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Basketball Elite Southeastern Showcase Pt 1

June 16, 2013 by Leave a Comment

By Jamie Shaw

First off, Marcus Shockley and his Basketball Elite staff showed fantastic hospitality for this event. They did a great job providing ample room and whatever was needed. Access to the players was simple, and the talent pool was much much better than expected. Could not be happier, or more eager, to sing praises.

Secondly, Forsyth Country Day School is a great campus. You’re greeted with a great (HUGE) playground, which my daughter loved. You can tell the school cares about their sports, great baseball stadium and multiple basketball courts. Event put together gets an A.

Now on to the event.

Started off with drills, went into games, dunk contest, and finishes with an all-star game. Like expected the dunk contest was the highlight. Unlike expected, there were some really athletic kids dunking the ball. The finals included Stavian Allen (6’7/185) Ricky Council (6’4/190) and Carlee Clemons (6’/170). All three put down great dunk, Allen a 360 off his own alley oop toss. Council tried to take off from the free throw line, nearly making it. But then came Carlee Clemons. Any of the three dunks he did would have won the competition. He made the 9.5 dunks of the other two just become forgotten. Height, Power, Showmanship, The way Clemmons handled it was a thing of beauty. 6’8 Javis Howard and 6’7 Gary Clark were used as props, Clemons took off just inside the FT line and cleared both with room to spare. It left the entire gym in a roar.

Check out the Final 3 dunks courtesy of this Carlyton Clemons video…

Now To The Players

Justice Cuthbertson 6’3 G Winchester School (Kappa Magic) 2014

It is easy for me to say that Cuthbertson was the best player on the day. He came into camp with a chip on his shoulder and an agenda. Man did he ever take it out on the field. His end to end speed was unmatched. He was beating multiple defenders down the floor off made baskets. He drove, controlled head high and dished consistently and NO ONE could stop him. Double digit assists in each game, he also showed an ability to hit the midrange jump shot consistently. Everytime I looked up Justice was making a play. I know he kept Javis Howard happy.

Carlee Clemons 6’ G Millbrook HS (NC RedStorm) 2014

Clemons was mentioned above, but he is far from just a show dunker. He transitions that explosion to the games as well. He dunks in traffic, he dunks in transition, he dunks in warmups, the kid can jump. Today however was a great day because he was hitting jump shots. He had multiple mid-range shots that he knocked down from the short corner. Also, he chipped in a couple set 3s. All in all, Clemmons scored the ball today. He scored the ball high above the rim and he scored the ball away from the rim.

Ricky Council 6’4 SG Northern HS (Undecided) 2014

The unicorn (he does exist). In typical Council fashion he goes under the radar for a couple months then comes back out just to show you that he a player on the MidMajor and HighMajor bubble. Blessed with a great build and athleticism, he showed an ability to handle and get to the rim. Ricky knows how to score the ball and his bread and butter is the quick silky smooth J. He is a hard worker off the ball. Utilizes screen reads, defenders movements, and great lateral/diagonal ball cuts to get open. He needs a half second to get a shot off and knocks it down from mid-range to well beyond the 3. Council showed today he can handle the ball as well. While I wouldn’t call him a primary, he is capable in the half court. He is down to 3 (2 ahead of the other) AAU programs to play the live period with.

Ronshad Shabazz 6’4 G Knightdale HS (CP3) 2015

Ronshad is one of my favorite players; I have no problem saying that. After this event, I also have no problem saying, I think he will be a star. Ronshad can go get you a bucket, we all know this. His jumps shot is quick, it’s efficient, and it’s deep. He can put the ball on the floor, he will kill you from the mid-range and he can put it down on you in the lane. Ronshad can flat out get you a bucket. Coming into this camp, what I didn’t know is he can handle as a primary. He brought the ball up for his team, got them into sets, and facilitated the offense to keep it moving and everyone happy. Now, let’s not get too excited here, if anyone on my team is shooting it Ronshad would be it. But the fact that he knew he needed his team to be involved in order to win is a show of great maturity. This kid has NO idea how good he is, he will be a star.

