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NC Phenom 150 Camp Team 18 Player Evaluations

April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The 11th Annual NC Phenom 150 Spring Evaluation Camp took place Sunday, March 24th and the talent level was strong from top to bottom. As a matter of fact, this may have been one of the strongest fields in quite some time. Today, we will take a look at some of the players from each individual team. Each camp coach was to fill out a detailed individual player evaluation. While we try to focus on upside and potential, we also look carefully at intangibles such as attitude, cooperation, work ethic and team play. We hope to capture a thorough detailed resume for each player in attendance.

Team 18 (Kishon Bishop) 

6’0 2014 Tim Smith of Greensboro Dudley in Greensboro, NC

Tim is a solid combo guard that has good muscle and strength for his position.  He displayed an excellent attitude and we were impressed with his ability to get to the rim. He used his athleticism extremely well, which was really noticeable on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “Tim is very solid especially at the SG position. He is stout/strong and can get to the paint and finish above the average guard. He is more comfortable playing off the ball and showed little to no frustration in difficult situations.” Overall, Tim is a really good athlete that impressed up with his defensive intensity. He will flat get after it and will create turnovers for the opposing guard. Tim will need to enhance his perimeter skills to be more effective at the next level, but with his quickness and foot speed, he should fine a suitor at the collegiate level.

6’4 2016 Curtis “Cujo” Jones of Highland Springs in Richmond, VA

We have written about Curtis on previous occasions and he is one to put in your SIM card if you are a HM coach. He is advanced beyond his years and his skill set accompanied with impressive athleticism will make him a big time target. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “ Curtis has super potential. He can play the 1 and 2, but is a lot stronger at the SG position. He is a freak athlete but importantly he knows how to shoot from all areas on the floor, especially for the 3-point line. He can finish using both hands, but could improve his ball handling with his off hand.” Overall, Curtis has the potential to be a HM prospect. He has a great attitude and work ethic accompanied with the skill set and athleticism that was hard to match.

6’1 2014 Colton Bishop of FCDS in Lewisville, NC

It has been an absolute joy watching the growth and development of Colton Bishop since he was in the 7th grade. Colton has matured and developed into an outstanding young D1 prospect. He sees the court extremely well even in transition and is a willing and able passer. We were impressed with his ability to read the pick and roll situation both on offense and defense. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills and can be a knock down 3-point shooter as well. Colton has all the ingredients to be an effective and productive D1 PG. He is long and athletic and plays the game he right way. Sometimes our only complaint is he is often too unselfish at times and needs to be more aggressive. If Colton were to develop a mean streak his stock would rise nicely. He is a great young man and his best days are in front of him.

6’2 2015 Anthony Gaston of Highland Springs in Richmond, VA

Anthony is a solid all around player and one of those “glue guys” every team needs in order to win. He has an excellent attitude and tremendous work ethic, but will not allow any one to out work/hustle him anytime on the court. We were impressed with his defense on the ball and use of his footwork and quickness. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “ Anthony hustles as a swing man. He played out of position today, but when he was able to play his position he was great. He is a tremendous teammate and he totally understands his role.” Overall we also liked how he was willing to sacrifice for the good of the team, which is what it is all about. He has a good midrange game and can extend the defense with his ability to step out and knock down the open 3-point shot. Anthony has the ability to be an outstanding HS player and a collegiate level prospect.

6’3 2016 Dustin Day of David Crockett HS in Telford, TN

Dustin has a high basketball IQ and his understanding of the game is advanced for a freshman. He exhibited a truly wonderful work ethic and an attitude that was second to none. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “Dustin loves to hustle!  He rebounds and does all the dirty work needed to be done. He has extended ranged and can knock down the 3 point shot with consistency. He simply understands the game and knows his limitations.” Overall, Dustin is a talented SG that can flat fill it up. His decision-making and court vision is tremendous. The next step in his development is to improve his ball handling and being more efficient in shooting off the dribble and creating his own shot. Dustin will continue to grow and develop and should be a collegiate prospect to watch over the next 3 years.

6’3 2016 Chris Freeman of RJ Reynolds HS in Winston-Salem, NC

Chris is yet another young freshman that is oozing with upside and potential, especially from the athletic spectrum. We liked his energy and hustle throughout the day and made plays on both sides of the ball. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “Chris is a very humble basketball player. He is eager, ready and willing to learn. He listened well and accepts positive criticism and tries to improve immediately. He can play multiple positions on the court, but is really effective as a SG knocking down perimeter shots. In addition, he was really good at getting into the lane and finishing with either hand.” Overall, Chris has a lot of positive things going in his direction and should be an outstanding HS player with college aspirations down the road.

6’3 2014 Aaron Williams of Greenfield School in Wilson, NC

Aaron is a solid all around player with good length and athleticism. He is a hard-nosed player that will bring energy and passion to the game. That being said, we were impressed with his defensive intensity and aggressive approach to the game. He was a willing rebounder and rebounded his position extremely well and plays better than his 6’3 frame. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “Aaron was strong especially on defense and used his long and athletic frame to block shots on taller players. He has good mechanics but must develop more consistency from a comfortable range. He is a very good defender on and off the ball.” With his current size, he has the skill set and athleticism to play at the collegiate level, but improved perimeter skills such as ball handling and creating his own shot off the dribble will elevate his level of college interest.

6’3 2014 Jaron Withers of Fayetteville Academy in Fayetteville, NC

Jaron is an elite level athlete with quick twitch muscle fibers that allow him his quick and explosive leaping ability. The southpaw has good strength and length and is at his best attacking the rim. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “Jaron is  STRONG SG with the ability to use his strength in a positive manner. He has a decent jump shot, but relies a lot on his super athleticism! He plays good on the ball defense and understands team defensive concepts. He is very good in transition.” Overall, he has all the physical intangibles to be one of the better athletes in the 2014 for North Carolina. Once he tightens up his handles and develops a consistent perimeter jump shot, he will see his list of college suitors jump up a level. 

6’5 2015 Avery Wood of FCDS in Lewisville, NC

Avery is a really skilled combo forward that has a lot of intangibles and should be a solid D2/D3 prospect. He is a hard working player with a tremendous attitude and work ethic, but also understands the game. He makes excellent decisions on the court and he has a high basketball IQ. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “Avery improved a lot over the past year. He understands his abilities and is a disciplined shot blocker. He will surprise you with his quickness and can guard multiple positions. He has played more at the high post in high school and has good interior moves.” The next step for Avery is to really work on his athleticism during the off-season and work on improving his shooting mechanics. They are good but not great, but more importantly with his size he will need to create his own shot off the dribble. The more he can transition to the perimeter, the better chances he will have at succeeding at the next level.

