1
Home town: Columbia, South Carolina
Previous team: WJ Keenan High School (South Carolina)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 11 Aug. 2021
An energetic guard who makes an impact on both ends of the floor, Jazian Gortman is the latest consensus 5-star prospect to join Overtime Elite. 247Sports rates him as the No. 1 point guard prospect in the class of 2022, and the 247Sports Composite rates him the country’s No. 8 player overall.
Gortman joins OTE after a prolific junior year at Keenan High School in Columbia, South Carolina, where he averaged 23.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 steals per game.
“Jazian takes our guard play to the next level with his explosiveness, ability to score, pass, and defend. I get excited about players who always bring “level five” energy — in games, practice, the weight room, the film room, and the classroom. Jazian always brings it and that’s why so many have taken notice of him.”
Kevin Ollie
Izan Almansa
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Home town: Murcia, Spain
Previous team: Real Madrid Cadete A
High school class: N/A
Date signed: 5 Aug. 2021
Izan Almansa joins Overtime Elite from the youth academy at Real Madrid — the same organization that produced Luka Dončić — where he last played at the Cadete A (Under-16) level.
Known for his range, wingspan, and work ethic, Almansa is ranked No. 6 among European prospects born 2005 according to EuroHopes.com. He knows how to get up in the air, particularly on the defensive end of the floor, but fans will want to keep an eye on his evolution as a ball-handler.
Tudor Somacescu
Position: Point guard
Height: 6-foot-2
Place of origin: Romania
Previous team: Sierra Canyon School (California)
High school class: 2024
Date signed: 20 July 2021
A ball-handler who already has legit professional playing experience, Romanian-born Tudor Somacescu arrives at OTE after spending last season at Chatsworth, California’s Sierra Canyon School, perhaps best known as the program that currently boasts LeBron “Bronny” James Jr.
He played first-tier ball in his home country with U-BT Cluj Napoca, and when he was just 14, he logged time with the U16 Romanian national team at the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship Division B.
“Tudor has an advanced basketball IQ, a terrific feel for the game and the ability to share the ball with his teammates, getting everyone involved. They will love playing with him. I look forward to sharing my knowledge as a former point guard to help him develop as a team leader on and off the court.”
Kevin Ollie
Francis Lopez
Position: Shooting guard
Height: 6-foot-5
Place of origin: Philippines
Previous team: Ateneo de Manila High School (Quezon City, Philippines)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 13 July 2021
Nicknamed “Lebron” for his above-the-rim athleticism, 17-year-old Francis Lopez joins Overtime Elite having most recently played for Ateneo de Manila High School in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
At the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers earlier this summer, Lopez was the youngest member of the Philippines national team. Additionally, he’s the first OTE player signed from the Asia-Pacific region, further solidifying the program’s international identity.
Jalen Lewis
Position: Power forward/center
Height: 6-foot-10
Home town: Oakland, California
Previous team: Bishop O’Dowd (California)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 10 July 2021
A 5-star recruit out of the Bay Area, Jalen Lewis is coming off a sophomore season at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd High School that saw him average over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game. A veteran of USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team minicamp earlier this year, he’s in the running to play for the Stars and Stripes in the FIBA Americas U16 Championship in August.
247Sports’ No. 1 prospect in California for the class of 2023, Lewis opts for OTE over offers from college programs like Kentucky, Kansas, USC, Stanford, and UCLA.
“I’d describe Jalen as an absolute difference-maker, a rare talent with a combination of size, athleticism, good hands, and ball skills that impact plays on both ends of the court. There are no limitations to what he’ll be able to do in his career and through Overtime Elite, he’ll have the resources in place to help him reach his dreams.”
Kevin Ollie
Nathan Missia-Dio
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-6
Place of origin: Belgium
Previous team: Limoges CSP (France)
High school class: N/A
Date signed: 2 July 2021
16-year-old Belgian international Nathan Missia-Dio became the second European player signed to OTE in as many days when he signed on the dotted line to play for Kevin Ollie. A superior athlete, he has the ability to play above the rim on both ends of the floor.
He brings special experience to Overtime Elite given that he’s already played professionally in France’s top-tier LNB Espoirs for 11-time league champions Limoges CSP. Eurospects.com ranks him as the No. 13 overall player born in 2004.
Alexandre Sarr
Position: Power forward
Height : 6-foot-10
Home town: Bordeaux, France
Previous team: Real Madrid (Spain)
High school class: N/A
Date signed: 1 July 2021
The No. 9 overall international prospect born in 2005 via Eurospects.com, Alexandre Sarr is the first European player to sign to OTE. The brother of former Wake Forest and Kentucky player Olivier Sarr and son of Senegalese pro Massar Sarr, Alexandre played for several French clubs at the youth level before moving to Real Madrid — the Spanish club that produced Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.
