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NC Phenom 150 Camp Team 6 Player Evaluations

April 16, 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 6 (Coach Jason Moxley- former college coach)

5’3 2017 Patrick Lloyd of St. Paul Catholic School in New Bern, NC

Patrick is a fundamentally sound player with a solid understanding of the game. He had a great attitude and work ethic and played well within the team structure. Currently, his strongest attribute is his ability to shoot the basketball. He has good shooting mechanics and his shot selection is solid. Coach Moxley stated, “ Patrick needs to be more aggressive pulling the trigger with his shooting ability. He played well but could use additional strength that would allow him to be more effective.” Patrick played hard and hustled throughout the day. As he grows and gets stronger, Patrick will be able to be more effective. He just needs to continue working on his game and be able to create his own shot off the dribble.

5’5 2018 Donta Hopkins of Bluefield MS in Bluefield, WV

Donta is a jet quick PG who graded out extremely high in all categories. He combined athleticism, skill and an attitude that was impressive to the coaches and scouts in attendance. Coach Moxley stated, “ Donta is an elite PG who can break down defenders at will. He possesses a good feel for the game and can really deliver in traffic. Donta can go well right or left handling the ball and does a tremendous job in transition. One area on improvement is to work on his defensive skills as sometimes he allowed his man get into the lane much too easy.”  Overall, a tremendous day for Donta and will be an outstanding player at the HS level and has D1 potential. We were impressed with his decision-making and basketball IQ. He has the quickness and athleticism to be more dominating on both sides of the court.

5’5 2017 Torey Cash of Turrentine MS in Burlington, NC

Torey is a quick PG with excellent north to south speed with the ball. He was able to get into the lane with ease all day and his ball handling and athleticism are two impressive attributes. Coach Moxley stated, “ Torey has great speed at the PG position and is above average in finishing near the rim. He displayed good decision making for the most part and his shot selection was solid.” We were impressed with his perimeter shooting and extended range. Most speedy and athletic PG’s have a tendency to be just average shooters especially since they use their quickness in attacking the rim. We thought Torey had a nice balance of both. While Torey was one of the more athletic guards in the middle school division, he will need to get stronger and prevent dribble penetration from the opposing player. Torey received high marks on the majority of categories but should take more pride on defense on the ball. 

5’8 2018 Morgan Young of Meadowlark MS in Pfafftown, NC

Morgan is a fundamentally sound young player that displayed an excellent attitude and work ethic during the day. He played within his means and exhibited unselfishness and team play. Coach Moxley stated, “ Morgan has a good touch around the basket. He finished very well in transition and runs the floor very well. Morgan needs to work on his off hand and increase his shooting range. He has a very crafty way of using his small frame and is not afraid of contact as he had a way of drawing fouls on his opponent.” Overall, a solid day for Morgan and like many other players in his age/grade, he just needs to develop more strength and athleticism. Currently, his skill set is more advanced than his physical abilities. He just needs to continue working and allow maturity to catch up with his game.

5’11 2017 CeDarius Williams of Woodlawn MS in Mebane, NC

CeDarius has a physically mature body for a middle school player, which is a great advantage over his peers. The one thing that stood out for CeDarius was his tremendous work ethic on the court. He plays with a high motor and competes hard on both ends of the court. Coach Moxley stated, “CeDarius is a very raw athlete that has good size, strength and work ethic. He finishes well around the rim and his shot is very solid. He does need to develop a mid range game and to use his strong body to rebound. Defensively, he uses his athleticism to bail him out with proper fundamentals are not used.” Currently, CeDarius physical attributes are more advanced than his overall skill set. He has the athleticism to become a very good player at the HS level and if he continues to work on his skill sets, could also be a solid D1 prospect down the road.

