Team 8
Coach: Trey Jones
#42: 6’0 ’20 Randy Stutts (Alamance Christian)
Starting things off, we look at a player that stood out with his vision and passing ability, Randy Stutts. He’s an unselfish, strong-bodied point guard prospect that knows how to get downhill and make plays for himself and others. Stutts is a great rebounder for his position and can knock down perimeter jumpers within the flow of the offense. Next in his development process is working on becoming quicker, as it would make him a better on-ball defender. Coach Jones on Stutts: “Randy has good playmaking skills and feel for the game. He sees passing lanes in advance and has good shooting mechanics. His main areas of improvement are foot speed and overall quickness, in addition to an increased motor and consistency on the defensive end of the floor. Randy puts himself in good position but isn’t always aware of his man and the ball.” Stutts enjoyed a pretty solid showing at camp and could be a solid late addition for the right program with continued work.
#68: 5’8 ’21 Staphon Peterson (Cramerton Christian)
Next, we look at a player that consistently found a way to involve himself in the action, Staphon Peterson. He’s an unselfish, high-motor, slightly undersized guard prospect with the ability to effectively move without the ball and find scoring chances as an off-ball cutter. Peterson is a useful spot-up threat with quality effort as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher and ball-handler. Coach Jones on Peterson: “Staphon did a great job of showcasing his shooting ability. He played exceptionally hard every single possession and was a great teammate throughout the day. He also moved without the ball well and played hard-nosed defense. His main areas of improvement are ball-handling and shooting off the dribble. He can also increase his basketball knowledge to make him more of a well-rounded player.” Peterson did a lot of things well at camp and could be poised for a productive senior campaign at Cramerton Christian.
#74: 5’9 ’23 Keshawn Brown (Cary Academy)
Moving onto a player that displayed a fairly intriguing array of skills for his size and age, Keshawn Brown. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with excellent quickness and the ability to make his presence consistently felt as a penetrator. Brown finishes well with both hands and highlighted a pretty reliable midrange pull-up throughout the day. Next in his development process is working on his overall defensive presence, as he has the necessary tools to become a lockdown defender. Coach Jones on Brown: “Keshawn has a strong handle and can get to most areas on the court without issue. His shooting ability is pretty good and he finishes through contact pretty well. Keshawn can improve his play by recognizing situations a bit better and making the advance pass to his teammates earlier. He can also work on his defensive motor.” Brown displayed a pretty useful amount of tools and has a lot of time to harness them, which should make him a prospect to watch going forward.
#87: 5’10 ’20 Jonathan Jones (Rolesville)
Continuing onto a player that offered a pretty well-rounded skillset and approach throughout camp, Jonathan Jones. He’s a smart, balanced, high-motor guard prospect that typically works and finds scoring opportunities without the ball. Jones is a useful three-point shooter and penetrating threat with the ability to score as needed. He shines on the other end with quality rebounding for his size and strong defensive prowess. 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 Jones on Jones: “Jonathan is a strong, athletic guard with a good feel for the game. He takes advantage of his strong shooting with effective step-backs and space-creating moves. He is a very coachable player with good knowledge of the game. He plays hard each and every possession. Areas of improvement would be his ball-handling, especially his left hand, and his penetration ability to the rim.” Jones made his presence felt quite consistently on both ends of the floor and could be a nice late addition for the right program.