Other Kids to Track:

Colton Bishop 6’1 PG Forsyth Country Day (Team Winston) 2014

Always a great pull up and pick and roll kid. Showed explosion today. Attacked he basket and knocked down shots.

CJ Jackson 6’ G Olympic HS (Aim High) 2014

Quick stroke quick release. Attacked the basket today, that was good to see. Was taller than I thought as well.

Daryl Myers 5’11 PG Fredricksburg Christian (Team Loaded) 2016

Myers is fun to watch. Has a great handle, very very crafty and feel for the game. Nice jump shot too.

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Southeast Summer Showcase

June 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment

We were able to cover the early morning games on Sunday at the Southeast Summer Showcase at FCDS in Lewisville, NC. Event organizers Marcus Shockley and James Blackburn had approximately 100 high school players from across the state. It was a very well run event and quality event for the players, coaches and scouts in attendance. While we were not able to cover the entire event due to a family commitment, we want to bring you our observations from watching station workouts and the early games.

6’8 2014 Gary Clark of Clayton HS in Clayton, NC

We have watched Clark countless times over the past year and the multi-skilled combo forward has the complete package. We have spoken about his skill set numerous times, but today we will talk more about Clark the “team player.” Without question, Clark was the highest profile prospect in attendance and it would have been easy for him to make it his personal highlight You Tube day by dominating and manufacturing his own shots each and every time down the court. Instead, Clark was the ultimate team player and played within the framework of the offense. His shots came within the flow of the game and were very content on getting others involved in the offense and this made the biggest impression on us. We really believe Clark is a HM prospect, but after watching him so many times over the court of the year, we believe he is a HM teammate!

JusticeCuther6’3 2014 PG Justice Cuthbertson of Westchester Academy in High Point, NC

Without question, Cuthbertson is one of the most improved players in the 2014 class and we are just perplexed why this young man has zero college offers! Cuthberston plays on the Kappa Magic AAU program and recently won the AAU Super Regional in Fayetteville, NC last week. Cuthbertson has really good size and strength and has excellent ball speed in the open court. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills and was exceptional with his court vision. We were impressed with his ability to push the ball in transition and get into the lane and make the correct pass to open teammates.  He came into the event with a chip on his shoulder and it would simply be a shame if local and regional D1 schools are recruiting and offering this young man, especially at the Big South and Southern Conference level. While he is getting interest from VT, Penn State, George Mason, HPU, and GWU, Cuthbertson is waiting on his first official offer. VIDEO

RickyCouncil6’4 2014 WG Ricky Council of Northern Durham HS in Durham, NC

Council has been NC Phenom 150 alum for the past three years and he continues to be one of our favorite players. He is an energetic athletic WG that loves to get out in transition and punish the rims. Council has the ability to knock down perimeter shots as seen in previous events, but didn’t connect as effectively as we have seen on other occasions. Council averaged close to 25 PPG at Northern Durham but more importantly sports an impressive 3.7 GPA. In speaking with Council, he is a yes/no sir type of young man. Council stated he has offers from UT-C, Radford, and GWU while getting interst from VCU and some ACC schools. He has played AAU in the spring and indicated he will run with Team Loaded or Upward Stars in the summer. Council is a solid MM prospect but a HM student and young man!

JavisHoward6’8 2014 Javis Howard of Irmo HS in Irmo, SC

We watched Howard last weekend at the Nike MDC with Upward Stars and came away impressed with the progress with his blue-collar approach to the game. More importantly, Howard is excellent in transition as he runs the floor extremely well and he flourished on the day by teaming up with Justice Cuthbertson who was dropping dimes to him on a regular basis. We liked the jump hook shot as his “go to” offensive move for the game and with Howard; one is not looking at the finished product. We firmly believe Howard is a solid MM prospect and has the ability to contribute and find success at that level. Currently, Howard told us he has offers from HPU, Winthrop, Charleston Southern and Georgia Southern. He hopes to make an early fall decision so schools in the area need to get on the Howard bandwagon soon.