6’5 2013 James Chavis of Purenll Swett in Maxton, NC

James is an athletic SG that plays with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We were impressed with his hustle and the intense defensive pressure he applied to the opposing player. Coach Kishon Bishop stated, “James is a smart defender and knows how to adjust to different types of players. He is a 6’5 shooting guard who is willing to hustle, rebound, and run the floor. He can take his man off the dribble and create his own shot or knock down the open shot. He listens well and tries to adapt to situations. Easily should be playing at the D2 level this fall.”

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More impact players from the Spring NC Phenom 150 camp

April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The 11th Annual NC Phenom 150 Spring Evaluation Camp took place Sunday, March 24th and the talent level was strong from top to bottom. As a matter of fact, this may have been one of the strongest fields in quite some time. Today, we will take a look at some of the players that made a strong impact. We will have more reports in the next several weeks, so stay tuned.

Part II

 6’7 2014 Zane Waterman of Fayetteville Academy in Fayetteville, NC

ZaneWatermanWaterman is simply a workhorse on the basketball court. He plays with a high motor and his intensity on both ends of the court are refreshing. He enjoys the game and his full throttle approach is noticeable once the ball is tipped in the air. He has a solid skill set and good/not great athleticism, but his desire to compete will overcome any doubts about this young man. He can step out and knock down perimeter jumpers or make strong powerful moves to the rim where he threw down a beautiful reverse jam on a baseline move. For the day, he made many strong moves and finished consistently with a power dunk. He should be a hot prospect for mid major schools and is one to put in your SIM card for the spring/summer evaluation period. With Waterman, you know what your getting every time on the court. (Check out our previous write up from October).

6’11 2015 Tyler Creammer of South View HS in Fayetteville, NC

CreammerCreammer is the definite of a true “student athlete” as he sports an impressive 4.5 GPA. Creammer knows his position and doesn’t venture far from the paint as he continues to battle for low post position. It’s nice to see a big man want to play the “big man” position down low. The strongest attribute for Creammer is his work ethic and willingness to get better. As alum of the NC Phenom 150 camp, he has constantly had a great attitude on and off the court. He plays with passion and purpose and he plays as hard the last minute of the game as the first minute. The next step for Creammer is to add muscle and bulk to his frame, which will come over time and develop a few “go to” low post, moves. The sky is the limit for this young man and mid to high majors will want to monitor this progress over the next two years.

6’5 2014 Ashley Williams of Greenfield School in Wilson, NC

Ashley-WilliamsWilliams is a nifty and crafty wing player with good athleticism and skill. He has good length and has the ability to beat you off the dribble or consistently knock down perimeter jumpers. Offensively, he is always on attack mode and his various offensive skill sets makes him hard to defend. Williams is a willing rebounder and has the ability to start and finish a fast break with his ball handling and passing skills. Williams is an outstanding young man with a great attitude and is one of those camp players that are piers enjoyed playing with. He plays within the structure of the game and takes advantage of his size/skill set but is also a great teammate. Williams already sports D1 offers and watch for that list to grow over the summer.

6’4 2015 JuWuan Wright of Jack Britt HS in Fayetteville, NC

JuwanWrightWright is oozing with athleticism and potential. He has a physically mature body with great length and he used his attributes well throughout the day. He is an above the rim player and finished extremely well in traffic. He is always in attack mode and his ability to get to the rim effortlessly was impressive. The next step for Wright is to continue his work ethic and make improvements to his offensive arsenal. He has the body, length and athleticism and once his skill package matches that, watch out!

6’1 2014 Colton Bishop of Forsyth Country Day School in Lewisville, NC

Bishop is the ultimate team player even in camp settings. He has the ability to stretch the defense with his textbook jumper from the perimeter or use his ball handling and passing ability to set up teammates. He has long arms and plays aggressively on the defensive end of the court. He has a high basketball IQ and his fundamentals are spot on. The next step for Bishop is to become more vocal and demand the ball more. His decision-making is excellent and usually good things happen when he has the ball in his hands. Once he develops that extra “mean streak” on the court, he could take his game to the next level. He has all the components and skills mid major schools are looking for. He will surprise you with his athleticism and doesn’t mind throwing it down in transition. More importantly, Bishop is outstanding young man who is very coachable, which are great attributes to have these days.

Filed Under: Featured, NC Phenom 150, Phenom Reports Tagged With: , , , ,

NC Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations: Teams 5-6

November 9, 2012 by 1 Comment

We will take look at the individual player evaluations from the 10th Annual NC Phenom 150 perspective camp coach. Today, we will look at the player evaluations from teams 5-6 at camp. The majority of the comments listed below are comments from the players’ respective camp coach.

Team 5 coached by Justin McClendon

#100 6’3 2016 Jame’z Rogers of Hanahan, SC: Rogers is a promising young prospect with good size, skill and athleticism for his age/grade. He enjoyed a solid day at camp and did a little bit of everything well. He has the core fundamentals down and does understand quite well for a freshman. He has a lot of potential and if he continues to improve upon his skill development, we are talking about a potential D1 prospect. He will be one to monitor over the next 4 years.

102 6’7 2014 6’7 Zane Waterman of Fayetteville, NC:  His high school coach Justin McClendon has been singing his praises and rightfully so! Waterman has a 6’11 wingspan and sports a 30-inch vertical. He is mobile and versatile and has the ability to play on both the interior and perimeter. He is sneaky athletic and in our opinions he should be a solid MM target. He is fundamentally sound and does an excellent job of boxing out which is a lost art in rebounding these days. Coach Randy Peele stated the following: “ Waterman plays extremely hard and has a nasty streak. He loves physically and seeks it out. He is not afraid of contact or rough play. He can step out and absolutely knock down the 3 point shot.”

#130 6’1 2015 Michael White of 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 especially as he gets older and stronger.

#93 5’8 2016 Michael Seals of High Point, NC: Seals enjoyed a strong day at camp and displayed the ability to be a future D1 PG prospect. He understands the role of the PG position and his overall skill package is impressive for his age/grade. He has the ability to control the tempo and sees plays one step ahead of his teammates. He makes the right pass at the right time and his court vision is outstanding. His growth and development over the next 4 years will help determine is appropriate level.

#11 2013 Shamus Goss of Buford, GA: Goss is a fiery and gutsy PG that plays with passion and purpose. He is a high energy and emotional player had will maximize his effort every single game. He has the talent and ability to play at the next level and his senior season will help determine the appropriate level. One thing he does not lack is the ability to play hard and is a Mr. Hustle attitude. He also possesses a take-charge attitude and a winning demeanor on the court.

#44 6’1 2016 Avery Metcalf of Harrisburg, NC: Avery Metcalf is a promising young athlete that happens to basketball.  He has a good basketball body for a freshman and has a solid understanding of the game. Metcalf has good fundamentals and a solid basketball IQ that combined with his athleticism made him an intriguing player.  Metcalf is one of those players that just seem to do a little bit of everything well and has a solid approach to the game. He played within the team structure and rarely tried to force the action. He was very unselfish and was a willing passer and did an ample job of getting his teammates involved.

