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NC Phenom 150 Camp Team 10 Player Evaluations

April 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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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 10 (Justin McClendon)

5’5 2015 Gary Ford II of Voyager Academy in Durham, NC

Gary is a solid lead guard with good quickness and athleticism. He played really hard and made plays for his teammates. In addition, Gary has the ability to stretch the defense with his ability to knock down jumpers. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “Gary has the right ingredients for the PG position. He is always striving to make the right play and he makes others around him better.” Gary played with an unselfish attitude and had a team first attitude. While somewhat undersized at the PG position, Gary utilized is quickness and foot speed effectively on the defensive end of the court. He was a pest on defense and tried to disrupt the opposing team’s PG on offense. Overall, Gary is fundamentally sound and has good understanding of the game. We were impressed with his hustle and attitude for the camp. His growth and strength will be determining factors moving forward for his appropriate level of play.

5’7 2016 Carlin Williams of Rocky River HS in Charlotte, NC

Carlin is a young player that simply understands the game and plays within his abilities. He displayed an excellent attitude and work ethic. We were impressed with his hustle and ability to shoot the basketball. He has solid shooting mechanics and his shot selection was solid. More importantly, he was able to use his off hand effectively. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “ Carlin was a joy to coach. He is a great kid and accepted coaching very well. He listened and was willing to do the little things on the court.”  Overall, a solid camp for Carlin and the next challenge for him is to continue to work on his skill set and athleticism. Like many players in his age/grade, they have not fully matured and will also need to work on gaining strength and lateral quickness, which will be important for a player of his size.

6’1 2015 David Quick Jr. of Orangeburg Wilkinson of Orangeburg, SC

David has good length and athleticism, but more importantly had the right mindset to be an effective HS player with the ability to play at the collegiate level with the right adjustments to his game. Currently, a combo guard that feels more comfortable in the scoring role position. He has really good shooting mechanics and has the ability to shoot off the dribble. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “ David did a great job for the team. He worked really hard and had a great attitude and was very unselfish.” The next step for David is to develop and transition into the PG position. He has good basketball IQ and his decision-making is above average, but we really like his size, length and athleticism. These physical intangibles could make him a strong HS player and beyond.

6’1 2016 Elijah Adams of O’Sullivan Academy of Cameron, NC

Elijah has excellent size and athleticism for his age/grade and he simply didn’t play like a freshman. We were impressed with his leadership abilities and overall hustle for the day. Currently, his length and physical intangibles are more advanced than is current skill set, which is the norm for young players.  Coach Justin McClendon stated,  “Elijah had one of the best attitudes on the team. He accepted criticism well and his work ethic was strong. He played within the team structure and didn’t try to play outside of his skill set.” Overall, Elijah is a solid player that has the physical intangibles on his side. He is a young freshman and as he develops more perimeter skills, will become an outstanding HS player.

5’9 2016 Michael Seals of HP Central in High Point, NC

Michael is a solid PG that has the skills and understanding to be an outstanding HS lead guard. We really like his poise and understanding of his role as PG and his ability to get his teammates involved in the game. Coach Justin McClendon stated, Michael is a great young man and is always looking to improve and get better. He did a fantastic job of running the team for his age/grade.” Overall, we really like the potential of Michal long term. He has excellent court vision and continues to make the right pass at the right time. We hustled on both ends of the court and he created havoc with his ability to dribble penetrate and set up teammates with the kick out pass. Like a lot of young players, his growth and strength development will be the key to his success, but he has the “it factor” to be an effective PG at the next level.

6’1 2014 Brandon Sapp of Hampton HS in Hampton, VA

Brandon has good length, athleticism and size for the PG position. He has all the physical attributes to play at the next level. He plays hard on both ends of the court and we like his ability to use either hand. Brandon has the ability to break down the defense with his size and quickness and tight ball handling skills. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “Brandon has good PG skills and his size should be a key component in gaining interest from college coaches. He did a good job of distributing the ball and making his teammates better, but he does have a tendency to play out of control at times.” Overall, Brandon ability to fine-tune his PG skills will help determine his appropriate collegiate level. We like his physical intangibles and ability to play both sides of the ball. We were also impressed with his ability to apply defensive pressure on the opposing player.

