NC Phenom 150 Camp Review Part 4

In today’s issue, we will take a look at the next tier of prospects in the 2015 class that made an impression on the numerous scouts in attendance including the Phenom Hoop Report.

5’10 2015 PG Devan Morgan of Matoaca HS in Chester, VA

Usually playing defense in exposure/evaluation events hardly goes unnoticed, but not the NC Phenom 150 Camp. Devan Morgan was simply a terror on the defensive side of the ball. While less than 6 foot, Morgan has a strong and athletic body that can absolutely “lock up” the opposing PG. He has a full throttle approach to the game and won’t back down from anyone! He has a quiet confidence to his game and his strength allows him to play bigger than his 5’10 frame. Coach Randy Peele stated, “ Morgan is tough as nails as an on the ball defender. He can also flat out shoot the 3 ball and is a legit D1 prospect.”

6’2 2015 Brian Thornton of Chapel Hill HS in Chapel Hill, NC

Brian Thornton is a regular of the NC Phenom 150 Camp and his game continues to improve. We have always been impressed with his skill and ability. His production on the court matches his potential and the strong and physically mature combo guard has a knack for getting into the lane and making scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.  Coach Randy Peele liked his ball handling skills and ability to create his own shot. His best move was the between the legs dribble move as he gets low and gains advantage over quicker and smaller guards. He finished well in transition and has a college ready frame. Easily a D1 prospect that schools in the Big South and Southern Conference should carefully monitor over the upcoming season. We think Thornton will have a break out sophomore season.

6’6 2015 PF Marcellis Purvis of L.C. Bird HS of Chester, VA

What is there not to like about Marcellis Purvis? We are talking about a physically mature 6’6 PF that can simply dominate the game with his strength and athleticism, especially in the low post area. He has quick feet and nifty moves around the basket and his athleticism and quickness gives bigger players problems. He can dominate the boards both on the offensive/defensive ends of the court and anticipates missed shots for aggressive rebounds. While Purvis may be a little raw offensively, he has excellent length that allows him to play bigger than his 6’6 frame. As one scout stated, “Purvis rebounds the hell out of the ball.”

6’7 2015 Thomas Taylor of L.C. Bird HS of Chester, VA

Taylor is a long, but strong 6’7 WF with an enormous wingspan. He looked like he was coming off a knee injury. Taylor has really “soft hands” and secures a lot of loose balls and rebounds. He is a willing rebounder that plays his position well and doesn’t venture far from the paint. It’s nice to see big guys like to mix it up in the paint and battle and Taylor did exactly that.

He finished well in the paint, but the play of the day for Taylor was his offensive rebound off a missed shot, he gathered his balance and went up for a monster two handed jam that sent the gym in a frenzy. While Taylor is a little raw on “go to” offensive moves, his size, strength and length will make him a solid D1 prospect.

6’3 2015 SG Anthony Bilas of Charlotte Latin in Charlotte, NC

Anthony Bilas was one of the smartest players in camp and a true team player. He comes from a great bloodline and he knows how to create scoring opportunity for himself and his teammates. While not a PG, Bilas as excellent court vision and is a willing passer and always seem to make the right play. He finished well in transition and has above average perimeter shooting. Bilas is a tireless worker and continues to get better every time we watch him play. He has good length for his size/grade and looks like he could shoot up height wise. He has the skill set, fundamentals and basketball IQ to play at a D1 level, but his physical growth will help determine the appropriate level.

5’9 2015 PG Malik Edwards of South Central HS in Winterville, NC

Don’t let his size fool you! At 5’9 this young man takes off like a jet and dunks like he is 6’8! His speed with the basketball is off the charts and as one scout stated, “Edwards can push the ball from end to end in the blind of an eye.” We really liked his speed, quickness and athleticism and these physical attributes should offset his height.  Edwards has excellent lateral quickness and push a lot of defensive pressure on the opposing PG. His skill set is solid and with his athleticism should garnish him legit D1 interest/scholarships down the road.

6’2 2015 Adrian White of Thomas Dale HS in Chester, VA

Adrian White is the younger brother of Kansas’s freshman Andrew White and the younger White also has game!  Adrian White is a talented and promising young prospect and has the ability and skill to become a solid D1 college PG prospect. Knowing his work ethic accompanied with skill and athleticism, we really think the younger White has the potential to be one of the better players in the class of 2015 in Virginia. He plays with poise and confidence and his ability to run a team was impressive. He has they physical and mental components to become a big PG target in his 2015 class.

6’1 2015 Gerald Peacock of Millbrook HS in Raleigh, NC

Peacock is a very strong and athletic combo guard that is excellent at creating his own shot off the dribble. He makes plays in transition and was outstanding in finishing in traffic for his age/grade. His physical attributes and ability to score will allow Peacock to become a solid prospect at the mid major level. Peacock was impressive throughout the day and made impressions on many scouts in attendance and deservingly so. Along with his impressive offensive skills, he has solid fundamentals and basketball IQ that made him a top prospect at camp for his class.

