Overtime Elite, a start-up career path for some of the best young prospects in the world, is officially entering its second year and its second annual signing week concluded last week with a huge influx of talent. After an up-and-down inaugural season that raised questions about the league’s level of competition and ended with neither of its two draftable players being selected (Dom Barlow and Jean Montero), the prospect for the second season in a position more established with established stars, for all of his bumps in his inaugural season, however, he’s shining.
The latest draft class did wonders for his appeal on that front, but OTE’s expected leap into the lingering spotlight is due to two players who share the same last name: twins Amen and Ausar Thompson. After signing with the league last year, they have steadily emerged as lottery talent for 2023 who should help generate interest and intrigue at OTE.
They won’t be alone in that task, however, thanks to a new class of players who could help the league leap to a new level in the coming months and years as it looks to break through in its second season and beyond.
Here’s a look at who else is on board.
new recruits
In total, the Overtime Elite has 29 student-athletes signed for next season with a goal of reaching 30. Of those, 20 are returnees and nine are rookies. The new faces sprinkled in range from five stars to no stars (yet) and everyone in between. Here’s a look at the rookies getting into the mix for this season. The class is headed by No. 1 overall prospect in 2024, Naas Cunningham, as well as top-10 talent Jayden Williams. Five of the eight signings solidify as the top 40 recruits in their respective classes.
- Naas Cunningham (🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟) — Number 1 Recruit in 2024
- Jayden Williams (🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟) — 2024 No. 8 Recruit
- Kanaan Carlyle (🌟🌟🌟🌟) — No. 25 in 2023 (and Stanford engage)
- Jahki Howard (🌟🌟🌟🌟) — 28th Recruit in 2024
- Jeremy Fears (🌟🌟🌟🌟) – 39th recruit in 2024 (and state of michigan engage)
- Tyler Bey (🌟🌟🌟) — NR in 2023
- Treymane Parker (🌟🌟🌟) — NR in 2023
- Bryson Tiller — NR in 2024
- ZZ Clark — NR in 2024 (Illinois commit and brother of Skyy Clark bound for Illinois)
returning players
Amen and Ausar Thompson could be the top five picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. They shone in the competition in a big way last season and have emerged in recent months as bona fide stars to watch for next year’s class. They are among the handful of big names returning, which includes the Ryan brothers and Matt Bewley, Jazian Gortman, Bryce Griggs and others.
- amen thompson
- use thompson
- matt bewley
- ryan bewley
- Jazian Gortman
- Bryce Griggs
- Izan Almansa
- malik archer
- clark
- De’Vontes Cobbs
- jah jackson
- jalen lewis
- Jaylen Martin
- Nathan Missia Dio
- Alexander Sarr
- Tyler Smith
- Tudor Somacescu
- John Walker
- Warren
- Kok Yat
Updated perspective
While there is always going to be competition for the Overtime Elite to sign top talent (the G League Ignite, college (with NIL), the NBL, and others), it seems that OTE has carved out its own niche in the market geared toward youngsters who they have aspirations to play in college and ultimately in the pros. That, it seems, is the league’s biggest draw. Players sign with the ability to retain future college eligibility if they choose while going through a program that allows them to focus on both academics and athletics in a hybrid high school model (on steroids).
The level of competition probably remains the biggest question mark with OTE moving forward. It has a professional feel about the league, it’s run by ex University of Connecticut Coach Kevin Ollie, and his strength and conditioning staff have the hallmarks of an enhanced college program. But resolving the level of competition will be the biggest goal to retain and maintain legitimacy for years to come.
Talent is no longer an issue for OTE, of course. The addition of the Thompson twins last year, as well as the Bewley brothers, was a huge coup that seems like an incredible gamble. That has allowed them to capitalize on adding Naas Cunningham in this class. The more big names you attract, the more NBA talent you produce, the more likely you are to repeat the cycle of signing top players and building the league.