6’3 2015 Kentrell Barkley of Northern Durham in Durham, NC

Kentrell’s work ethic and blue-collar approach easily makes him a favorite of fans, coaches and scouts. He has good size and athleticism, but more importantly he makes all the hustle plays on the court. Currently, his athleticism is more advanced than the mental make up on his game, but with experience and maturity that will quickly change. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “Kentrell is a hard worker with a nose for the ball. He rebounded very well for his position and got out into transition repeatedly.” Overall, Kentrell has solid skill sets but with improvement in his perimeter skills he will become a special player. He used his length and size extremely well on the defensive end of the court. Kentrell has good basketball instincts and will be fun to watch his development over the next two years.

6’3 2013 Osandi Vaughn of Charis Prep but lives in Charlotte, NC

What is not to like about Osandi Vaughn! Osandi is truly a gifted athletic WG that should make lower D1 school takes immediate notice. He has the blend of athleticism and skills, but more importantly the work ethic that is appealing. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “Osandi has a chance to be a special player. He does all the right things on the court. He rebounds his position, defends and is active on both ends of the court.” Overall, Osandi will make some collegiate coach very happy. We are talking about a 6’3 athletic WG that can consistently knock down the open jumper or take his man off the dribble. While not a PG, Osandi has advanced ball handling and passing skills for his position.

6’4 2014 Jack Nanney of Carrboro HS in Carrboro, NC

Jack is a fundamentally sound player with his best days ahead. We were impressed with Jack’s basketball IQ and understanding of the game. He is a team first player and plays within his means. He displayed an outstanding work ethic hustled on both ends of the court in all three games. There was no let up in his intensity to player hard 100% of the time. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “Jack is a great kid and gave maximum effort. He has a solid skill set, but could be more confidence in his ability.” Overall, Jack is a late bloomer and is developing the right mind set to become a really good HS player. He has good size and fundamentals and does a little bit of everything well. The next step in his development is to keep working hard especially gaining strength and quickness. He has the mental approach that is needed along with a solid core of fundamentals and we look for a major jump in his improvement going into his senior year. 

6’8 2014 Zane Waterman of Fayetteville Academy in Fayetteville, NC (pictured above)

We have written about Zane extensively in the past and rightfully so. Zane has made major improvements over the past few years and his work ethic and skill set are starting to pay huge dividends on the collegiate recruiting trail. Zane is known for his blue collar and full throttle approach to the game. His skill sets are advanced for his size/position. Coach Justin McClendon stated, “ Zane is very skilled and tough player. He plays with intensity with or without the ball.” Overall, Zane has the ability to stretch the defense with his soft shooting touch from the 3-point line and can take his man off the dribble and make posterized dunks as well. The next step for Zane is to show more leadership on the defensive end of the court and talk more and not float around on the perimeter. That being said, Zane is a no miss MM prospect.

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

More impact players from the Spring NC Phenom 150 camp

April 5, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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

Part II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NC Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations: Teams 5-6

November 9, 2012 by 1 Comment

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

Team 5 coached by Justin McClendon

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

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

#130 6’1 2015 Michael White of Charlotte, NC: Michael White demonstrated an advanced skill set consistently and lower tier D1 schools should be checking him out immediately. The highly skilled and fundamentally sound guard can do a little bit of everything well. He has outstanding range and can create his own shot off the dribble, but he was effective in transition by utilizing the “euro step” in transition. If White continues to grow and develop, his level of college interest will dramatically increase especially as he gets older and stronger.

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

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

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

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

#170 6’5 2015 Zach Hartle of King, NC: Zach Hartle is a fundamental sound player with outstanding basketball lQ, but don’t let that fool you. He has sneaky athleticism and had a tremendous throw down dunk that was impressive. He is an excellent “catch and shoot” player and can really shoot the 3-point consistently which will make him a solid D1 prospect. While Hartle does need to work on a quicker release, but if he continues to growth and develop, schools in the Big South and Southern Conference will be knocking on his door.