6’5 2015 Zach Hartle of West Stokes HS of King, NC

Zach Hartle is a fundamental sound player with outstanding basketball lQ, but don’t let that fool you. He has sneaky athleticism and had a tremendous throw down dunk that was impressive. He is an excellent “catch and shoot” player and can really shoot the 3-point consistently which will make him a solid D1 prospect. While Hartle does need to work on a quicker release, but if he continues to growth and develop, schools in the Big South and Southern Conference will be knocking on his door.

6’3 2015 SG Mykel Sims of Highland Springs HS of Richmond, VA

Sims is a big body and physically mature SG that has a polished offensive skill set. He has the ability to shoot off the dribble or create his own shot off the dribble. He was highly effective with the Earl “the pearl” Monroe reverse spin move right into a pull up jumper. While he has effective ball handling and passing skills, his strongest attribute is his ability to score. Definitely, Sims is a young prospect D1 schools should start to monitor.

6’5 2015 Joseph Bell of Neuse Christian Academy of Clayton, NC

Joseph Bell was strong with his ability to attack the basket using nifty and advanced ball handling maneuvers throughout traffic. He is on attack move with his dribble and finishes at a high percentage. He made an impressive baseline move with a reverse spin layup that exhibited his skill set. Bell’s length and athleticism accompanied with his skill set makes him a promising young prospect.

6’1 2015 Michael White of Charlotte Country Day in Charlotte, NC

Michael White demonstrated an advanced skill set consistently and lower tier D1 schools should be checking him out immediately. The highly skilled and fundamentally sound guard can do a little bit of everything well. He has outstanding range and can create his own shot off the dribble, but he was effective in transition by utilizing the “euro step” in transition. If White continues to grow and develop, his level of college interest will dramatically increase.

6’1 2015 AJ Fulp of Wesley Chapel in Weddington, NC

Fulp received strong accolades from various scouts in attendance.  He is a strong team player with high basketball IQ and fundamentals. He worked hard on both ends of the court and allowed the game come to him. He did not force the action and played within the team structure. While a combo guard currently, he made solid decisions especially while passing off the dribble. Fulp is one to monitor over the next several years.

6’8 2015 Hunter Seacat of Lake Norman HS in Mooresville, NC

There is a premium on 6’8 players that play hard and hustle! Seacat is exactly just that and his ability to run the floor was impressive. Like most big men at camp settings, they get little touches on the offensive end, but Seacat was able to run the floor and get a few easy buckets in transition. His active approach on both ends of the court was refreshing. More importantly, we were impressed with his rebounding ability and to make strong/quick outlet passes to his teammates. Seacat will get stronger and that the added strength will make him a high D1 target/prospect.

6’7 Nate Williams of John Marshal HS in Richmond, VA

Nate Williams has the physical attributes and athleticism to gain immediate attention from lower tier D1 schools. He plays with a high motor and is extremely high active on both ends of the court. Currently, the effort is there and Williams doesn’t back down from mixing it up and his competitiveness is contagious. The next step for Williams is to develop a more polished offensive skill set, but with his work ethic that will easily come.

6’0 2015 PG Ryan Pearson of Henrico HS in Richmond, VA

Pearson was simply one of the better shooting point guards at the camp. While a true PG, Pearson showcased his soft perimeter shooting touch as he consistently knocked down 3 pointers throughout the day. He has the ability to create his own jump shot, but more importantly he was a willing passer and generated countless scoring opportunities for his teammates. He ran the team with precision and played with poise and confidence of a young D1 prospect. We were also impressed with his decision-making and his careful handling of the ball as he rarely made a mental mistake or turnover.

6’0 2015 PG Devin Cooper of Walnut Grove HS in Charlotte, NC

The young and highly skilled PG has the fundamentals and IQ to be attractive D1 prospect that happens to own a beautiful jumper. Cooper’s shooting technique and form on his jumper is textbook. He has a high release point and great extension and rotation on his shot. We liked his poise and confidence at the PG position. While not overly athletic, Cooper overcomes any physical shortcoming with his overall understanding of the game.

5’11 2015 PG Darius Moore of Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, NC

Darius Moore has excellent quickness and will be an important member of Coach Freddie Johnson GDS team in their run for a state NCISAA state championship. Moore is a regular at the NC Phenom 150 camp and continues to impress us with his skill, poise, and confidence on the court. Simply put, Moore is “one tough young man.” He has excellent court vision and has solid lateral quickness and defensive presence. He is a player that can control the tempo of the game with his court leadership and should carry on to the next level.

6’3 2015 SG Harrison Burton of Christchurch School in Virginia

Harrison Burton is a strong combo guard that may be best suited for the SG position at the next level.  He has good size and knows how to play and has a great feel for the game. He plays within the team structure and is a willing passer in the open court. He has good court vision which is hard to teach. Currently, he is an average shooter and will need to improve his perimeter shooting to take the next step in his development.

6’2″ 2015 PG John Pride of Glen Allen HS in Glen Allen, VA