5’8 2015 Keyshaun Pitt of Farmville Central of Farmville, NC

Keyshaun is a quick PG that has the ability to fill it up from the perimeter. He has good ball handling skills, although he has a tendency to over dribble at times. He has no problem getting into the lane with his quickness and we liked his ability to create his own shot. Coach Moxley stated, “ Keyshaun has the ability to get hot from the 3 point line. One thing he must work on is his dribble first mentality. He has a knack of putting the ball on the floor even when open. Keyshaun does need a stronger off hand as well. Defensively, he was the team’s best defender and used his lateral quickness to disrupt the opposing guard.” Overall, Keyshaun has the physical attributes, ball handling and shooting skills to be an outstanding HS player. We feel once he develops a better feel for the game as team facilitator or floor general, he could develop into a collegiate player at some level.

5’9 2016 Elijah Evans of United Faith in Charlotte, NC

Elijah is a high energy sparkplug PG. He plays with a full throttle approach and pushes the pace at every opportunity. He has a good blend of speed and ball handling skills that could push him into an outstanding HS player. Coach Moxley stated, “Elijah plays with a very high motor. He has good ball handling skills and attacks the rim hard. He does need to learn when to pull the ball out and re-group and has a tendency to play out of control at times.” Overall, Elijah has the physical attributes to be an outstanding HS PG and be on the collegiate level radar. Like many speedy PG’s, he will need to develop a floor general mentality of running the team more efficiently. In addition, once he learns how to change speeds in the open and half court setting, he will be more difficult to guard.

6’1 2017 Terry Jones of Hawfield MS in Mebane, NC

Terry is a promising young PG that has excellent size, speed and athleticism. He combined this attributes with a strong work ethic that will make him an appealing prospect moving into HS. Coach Moxley stated, “Terry did a solid job at the PG position. He is very fast that can really run in the open court. He needs more time at PG as his feel for the game will improve. He makes good (not great) open court decisions and with his size and speed should be a fun player to watch and monitor.” In addition, Terry has the ability to create this own shot and more importantly can knock down the 3-point shot. He has all the physical intangibles to be a strong HS player and a collegiate level PG with continued work and improvement in his weaknesses.

6’3 2015 Landon Yarbrough of North Lincoln HS in Denver, NC

Landon is a sure fire blue-collar player. He displayed an excellent attitude and work ethic that was appealing from the opening tip. As a matter of fact, he could have easily been the camp’s Mr. Hustle. Coach Moxley stated, “ Landon plays with a super high motor. He loves to band the boards and do the dirty work. He is a good screener that rolls and finishes well. He does need to improve his ball handling skills and handle. He has good foot work and can score with his back to the basket against taller players.” Overall, Landon is a fundamentally sound player that has a great understanding of the game. He has probably been used primarily as a post player in HS, but should work on transitioning to the SF or WG position. He has solid shooting mechanic and with his outstanding work ethic and improvement, he could develop into a D2 or D3 prospect. 

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

Taylor is a true combo guard that plays the game extremely hard and will give you every ounce of effort into helping his team win. He has outstanding fundamentals but his ability to shoot the basketball is his greatest attribute. The young man can fill it up from deep. Coach Moxley stated, “ Taylor is a shooting guard who has the ability to be a consistent 3 point specialist. He is a strong guard with the ability to drive into the paint and finishes! He uses both hands very well but must learn to get separation from the defender and create his own shot more efficiently.” Overall, a good day for Taylor and once again he showcased an advanced offensive arsenal and fundamentals. He has a high basketball IQ and has good court vision. He is a true competitor and values winning. Most scouts have him a solid D2 prospect, but with increased foot quickness we personally believe D1 schools show continue to monitor his progress. We really like his game.

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NC Phenom 150 Camp Evaluation: Teams 3-4

November 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Fire & Ice was back together as Chris Corchani (left) and Rodney Monroe (right) coached at the NC Phenom 150 camp.

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 3-4 at camp. The majority of the comments listed below are comments from the players’ respective camp coach.