6’8 2014 Coye Simmons of Winston-Salem Prep in Winston-Salem, NC

We were not able to watch Simmons in an actual game on Sunday, but we did watch approximately one hour of skill work prior to the games. We loved his work ethic and that was good enough for me to write about his young man. Like so many young players his size, his skill set hasn’t always matched his body and athleticism. He did show good footwork in the paint and has really worked on his stamina. He was knocking down the mid range jumpers in drills with high efficiency.  Simmons is also an excellent student with a lofty 3.5 GPA. Simmons stated he has offers from ODU, Georgia Southern, Marshall, Jacksonville and UT-C. He has not made any official visits but plan on doing so once the AAU season is complete. Here is a brief highlight of Simmons from the recent AAU Super Regional.

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

We have watched Clemons on several occasions especially at the NC Phenom 150 camp. Clemons is one of the more athletic guards in the state as this young man as tremendous leaping ability. If you don’t believe me, just watch the video as he won the 2013 Southeast Summer Showcase Dunk Contest.

While Clemons sports this tremendous athletic ability, the next step is to use this ability wisely and efficiently. That being said, Clemons is an excellent on the ball defender and has tremendous foot speed and lateral quickness. He will need to showcase a consistent jumper at the next level, but with his work ethic and desire to get better Clemons is a name to put in your memory blank for schools at the Big South or SoCon level.

6’3 2014 Gabe DeVoe of Shelby HS in Shelby, NC

OK, DeVoe has been a regular of the Phenom Hoop Report this past month. I get it but this young man deserves all the accolades that have been written about him. DeVoe is a high character young man with a tremendous work ethic on and off the court. As we stated in our NC Phenom 150 Camp Report, DeVoe has a rare combination of size, speed and quickness, plus is a really good shooter. We really love his court demeanor as he constantly plays under control and with tremendous poise. He is really crafty at times and really creative with his handles. He is a strong but smooth player that will be a high priority for MM schools.

6’4 2015 Ronshad Shabazz of Knightdale HS in Knightdale, NC

Shabazz is another player we wrote about last week at the Nike MDC in Suwannee, GA. He is an athletic WG that has range and can consistently knock down the 3-ball. Shabazz has good handles and is a willing passer, which is unique for someone with his offensive scoring ability. In speaking with Shabazz, he owns mid major offers and has interest from some ACC schools. His jumper and athletic ability will translate well at the next level.

We were unable to watch the afternoon session and All- Star game, but event organizer James Blackburn and Marcus Shockley provided us with the below All-Star roster and award winners:

MVP- Kedrick Flomo
Coaches Award- Gerald Vaugn Jr
Dunk Contest winner- Carlee Clemons

Justice Cuthbertson
Gabe Devoe
Carlee Clemons
Mike Hughes
Stavian Allen
Charis Fitzgerald
Javis Howard
Gary Clark
Austin Collins
Cory Hanes
Colton Bishop
Coye Simmons
James Tillman
Tristen Reese
Kedrick Flomo (MVP)
Larry Curry
Jalen Gaddy
Bryan Rouse
Ricky Council
Juwaun Evans
Will Tibbs
Logan Weathers
Daryl Myers
Zaqwaun Matthews
Aaron Lipscomb

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Phenom Hoop Report- NC Phenom 150 Camp Teams 1-2

November 6, 2012 by Leave a 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 1-2 at camp. The majority of the comments listed below are comments from the players’ respective camp coach.

Team 1 coached by James Strong

#41 6’1 2015 Freddie Peacock of Raleigh, NC: Peacock is a solid PG that has a great work ethic. He has sound fundamentals and a high basketball IQ. His size should transition into a PG down the road and it will be important for him to continue working on his perimeter skills. He shoots the ball well and the current combo guard enjoys a blend of athleticism and skills to make him a priority for D1 coaches.