#40 6’1 2014 Chad Sanders of Clayton, NC: Sanders had a solid outing at camp and exhibited a great attitude and work ethic. He played with intensity and hustles on both ends of the court. He had good fundamentals and understanding of the game, but can make a difference on the defensive end of the court. He has the lateral quickness, which allows him to be a good on the ball defender.

#170 6’5 2015 Zach Hartle 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.

#59 6’1 2014 Colton Bishop of Lewisville, NC: Colton Bishop has steadily worked his way to a legitimate D1 prospect and has already received D1 offers and we look for his offer list to grow. Bishop has good length and athleticism, but his calling card is his fundamentals, basketball IQ and total understanding of the game. This nice blend of skill and athleticism will make him a hot commodity at the PG for the class of 2014. More importantly, Bishop is a high character young man that is the ultimate gym rat. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills, but has the ability to slide over to the shooting guard position simply because he is an efficient and effective 3 point shooter. Coach Randy Peele stated, “ Bishop is a very good PG. He can handle and change directions with the ball. He makes excellent decisions and has good size for a PG, but can really shoot the ball. No doubt, a legit D1 PG that has MM potential.”

#95 6’3 2014 Jaron Withers of Fayetteville, NC: Withers is a strong, physical and explosive guard with tremendous athletic ability. He has a 39” vertical and with these strong attributes it is no secret Withers is best in transition and loves to attack the rim. He finishes well in traffic and didn’t mind throwing a few impressive dunks for the fans in attendance. Currently, a solid D1 prospect, but with improvement in his perimeter shooting will enhance his college prospects.

#133 6’3 2014 Riley LaRue of Lewisville, NC: Riley LaRue is another son of a former ACC player and current Wake Forest Assistant Coach Rusty LaRue. He is the typical coaches’ son and will be that glue guy every team needs. He does all the little things and has a knack to be around the ball. He is a “catch and shoot” guy and his ability to dive on the floor for loose balls didn’t go unnoticed. He was playing for recognition of being a total all around player and he did exactly that. He has improved his foot quickness and a year at a postgraduate school may be the ticket to push him into the D1 level. If not, LaRue will be an attractive prospect for a D2 or NAIA school. He does too many things well and all teams needs shooters. Overall, LaRue is borderlineD1/D2 and a strong junior and senior season will help determine his appropriate level. That being said, he will find a spot due to his skill set and ability to shoot the ball.

Team 6 coached by James Richmond

#95 5’8 2016 Tristen Reese of Durham, NC: Reese is a solid young PG that has good athleticism and his physical intangibles/attributes are ahead of his current skill set which is normal for freshmen. He is a strong on the ball defender and has good team defensive understanding of the game. As he grows and develops, an improved skill set will be a great compliment to his speed and quickness.

#47 6’1 2014 Brandon Laurencin of York, SC: Laurencin is a fundamentally sound player with outstanding basketball IQ. He is unselfish and is a true pass first PG. That being said, Laurencin is surprisingly quick with the ball in transition and used his strong court vision to make excellent passes to his teammates. Laurencin was more interested in getting his teammates involved rather than hunting down his own shot. His strong work ethic and skill set should be important intangibles has he continues to develop.

#86 5’7 2015 Carlos Thrash of Richmond, VA: Thrash has excellent court vision and really handles the ball well in transition. He has good foot speed and lateral quickness and has the right attitude in being a good PG. He is a team facilitator and always has his head up surveying the court for open teammates. His ball handling and passing skills are his strongest attributes while he could be more consistent with his jump shot. His attitude and work ethic will pay dividends down the road.

#147 6’4 2013 Jameal Robinson of Greer, SC:  Robinson is a strong and athletic combo forward and rebounding his position is his strongest attribute. He is a work harder on the court and aggressively pursues loose balls and missed shots. He is more effective scoring off rebounds and picking up “garbage” points in the paint. He likes to run the floor in transition but could fine-tune his perimeter skills to take his game to the next level.

#88 6’1 2016 Charles Norman of Creedmoor, NC: Norman is a quick and athletic guard. He is currently stronger with his defensive principals than on the offensive end of the court, which is not a bad thing. He has the physical intangibles to be a solid player if he continues to develop his perimeter skills. He is a willing listener and hard worker so the improvements should be rather easy to him.

#9 5’10 2013 Keith Parham of Raleigh, NC: Parham is a quick on quick PG and is excellent in dribble penetration. He has the ability to get into the lane with ease and create havoc for the opposing team. He uses his quickness effectively on both ends of the court and he is a tireless worker on defense. The next step for Parham is to finish better and develop a floater and midrange jump shot.

#119 6’0 2016 Emmett Tilley of Durham, NC: Tilley is a promising young guard with good athleticism. He has good potential for a freshman especially shooting the basketball. He can shoot from the perimeter but displayed a nice midrange jumper, which was quite effective. Tilley has good instincts on the court and has a solid understanding of the game. He is very unselfish and could be more aggressive offensively at times.

#137 6’3 2016 Dustin Day of Telford, TN: Day does a good job of fitting into the flow of the team offensive concept. More importantly, he fills a void that others may not want to do. He has an advanced skill package for his age/grade and his high basketball IQ will serve him well over the next four years. He has solid shooting fundamentals and technique and has the potential of becoming a solid D1 prospect down the road. He just needs to continue working on his perimeter skills and athletic ability.

#109 6’7 2014 Derrick Bass of Durham, NC: Bass is a long and athletic combo forward that does his most effective work in the post area. His post game is his strongest attribute and the improvement in his perimeter game will only enhance his game at the collegiate level. He plays aggressively and runs the floor really well. He plays to his strong hand and could work on his weak hand to become more of a complete low post scorer.

#171 6’5 2015 Corey Hanes of High Point, NC: Hanes has recently reclassed to the 2015 class and transferred to FCDS in Lewisville, NC. Hanes is a strong and active rebounder and does the most damage in the post area. He does a good job of fitting in where needed especially rebounding, setting screens, and playing hard nosed defense. Hanes will also need to improve his perimeter skills, but has the right attitude and work ethic to do just that. Hanes has the physical skills to be a potential D1 prospect down the road.

#99 6’3 2013 Patrell Rogers of Lake City, SC: Rogers is a very explosive player. He can attack the basket and finish above the rim. His athleticism is elite and is often playing above the rim on offensive/defensive rebounds. In addition, Rogers has a nice pull up jumper as he often elevates well off the floor. Lower tier D1 schools should immediate check him out. He has the potential to play at a lower tier D1 School. He has all the physical attributes and intangibles and if he adds a consistent 3-point shot to his game, his stock will continue to soar.

Filed Under: NC Phenom 150, Phenom Reports Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NC Phenom 150 Camp Part 3: 2014 Class

October 18, 2012 by 1 Comment

In today’s issue, we will take a look at the next tier of prospects in the 2014 class that made an impression on the numerous scouts in attendance including the Phenom Hoop Report.