Team 3 coached by Rodney Monroe

#43 6’1 2016 Justice Kithcarth of Durham, NC: Go ahead and put this young man in your SIM card. He is going to be one of the premier PG in the NC class of 2016. He has the complete package! He has advanced ball handling and passing skills for his position/grade and also possesses the basketball IQ and understanding that makes him unique. In addition, Kithcart is more than an adequate scorer/shooter.  He has excellent poise and his ability to control the tempo is beyond his years.

#39 6’1 2014 Jourdan Sanders of Clayton, NC: Sanders is a nice combo guard that plays extremely hard and his hustle play was noticeable from start to finish. Sanders is a high-energy guy and has the ability to transition to either guard position. He has advanced ball handling and passing skills, but his ability to knock down 3 pointers at an efficient percentage was impressive. Sanders’ challenge is to understand the nuances of the PG position so his frame, size and athleticism are a positive moving to the next level.

#35 6’1 2014 Ricky Turner of Elon, NC: Turner exemplified the attitude and work ethic needed to take his game to the next level. The sharp shooting combo guard has excellent range and plays with maximum effort. The next challenge to Turner is to transition his skill set into the PG. He has good athleticism and has the hustle factor working in his favor.

#32 6’1 2015 Matt Wheet of Salisbury, NC: Wheet is a solid all around player with an outstanding attitude and work ethic. He plays to win and his effort on the court is second to none. He has advanced ball-handling skills and is a willing/able passer, but his ability to shoot the 3 ball may be his biggest attribute. He has a solid understanding of the game and a high basketball IQ.

#142 6’3 2014 Jarrell Brantley of 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. Brantley has a college ready frame that has the blend of athleticism and skill that will garnish interest from D1 schools this upcoming season.

#149 6’4 2013 Lepreece Lynch of Winston-Salem, NC: Lynch is an athletic wing that attacks the basket aggressively in the open court as well as in the half court setting. He is a willing and able rebounder that has good hands. He shoots the ball the ball rather well for his size/position. We really like his full throttle approach to the game and played with such a high motor.

#160 6’4 2015 Hunter Coleman of Greensboro, NC: Coleman is a promising young combo forward that has a knack for defensive rebounder. His anticipation and body positioning for missed shots is exceptional for his size/position. He was a surrounding shot blocker and was active all day on both ends of the court. Currently, Coleman’s defense is further along than his offensive skill set, which is not a bad thing. He has plenty of time to fine tune and enhance his offensive skills

#150 6’4 2016 Tremain Lawrence of Garner, NC: Tremain Lawrence is a physically mature combo forward that uses his strength and athleticism effectively on the interior as well as the perimeter. He is an above the rim player and is a willing rebounder and his blue-collar approach to the game makes him attractive. Lawrence is a banger and bruiser on the interior and his strength and power makes him tough to defend and give off the boards. Defensively, he has solid lateral movement and guarded smaller and quicker players. He played equally on both ends of the court. Like many strong and athletic young players, his physically maturity is further along than his skill set, but he has 3 years to develop that.

#58 5’11 2016 Myles Monroe of Huntersville, NC: Myles Monroe is the son of former NC State great Rodney Monroe and the old saying deserves mention with “ the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Myles is a talented young PG that absolutely has a great understanding of the game. He plays with a high basketball IQ and has advanced ball handling and passing skills. His court vision is superb and can shoot with extensive range.

#110 6’8 2014 6’8 Thaxter Spruill of Clinton, NC: Spruill is a long and slender 6’8 junior post player. While he did most of his damage from the interior with advanced offensive post moves, Spruill surprised many in attendance with his outside shooting stroke. He could present a match up problem with his inside/outside offensive arsenal plus the ability to put the ball on the floor. Coach Randy Peele sees Spruill as a solid player in the LM-MM range. He stated Spruill “ has good size, length and upside and schools in the Big South, Southern Conference and CAA should continue to watch and monitor.”

