Young players stand out at Phenom 150

The North Carolina Phenom 150 Camp Sunday session is dedicated to players in grades nine through 12, making for an event with a wide range of skill-sets and abilities. Though there were numerous upperclassmen in the event, the class of 2016 seemed to steal the show.

Many of the camp’s top players were among the freshman class, including a high number of guards. Also part of the 2016 class was perhaps the camp’s top overall player – Deshawn Corprew from Hampton (Va.) Phoebus High.

The 6-5 wing put on a show all day long, scoring on the perimeter, creating for himself and facilitating for his teammates. Corprew, a high effort player as well, put his defensive skills on display demonstrating his all-around game that will likely result in high-level interest as he moves through the high school ranks.

While Corprew might have been the best overall, the Phenom 150 Camp also produced a handful of top of the line point and combo guards.

Timmy Walker, a 6-1 point guard from Charlotte (N.C.) The Christ School, showed his ability to facilitate an offense as well as put defenders on their heels with his knack for driving to the basket and getting easy looks around the rim.

Walker generated offense rather easily with his vision and understanding of the position, ultimately giving some of his elder, higher profile teammates such as Gary Clark opportunities to gain uncontested baskets.

Walker’s toughness and strength helped the young player become a force on the defensive end of the floor as well.

Joining Walker in his quest to put his name on the map at the Phenom 150 was Carion Eaton, an undersized 5-7 point guard from Stafford (Va.) Middleburg Academy that played much bigger than his frame.

Eaton was fearless with the ball in his hands, directing traffic and putting his older teammates in place. He took complete control of his team’s offense, something coaches love to see out of young players.

Justise Kithcart, a 6-1 point guard from Durham (N.C.) Riverside was showing why he belongs in the conversation right now and likely for years to come, as he had several of the national recruiting and scouting services raving about his ability to hold down the position.

Fellow class of 2016 talent and Triangle product Tremain Lawrence from Garner (N.C.) Middle Creek also saw his name popping frequently throughout the day for a consistent performance.

In addition to quality players from the 2016 class, the 2015 group featured its share of big time talent as well.

Hunter Seacat, a 6-8 post from Mooresville (N.C.) Lake Norman, loved doing the dirty work in the paint. The sophomore understood and accepted his role as a post presence and consistently cleaned up the glass, earning himself several easy stick back buckets.

He also appeared to pride himself in strong defensive play. Seacat displayed great body control and solid timing in blocking shots. Despite his youth, he played with a high IQ and never tried to step outside of his game and abilities.

Michael Hodge, yet another Durham (N.C.) Hillside product, played the point guard position very well. He used the Phenom 150 Camp to put his inside and outside game on display – hitting shots from behind the 3-point stripe and attacking the basket and opposing big men.

The class of 2015 also featured Saleik Edwards, a 6-2 guard from Winterville (N.C.) South Central High. The long, defensive-minded guard made a name for himself picking the pockets of opposing point guards and getting off to the races in transition.

He had a tendency to play a little out of control at times, but with incredible length for his size and a willingness to put pressure on the ball, he quickly developed a reputation for being a tough defender.

Overall, young guards and wings were crawling out of the woodwork at the Phenom 150 Camp, assuring everyone that the classes of 2015 and 2016 should be deep with perimeter prospects.