#139 6’3 2014 Marlowe Cobb of Danville, VA: The hard working combo guard combines his tremendous attitude that makes his athleticism /skill attractive. Cobb is a player that does a little bit of everything well and thus is a solid all around player. He plays hard and has the potential to play at the collegiate level, but what level is yet to be determined. Cobb will need to improve his overall perimeter skills, but has the ability to do just that.

#54 6’1 2015 AJ Fulp of Wesley Chapel, NC: Fulp simply plays the game the right way. His strong attitude, work ethic and overall skill package makes him a good all around player. While Fulp doesn’t possess outstanding athleticism, he does have enough athleticism to make him a college prospect in due time. He is a team player and does all the simple things, which often goes unnoticed. He has above average perimeter skills and just needs more strength and time to become a complete college prospect.

#92 5’8 2015 Aaron Simmons of Glen Allen, VA: Simmons may be an undersized PG, but he plays with passion and purpose. He has good PG instincts with solid decision-making along with a high basketball IQ with excellent court vision. He shoots the ball above average for his position and this makes him quiet effective from the perimeter. We liked his ball handling and passing skills and will just need to continue a strong work ethic and desire to help overcome any physical shortcomings.

#3 5’9 2014 Cameron Bullock of Kings Mountain, NC: Bullock was one of the hardest working players in attendance. He carried an excellent attitude throughout the day even when things weren’t going his way. He played the PG with poise and precision. He made excellent court decisions and rarely forced things he could not do. He put forth effort defensively, which is refreshing in a camp setting. His decision-making was solid, but combines his PG skills with an above average shooting ability.

#145 6’4 2015 Spencer Russell of Huntersville, NC: Russell is a hard working player that simply doesn’t take a play off. His outstanding work ethic and tremendous attitude highlighted a solid camp day. While he is somewhat undersized at the PF position, he worked hard to compete against bigger and stronger players. Russell is a solid player, but will need to spend additional hours in the weight room to get physically stronger. His work ethic will be the key to his future development.

#153 6’4 2015 Jacob Hartle of Rural Hall, NC: Hartle is simply an “outstanding” young man. Coach Strong stated he is a “great kid” and has a solid work ethic with strong fundamentals. His skill set is ahead of his athletic ability and will need to get physically stronger and tougher around the rim, which will come in due time and additional time in the weight room. He played within the team structure and was has the ability to become a collegiate player down the road if time is spent accordingly to match his size and skill set.

#57 6’1 2014 Carlee Clemons of Raleigh, NC: Clemons is an athletic combo guard that has nice bounce to his game. He is athletic and skilled and has the potential to become a solid D1 prospect. He does many solid things on the court and his physical intangibles are strong attributes. He will need to learn the nuisances of the PG position, but the skill and ability are there. His play this season will help develop the appropriate level.

#138 6’3 2014 Justice Cuthbertson of Thomasville, NC: Cuthbertson has a great body and mindset to become a solid D1 PG/SG. His strong work ethic on the court is evident and simply plays to win. He takes losing personal, which is a great character trait. He is strong and physical and has the ability to play either guard position. We like his blend of skills and athleticism, which makes him an attractive D1prospect.

#38 6’1 2014 Jeremy Sapp of Hampton, VA: A strong lead guard that combines his athletic ability nicely with a solid skill set. He plays with poise and passion and should be a guard to monitor closely over his junior high school season. He plays aggressively on the defensive end of the court and takes a “no prisoner” attitude with his strong play.

#91 5’8 2015 Tyrik Suggs of Winterville, NC: An aggressive and quick undersized PG that plays with energy and passion. His work ethic and passion makes him an impact play on the court. Has excellent ball handling skills and is a willing passer on the court. He has good court vision and makes the right play.

#96 6’9 2014 Tucker Thompson of 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.