6’1 2014 Colton Bishop of FCDS in Lewisville, NC

 Colton Bishop has steadily worked his way to a legitimate D1 prospect and has already received D1 offers and we look for his offer list to grow. Bishop has good length and athleticism, but his calling card is his fundamentals, basketball IQ and total understanding of the game. This nice blend of skill and athleticism will make him a hot commodity at the PG for the class of 2014. More importantly, Bishop is a high character young man that is the ultimate gym rat. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills, but has the ability to slide over to the shooting guard position simply because he is an efficient and effective 3 point shooter. Coach Randy Peele stated, “ Bishop is a very good PG. He can handle and change directions with the ball. He makes excellent decisions and has good size for a PG, but can really shoot the ball. No doubt, a legit D1 PG that has MM potential.”

6’1 2014 Austin and Taylor Hatfield of Davie County HS in Mocksville, NC

We have written about the Hatfield twins on several occasions and we continue to be impressed with their overall game. We are talking about two hard working players that have the skill, fundamentals, basketball IQ, heart, passion and desire to be successful. They play the game the correct way and have the ability to play with PG/SG position. They have the ability to be team facilitator and get their teammates involved or have the ability to torch the nets with their outside perimeter shooting. More importantly, they play both ends of the court and their 100% hustle and full throttle approach is appealing. They have received offers from lower tier D1 schools, but have a good upside. They will be playing with the Martin twins of Davie County and look for them to make some serious noise in the 4A ranks in North Carolina.

6’2 2014 Rusty Reigal of Charlotte Latin in Charlotte, NC

Simply put, Rusty Reigal is a “tough as nails” competitor that gives maximum effort every trip down the court. He has good size/strength for his position and has sneaky quickness as he continuously got into the lane with ease. He is a willing passer that looks to get his teammates involved rather than his own shot and at times overpassed, which can be a positive. He has excellent fundamentals, skill set, and basketball IQ. His father played at Davidson College and look for the younger Reigal to follow in his footsteps of attending a high academic D1 school. Coach Randy Peele stated, “ Rusty is a very tough kid. He is involved in a ton of plays and is a combo guard that can “deliver the blow on penetration.” He will be better in a system rather in pickup. More importantly, he is a winner and schools should not drop the ball on him since he has so many intangibles.”

5’11 2014 Chris Corchiani Jr. of Ravenscroft School in Raleigh, NC

The apple doesn’t fall far from the family tree with the younger Corchiani. Chris Jr. is the ultimate PG that simply knows how to run a team and run it efficiently and effectively. He is true pass first PG and has surprisingly good quickness, especially with the ball in his hands. He plays the game extremely hard and has the right attitude. Coach Randy Peele stated, “Chris Jr. game reminds me of his dad. He has a steady handle and gets the ball exactly where he wants too. He is a solid D1 prospect and knows how to play.”

6’3 2014 PG Justice Cuthbertson of Westchester HS in High Point, NC

Justice Cuthbertson is a strong and physical PG that continues to make big improvements to his game. He is fearless in attacking the rim and has an all around game that will make him appealing to D1 schools. He has a physically mature and college ready frame. He can play either guard position and may be stronger as a scoring PG. The next step in his development is learning/mastering the nuisances of the PG position. He is a true competitor and has what it takes to play at the next level.

6’3 2014 Jarrell Brantley of Ridgeview HS in Columbia, SC

Brantley is a physically mature combo guard that can flat out play. He has a quick first step and continuously blew by defenders. He has really tight handles and we were impressed with his ability to shoot the midrange pull up jumper, which is a lost art today. Like Cuthbertson, Brantley has a college ready frame that has the blend of athleticism and skill that will garnish interest from D1 schools this upcoming season.

6’3 2014 Malachi Paige of Hargrave Military Academy in Virginia

Paige is the ultimate athlete that happens to be playing basketball. He has a great body and finished strong at the rim and was nearly unstoppable throughout the game. He was simply so much stronger than anyone else and used his athleticism and strength repeatedly. That being said, Paige also has skill and a solid understanding and was a menace defensively throughout the day.

6’2 2014 Isiah Taylor of Myers Park HS in Charlotte, NC

Taylor is another physically mature young guard that is built to score. He was effective in creating his own shot and had the dribble drive pull up working to perfection. He attacked the defense only to elevate quickly for his patented jump shot. He elevated nicely and had a nice high release point that will make him a solid D1 prospect.

6’1 2014 PG Tim Branin of Deep Run HS in Richmond, VA

Tim Branin is a quick and speedy PG that has excellent court vision. He is aggressive on both ends of the court and was constantly making smart plays with the ball. His hustle will set him apart from his peers. We loved his competitive spirit and valued winning, which is refreshing. He was interested in making the extra pass and getting his teammates involved. He had command of his team and did it in a quiet, but convincing his peers by his hard work and passionate play.

6’3 2014 Jon Elmore of Christ School in Arden, NC

Elmore has been a regular at the NC Phenom 150 Camp and we continue to be impressed with his improvement and play.  He has an unbelievable work ethic and it is evident on both ends of the court. He has surprisingly sneaky athleticism and moves his feet nicely on defense. Offensively, he can play either guard position. The West Virginia native has a nice arsenal of offensive moves and utilizes the chance of pace dribble moves effectively.  His size for his position will make him a hot commodity with schools in the Southern and CAA Conference.

6’2 2014 Matthew Wood of Asheville Christian School in Asheville, NC

Wood is a long and slender PG that enjoyed an outstanding summer AAU season and followed up with a steady performance at the Phenom 150 Camp. He is the ultimate team player and really controls the tempo even in a camp setting, which isn’t easy to do. More importantly, he rarely turns the ball over or takes a bad shot. His shot selection is excellent and his fundamentals and technique are outstanding. He has a high release point and excellent follow through which allows him to be an efficient perimeter shooter. His skill/size for his position will make him an attractive D1 prospect.

6’9 2014 Tucker Thompson of Hough HS In Huntersville, NC

The great part of Thompson’s game is simple. He understands his role and size and he is an absolute rebounding machine. He doesn’t venture far from the low point area and is a willing rebounder and anticipates miss shots extremely well. He plays with his hands/arms up, which makes him more effective with rebounding. He was a tireless worker on both ends of the court and battles constantly for position. While he may be a little raw offensively, he has the work ethic and desire to improve and get better. There is no shortage of passion and desire and his size and ability to rebound will garnish many D1 offers before it is all said and done.

6’3 2014 Jaron Withers of Fayetteville Academy in Fayetteville, NC

Withers is a strong, physical and explosive guard with tremendous athletic ability. He has a 39” vertical and with these strong attributes it is no secret Withers is best in transition and loves to attack the rim. He finishes well in traffic and didn’t mind throwing a few impressive dunks for the fans in attendance. Currently, a solid D1 prospect, but with improvement in his perimeter shooting will enhance his college prospects.

