Team 1
Coach: Daymond Lindell
#3: 4’10 ’27 TJ Conley (Arden)
Starting things off, we look at a player that stood out for his high IQ as one of the youngest performers in attendance, TJ Conley. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect that looks to get downhill and make plays for himself or others. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it will make him a better rebounder on both ends of the floor. Coach Lindell on Conley: “TJ is an extension of his coach on the court! He’s a complete floor general whose basketball IQ is way ahead of his body. As his body catches up to his mind, he’ll develop into a solid point guard. He sees the court well and is a very capable and willing passer. TJ has nice handles with either hand and has a nice consistent tear drop shot in the paint. He pushes the ball well and defends the perimeter well.” Conley proved to be a productive and reliable teammate that played bigger than his size throughout the day.
#13: 5’5 ’24 Jake Lowery (Canton)
Next, we look at a player that offered a nice blend between shooting and playmaking, Jake Lowery. He’s a wiry guard prospect that knows how to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it will allow him to be stronger through traffic when attacking the basket. Coach Lindell on Lowery: “Jake is a smaller version of Steve Nash! He’s a super-heady ball-handler and adept passer with either hand. He sees the floor exceptionally well and anticipates passing lanes with regularity. Jake has a nice midrange to three-point shot. He defends hard on the perimeter and will sink to help in the paint. Jake has a high basketball IQ, which translates into a major contributing player as he develops for high school.” Lowery enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the necessary tools to become an electric point guard sooner than later.
#14: 5’5 ’26 J’Kaeshi Brunson (Clinton)
Moving onto a player that was able to impact the game in various different ways throughout the day, J’Kaeshi Brunson. He’s an active, strong-bodied point guard that knows how to utilize his strength to get by opponents and make plays within the paint. Brunson is a heady penetrator and scrappy overall defender that isn’t afraid of physicality. He displayed toughness on both ends of the floor and rebounded the ball well for his size/position. Next in his development process is Coach Lindell on Brunson: “J’Kaeshi is deceptively athletic, as he knows how to change speeds on his dribble-drive moves. He defends his position well full to half-court but will need to become a 94-feet defender. He has a nice midrange shot and penetration ability. J’Kaeshi is a willing defender who will get in the mix to rebound.” Brunson worked hard during his time at camp and could be one to keep an eye on going forward.
#26: 5’9 ’24 Jordan Alston (Oxford)
Continuing onto a player that stood out nicely with his versatility and nonstop two-way motor, Jordan Alston. He’s a long, athletic, fairly polished wing prospect that knows how to create havoc defensively and turn it into points on the other end. Alston is great in transition and looks to attack the basket whenever possible but can also make plays for others at a solid rate. Next in his development process Coach Lindell on Alston: “Jordan is super-athletic and can defend four positions comfortably with high-level intensity. He has really good handles, which allows him to push the ball on offense for 94 feet, finishing with either hand routinely. Jordan understands the game well and uses the combination of his abilities to create offensive opportunities for himself and others. Jordan is a great character player and born leader on the floor.” Alston impacted the game well throughout the day and has all the tools to be a quality contributor at the high school level.
#27: 5’9 ’25 Paxton Carter (Concord)
Next, we look at a player that made an impression as one of the best shooters on this team, Paxton Carter. He’s a wiry guard prospect with a quality motor and the ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Carter displays a nice understanding of spacing and how to properly move without the ball to find scoring opportunities. Next in his development process is Coach Lindell on Carter: “Paxton is like a throwback namesake like Jim Paxson! Pax has a nice lefty three-point shot with real consistency! He can handle the ball well with either hand and is a strong passer. He runs the floor well and moves well without the ball, positioning himself for his open shot. Paxton defends on the perimeter decently well but needs improvement on speed and quickness. He was a very coachable player.” Carter made his presence felt quite nicely throughout camp and could be worth keeping an eye on over the coming years.
#46: 6’1 ’25 Addison Newkirk (Greensboro)
Moving onto a player that already displays a pretty strong amount of two-way versatility, Addison Newkirk. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with nice IQ and a well-rounded skillset. Newkirk is effective with or without the ball in his hands, able to find scoring opportunities through cutting, transition play, or creating on his own. Next in his development process is working on adding strength, as it will make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Lindell on Newkirk: “Addison has a similar game style like former Gonzaga great Adam Morrison! He’s a long, lanky guard/forward with nice handles, quality passing with either hand, exceptional court vision, and the ability to run the floor well in transition. He rebounds and defends his position well. Addison has a very nice midrange to three-point shot but is also a dribble-drive penetrator who finishes with either hand. He’s a consummate team player, willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win.” Newkirk has all the makings of a very useful player and will be one to watch closely going forward.
#47: 6’1 ’25 Colton Whitt (Greensboro)
Continuing onto a player that was among the steadiest, most consistent performer on this team, Colton Whitt. He’s a smart, fairly well-rounded wing/forward prospect with an excellent blend of size and skill, particularly for his age. Whitt can score in various different ways and defends his position effectively on the other end. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Lindell on Whitt: “Colton is deceptively smooth and steady all game long. He’s the type of player who ends up with a quiet double-double. He has nice handles and knows when to pass and when to shoot. He’s unselfish on defense, willing to sink to help in the post and doubles on ball-screens. Colton mixes it up when rebounder. He’s a smart player and willing defender that knows how to establish position for possession.” Whitt enjoyed a quality showing during his time at camp and will develop into a useful prospect over the next few years.
#57: 6’6 ’24 Draven Pilson (Winston-Salem)
Next, we look at a player that was easily among the most impressive performers and long-term prospects on display, Draven Pilson. He’s a long, smart, athletic, skilled forward prospect that highlighted flashes of pure dominance throughout his time at camp. Pilson was one of the only players that could protect the rim, defend multiple positions, and carry the offensive load, separating him from other top performers. Next in his development process is simply continuing to add strength to his wiry frame, as he truly already possesses all the tools to be an incredible player. Coach Lindell on Pilson: “Draven has a tremendous upside in that he’s a good athlete with a great frame, high basketball IQ, can handle the ball, and finish with either hand around the rim. He has a nice midrange to three-point shot, runs the floor well, and can lead the break when he rebounds and pushes in transition. Draven can guard all positions and should be a star in the high school game.” Pilson was simply phenomenal, securing the Mr. Defense award with relative ease, and putting everyone on notice for the coming years.
#58: 6’4 ’24 Enoch Ferry (Winston-Salem)
Finishing up, we look at a player that continues to look more and more poised to be a breakout candidate in the near future, Enoch Ferry. He’s a big, smart, strong-bodied big man prospect with an advanced physical profile and obvious long-term upside. Ferry looked more fluid, comfortable, and productive since his last camp, displaying touch, toughness, and nice defensive instincts. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his quickness, as it would improve his recovery time and ability to take opponents off the dribble. Coach Lindell on Ferry: “Enoch has unlimited potential athletically and academically. He has a strong knowledge of the game and a great body to work with—in that he’s a big and willing to play big! He’s exceptionally coachable and aware of his strengths and weaknesses. Enoch rebounds his position well and is a good passer from the post. He’s a great teammate and character leader on the court. Should be an Ivy League player in the future.” Ferry was quite impressive at camp and should be a prospect to watch closely, as he will emerge as a college-level talent sooner than later.