Team 2 coached by James Hargett

 #34 5’8 2015 Darius Moore of Fayetteville, NC: Moore’s skill set is outstanding. He simply one of the more fundamentally sound players at camp that is complimented by a tremendous attitude. His team first approach is fun to watch and is a willing and generous passer. He makes the right pass continuously throughout the game. He is a true team leader and has the ability to shoot effectively and efficiently from the perimeter. While he lacks physical size, he plays with a big heart and will find a spot at a collegiate level, but unsure of his proper level.

#144 6’4 2015 Lucas Sasser of Raleigh, NC: Lucas has an all around game that makes him a unique player. He does a little bit of everything well. He communicates and defends really good and a high character trait. Rarely, do you see young players talking/communicating on the court. He has a nice skill set and is fundamentally sound, but will need to get bigger and stronger to maximize his skill set and potential.

#156 6’4 2015 Jalen Gaddy of Cary, NC: Gaddy is a physically mature player that simply knows how to score, mostly in transition and attacking the basket. His ability to hustle and compete is his strongest attribute. He is a true competitor and his continued work ethic and disciplined approach will help determine his appropriate collegiate level. Like many young players, his athleticism exceeds his current skill set, but has time to be a solid D1 prospect, especially if he fine-tunes and improves his jump shot.

#141 6’3 2014 Jabrie Bullard of Hope Mills, NC: Bullard is a deluxe “run-jump” athletic player that also has an excellent mindset especially with his high basketball IQ. This combination of athleticism and skills makes him an intriguing prospect, but more importantly is his team first attitude. He has the ability to fill up the stat sheets quickly and knows the game extremely well. He is definitely a player to keep tabs of as the season progresses and should be a solid D1 prospect at some level.

#83 6’2 2015 Taqqi Muhammad of Richmond, VA: Muhammad has the potential to be a really good player. While he may have a quiet demeanor on the court, he displays a strong work ethic. His strong team play and attitude will enable him to keep improving to his potential. For his size, he is an active rebounder and rebounds his positive rather well. He finishes surprisingly well for his size/position and has the potential to develop into a D1 prospect if he can improve his perimeter game, especially his 3-point shooting. His athleticism and potential are evident.

#98 5’9 2014 William McNeil of Fuquay Varina, NC: McNeil is an excellent shooting PG that can simply stroke the ball from the perimeter. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills, but we really like his ability to shoot the ball. He understands the nuisances of the PG position, but works equally hard on the defensive side of the ball. He plays with energy and passion, which is needed, for his size.

#114 6’9 2013 Trey Warren of Mooresville, NC:  Warren has the size and skill set to play at a D1 level, but he will need to add weight and strength to his thin frame. That being said, he has some nice intangibles for a face up 4. He has soft hands and solid footwork on the interior. He plays hard and rarely takes a play off. He rebounds well and attempts to box out on miss shots. He also runs the floor well. Coach Randy Peele stated, “Warren plays hard and is very coachable. He really knows how to play the game.

#52 6’2 2014 Austin Hatfield of Denton, 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.

#50 6’1 2015 RJ Hunt of Oxford, NC: 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.

#55 6’2 Saleik Edwards of Winterville, NC: The long, defensive-minded guard made a name for himself picking the pockets of opposing point guards and getting off to the races in transition. He had a tendency to play a little out of control at times, but with incredible length for his size and a willingness to put pressure on the ball, he quickly developed a reputation for being a tough defender.

#136 6’3 Jon Edwards of Charleston, WV: Edwards is 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.

# 41 5’8 2015 Chris Clemons of Raleigh, NC: The younger Clemons brother also enjoyed an outstanding camp. He is a tough hard-nosed defender and uses his athleticism to his advantage especially on the defensive side of the ball. He is a willing and generous passer and is a true pass first PG. His attitude, work ethic and most of all determination makes him a strong young prospect for his age/grade in North Carolina. Clemons does a lot of things well on the court and his understanding and feel for the game will be strong intangibles for him.