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

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

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

Team 6 coached by James Richmond

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NC Phenom 150 Camp Review Part 1

October 16, 2012 by 1 Comment

The 10th Annual NC Phenom 150 Camp took place on Sunday, October 7th at the Gateway YWCA in Winston-Salem, NC. Today, we will take a look at some of the top performers from the event. 

6’5 2016 DeShawn Corprew of Phoebus HS in Hampton, VA

Corprew came into the camp virtually as an unknown and may have left the camp the best player regardless of class. In our opinion, Corprew will make a strong case to become one of the top players nationally in his class and we see him easily as a top 40 prospect. Corprew reminded us of a younger Andrew White but with better athleticism and ball handling skills. While not the shooter of White, Corprew is smooth as silk and has the unique blend of skill and athleticism. He was explosive off the dribble and is extremely quick off his feet. Former Winthrop University coach Randy Peele stated the following: “ Corprew was the best prospect of the day. He is a HM player that can put the ball on the floor and has extended range. He can knock down the 3 pointer. He has really good size and athletic enough to play HM basketball.”

6’4 2014 Torin Dorn of Vance HS in Charlotte, NC

Dorn was another unknown coming into camp, but this look man is the model student athlete. He sports a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He comes from excellent stock, as his father was an outstanding football player at UNC.  In our opinion, Dorn may have been the most complete player at camp. We are talking about an athletic 6’4 combo guard that has the skill and basketball IQ that separates himself greatly from his peers. Simply put, he can do a little bit of everything. He was one of the top 3 point shooters in attendance, but he was impossible to guard in transition or stop in a half court situation. Personally, I see Dorn has a HM prospect and his high school coach Will Robinson agrees with me 100%. Without question, Dorn is the biggest sleeper in the state of North Carolina. Coach Randy Peele stated the following: “ ACC schools will evaluate him hard. He can shoot it and has the quickness/explosion to get by any defender. He has good size at 6’4 and more importantly he can defend. Wouldn’t be surprised if he signed with a lower tier ACC team, he is that good!”

6’7 2014 Gary Clark of Clayton HS in Clayton, NC

We have seen Gary Clark numerous times and his skill set for his size/position is appealing. Clark is simply one of the most mobile/versatile athletes in the state at 6’7 and should project easily into a top 75 player nationally. Simply put, he is excellent in transition and can alternate into the “point forward” position with his advanced ball handling and passing skills. He is a long armed combo forward that plays above the rim, but more importantly he is a true “team player.” He is unselfish and doesn’t dominate the ball and is a willing passer and doesn’t mind taking the backseat to teammates that has the hot hand.  Clark should have an easy time making the transition into a HM program because he understands team play and doesn’t rely on the AAU mindset of the “do him” offense. Coach Randy Peele stated the following: “Gary Clark is a HM athlete. He has long arms and plays above the rim. He is very good at the rim in transition and should translate into an ACC player.”

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

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

6’4 2014 Ricky Council of Northern Durham HS in Durham, NC

Ricky Council has been a regular at the NC Phenom 150 Camp and his stock continues to rise and his game has improved each season. Council plays the game the correct way! He plays with 100% effort 100% of the time. He plays with an extremely high motor and absolutely punished the rims at the Gateway YWCA. He flourishes in transition and in a high tempo offense; Council can become an effective player at the right MM program. His length, athleticism, and explosiveness are strong attributes, but his ability to shoot the mid range and 3 ball makes him attractive. Coach Randy Peele stated the following: “ Council is a slasher and finishes extremely well in transition. He loves to use the reverse spin dribble near the rim.”

6’10 2015 Tyler Creammer of Parkston HS in South View, NC

Camp settings are usually “big men” friendly, but that didn’t stop Creammer making a strong impression on us and other scouts in attendance. Creammer moves well without the ball, but does all the intangibles for a big man. He will post up in the paint and knows how to reverse pivot to get open. He plays with hands up and has soft hands. Unlike many young big men today, he doesn’t mind playing in the paint and knows his strengths. He is not afraid to battle and use his body to gain position. His ability to mix it up is refreshing. Once he gains possession of the rebound, he is excellent in keeping the ball above his head and rarely brings the ball down and is an above average outlet passer. His ability to run the floor is appealing and with additional time in the weight room over the next few years, you could have a highly coveted big man in the NC class of 2015.

