We will take look at the individual player evaluations from the perspective camp coach. Today, we will look at the player evaluations from teams 3 and 4 at camp. The majority of the comments listed below are comments from the players’ respective camp coach.
Team 3 coached by Grant Hodges
#28 5’4 Derrius Atkinson of Wilson, NC: Atkinson can really attack the basket and finish with the best of them. He plays without fear and this is one of his greatest attributes on the court. While his ability to dribble penetrates and get into the lane comes with ease, he can improve his perimeter shooting to become a balanced all around player. Atkinson was a joy to coach.
#53 5’5 Dylan Peckham of Charlotte, NC: Peckham played with great effort and hustle. He was very unselfish and played within the team concept. His effort and team play were his two strongest attributes. He can improve on his speed and agility. He was a very coachable player and listens well to instructions and feedback.
#96 6’4 2017 David Caraher of Chapel Hill, NC: Caraher was one of the more advanced players in attendance. His skill set, fundamentals and basketball IQ are beyond his years. He plays extremely hard and looks impressive in his “pitch ahead” pass. Caraher has all the physical and mental attributes to be an elite player for his age/grade. He has the opportunity to be one of the better players in the state of North Carolina for the class of 2017.
#90 6’2 2017 TJ Stevens of Kernersville, NC: Stevens has the unique ability to rebound. He anticipates missed shots and always seems to be in the right spot at the right time. More importantly, Stevens was one of the more unselfish players and played within the team structure at all times. One of the biggest compliments is when your teammates enjoy being on your team and that was the case with you. Your teammates liked and respected you and that means a lot.
#72 5’9 2018 Gibson Jimerson of Mechanicsville, VA: Jimerson had a strong and steady day. He improved as the day went along. It was fun watching him play hard and within the team concept. He needs to continue to practice speed and agility drills. Jimerson was able to create his own shot and was always clutch when the team needed a basket, but more importantly was excellent in his decision-making ability. Jimerson is a solid all around player with strong fundamentals and basketball IQ, but played the game the right way.
#70 5’8 2017 Jordan Perkins of Greensboro, NC: Perkins is a quick and athletic PG that plays with effort, passion and hustle and did exactly that in all 3 camp games. He is a true competitor and has a high desire to excel and win, which is a nice attribute for such a young player. Continue to work on getting your teammates involved while looking for your own shot. Perkins has the blend of athleticism and skill to be a special player.
#59 5’7 2018 Kioya Lee of Columbia, SC: Lee really stepped up his game the last two games. He showed a sense of urgency and desire to compete and compete he did! He played hard and hustled. Lee has solid fundamentals and athleticism. His tremendous attitude was refreshing. He needs to continue working on skill development especially shooting off the dribble and using your weak hand.
#4 4’8 2020 Torrey Brown of Raleigh, NC: Brown was also one of the youngest players in attendance and without question; he competed well with the “big boys.” Brown hustle and hard play showed why he can become a special player down the road. More importantly, Brown was coachable and has a great attitude, which will go far down the road. He just needs to get stronger and quicker which will come over growth and physical development.
#26 5’3 2017 Jacob Morris of Kinston, NC: Morris is a true competitor and didn’t back down from a challenge. He played hard throughout the day and didn’t take plays off. He has solid ball handling and passing skills and has the ability to penetrate by using his quickness and athleticism.
#8 4’10 2017 Christopher Lewis of Charlotte, NC: Lewis displayed a solid attitude and gave 100% effort. He has good quickness and has the ability to play good on the ball defense. His hustle and effort were strong attributes along with his ball handling and passing skills.
Team 4 coached by Ron Murphy
#95 6’3 2017 Sen Kenneally of Morehead City, NC: Kenneally is a tough and talented young player. He displayed a wonderfully work ethic and attitude and simply worked hard on both ends of the court. He has soft hands and ability to rebound well for his position. He has a good understanding of the game and with his size will make him one of the better players in the state for his age/grade. More importantly, Kenneally is a great young man!
#68 5’8 2018 KJ Watson of Winston-Salem, NC: Watson was really good shooting off the pass and has an excellent feel on the offensive end of the court. He displayed an excellent attitude and has a solid basketball IQ. He is more advanced offensively than his peers and has the proper shooting mechanics that will make him a premier shooter. It took him a while to getting settled down, but when he did he was really good.
#65 5’7 2017 Matt Rakes of Oak Ridge, NC: Rakes played with a great attitude and was Mr. Hustle in all three games. He has excellent court vision and is a willing and generous passer. Rakes played very hard and were especially good on defense, which is unusual in camp settings. He ran the floor extremely well and simply got better every game.
#69 5’8 2017 Brendon Austin of Wilson, NC: Austin has advanced ball-handling skills and was able to dribble penetrate with ease. He has outstanding quickness and a strong work ethic. Austin really moved well without the ball, which is an unheard of skill at this level. This allowed him to score off the catch and shoot situation. He was really good in transition and gave maximum effort on both ends of the court.
#38 5’5 2018 Zach Newkirk of Raleigh, NC: Newkirk is a true PG that has the right attitude and work ethic along with being a team player. He has good quickness and scored in transition, but was a willing passer to his teammates. He got his teammates involved and ran the team with poise. We really like the potential and think the younger Newkirk will follow in his big brother’s footsteps.
#54 5’6 2019 Russell Dean of Columbia, SC: Dean had a no nonsense approach that was accompanied by a strong work ethic and excellent attitude. He made good decisions with the ball and displayed nice court vision. We really liked his solid ball handling and passing skills for his age/grade. He ran the floor extremely well and scored repeatedly in transition. He shot the ball well and passed to open teammates, but more importantly he did a great job on defense.
#20 5’3 2017 Camden Hughes of New Bern, NC: Hughes displayed solid excellent court vision and hustle throughout the day. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills and did well running the offense. He ran the floor well and distributed the ball to open players. He has the skills and IQ to be a special player, but will have to learn how to play off the ball some during the course of the game.
#83 5’11 2017 Andrew Metcalf of Harrisburg, NC: Metcalf was one of the stronger defensive players at camp. He played excellent DEFENSE and ran the floor hard every time. He rarely took plays off and exhibited a strong competitive spirit along with a Mr. Hustle attitude. Metcalf moved well without the ball and was a solid scorer throughout the day.
#14 5’2 2020 Khalil Brantley of Charlotte, NC: Brantley may have been one of the youngest players in camp, but his skill level is simply beyond his years. He runs the PG position with poise and flash and made his teammates better. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills, which is unequal of his peers for his age/grade. He finished well despite being one of the smaller/younger players in camp, but his court vision, attitude, work ethic and basketball IQ is off the charts.
#51 5’4 2018 Chase Praeger of Cornelius, NC: Prager was one of the more fundamentally sound players in attendance. His attitude and work ethic was excellent, but his decision-making and court vision was exceptional. Prager is a high IQ player that does all the simple things on the court. He was a willing and generous passer throughout the day and got his teammates involved. He played excellent defense and more than anything was a leader on the court!