#90 5’7 2016 Carion Eaton of Stafford, VA: While Eaton may be somewhat undersized at the current moment, he has plenty of time and growth and that will be important. Eaton has the right attitude and work ethic, but he plays with a big heart! He is the ultimate PG on both side of the ball. He has the court vision and basketball IQ, but has the lateral quickness to be an outstanding “on the ball defender.”

#88 5’7 2016 Cameron Royster of Charlotte, NC: Royster has the right attitude of being a true pass first PG. He has good court vision and is a willing and able passer that is interested in getting his teammates involved in the offense. His unselfishness is refreshing and is happy getting the assist as scoring himself, which is the mark of a true PG. In addition, his effort is equally impressive on the defensive side of the ball, as he will battle you tooth and nail.

#94 6’4 2016 Zach Cottrell of Hayesville, NC: Cottrell is definitely a name to put in your SIM CARD. The 6’4 freshman SG is a lights out shooter and without question one of the top shooters in the state and southeast. More importantly, he understands the game like a PG, but his ability to shoot the long ball is exceptional. He has nice lift on his jumps hot and easily has JJ Reddick range. While being one of the top shooters in the state, Cottrell is easily one of the top 10 freshmen in the state as well.

Team 4 coached by Chris Corchiani 

#161 6’4 2017 David Caraher of Chapel Hill, NC: Caraher has a chance to play at a very high level. Not many 8th graders have the physical size and skill set of Caraher. He has all the intangibles needed to be one of the better players in the 2017 class. He has outstanding range and has advanced ball handling and passing skills for his size/age/grade. The next step in his development is to improve body language and exhibit a more positive attitude.

#162 6’4 2015 Christian Adams of Winston-Salem, NC: Adams is a hard-nosed blue-collar player that plays with a full throttle approach! He is aggressive in attacking the basket whether in transition or in the half court situation. He has really good ball handling skills for his size/position and can push transition with the ball in his hands. While being a solid all around player, his attitude on and off the court is exceptional.

#151 6’4 2013 Keenma Jones of Danville, VA: Keenma Jones comes from an excellent high school program in Danville, VA and the explosive 6’4 combo guard. The athletic WG is versatile and simply has a scoring mentality. He loves attacking the rim, but is lethal with the dribble drive pull up jumper. While Jones has good ball handling skills, he uses them primarily to create his own shot off the dribble. He was effective throughout the day knocking down shots and elevated his status to a solid D1 prospect.

#74 6’2 2015 Brooks Palmer of Raleigh, NC: Palmer is a solid athlete that plays extremely hard. He has a nice outside shot, but will make the extra pass. He has an all around game and does many little things well. He understands his role and position on the court and plays within his skill set. He doesn’t make bad plays or rarely turns the ball over. We really like his work ethic and overall skill set for such a young player.

#40 5’8 2016 Logan Gant of Taylorsville, NC: Gant is a young all around player that hustles and plays to his potential. He is a true team player and understands the game really well. Gant is a player that does a little bit of everything well, but his hustle is his by far his biggest attribute. His hard work will pay dividends down the road, as he gets older and stronger.

#48 6’1 2016 Ray Kowalski of Misenheimer , NC: Ray Kowalski is a highly skilled PG that plays with a lot of energy and passion. His full throttle approach to the game is appealing and his aggressive in finding scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He has his foot on the offensive pedal and Kowalski has a nice arsenal of offensive moves. He has an excellent change of pace and cross over move, plus used the step back move effectively. Kowalski was hitting jumpers and utilizing the floater as an effective offensive move. Kowalski is a scoring PG that has the ability to be the team facilitator that has the tools to be a solid D1 prospect.

#31 5’11 2014 Chris Corchiani of 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.” We absolutely love his intensity and hustle especially on the defensive end of the floor.