#107: 6’1 ’23 James Libby (Hickory Grove)
Next, we look at a player that showcased a pretty impressive inside-out game, especially for his age, James Libby. He’s a wiry, unselfish, high-motor guard prospect that knows how to properly move without the ball and set himself up for success as a spot-up threat. Libby is a quality creator with vision and craftiness as a ball-handler. He looks to make the extra pass whenever possible and shows a willingness to make hustle plays on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as he has the necessary tools to get stops in the open floor. Coach Jones on Libby: “James does a good job of spacing the floor with his shooting ability and basketball IQ. On offense, he plays hard on every possession. James moves well without the ball and is a great team player. Areas of improvement would be in his ball-handling, particularly with his left hand, and his foot speed could allow for a better defensive foundation.” Libby did a lot of things well, especially for his age, and could be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
#110: 6’1 ’23 Trace Phillips (Kings Mountain)
Moving onto a player that is just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term abilities, Trace Phillips. He’s a wiry, long-bodied forward prospect with an excellent motor and a pretty useful defensive presence. Phillips showed a willingness to make the hustle plays on both ends of the floor, securing rebounds, fighting for loose balls, and doing whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. Next in his development process is working on his craftiness as a ball-handler, as it would make him a more complete offensive player. Coach Jones on Phillips: “Trace has a great attitude and is a very coachable player. He play shard on every single possession and can finish around the rim pretty well. Trace moves without the ball a lot and stays active on both ends of the floor. His areas of improvement would be shooting and increasing his basketball knowledge.” Phillips had some intriguing flashes at camp and has the tools to become a pretty useful player sooner than later.
#125: 6’3 ’20 Yahsheem Kendrick (Cramerton Christian)
Continuing onto a player that was easily among the most productive two-way performers on this team, Yahsheem Kendrick. He’s a long, smart, fairly skilled wing prospect with exceptional penetration skills and the ability to finish strong through contact. Kendrick possesses a well-rounded skillset and can score the ball in an efficient variety of ways. He defends his position very well and can secure rebounds at a strong rate for his position. Next in his development process is working to tighten his shooting mechanics, as it would likely make him a more consistent shooting threat. Coach Jones on Kendrick: “Yahsheem has a very good basketball IQ on both ends of the floor. His anticipation skills are extremely strong, athleticism is second to none, first step is explosive, and finishing ability around the rim is excellent with either hand. He can improve his shooting by having a consistent release and being on balance. He is a pitbull on the defensive end and stands out as a vocal leader.” Kendrick enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be a nice late addition for the right program.
#131: 6’4 ’20 Robert Nastase (Cover)
Next, we look at a player that consistently stands out with his phenomenal perimeter shooting and seamless 3-and-D ability, Robert Nastase. He’s a smart, strong-bodied wing prospect that simply knows how to make his presence felt in all facets of the game, despite not being an incredible athlete. Nastase displays a high IQ, unselfish/team-first mentality, and makes an abundance of positive plays for his team on both sides of the ball. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more lethal penetrating threat. Coach Jones on Nastase: “Robert has a very good feel for the game and can really space the floor with his exceptional shooting ability and timely cuts to the basket. His IQ for the game is very good on defense as well as offense. His areas of improvement would be in athleticism and on-ball defense. His foot speed could also get better but his help defense is very good and timely. Robert plays hard and is a tough competitor that will fit in many offensive systems.” Nastase was impressive throughout camp and continues to solidify himself as an obvious college-level prospect, so hopefully coaches will get involved before it’s too late.
#147: 6’7 ’21 Marshall Klug (Page)
Finishing up, we look at a player that displays nice versatility and floor-spacing ability for his position, Marshall Klug. He’s a long, wiry post prospect with touch, fluidity, and a quality inside-out presence on both ends of the floor. Klug moves well for his size, able to close-out and recover or offer help-side defense as a rim-protector. He rebounds well despite his lack of strength, knows how to locate guards, and runs the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it will make him an even tougher interior defender. Coach Jones on Klug: “Marshall has a smooth game and a good feel for it as well. He can stretch the floor effectively for a big with his shooting ability. His inside game is also solid with a nice feathery touch around the rim. Areas of improvement for Marshall would be his strength with the ball, both inside and out. He could get stronger as well to improve his rebounding ability. Marshall plays good help defense for a big man.” Klug continues to get better with each viewing and has the necessary tools to emerge as a useful contributor over the next season for Page.