6’7 2013 Jimmy Marshal of Douglas Freeman HS in Richmond, VA

If you are a D1 school and are in need of a versatile and mobile “point forward”, look no further than 6’7 Jimmy Marshall of Richmond, VA. He is simply a high IQ player with outstanding fundamentals who can flat out play! He has advanced ball handling and passing skills for his size/position and has the ability to consistently knock down perimeter shots including 3 pointers. He is vastly under the radar and can play at the MM level. Coach Randy Peele stated the following: “Jimmy Marshall is a good player! The 6’7 point/forward is at his best at the top of the key with a live dribble. He is so good with the ball and gets by defenders with his crossover move. He can also see players in the open court and deliver the ball on time accurately. Marshall has a nifty pull up dribble and has the ability to knock down 3’w. He would be excellent in a 4 out system and has ability to play at MM level.”

6’4 2013 Keenma Jones of GW Danville HS in 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.

6’8 2014 Thaxter Spruill of Clinton HS in 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.”

6’1 2016 Justice Kithcart of Durham Riverside in 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.

6’3 2014 Cameron Gottfried of Raleigh Broughton in Raleigh, NC

One of the biggest compliments from observers and scouts in attendance was “coaches son can really play.” The southpaw has a silky smooth jumper and already spots an offer from Loyola and that offer list will only continue to grow. Gottfried attended the Phenom 150 Camp last year and his improvement on the court is tremendous. His ability to knock down perimeter jump shots was impressive throughout the day and sported one of the nicest jumpers at the event. This jump shot is textbook and his extension, follow though and rotation is picture perfect. That being said, Gottfried surprised everyone in attendance was his athleticism has he punished the rim on several occasions. Being a coach’s son, he has the fundamentals, basketball IQ and understanding to make him a solid MM college prospect along with a blend of athleticism and skill set.

6’4 2016 Zach Cottrell of Hayesville HS in Hayesville, NC

Cottrell is another freshman to put in your SIM card. The 6’4 frosh is without question one of the best shooters not only in the state of North Carolina, but also in the country! His father played at Western Carolina and is one of the most successful high school coaches in North Carolina. He is a coach’s son and his basketball IQ, fundamentals, and overall knowledge of the game is second to none. He has sneaky athleticism and has advanced ball handling and passing skills for his size/position/grade. That being said, Cottrell has the ability to become a young JJ Redick. He has excellent shooting fundamentals with a quick release. He already has NBA 3 point range and he is still just a frosh. He has the work ethic and desire and don’t be surprised to watch him in the ACC one day. He is that good, especially at shooting the ball.

We will have Part 2 out tomorrow so stay tuned!

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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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8th Annual North Carolina Phenom 150 Evaluation Camp: Part 3

October 26, 2011 by Leave a Comment

In today’s issue, we will dig into more Division I prospects that attended the NC Phenom 150 Camp on Saturday, October 15th, 2011.

Player: 5’11Ria’n Holland
Hometown: Hope Mills, NC
School: South View
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: The opinions varied on Holland from various scouting services in attendance whether to peg Holland as a true PG or SG. The reason for the varying opinions was due to the fact that Holland is a “lights out” shooter. We are talking about one of the best pure shooters in his class. Holland can shoot off the dribble at the PG position or simply move without the ball to get open. It’s refreshing to see a young player know how to play without the ball and “do his work early” for getting his shot off. This young man needs little to no room to get his shot off. He has a quick release and can get his shot off on taller and more athletic defenders. He is fundamentally sound and has a high basketball IQ and has serious D1 potential.

Player: 5’10 Logan Jackson
Hometown: Waxhaw, NC
School: Marvin Ridge
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: Jackson is the consummate PG who is highly skilled and fundamentally sound. He is a superb floor general that has tremendous court vision and is an excellent passer. He is really crafty and knows how to changes speed extremely well in the open court. He has solid speed and quickness to overcome his lack of size. He had total control of his team and his teammates looked for him on most of the outlet passes off defensive rebounds which is a testament to leadership on the court. On the defensive side of the court, Jackson was active and assertive. He has outstanding on the ball defense and has quick hands.