#113 6’8 2013 Tyquan Biting of Winston-Salem, NC: Biting is an active and mobile 4/5 that runs the floor extremely well. He has good size and an excellent attitude on the court. He plays above the rim and gets his hands on a lot of loose balls and rebounds. I like his high energy and full throttle approach to the game. He plays his position well and understands his strength and does a nice job of posting up in the low post area. He has good hands and utilizes the jump hook shot.

#57 5’8 2015 Malik Edwards of Winterville, NC: Don’t let his size fool you! At 5’9 this young man takes off like a jet and dunks like he is 6’8! His speed with the basketball is off the charts and as one scout stated, “Edwards can push the ball from end to end in the blind of an eye.” We really liked his speed, quickness and athleticism and these physical attributes should offset his height.  Edwards has excellent lateral quickness and push a lot of defensive pressure on the opposing PG. His skill set is solid and with his athleticism should garnish him legit D1 interest/scholarships down the road.

#51 6’2 2014 Taylor 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.

#127 6’1 2015 Charles Williams of Chester, VA: Williams is a young player that maximizes his ability with his extremely hard effort/play. Currently, a combo guard that possesses a solid midrange game, he can also knock down the 3-point shot. His fundamentals are solid and have a nice understanding of the game, plus are a complimentary player every team needs. He is doing all the little things and plays within the team structure, which makes him a valuable teammate.

#129 5’10 2014 Steven Williams of High Point, NC: Steven is a solid PG that has good fundamentals and high basketball IQ. He has good court vision and is a true pass first floor general. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to play hard and compete on each possession. He has a good attitude and work ethic and is very solid on the defensive end of the floor. He has good speed and lateral quickness. The next step in his development is to get physically bigger and stronger. That being said, Williams has the right attitude and desire/determination. His understanding of the game and basketball IQ are nice compliments to his current skill set.

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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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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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Recruiting Round Table Part 4

July 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Player: 6’1 Brandon Roddy 2014
City: Monroe, NC
Class: 2014
Twitter: @Hoopin4_Days
High School: Monroe High School
HS Head Coach: Johnny Sowell
AAU Team: Team United 16U
AAU Coach: Darryl Swilling
Interest: Wingate, Hampton University, St. Marys and NCCU
Evaluation: As a sophomore, Brandon Roddy averaged 16PPG, 4APG, and 4RPG for Monroe High School and his individual and team play was worthy of making the All Union County First Team and All Conference First Team. Roddy is an athletic guard with good speed and quickness and has little to no problem into the lane where he finishes with consistency. While Roddy enjoyed many 20+ point games as a sophomore, he is equally talented with his passes. Roddy is a consensus D1 prospect and look for his interest level continue to increase this summer with the Team United 16U AAU squad.

Player: 6’1” DeShar Thomas
City: Goldsboro NC
Class:  2014
Twitter Name: @DesharThomas30
High School: Wayne Country Day
HS Coach: Terry Jones
AAU Team: Showtime Allstars
AAU Coach: James Black
Interest: Davidson, Radford, Wofford, UNC-Wilmington
Evaluation: Coach Terry Jones of Wayne Country Day stated “DeShar Thomas is an excellent combo guard who’s growing into an experienced, controlled player.  His quickness and ability to make plays were instrumental for WCDS in the 2011-12 basketball season where he led the team in scoring at 18ppg.  He’s a ‘coach’s’ player; an excellent teammate and student, wonderful character on and off the court, and an emerging leader! Along with his desire and passion to be better than he was the day before, the element that separates him from many other players is his ability to put the ball in the hole!  Deshar is such a prolific scorer that even while possibly being in a scoring drought, you never want to see him turn down attempts.  He has the ability to change the game with a quick surge of scoring whether feet behind the three point arc, pushing and making plays in transition, or getting to the rim and loading from the free throw line. DeShar is most certainly an under the radar talent who will serve valuably to the next-level program that takes opportunity to invest in themselves by paying attention to him over the next two years…