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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A Look at Kappa Magic 16U Summer Review

August 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment

In our May 22nd issue of the Phenom Hoop Report, we wrote about some of the top players in the 16U age division of the Reebok Showcase Challenge and two players that stood out were Taylor and Austin Hatfield of Kappa Magic. We wrote the following about them.  6’1 2014 Taylor and Austin Hatfield- Kappa Magic 16U: This was our first time watching the other set of “twins” for the tournament and we may have set a record of having three sets of twins playing at the Reebok Showdown. While the Martin twins of Davie County and Team Loaded AAU has enjoyed the most recognition and rightfully so, the Hatfield twins are definitely  talented young players that are proven winners. Austin Hatfield averaged 19 PPG while his brother Austin finished with 14 PPG, but it is their approach to the game that is impressive. You have two young players that play the game the right way, they compete, guard and defend, but most of all they play HARD! They are both fundamentally sound that has a high basketball IQ and advanced knowledge of the game. They helped Kappa Magic go 3-0 in pool play and they upset SEBL 16U and the WV Wildcats 16U to make it to the championship bracket. Both players are proficient 3 point shooters and have advanced arsenal of offensive moves and scoring ability.

The great thing about the Kappa Magic 16U team is the roster is made of local players and made a name for themselves during the July “live period.” Kappa Magic 16U participated in the CP3 Invitational and won the Silver Bracket Championship as 6’1 Austin Hatfield of Davie County HS had a game high 32 points and averaged 24 PPG during the tournament. Later on, Kappa Magic traveled down to the Peach State Tournament in Aiken, South Carolina and made it to the Sweet 16. While many people may not think this is a worthy accomplishment, one has to remember this team’s roster is from local players in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina area. In one of the marquee matchups during the Peach State Tournament, Kappa Magic beat a tough and talented Upward Stars team. Leading the way for Kappa Magic was Taylor Hatfield as he went an impressive 6-6 from the three point line and 6’7 2014 PF Coye Simmons of Winston Salem Prep had a monster rebounding game with 17 boards. Be sure to check out our previous article on Simmons from the Reebok Challenge.

After Peach State, Kappa Magic traveled to Richmond, Virginia to participate in the Big Shots Tournament and lost in the championship by 3 in OT. 6’6 2014 PF Deshaunte Carelock who will be attending High Point Wesleyan averaged 20 PPG while Austin Hatfield averaged 18 PPG. Carelock is a physically mature PF that combines strength and power on the interior, but adds a game of finesse by his ability to step out and knock down the 10-15 foot jumper. He is a powerful dunker and is a serious D 1 prospect. Also having a great July showing for Kappa Magic was 6’3 2014 PG Justice Cuthbertson of High Point Westchester. Cuthbertson is a strong and powerful PG who is an outstanding on the ball defender. Cuthbertson is an alum of the NC Phenom 150 and we were impressed with his play at the Reebok Challenge. Be sure to read about him from our June 25th Recruiting Round Table.  6’4 2014 SG Nick Powell of Northwest Guilford was again big by hitting key shots down the stretch. We like the upside of Powell’s ability to stretch the defense with his accurate perimeter shooting. Powell has excellent shooting fundamentals and technique and is also an excellent student.

Coach Eric Alspaugh of Kappa Magic 16U stated the following “We were  fortunate enough to have two great Point Guards leading our team this July.  6’1 Taylor Hatfield is a disciplined PG that runs our offense beautifully.  He moves defenders and gets everyone involved.  He is a true Combo Guard that can take over offensively if necessary.  His ridiculous range earns him the nickname Jimmer.  6’3 Justice Cuthbertson is a quick PG that can penetrate and dish beautifully.  This proved especially helpful since Kappa Magic is loaded with shooters.  Justice’s on the ball defense was impressive and created offense for Kappa.  His energy was infectious.  6’1 Austin Hatfield may have the quickest release I’ve ever seen and seems to have ice running through his veins, knocking down shots at the buzzer to put Kappa in OT and win us games.  This lefty is deadly from the corner and just as deadly off the dribble.  He is a scrappy player that is fun to watch.  6’6 Deshaunte Carelock joined Kappa Magic late July with an immediate impact.  His athleticism is impressive.  He plays above the rim, has a beautiful jump shot and a great mid-range game that is rare today.  6’4 Nick Powell has great court awareness, high IQ and comes up with big shots at critical times.  He is a great teammate and very coachable.  6’7 Coye Simmons continues to improve his game.  Coye battled for 17 rebounds against the Upward Stars and averaged 8 PPG & 11 RPG at Peach State.  He has great length and with a size 18 shoe, appears not to be done growing. Tyriq Royal (East Forsyth HS) and Greg Howard (Winston Salem Prep) brought great energy off the bench and helped Kappa have a 14-6 record in July.”