“Alexandre is a skilled and versatile athlete, a natural shot blocker, and a rebounder on both ends of the floor. We look forward to experiencing rapid development every day once we can work with Alexandre in the gym.“
Kevin Ollie
Jai Smith
Position: Power forward
Height : 6-foot-8
Home town: Syracuse, New York
Previous team: Word of God Christian Academy (North Carolina)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 21 June 2021
Jai Smith, a three-star prospect and one of the nation’s 30 best power forwards as evaluated by 247Sports, is the latest player to sign with Overtime Elite.
The Tar Heel State native opted for OTE over scholarship offers from schools like Oklahoma State, Marquette, Florida, Georgetown, Auburn, Texas, and 2021 national champions Baylor.
Emmanuel Maldonado
Position: Point guard
Height : 6-foot-3
Place of origin: Puerto Rico
Previous team: Dynasty Academy (Florida)
High school class: 2021
Date signed: 10 June 2021
Emmanuel Maldonado, an experienced youth international player with Puerto Rico as high as the U19 level, has already grown an Instagram following of over 175,000 thanks to his popular training videos, in-game highlights, and undeniable charisma.
Now, the 6-foot-3 point guard is taking his game to OTE to level up and do it even bigger.
“Emmanuel is one of Puerto Rico’s most promising prospects with his speed and ability to score anywhere on the court. We’re excited about incorporating his development at OTE into our national program, not only as we compete for a U19 world championship, but also as a future leader for our adult national team.”
Puerto Rico U19 HeadCoach Jorge A. Rincon
Jean Montero
Position: Point guard
Height : 6-foot-2
Home town: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Previous team: CB Gran Canaria (Spain)
High school class: N/A
Date signed: 4 June 2021
OTE ‘s first international and professional signing, 17-year-old Dominican point guard Jean Montero is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
He came off the bench in four games during Gran Canaria’s run to the 2021 EuroCup semifinal, and averaged 30.3 points and 9.5 rebounds in 2019 for the Dominican Republic at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship.
“Jean has the basketball IQ and confidence that jumps out at you. Jean is a competitor that makes his teammates better and is always looking for an edge to take his game to the next level. We are ecstatic to have him join the OTE family.”
Kevin Ollie
Amen Thompson
Position: Point guard/shooting guard
Height : 6-foot-6
Home town: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Previous team: Pine Crest School (Florida)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 25 May 2021
Four-star Floridian Amen Thompson is the No. 35 overall prospect in the class of 2022 according to the 247Sports Composite, and the nation’s No. 8 combo guard. Possessing terrific size for his position, he’s regarded as a standout rebounding guard in addition to his skills as a shot-creator.
Ausar Thompson
Position: Shooting guard
Height : 6-foot-6
Home town: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Previous team: Pine Crest School (Florida)
High school class: 2022
Date signed: 25 May 2021
Amen’s brother and teammate, Ausar, is likewise a four-star prospect backed for big things. Known for his inside-outside versatility on both ends of the floor, 24Sports Composite considers him the nation’s No. 4 shooting guard for 2022, and the No. 9 overall prospect from the State of Florida.
“Amen and Ausar are the types of players that every coach wants, not only in terms of their ability on the court, but because of their commitment to get better. The Thompsons understand what it takes to reach their potential as whole people, and we’re going to provide them the tools they need to fall in love with the process of being a pro every day for a lifetime.”
Kevin Ollie
Matt Bewley
Position: Power forward
Height : 6-foot-9
Home town: Orlando, Florida
Previous team: West Oaks Academy (Florida)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 21 May 2021
One of the first two players ever to sign with Overtime Elite is also one of finest in the class of 2023. Orlando’s Matt Bewley is the No. 2 player in the country according to 247Sports and the No. 1 prospect in Florida. The super-athletic forward turned down offers from schools like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Florida State to sign with OTE.
Ryan Bewley
Position: Power forward
Height: 6-foot-9
Home town: Orlando, Florida
Previous team: West Oaks Academy (Florida)
High school class: 2023
Date signed: 21 May 2021
Matt’s brother, Ryan, is likewise a five-star phenom, with 247Sports ranking him as the nation’s No. 16 player in the class of 2022 and No. 3 among power forwards.
“These remarkable young men have the vision, character, and strength to make history as the first high school juniors to enter basketball’s professional ranks. I’m looking forward to working with them to not only develop their basketball skills, but holistically so that they can reach their full potential as whole people.”
Kevin Ollie
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