Player:  6’5 Blake Cranor
Class:  2013
High School: Lake Norman HS
Twitter Name:  @blakecranor
HS coach:  Brandon Jolly
AAU Team:  Carolina Surge
AAU coach:  Larry Jordan
Interest:  Pfeiffer, Methodist, Washington & Lee
Evaluation: Cranor is a fundamentally sound player that displays a soft shooting touch out to 15 feet. His size and ability to shoot the ball will garnish interest from D3 to NAIA schools. He is an outstanding student, but his understanding of the game and strong basketball IQ are his strongest attributes. Cranor uses position and boxes out well to gain an advantage for rebounding against bigger, stronger and more athletic players. He could garnish more interest with improved strength and athleticism.

Player: 6’1 Austin Hatfield
Class: 2014
High School: Davie County HS
Twitter Name: @austinhatfield4
AAU Team: Kappa Magic (16u)
Interest: BYU, Stanford, Western Carolina, Elon, Liberty
Evaluation: Austin Hatfield had an outstanding performance at the Inaugural Reebok Showdown and his interest and offer list will only continue to grow this summer. A hard working guard that competes, defends, and plays with an aggressive style of ball that is refreshing today. His twin brother Taylor will team up with the Martin twins at Davie County next season and watch their recruitment gain traction and momentum. They are fun to watch and they know how to play the game the correct way. Here is our observations from the Reebok tournament. Austin averaged 19 PPG for Kappa Magic and no one outplayed/outworked this young man.

Player: 6’1 Taylor Hatfield
Class: 2014
High School: Davie County HS
Twitter Name: @taytayhatfield
AAU Team: Kappa Magic (16u)
Interest: BYU, Stanford, Western Carolina, Elon, Liberty
Evaluation: Like this twin brother Austin, a hard-nosed young player that give maximum effort 100% of the time. Knows how to run a team efficiently and effectively and does all the little things/intangibles on the court that enable his team to be successful.

From previous coverage of the twins:

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.

Player: Gregory Joyner Jr.
City: Charlotte
Class: 2016
High School: A.L. Brown H.S.
High School Coach: Shelwyn Klutz
AAU Team: Carolina Blazers
AAU Coach: Patrick Torrence
Interest: music, church activities, being with family
Evaluation: At the spring NC Phenom 150 camp, Joyner dominated the play at the middle school level. A talented young PG with advanced ball handling and passing skills. He has mastered the Earl Monroe “reverse spin” move and makes difficult moves look easy for his age/grade. He is a unselfish guard that plays hard on each and every possession. His passion is impressive and his determined approach should brode well for the talented young player. Joyner is a model citizen and excels in the classroom as on the basketball court as he has all his priorities in order.

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Recruiting Round Table Part 1

June 11, 2012 by 1 Comment

In today’s issue, we want to introduce players that are currently “under the radar” and with summer elite camps coming up, you may want to personally invite many of these prospects to summer camp. We have included pertinent information such as their high school and AAU coaches email that will be important in communicating with the appropriate people.

Player: 6’8 Mark Pollack
Class:   2013
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School:  Charlotte Catholic
Twitter Name:  @Mpollack33
High School Coach: Mike King
AAU/Club Team:  Team Charlotte
Club Team Coach:  Jeff McInnis
Evaluation: Mark Pollack has been a regular of the NC Phenom 150 Camp and our Fall Drills and Skills Camp. We have written about Pollack on past occasions and it has been fun watching the growth, development and improvement of this young man. Pollack averaged 14.8 PPG as a junior and shot 47% from the 3 point line. He earned a spot on the Mega & All Conference team and for the first time in 15 years, Charlotte Catholic won over 20 games. Pollack is a proficient shooter and has a high release point and a rather quick release. He is an exceptional student and outstanding citizen that dovetails with his overall basketball skill set. He is a legitimate D1 prospect and should find a home in the Southern Conference, Big South or a high academic institution such as the Ivy League. Without question, one of the better perimeter shooters in North Carolina for the 2013 class, plus he has grown to 6’8!