6’1 2014 Shawn Lipscomb of Cresset Christian Academy in Durham, NC

Lipscomb has the ability to score at will and can easily play either guard position. He does have a scorer’s mentality and has no problem getting into the lane. His speed and quickness is a strong physical attribute and the next step for his development is to become more passer friendly if he wants to become a PG at the collegiate level. He has time to sort out which position will best suit him. That being said, Lipscomb has the potential to become a legit D1 prospect.

6’1 2014 PG Carlee Clemons of Millbrook HS in Raleigh, NC

Clemons is a true PG that has excellent court vision. He is a willing passer and has the athleticism and skill to be a solid D1 prospect. More importantly, camp settings are not the best place for young players to showcase their defensive ability. That was not the case with Clemons. He played excellent defense on and off the ball and his lateral foot speed was impressive. He took pride in his defense and not many players outplayed him on the defensive end of the court. Clemons has the right attitude and work ethic and a desire to maximize his efforts 100% of the time.

6’4 2014 Nick George of Charleston Catholic in Charleston, WV

George is a solid all around player that simply does a little bit of everything well. He has great fundamentals, basketball IQ and overall knowledge of the game. That being said, his calling card is his ability to absolutely shoot the cover off the ball, especially from the 3-point line. George should be a high priority of schools in the Big South or Southern Conference.

6’3 2014 SG Riley LaRue of East Forsyth of Kernersville, NC

Riley LaRue is another son of a former ACC player and current Wake Forest Assistant Coach Rusty LaRue. He is the typical coaches’ son and will be that glue guy every team needs. He does all the little things and has a knack to be around the ball. He is a “catch and shoot” guy and his ability to dive on the floor for loose balls didn’t go unnoticed. He was playing for recognition of being a total all around player and he did exactly that. He has improved his foot quickness and a year at a postgraduate school may be the ticket to push him into the D1 level. If not, LaRue will be an attractive prospect for a D2 or NAIA school. He does too many things well and all teams needs shooters.

6’0 2014 PG TJ Evans of Apex HS in Apex, NC

Evans is a talented young lefty with a soft shooting touch. He is a true PG and is a willing passer and has the poise, skill, and talent to become a solid D1 prospect. We first watched Evans at the DTCC and liked his game then and his play at the Phenom 150 solidified our strong opinion of Evans. Too often in camp settings, scoring takes a premium, but we were more impressed with his ability to be a team leader and facilitator. While he has the ability to create his own shot, he was more geared to being a willing passer and set up his teammates, which is the primary responsibility of a true PG. We like the poise and attitude Evans displayed on and off the court and would be a great addition to a D1 college program. At the Dave Telep Carolina Challenge, we wrote the following, ” the lefty dynamo put up big numbers in the Tri-9 this season and proved worthy of his DTCC and then some on Saturday. Displaying an accurate stroke from deep. Evans is unquestionably best off the bounce and attacking the rim in the half court. His body control is at an elite level and finished through contact enough on the day to rack up an impressive 12.7 PPG in three days on the day. See this complete write up.

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“Justin’s Corner” by Justin Byerly

October 10, 2012 by 2 Comments
Justin Byerly of Carolina Preps and Basketball Elite put together his notes from the 10th Annual NC Phenom 150 Camp. Who stood out to him from the high school division of the NC Phenom 150 camp?

Numerous kids come into the summer with big expectations of getting thier name out in the basketball world.  For a player trying to make a name for themselves there are not many camps that can do that like Rick Lewis’ Phenom 150 Camp. This year’s event held at The Gateway YWCA in Winston-Salem, N.Carolina was a great opportunity for people like me to get a good look at some of the young talent and some that have improved since the summer. With the likes of NC State Head Coach Mark Gottfried, Wake Forest Assistant Coach Rusty LaRue (had youngsters participating) former UNC-Greensboro & Winthrop Head Coach Randy Peele, and NC State freshman point guard Tyler Lewis in the building it made for a great day.  Over a dozen Division Two coaches on hand at the event (not limited on certain events they can attend) to get a look at prospects they may offer or put on their radar. If you want to play against the best in the southeast and in front of top coaches, media and evaluators there is not a better atmosphere than Rick Lewis’ Phenom 150. Here are some of the top performers that I saw at the event.

Ricky Council, 6’4, 2014 Northern Durham HS (NC). Big solid player, bouncy, strong, has a good shot and attacks the rim. Has a great motor and conitues to get better every time I see him.

Jon Elmore, a crafty 6’3 guard Christ School (NC) Smart player, knows where to be on the floor at all times. Knows how to win.Controls the floor and the game with a solid handle and basketball IQ. Getting some interest lately from Davidson.

Shawn Lipscomb, 6’0, guard out of Cresset Christian (NC). A scorer, with a very good handle. Always has his head up to make the right pass. Averaged nearly 30 points per game this past season and after watching him at Phenom 150, its easy to see why.

Saleik Edwards, a 6’1, 2015 South Central HS (NC) Tough to stop in transition, can finish on the break & use L or R. Quick with the ball in the open court and had a very good performance over at Phenom 150.

Jarrett Williams, 6’6, 2014 Calhoun County HS (SC) Strong build, athletic player that is active from rim to rim & gets really good position for rebounds. Has very good timing when blocking or altering shots.

Jalen Gaddy, 6’4, 2015 Neuse Christian (NC) Can finish with contact, athletic player that knows how to score the basketball.

Cody Hylton, 6’3, 2013 Northwest Guilford HS (NC) Fastest release you will find & can really shoot it. Has a good build, strong upper body, hit a few threes today that were easily behind the range the guys get paid to shoot at.

Roderick Howell, a 6’6, 2013 Rock Hill (SC) Very athletic, college ready body, muscular build, can finish at the rim and active on the glass.

Tyler Creammer, 6’10, 2015 South View HS (NC) Long, grabs a ton of rebounds, gets good position down low & uses skilled footwork to get open.

Cam Gottfriend, 6’3, 2014 out of Broughton HS (NC) was impressive today. Very athletic, had a couple nice dunks, good shooter, Skilled player. Has a offer from Loyola University.

Justice Cuthbertson, 6’3, 2014 Westchester Country Day (NC) Very good shooter, very athletic, great size, has improved steadily over the past year and now with offers from Houston & Radford and new interest from Drexel.

Deshawn Corprew, 6’5, 2016 Phoebus (VA) Had one of the best showings at camp today, Going to be one to watch over next 4 years. Very athletic, can score almost at will. The level of play almost seemed to be easy at times for him. He is with the younger group of Team Loaded (NC).

Cory Hanes, 6’5, 2015 Forsyth Country Day (NC) Strong footwork, can score in the post, uses both hands very well. Athletic player that can play above the rim on the break and can post up and score against bigger opponents.