We strongly feel the Hatfield twins, Justice Cuthbertson, Deshaunte Carelook, and Coye Simmons are definite D1 prospects with Nick Powell not far behind.

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8th Annual North Carolina Phenom 150 Evaluation Camp: Part 2

October 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In today’s issue, we will look at the next group of talented young players that attended the 8th Annual North Carolina Phenom 150 Camp.

Player: 6’10 Thor Emilsson
Hometown: Winston-Salem (Foreign exchange student)
School: Forsyth Country Day
Grade: 12 (Class: 2012)
Evaluation: Emilsson is a big body post player that is fundamentally sound. He is not overly athletic, but does use his body rather well on the interior. He runs the well and does possess a nice drop step move to the basket. He does a very good job of boxing out on the defensive end of the floor. Schools in the Big South and Southern Conference should definitely monitor his progress for FCDS.

Player: 6’7 Mark Pollock
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
School: Charlotte Catholic
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: Pollock’s biggest attribute is his ability to knock down shots. He has excellent fundamentals and shooting technique and has a high release point. He has great rotation on the ball and he is deadly from midrange and can also stretch out the defense with his outstanding range from the 3 point area. He is fundamentally sound and has a high basketball IQ. He recently received his first offer from Presbyterian College and look for that list to grow. He has been a regular at the NC Phenom 150 camp and he continues to improve and get better.  He is player that should be recruited heavily by Southern Conference and Big South schools. In addition, he is an excellent student and high character young man.

Player: 6’6 Quayshad Williams
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
School: Greensboro Day School
Grade: 12 (Class 2012)
Evaluation: Williams has been saddled with a foot injury for part of the summer and early fall. While he has to work his way back into shape, Williams enjoyed a stellar camp. Although he is undersized at the post position, he worked extremely hard in the paint getting open. Fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to coach Williams 2 years in AAU and know he has potential to be really good. He has “soft” hands which is essential for a PF or post player. He is always moving without the ball and is quite active on the boards. One thing for sure, Williams doesn’t mind banging on the inside and mixing it up. In addition, Williams has enjoyed the opportunity to play for Greensboro Day and one of the best high school coaches in the business with Coach Freddie Johnson. That alone will tell you he is coachable and knows how to play the game the right way. Williams looked like he had something to prove and he looked like the Quayshad of old. I look for big things this coming season for him.  He should be a target for Big South and Southern Conference Schools.

Player: 6’3 JT Miller
Hometown: Clinton, NC
School: Clinton
Grade: 12 (Class 2012)
Evaluation: The undeniable adjective that attaches itself to Miller’s game is explosive. Without question, Miller is a big time athlete who plays above the rim. Miller showed solid ball handling capabilities in both the half court and in transition. He has really good end to end speed and absolutely loves to attack the basket. The next step in his development is to develop a consistent mid range jumper. That being said, Miller plays with passion and purpose and is Mr. Hustle on both ends of the court.

Player: 6’6 Trey Chapman
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
School: High Point Wesleyan
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: step Chapman recently transferred to High Point Wesleyan. He is a tremendous athletic WF that has excellent length and bounce that enables him to play above the rim. He is like a gazelle in transition and uses his length and athleticism in attacking the basket. He is very active on both ends of the floor and can be a disruptive force on the defensive end. Chapman played with a lot of energy and hustle which is refreshing in camp settings. The next in Chapman’s game is to utilize a midrange jumper. He has the physical tools to be a really good player in high school and at the next level.