Player: 6’7 Brian J. White
Class: 2013
City: Chesterfield, Virginia
High School: Sports Quest Academy
Twitter Name: @brianwhite32
AAU Team: Team Loaded
Offers:  Appalachian State, UNC-G
Interest:  Florida State, Iowa, Marymount University, Furman, University of Richmond, UVA
Evaluation: Brian White already sports offers from Appalachian State and UNC-G and look for that list to grow. The NC Phenom 150 Alum has developed a mid range game that will make him an important recruit along with his long 6’7 frame. White is a “blue collar” young man with a tremendous work ethic and has been an important member of the “loaded” Team Loaded squad from Virginia. White will attend Sports Quest Academy for his senior season and look for his stock to continue to rise. Be sure to check out the write up from the NC Phenom 150 Camp this past March.

Player: 6’7 Daniel Bridges
Class: 2013
City: Spartanburg, South Carolina
High School: Landrum High School
AAU Team: Upward Stars
Interest: USC- Upstate, Gardner-Webb, WestPoint, Presbyterian, Furman, Anderson, Citadel, Davidson, East Carolina University, Elon, High Point University, Appalachian State
Evaluation: Daniel Bridges is a solid fundamentally sound “combo forward” and has the ability to step and knock down the mid-range jumper. He is garnishing a lot of D1 interest and with added physical strength, Bridges could obtain that cherished D1 offer.

Player: 6’4 Reed Lucas
Class:  2013
City: Greensboro, North Carolina
High School:  Greensboro Day School
Twitter Name:  @Reed_Lucas11
AAU Team:  Team Cobras
Email for AAU coach: TBD
Interest:  Liberty, Elon, Furman, UNC-G, Appalachian State, Bucknell
Evaluation: Reed Lucas plays for Coach Freddie Johnson of tradition rich Greensboro Day School and that alone should be enough for D1 schools to aggressively recruit this young gunslinger. Lucas is a fundamentally sound player with a tremendously high basketball IQ. He is sneaky athletic and will surprise you with his quick first step and leaping ability. More importantly, he is a textbook shooter that can quickly shoot the opposing team out of the ball game. With the growing shortage of quality shooters, Lucas should be a player schools in the Big South and Southern Conference should monitor carefully over the July live period.

Player: 6’5 Ashley Williams
Class: 2013
City: Wilson, North Carolina
High School: Greenfield School
Twitter Name: @ashwill20
AAU Team: SEBL
Interest:  Davidson, Richmond, UNC-W, Coastal Carolina, Western Carolina, East Carolina, Presbyterian, Lafayette, Marist, Fairfield
Evaluation: We have been impressed with the consistent play of the long and athletic WG from Morehead City. He plays much bigger than his 6’5 frame and has a nice arsenal of offensive moves that makes him effective on the perimeter or attacking the basket. We wrote about Ashley from the SEBL and this is what we had to say.

Player: 6’3  Aaron Williams
Class: 2013
City: Wilson, North Carolina
High School: Greenfield School
Twitter Name: @aaronw15
AAU Team:  SEBL
Interest: Davidson, Coastal Carolina, Lafayette,
Evaluation: Aaron is more of a “combo guard” with outstanding skill sets. We like his ability to handle and pass the ball for his size. He plays within the structure of the team and is a “glue guy” that is needed on so many teams. We like the way he plays within himself and has the ability to showcase his strengths while minimizing his weaknesses on the court. He is advanced in his understanding of the game and rarely makes mistakes.