Caleb Davis, 6’1, 2013 Vance (Charlotte) Strong finisher, very tight handle, attacks the paint, great crossover, good build on this one.  Very bouncy when going for rebounds or on the break.

Torin Dorn, a 6’3, 2014 Vance HS (Charlotte) Good defender, rebounds the ball well, knows how to score, plays rim to rim, loves to compete and you can see that in him nearly every play that he is involved in. Charlotte has offered.

Alston Thompson, 6’6, 2014 Durham (NC) Hillside HS Long and athletic, strong player that rebounds & blocks shots.

Austin and Taylor Hatfield of Davie County HS (NC) Both streaky shooters, smart, very aware, all over the floor and high basketball IQ’s. Joining the Martin twins at Davie HS this year, will make for a interesting scenario when playoff time comes around.

Gary Clark, a 6’7, 2014 Clayton HS (NC) Very good handle, can play the 3 at next level, good shooter, attacks the lane, high riser. Played most of the day under the weather. Great motor on a kid who forgot his ashtma inhaler at home and did not use during the event. Has some big time offers and interest. Clemson was in this past week.

John Pride, 6’2, 2015 Glenn Allen (VA) Strong body, can attack paint & cup. Can finish at the rim on the break in transition or when he beats his man in the half court set.

Michael White 6’1, 2015 Charlotte Country Day (NC) Nice pull up jumper & runner/floater he was hitting consistently.

Colton Bishop, 6’1, 2014 Forsyth Country Day (NC) One of the quickest players with the ball, can finish at the rim. Knows where the ball should be during every possesion and puts it there on a needle. Picked up an offer from Gardner-Webb Unviersity last week.

Zach Hartle, 6’5, 2015 West Stokes HS (NC) Active on boards and a good shooter with a soft touch. Good mid-range shot with a pure form.

Zane Waterman, 6’7, 2014 Fayetteville Academy (NC) Strong player, attacks the rim, had some nice dunks. Had a lot of coaches asking about him during the event. One former coach said ” He has some stuff to his game”. Long and does not back down, loves to take contact and bang in the paint.

 

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Recruiting Round Table Part 2

June 12, 2012 by 1 Comment

In today’s issue of Recruiting Round Table Part 2,  we want to introduce players that are currently “under the radar”.

Player: 6’1 PG Colton Bishop
Class: 2014
City: Lewisville, North Carolina
High School: Forsyth Country Day
Twitter Name: @bishizzo1
High School Coach: Jack McHale
AAU Team: NC Spartans
AAU Coach: Brant Short
Interest: Western Carolina, Davidson, Gardner-Webb, NC Central
Evaluation: Bishop is a long and slender PG that is rapidly improving into a solid D1 prospect. He is a tireless worker and is the ultimate gym rat. He will surprise you with his athleticism and has the ability to be a scoring PG or a true facilitator in running his team effectively. Bishop is fundamentally sound player with an outstanding basketball IQ. Last season for FCDS, we was used more as a scoring guard especially with his ability to know down 3 point shots. He is a super young man with high character and any college that secures his commitment will have a great young man/player.

Player: 6’3 Darius Williams
Class: 2014
City: Hemingway, South Carolina
High School: Carvers Bay
High School Coach: J. Mezzatesta
AAU Team: Manzer
AAU Coach: Coach Manzer
Interest: UNC, Louisville, NC State
Evaluation: Williams is an superb athlete that can shine on the football field or on the basketball court. He has a strong frame and his ability to compete, defend, and play with an aggressive fashion is impressive. He is a run/jump athletic WG and with a refined skill set, should see his recruitment explode.

Player: 6’3 John Elmore
Class:2014
City: Charleston, West Virginia
High School: Christ School, Arden NC
Twitter Name: @elmore33
High School Coach: David Gaines
AAU Team: WV Wildcats
Interest:  Alabama, WVU, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Ohio University, VMI
Evaluation: A strong and heady PG that can simply do a little bit of everything on the court. While Elmore has a solid offensive skill set, the extremely athletic PG strongest attribute may be his ability to defend with his excellent on the ball defense. Elmore has been well coached and has a high basketball IQ and strong fundamentals that accompany his skill set and athleticism.

Name: 6’0 RJ Hunt
Class 2014
City: Raleigh, North Carolina
High School: Neuse Christian Academy
Twitter Name: @RJ_Hunt_21
High School Coach: Coach Scottie Richardson
AAU Coach:  Bob Harris
Interest: Tennessee,  VCU, George Mason, UGA.
Evaluation: Hunt is a hard working young man that is entirely focused on athletics and academics, plus has his priorities in order. A high character young man that plays the game the right way. A solid lead guard that is capable of running a team effectively in transition and in the half court. He has good court vision and basketball IQ and has different levels of college interest. His strongest attribute is his understanding of the game and once he gains more strength and power, his recruitment will expand even further.

Name: 6’8 Parker Jones
Class: 2014
City: Mooresville, North Carolina
High School: Lake Norman High School
High School Coach: Brandon Jolly
AAU Team: Carolina Warriors
AAU  Coach:  Thomas Mack
Evaluation: Jones is a solid 6’8 player that is continuing to make strides on the basketball court. He has a soft shooting touch up to 12-15 feet and once he develops more strength and athleticism, his recruitment should pick up. Currently, a D3/D2 prospect, Jones is a strong a student in the classroom and a model citizen that could see more interest with a strong showing during the live July period.

Player: 6’4 SG Nick Powell
Class: 2014
City: Greensboro, North Carolina
High School: Northwest Guilford
Twitter Name: @Nicky_P_
High School Coach:   Lee Reavis
AAU Team: Kappa Magic 16U
AAU coach: Eric Alspaugh
Interest: Western Carolina, Wingate, UNC-G
Evaluation: Powell is a strong SG that has excellent range on his jumper. He is an efficient 3 point shooter with outstanding shooting fundamentals, technique, extension and follow through. While his ability to shoot accurately from the perimeter is his strongest attribute, he will surprise you with his movement without the ball. He is solid in coming off screens and is constantly moving to get open. He has good ball handling skills for his size/position and is able to use either hand while finishing in the lane. The next step for Powell is continued improvement on the defensive end of the floor with increased lateral speed.

You Tube: (Start at 1:30 min)  Nick Powell #21 AAU – Kappa Magic 16U – Boo Williams Nike Invitational 2012

Nick Powell #3 from 2011-2012 Northwest Guilford season.

Player: 5’9  Emmanuel Maree
Class: 2014
City: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
High School: North Forsyth High School
Twitter Name: @EmmanMaree_12
AAU Team: Winston-Salem Warriors
AAU coach: Terrence Petree
Interest: Invited to Wake Forest and UNC-G Elite Camps UNC-G, Winthrop.
Evaluation: Maree is a quick PG that is able to push the ball up the court in an impressive fashion. He has jet like speed and has the ability to penetrate into the lane with ease. He has the ability to finish in the lane, but is quite effective in dishing out to teammates for open shots. He is a true lead guard that makes his teammates better. Currently, a borderline D2/D1 prospect and a strong summer and junior year will help determine his appropriate level.