Player: 6’7 Jackson Kent
Hometown: Greensboro, NC
School: High Point Christian
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: Kent recently transferred to High Point Christian and reclassed to the 2013 class. Kent is another regular at the NC Phenom 150 camp and I’m totally impressed with his improvement over the past year. Basically known as a “dead eye” from the 3 point territory, he has worked hard on his ball handling and passing skills and has really raised his level of play. He even played PG at times at camp. Kent is excellent in transitions and with improved strength and quickness, he is more comfortable attacking the basket and finishing well. He has always been a fundamentally sound player with a high basketball IQ and is a legit D1 prospect.

Player: 6’8 Thaxter Spruill
Hometown: Clinton, NC
School: Clinton
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: Spruill is an extremely long and thin “run jump” athlete! He has an enormous wingspan and looks like he could grow even more. He is excellent in transition and also has “soft hands.” Offensively, getting out in transition and running the court is his game, but on occasions Spruill was able to post up and utilize a jump hook shot. Defensively, he can be an absolute terror by blocking and altering shots. The next step in his development is adding strength and girth. He has a tremendous upside and is oozing with potential. It should be fun watching his development over the next few years and mid major schools should find a road atlas to Clinton, NC to monitor his progress.

Player: 6’5 Matthew Madigan
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
School: Mt. Tabor
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: According to Coach Mike Muse of Mt. Tabor, Madigan will be transferring to play for him this coming school year. The southpaw is known for his ability to put points on the scoreboard and he didn’t disappoint at the NC Phenom 150.  He does have a “sneaky” athleticism with his hops, but the biggest attribute for Madigan is his fundamentals and high basketball IQ. He simply knows how to play the game the right way. In addition, he plays extremely hard and doesn’t take plays off and should be a priority for schools in the Big South or Southern Conference. He is also an excellent student.

Player: 5’11 James Daniels III
Hometown: Hampton, VA
School: Phoebus
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: “J Byrd” is a slick and ball handling wizard that can wow you with his skills. He has a tremendous arsenal of offensive moves with the basketball and is truly a scoring PG. (Not many people would beat him one on one) Daniels has good speed and quickness and knows how to change speeds in the half court and then knows how to accelerate in the open court. The next step in his development is improving his shot selection at times, but is a great looking prospect with promising skills and abilities.

Player: 6’7 Stavian Allen
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
School: Word of God
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: Allen is another long and athletic WF in the class of 2014. He has a nice wingspan and is excellent in transition. He did a tremendous job of running the lanes and finishing above the rim and had some nice thunderous dunks as well.  Allen may separate himself from others at his position with his solid ball handling and passing skills. Without question, he does need to get stronger, but his young man has a promising future. He sports a quick first step to the basket and gets there with relative ease. The majority of his moves seem effortless as he enjoys a fluidness and smoothness to his game.

Player: 6’7 Robert Brown
Hometown: Raleigh, NC
School: Millbrook
Grade: 9 (Class 2015)
Evaluation: Simply put, please go ahead and put this young man in your memory bank or “SIM CARD.” He’s 6’7, young, athletic and loves to run the court! He got out in transition and had some big time dunks, but played with passion and intensity on both ends of the court. While he may be somewhat raw offensively, he does get after it on the defensive end of the court. In addition, Brown has “soft” hands and does have a huge upside with his athleticism and desire to play hard.

Player: 6’2 Justice Cuthbertson
Hometown: Thomasville, NC
School: High Point Westchester
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: Cuthbertson recently transferred to High Point Westchester and reclassed to the 10th grade. That being said, he has good size and strength for a combination guard. He plays extremely hard and doesn’t take any plays off and was outstanding in his perimeter shooting. He simply enjoyed a stellar camp performance. Cuthbertson worked equally work on the defensive end of the court and played with passion and emotion. He definitely set out to prove a point and his play was outstanding.

Related posts: 

Camp review 1
Videos

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