Name:  6’3 Ot Elmore
Class: 2013
City: Charleston, West Virginia
High School: South Charleston High School: Will transfer to FUMA
Twitter Name: @ogeiii
AAU Team: WV Wildcats
Interest:  William & Mary, VMI, Ohio University
Evaluation: Ot Elmore is an outstanding perimeter shooter especially in a “catch and shoot” situation, but is improving in his ability to shoot off the dribble and create his own shot. Elmore has excellent basketball IQ and “under-estimated athleticism.” Unfortunately, too many people view him only as a 6’3 white kid that can only shoot, which is far from the obvious. Elmore is a tough young player that plays with a lot of passion and determination. His skill sets shout D1 and once more schools have a chance to watch him this summer, they too will agree that his sneaky athleticism and shooting ability from the perimeter will garnish him his first D1 offer.

Player: 6’8 Jacob Nabatoff
Class: 2013
City: Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: Charlotte Latin School
Twitter Name: @JacobNabatoff
AAU Team: Charlotte Reign
Evaluation: Jacob Nabatoff is the epidimy of the term student-athlete. Nabatoff has grown tremendously and his skill set is starting to match his size. He is an hard working young man that has improved over the course of his high school career. Currently, a borderline D2/D1 prospect and the July live period will help gauge his appropriate level of collegiate basketball. That being said, a rapidly improving player that hasn’t played organized basketball for a long period of time. He has caught on quickly and what you see currently is far from the finished product.

Player: 6’1 Kevin Weckworth
Class: 2013
High School: Bishop McGuiness Catholic
Twitter Name: @kweck21
AAU Team: NC Spartans Elite
Offers: Belmont Abbey
Interest: Pfeiffer, Radford, will attend Colgate Elite Camp and Columbia Elite Camp
Evaluation: Kevin Weckworth is an academically grounded player that may just find himself playing in the prestigious Ivy League. Naturally, Weckworth is a fundamentally sound player with outstanding basketball IQ and has a great understanding of the game. His ability to run the PG position and his efficient perimeter shooting will make him a priority of a high academic program. He is a low risk player that works equally in the classroom as the basketball court.

Player: 5’9 Hunter Caldwell
Class: 2013
High School: North Lincoln High School
Evaluation:  Hunter Caldwell is a solid young PG that could play at a D2 or NAIA level. He has a blend of athleticism and skills that accompany his understanding of the game. He plays under control and has the ability to run a team efficiently in transition or in the half court.

Player: 6’3  Jeremy Wallace
Class: 2013
High School: Walnut Grove Christian School
AAU Team: EA Prep Stars
Interest: Lafayette University, Jacksonville University, Bridgewater, University of New England, Gardner Webb, College of Charleston
Evaluation: Jeremy Wallace is a strong and athletic WG and is best at attacking the basket. He has excellent length with his 6’3 frame and plays equally hard on the defensive end of the floor as the offensive end. He has a high motor and plays hard. He values the ball and doesn’t mind getting into the chest of the imposing offensive player. He is already gaining a lot of D1 interest and look for his offer list to match his interest list by the end of the summer.

Player: 6’1 Austin Hatfield
Class: 2014
High School: Davie County HS
Twitter Name: @austinhatfield4
AAU Team: Kappa Magic (16u)
Interest: BYU, Stanford, Western Carolina, Elon, Liberty
Evaluation: Austin Hatfield had an outstanding performance at the Inaugural Reebok Showdown and his interest and offer list will only continue to grow this summer. A hard working guard that competes, defends, and plays with an aggressive style of ball that is refreshing today. His twin brother Taylor will team up with the Martin twins at Davie County next season and watch their recruitment gain traction and momentum. They are fun to watch and they know how to play the game the correct way. Here is our observations from the Reebok tournament   Austin averaged 19 PPG for Kappa Magic and no one outplayed/outworked this young man.

Player: 6’1 Taylor Hatfield
Class: 2014
High School: Davie County HS
AAU Team: Kappa Magic (16u)
Interest: BYU, Stanford, Western Carolina, Elon, Liberty
Evaluation: Like this twin brother Austin, a hard-nosed young player that give maximum effort 100% of the time. Knows how to run a team efficiently and effectively and does all the little things/intangibles on the court that enable his team to be successful.

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