Player: 5’10  Christian Sexton
Class: 2014
City: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
High School: Bishop McGuiness Catholic
Twitter Name: @shwingo4
High School  Coach: Josh Thompson
AAU Team: NC Spartans Elite
AAU coach: Brant Short
Evaluation: Sexton is a smart and heady PG that has a solid skill set. His strongest attributes are his high basketball IQ and fundamentals. He is an efficient scorer and has excellent range on his perimeter shooting. He is strong academically so D3 should be a proper fit for this young man.

Player: 6’1 Brian Thornton
Class: 2015
City: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
High School Coach: Tom Morgan
AAU Team: SEBL 15U
Interest: Davidson College, Wingate, Seton Hall
Evaluation: Thornton is a strong PG that competes, defends and plays hard. He is one of the better PG’s in the 2015 class in North Carolina. He has good size, strength and power for his age/grade that is matched with good fundamentals and IQ. He has a nice blend of athleticism and skills that should make him a priority in the 2015 class for players in the Old North State.

Player: 6’2  Anthony Bilas
Class: 2015
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School:  Charlotte Latin
Twitter Name:  @AnthonyBilas
High School Coach: Chris Berger
AAU Team: Upward Stars
Evaluation: Anthony Bilas comes from excellent stock and is the son of former Duke star Jay Bilas. Anthony Bilas is a hard working young man with outstanding fundamentals and basketball IQ. He has strong perimeter skills and possesses an excellent shooting touch and can consistently knock down the 3 point shot. One of his strongest attributes is his work ethic and desire to get better. He has solid ball handling skills for his size/position and is an good team player. While his strength is shooting the ball, he is unselfish in making the extra pass. While only 6’2 currently, he is long and lanky and looks like he has a lot more growing to do.

Player: 5’8  Chandler Peraldo
Class: 2015
City: Greensboro, North Carolina
High School: Bishop McGuiness Catholic
High School Coach: Josh Thompson
AAU Team: Team Phoenix
Evaluation: Peraldo is a quick/heady “pass first” PG. He is an ultimate gym rat and has excellent handles along with good perimeter skills. He is effective shooting 3 pointers and has the speed/quickness to be an effective PG at the HS level and beyond. His biggest attribute is his desire to get better since he is a strong will competitor. As he gets older, he will gain strength and power which will help determine his appropriate level.

Player: 6’0  Timmy Walker, Jr.
Class: 2016
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: Christ School
Twitter Name: @TimmyWlk11
High School Coach: David Gaines
AAU Team: Karolina Diamonds
AAU coach:  Kevin Graves
Evaluation: Go ahead and put his young man in your SIM CARD. He is one of the better players in the talented 2016 class in North Carolina. He is strong, powerful and possesses excellent speed/quickness. Walker will be transferring to The Christ School in Arden, North Carolina and Coach David Gaines truly has a gifted young prospect in the 2016 class. His athleticism (strength, speed, and quickness) are beyond his years for his age/grade and has the ability to get into the lane with so much ease, even against bigger and older players. The next step for Walker is to develop a consistent perimeter jumper extending to the 3 point line.

Player: 5’8 Caron Corpening
Class: 2016
City: Lenoir, North Carolina
High School: Saint Stephens high
Twitter Name: @CaronCorpening
AAU Team: E.A. Prep All Stars
Evaluation: Corpening is another player on the rise in the 2016 class. His speed/quickness along with his ability to handle and pass the rock are exceptional for his age/grade. More importantly, he excels on the defensive on the floor and may be one of the best on the ball defenders we have seen in quite some time. This young man takes tremendous pride in his defense which is not found often today. He can be a change changer by his defensive pressure on the ball. He is a true competitor that gives 100% effort 100% of the time. Add him to your SIM CARD as a solid D1 prospect.

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2nd Annual Basketball Elite Southeast Summer Showcase

May 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

After covering many different events this past spring, there is one thing for certain and it is not enough emphasis in recruiting is placed on winning. Do you win and make your team better relative to the overall talent?

In our coverage of the Nike EYBL in Hampton, Virginia last week, we tried to capture just that and not take the “cookie cutter” approach that is often seen today. Without question, our game summaries were a “grand slam” with our readers/subscribers.

One coach had shared this comment and it still stands out, “would you rather coach this kid twice a year or coach against this kid twice a year” and this comment makes perfect sense. But the best comment came from a coach that stated the following about the Phenom Hoop Report. “This is great stuff with heartfelt input. You are right; knowing how to win is a key component that is a lost art even by top rated players. They tend to focus on getting better and building the supporting cast around them better. I have read all of your material; you have a true eye for talent and a great sense of verbal expression that puts the reader in the moment.”

In addition, the Phenom Hoop Report tries to cover events at all levels, especially local and regional events like the 2nd Annual Southeastern Summer Showcase sponsored by Marcus Shockley and staff of Basketball Elite. The Southeastern Showcase was held at the beautiful campus of Forsyth Country Day in Lewisville, North Carolina. Over 75 players were in attendance and one thing was for certain, the high school prospects played with passion and played hard!

The best player in attendance and camp MVP belonged to 6’1 2013 PG Charis Fitzgerald of West Gadsden HS in Quincy, Florida. The town of Quincy is located in the Florida panhandle approximately 30 minutes northeast of Tallahassee. The trip from Quincy to North Carolina must have been a long journey for the relative nationally unknown player, but this young man is definitely a player division one colleges should monitor over the spring and summer months. While he may project as a mid-major level player, this young man made a big impression on us.

Listed at 6’1, Fitzgerald plays much bigger than his listed height. He has a physically mature body and long arms. He has a quick and powerful bounce to his step and he combines athleticism and skill that was head and shoulders above the competition. He has good open court speed and advanced ball handling and passing skills, but his biggest attribute is his ability to shoot the basketball. He was simply dialed in from deep and shot the cover off the ball. In one 5 minute segment, he came down in transition on three consecutive possessions and tickled the net which time. He was shooting threes of the dribble, off pick and rolls, you name it Fitzgerald absolutely loved the nets at the Forsyth Country Day School.  In addition to his superb shooting touch, he was efficient in his pump fakes and jab steps, which is rarely seen at his level today.

