Phenom National Showcase
6’0 2020 Landon Sutton (High Point Christian Academy)
Everyone knows the scouting report on Sutton that he can really shoot the ball even with them knowing he always produces. Sutton was the ball handler and facilitator for his team at times and also moved off the ball to show his ability to shoot and score with his smooth stroke. In the 2nd half Sutton confidence went to another level came down in transition for pull up 3s moved without the ball found open spots once he got going he was hard to stop which helped his team get a big win over Liberty Heights as well as winning the game MVP.
6’1 2021 KJ Garrett (High Point Christian Academy)
Garrett nickname is “Lighting” for a reason he is a cat quick point guard who was effective in transition and in a half court set, started the game off with a quick five points, one dribble pull and a 3 ball. Garrett demonstrated in a half court set he was hard to guard and almost unstoppable at getting into the lane for finishes or finding open man. Even with being at a new school he demonstrated strong leadership skills demanded the ball and took control of the offense.
5’11 2021 Carter Bass (High Point Christian Academy)
Bass is a coach’s son with a high basketball IQ who is known for being a shooter but tonight he brought energy and defense. Bass made winning plays all night either with deflections steals or coming up with loose balls the young man was everywhere. I don’t know his final scoring numbers but I believe he was a big reason for the win just because of his energy.
6’1 2020 Jordan Lynch (Greenfield School)
Lynch was confident with the ball in hand applied pressure off the bounce to get to the rim or hit the mid-range jumper. Created offense with defense which led to transition layups for him and teammates was able to finish through contact and get to the free throw line.
6’8 2019 Nick Evtimov (Greensboro Day School)
Evtimov was incredible the game changes as soon as he steps onto the court. Evtimov is very agile for his size and was flat out dominating in every facet tonight. At 6’8 and able to handle the ball against other bigs from the perimeter caused problems for defenders. On the block is where his bread and butter is at his footwork and post moves are so more advance than others I have seen this year that I believe GDs are state championship bound because I don’t see anyone stopping him.
6’0 2019 Austin Inge (Greensboro Day School)
If I could have picked one person for MVP overall for Friday night it would have went to Inge. It all started on the defensive end where he was incredible from the start. Inge disrupts the other team’s flow not allowing them to set up their sets being vocal jumping passing lanes and not getting stuck on screens. The game was tight going back and forth each time Christ School will try to take it away Inge would come up with a timely basket or a defensive stop. Inge may never put up big scoring numbers but you will always see him making an impact on every game.
5’9 2019 Kojack Thompson (Christ School)
Thompson slight in frame but big in game was fantastic! Coming into the game shorthanded missing two main players and the coach I didn’t know what to expect. Thompson put the team on his back and almost came out with a win. He played with a lot of energy scored from all over the floor attacked the basket finished at the rim or with floaters. Thompson wanted the ball in the big time moments whenever the game got close Thompson was there to make a play young man is fun to watch.
.
6’10 20021 Gabe Wiznitzer (Christ School)
Wiznitzer used his size to his advantage controlled the paint on both sides of the floor offensively he showed good touch and had some moments were he couldn’t be stopped down low. Defensively he battled on the boards blocked multiple shots and altering many more.
6’0 2019 Brad Halvorsen (Christ School)
Halvorsen was one of the best competitors of the night and a pest on defense stayed in front of his man came up with steals diving on the floor for loose balls. Halvorsen shot the ball extremely well got in the lane and made multiple floaters.
6’11 2020 Isaiah Todd (Trinity Academy of Raleigh)
Seeing him play you can tell why he is highly ranked he has everything you want. Even with him playing well he still leaves you wanting more because of his skill set. First play of the game he got the ball pulled up for a 3 on the wing next trip done pinned a ball on the square. Todd easily had double digit rebounds in the 1st half and 2nd half was no different blocking multiple shots attacking the basket off the bounce. When Todd worked from the block he was dominate and that’s when his team started to pull away and eventually getting the win .
6’3 2022 Jaden Bradley (Cannon School)
Bradley is a talented point guard with a great IQ sees the floor like a vet who was leading his teammates to open spots on the floor. Bradley has a silky smooth pull up jumper that if he went to it more I think they would have pulled out the win. In past settings I have seen he was looking to distribute most of the game last night he turned it up a notch and looked to score which he almost willed his team back to victory.
6’6 2022 DJ Nix (Cannon School)
To only be a freshman, DJ held his own against one of the best players in the country. Nix made hustle plays, defended and played with a high motor. He didn’t shoot like I have seen in the past but was still effective putting the ball on the floor and scoring at the rim and blocking shot.