Georgia's top high school boys basketball players: Meet the state’s best small forwards

Who are the top small forwards in Georgia high school boys basketball this season?

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at some of the top players in Georgia high school boys basketball.

Our first list focused on the point guards, next were the shooting guards, and now we'll take a look at the small forwards.

There are hundreds of standout boys basketball players in Georgia, and these lists are not intended to be comprehensive! Use the comments section to discuss the other small forwards worthy of fans’ attention in 2021-22.

Pictured above is Archer's Damoni Harrison (photo by Jamie Spaar).

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Thomas Allard, North Gwinnett

The 6-foot-6 senior is one of the best shooters in the state. He sunk 13 3-pointers in a 43-point game this season against Cedar Shoals and will be playing college basketball for Lincoln Memorial (Tennessee) next season.

Klairus Amir, Wheeler

Amir is an athletic, multi-talented forward who should only get better with time. The 6-foot-7 sophomore is active on and off the ball, and he has a quick release from long range. Penn State and Xavier have offered the young prospect from SBLive’s No. 2 team in Georgia.

Airious Bailey, McEachern

High school basketball fans in Georgia should quickly familiarize themselves with Bailey, a long two-way forward with an easy stroke from outside. The 6-foot-8 sophomore, who recently moved from Chattanooga, already has offers from Auburn, Ole Miss and Tennessee.

Kaleb Banks, Fayette County 

Banks is a physical, athletic forward who can rise up over defenders or use his burst to get around them. The 6-foot-8, 215-pound Indiana signee averages over 24 points and 10 rebounds per game.

AJ Barnes, Eagle’s Landing

Barnes is a fluid wing player who lives near the rim. The 6-foot-6 senior helped the Eagles win the 5A state championship in 2021, and he’s a big reason why they are 17-3 overall this season. Currently uncommitted, Barnes holds offers from Cleveland State, Columbus State and Catawba. 

D’Ante Bass, Windsor Forest

Bass is a confident left-handed scorer who can create a wide variety of shots off the dribble. The 6-foot-7 Georgetown signee leads the Knights with 19.3 points and seven rebounds per game.

Kam Craft, TSF Prep

Craft is an electric all-around hooper who shoots with precision and plays tough on defense. The 6-foot-6 Xavier signee can create his own shots, but he doesn’t need much space to get them off — and make them.

Jerry Deng, Norcross

Deng can be a real mismatch nightmare with his ability to shoot the 3 on offense and protect the rim on defense. The 6-foot-8 senior has offers from Florida International, East Carolina, Mercer and Akron.

Spencer Elliott, St. Pius X

Elliott is a long forward who cleans the glass and protects the rim on one end of the court and scores at every level on the other end of the court. The 6-foot-9 junior can catch and shoot from beyond the arc, put the ball on the floor and attack the hoop and, of course, use his size to post up defenders near the basket.

Photo by Jamie Spaar

RJ Godfrey, North Gwinnett

Godfrey is a strong forward who is comfortable working with his back to the basket. The 6-foot-5 Clemson commit put up 19 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks in a win over Eagle’s Landing on Jan. 8.

Damoni Harrison, Archer

Harrison is a 6-foot-5 slasher who can hit the outside shot when left open. He's a hard worker on both ends of the floor who rebounds, blocks shots and finds his teammates when the shot isn't there.

Mari Jordan, Dacula

Jordan is a powerful wing with great ball handling, allowing him to get to the basket or create space for a jumper. The 6-foot-6 Georgia commit averages 20.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, and he went for a career high of 36 points in the Falcons’ win over Central Gwinnett on Jan. 11.

Oscar Lynch, Pinecrest Academy

Lynch can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc and lead fast breaks with his leaping ability. The 6-foot-6 Georgia College commit paces the Paladins with 25 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.

Jalal McKie, Westlake

McKie is a hard-nosed defender and three-level scorer with a pure shooting stroke. The 6-foot-5 senior has over 1,000 career points for a Westlake team with several talented scorers in recent years. Florida Gulf Coast and Towson have offered McKie. 

Sammy Moss, East Coweta

Listed at 6 feet 3 inches, Moss is more of a shooting guard, but he plays bigger than his size. The lefty is a sharpshooter from behind the 3-point line and he’s not afraid to mix it up inside the paint. Oklahoma State and New Orleans have offered the wing player who scored 21 points in the Indians’ win over McEachern on Jan. 18.

Josh Reed, Pace Academy

Reed can work inside or step out to the perimeter on both sides of the ball. The 6-foot-7 Cincinnati commit averages 19.7 points and 9.1 rebounds per game, and he dropped a career-high 32 points in a win over Washington on Jan. 15.

Derrion Reid, Grovetown

Reid is listed primarily as a shooting guard, but his length allows him to play forward. The 6-foot-5 sophomore isn’t putting up crazy numbers for the Warriors, currently averaging over seven points, two rebounds and two assists per game, but the potential is off the charts. Alabama, Georgia and Florida have offered him. 

Jaylon Taylor, Buford

Taylor is a two-way talent who shows up against big competition. The dynamic scorer posted a team-high 18 points in the Wolves’ 69-64 loss to Wheeler, and he has active hands on defense. The uncommitted 6-foot-6 senior has offers from UAB and Jacksonville State.