One of the most improved young players in the 2014 class is 6’1 PG Colton Bishop of Forsyth Country Day School and is now getting serious attention from SoCon and Big South schools. Make no mistake about it; the “gym rat” list of schools will grow rapidly this summer and next season. Colton is a long 6’1 and also sports good bounce off the dribble. He is a very unselfish player and showcased his passing skills as he continuously made lengthy passes off the dribble (using both hands easily and efficiently) for nice pitch ahead assists that were dead on. He has been ability to stretch the defense with his accurate three- point shooting, and is excellent with his left to right cross over pull up jumper. In transition, he favored the one handed “inside-out” cross over move that would have made Bobby Hurley envious, but our favorite move was when he switched hands from right to left to make a beautiful transition layup against a bigger defender. The next step in his development is to become more vocal and learn the leadership role that comes with being a division one PG.

One of the fastest guards in the state of North Carolina is 6’2 2014 PG Larry Curry of East Forsyth HS in Kernersville. Curry has “jet like” quickness/speed in the open court and has good size, strength, and power for a young PG. It would be hard-pressed to find another NC PG with more end to end speed with the ball than this young man. While he is a lefty, Curry loves to attack using his right hand only to cross over to his left hand for his mid-range jumper or direct move to the basket. Another favorite move by Curry is the “euro step” in transition as the young and talented PG has strong body control. That being said, the one move that was even more impressive was his put back dunk off a missed shot as he elevated above the rim for the mix tape highlight jam. The next step in his development is to become a more efficient shooter from the perimeter to expand his overall value.

2013 6’7 WF Craig Hinton of East Forsyth of Kernersville, NC may challenge Donte Buford as the state’s best dunker. It seems to be old habit that both players have run out of closet space to house the many slam dunk contest trophies and the Southeastern Showcase was no exception. The explosive and wiry WF gets anyway close to the basket; you know he is going to “throw it down.” He will need to diversify his offensive perimeter skills to garnish a division one offer, but many schools are definitely sniffing around and don’t be surprised if his first division one offer comes sooner than later.

Other players that made an impression were 6’7 2013 PF TqQuan Biting of Mt. Tabor HS in Winston-Salem, NC. He looks more physically mature and has toned down quite a bit from the last time watching him play at the DTCC. Biting does post up well on the interior and gets good positioning with his feet. He did get wide and low and did a solid job of calling for the ball, but more importantly he was effective in knocking down the mid-range jumper from the free throw line that is appealing. He has good fundamentals and runs well in offensive transition, but would like the same effort in defensive transition. He has improved a lot since we first watched him as a freshman at the NC Phenom 150 camp and his improvement is steady and forward!

6’6 2013 WF David “Tyler” Rose of Calvary Baptist in Winston-Salem, NC is an intriguing prospect that showed good mobility and is versatile for his size/position. We were surprised by his handles in the open court, but more importantly has a soft shooting touch from the perimeter. With added strength, Rose could easily position him as a potential division one prospect.

6’5 2014 Corey Hanes of High Point Central was a surprise player. We were impressed with his hardnosed and blue collar work ethic on the court. He hustled on both ends of the court, but really handled the ball in the open court well. He has surprising athleticism and made numerous baseline moves with a quick bounce off the dribble for impressive dunks. He has excellent body control. We really liked his ball handling and passing skills for his size/position and if he fine tunes his outside jumper, he could elevate his status to a division one prospect. He could use a quicker release on his jumper.

6’4 Lepreece Lynch of Mt. Tabor HS in Winston-Salem is a smooth and athletic WG that is fundamentally sound. He has uncanny body control and rarely took a poor shot. He was patience on offense and loved his steady diet of pump fakes and jab steps to get defenders off their feet. More importantly, he was a solid defender and took pride in his defense which was impressive.

6’2 2014 SG Spencer Scott of Charlotte Christian is growing rapidly into a solid prospect. He has good strength and sports a feathery touch from 15-20 feet.

6’3 2013 PG/SG Oshon West of North Rowan HS in Salisbury, NC is a strong and powerful guard. He uses his strength well getting into the paint where he finishes with at a high rate.

6’3 2013 WF Trey Mitchell of Olympic HS in Charlotte is a wiry and long athletic wing that is outstanding in transition, but his ability to set screens correctly and properly along his overall team defensive understanding made a strong impression on us. He also was efficient at boxing out, again not a trait often seen at showcase events.

Last, 6’4 2015 Zaqwuan Matthews of Myers Park in Charlotte, NC has all the looks to be a solid division one prospect and his skill sets definitely matched his athleticism. While the 2015 appears to be a rather weak class in North Carolina, he just could be one of the more talked about rising sophomores in the state. Below is the All Star Roster produced by Basketball Elite. Congratulations to all the players who were selected.

All-Star Rosters:

Jameal Robinson, 6’3”, SG, 2013, Greer SC (Greer HS)
Daryl Myers, 5’10”, PG, 2015, Fredericksburg, VA (Oak Hill)
Ty’Quan Bitting, 6’7” PF, 2013, Winston-Salem, NC (Mt. Tabor HS)
Tyler Rose, 6’6”, SG/SF, 2013, Pfafftown, NC (Calvary Baptist)
Oshon West, 6’3”, SG 2013, Spencer, NC (North Rowan HS)
Lepreece Lynch, 6’4”, SG, 2013, Winston-Salem, NC (Mt. Tabor HS)
Craig Hinton, 6’6”, SF, 2013, Kernersville, NC (East Forsyth HS)
Parker Smith, 6’1”, PG/SG, 2013, Winston-Salem, NC (RJ Reynolds HS)
Charis Fitzgerald 6’1 PG/SG 2013 Quincy, FL (West Gadsden HS)
Colton Bishop 6’1 PG/SG 2014 Winston-Salem, NC (Forsyth Country Day)
Trey Mitchell, 6’4”, SG/SF, 2013 Charlotte, NC (Olympic HS)
Zaqwuan Matthews, 6’4”, SF, 2015 Charlotte, NC (Myers Park HS)
Michael Bowman, 6’1”, 2014, G, Spencer, NC (North Rowan HS)
Cory Hanes, 6’5 SF/PF 2014 High Point, NC (High Point Central HS)
Larry Curry, 6’2” PG/SG 2014 Winston-Salem, NC (East Forsyth HS)
Nehemiah Stafford, 5’11 PG/SG 2013 Fleetwood, NC (Ashe County HS)
Broderick Avery-Ellis, 5’8 PG/SG 2014 Cleveland, NC (North Hills Christian School)
Enoch Koudja, 6’3 PG/SG Charleston, SC (Christian Sports Academy)
Jalen Ford, 5’9”, PG, 2012, High Point, NC (Andrews HS)
Kendrick Stukes, 5’10 PG, 2014 Thomasville, NC (Thomasville Prep)
Jake Turner 5’10 PG/SG 2014, Clayton, NC (Clayton HS)
Michael Conner, SG, 6’1, 2014, Spencer, NC (North Rowan)
Nigel Williams 6’2 PG/SG 2012 Charlotte, NC (Queen City Prep)
Evan Peatross, 6’3 PG/SG 2013 Pfafftown, NC (Reagan HS)

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