Player: 5’8 TJ Robinson
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
School: Fayetteville Christian
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: The best way to describe Robinson is “jitterbug.” Robinson has superb quickness and tremendous foot speed. He is excellent in transition as he weaves in and out of defensive pressure. In addition to his overall speed, Robinson is an excellent passer and is really good by making “snap passes” off the dribble. Defensively, he is able to use his undersized frame as advantage as he applied great on the ball pressure defense. He is like a “nat” that keeps pestering the offensive ball handler.  Robinson is rather young and could easily add some size in the next few years. That being said, he is one to keep on your D1 radar.

Player: 6’7 Zane Waterman
Hometown: Kernersville, NC
School: Glenn HS
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: Waterman was also a pleasant surprise since he had little to no hype or publicity coming into the camp, but his high intensity motor was impressive to say the least. He played all 3 camp  games like he had something to prove and his aggressive and assertive hustle plays earned him a lot of respect from various scouts in attendance. He has “sneaky” athleticism and does have a nice bounce to his step. He attacked the rim relentlessly and threw down some nasty dunks through traffic. In addition, he sported a nice mid range game and if he has a successful junior season, you should see a pike in his recruitment. Without question, Waterman has D1 potential.

Player: 6’5 Josh Mellette
Hometown: Sanford, NC
School: Southern Lee
Grade: 12 (Class 2012)
Evaluation: Mellette is a rather long and athletic wing that is excellent in transition. He attacks the rim with vengeance and authority and gets high above the rim for some thunderous dunks. In addition to excelling in the open court, Mellette is a throwback to the term “garbage player” as he always seems to be at the right place and right place for loose balls and put back points off the offensive board. Defensively, he uses his length and closes out correctly by getting his long wingspan up to disrupt the offensive shooter. Mellette plays hard and is a Mr. Hustle guy on the court. With Mellette, you get a hardnosed competitor that will battle you constantly on both ends of the court.

Player: 6’6 Derek Barnes
Hometown: Hickory, NC
School: Hickory HS
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: Barnes is a really good looking WF that truly understands the game. He is fundamentally sound and has a high basketball IQ, but his “meal ticket” is his ability to shoot the ball.  He is a proficient shooter with outstanding range from the perimeter and beyond the 3 point line. His shot is “textbook” and you can easily see countless hours were spent in the gym perfecting his smooth shooting touch. In addition, he plays well off the ball and moves and positions himself for shots coming off ball screens or making “V Cuts” to get open. Defensively, he was solid all day and understands the basic principles of man to man defense.

Player: 6’7 Jordan Jones
Hometown: Durham, NC
School: Durham Riverside
Grade: 11 (Class 2013)
Evaluation: Jones is another long and agile player with a tremendous wingspan. While he is effective in transition, one of his biggest attributes is his ability to handle and pass the basketball. He has really good court vision and makes lead bounce passes off the dribble with zip and accuracy. He plays above the rim and rebounds with passion. He has impeccable timing and goes strong and high for rebounds. On the defensive end of the floor, he can cause problems due to his length. He has good lateral foot speed and the next step in his development is adding strength to his frame. He has a lot of physical intangibles to become a solid D1 prospect.

Player: 6’4 Ricky Council
Hometown: Durham, NC
School: Northern Durham
Grade: 10 (Class 2014)
Evaluation: Council attended the 2011 Dave Telep Carolina Challenge and is a very long framed player that can play on the perimeter or on the interior. He showcased his ability on Saturday to consistently knock down perimeter shots with accuracy and precision. Council has the unique blend of athleticism and skill which is missing from many young players today, but more importantly Council’s biggest attribute may be his desire to play hard, compete and hustle on each and every possession. Like the old saying, “this young man does not take plays off.” He plays with an urgency and desire that is fun to watch. He is box out and band with bigger defenders and uses his athleticism and quick bounce to secure rebounds over taller players, but the biggest play was watching Council drive for a loose ball that was going out of bounds. Let’s be honest, you don’t see that often in camp setting. In addition, Council scored well but he did it within the team structure and didn’t try to manufacture his own shot. Without question, Council has the chance to be a very good player in high school and at the next level.

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