Team 3
Coach: Patrick King
A foreword from Coach King: “This team was absolutely STACKED. I was blown away with how coachable, cohesive, and team-centric these guys played. Every single one of them bought into the unselfish brand we wanted to play, and our bench was live the entire day. It seemed repetitive to mention their coachability in every blurb, so I’ll say it about all of them right off the bat.”
#0: 6’0 ’23 Tomir Moore (Parrott Academy)
Starting things off, we look at a player that continues to steadily trend upward in all facets of the game, Tomir Moore. He’s a young, smart, crafty guard prospect with a high motor, unselfish mentality, and tight ball-handling skills. Moore is very sharp, quick penetrator with a reliable perimeter jumper and excellent use of both hands. He makes quality decisions as a playmaker and defends his assignment effectively at the point of attack. Next in his development process is working to become a more active rebounder, as it would allow him to grab boards and immediately push the break in transition. Coach King on Moore: “Tomir is extremely quick, smart point guard. We missed him after he got hurt early in the day. He displays a great pace and decisiveness while running the show, and he is a capable scorer from all three levels. He is also a disruptive defender, giving opposing guards problems at the point.” Moore showcased a lot of ability throughout his time at camp and should remain a prospect to monitor over the coming years at Parrott Academy.
#1: 6’1 ’21 Jamarii Thomas (The Burlington School)
Next, we look at a player that has solidified himself as one of the most electric, popular prospects within the state, Jamarii Thomnas. He’s a tough, physical, gritty two-way lead guard prospect with a strong penetration sense and powerful leaping ability. Thomas is a quality athlete with the necessary blend of quickness and anticipation to overwhelm his assignment defensively while touching the paint at a nonstop rate, where he’s shown the ability to set up others or finish through contact. He’s a reliable midrange shooter and capable threat from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to apply pressure to opposing defenses alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach King on Thomas: “Jamarii is a point general and leader on the floor. He provides elite penetration and finishing ability, especially for his size. Jamarii made huge baskets time and again, including an and-one to win a game. He is the player you want with the ball at the end of the game, because of his intelligence, toughness, decision-making, and ability to finish. Simply put, Jamarii is a winner.” Thomas continues to turn heads with his play and should see an uptick in his recruitment over the upcoming season with The Burlington School.
#2: 6’2 ’21 Jamarien Dalton (North Davidson)
Moving onto a player that is arguably one of the top two-sport athletes throughout North Carolina, Jamarien Dalton. He’s a long, wiry, athletic guard prospect with a knack for scoring the ball in a variety of different ways. Dalton is a useful penetrator and overall scorer with the ability to consistently create for himself off the dribble. He defends well, forces turnovers at a solid rate, and makes his presence felt in transition. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach King on Dalton: “Jamarien has the ability to do a little bit of everything, and he showed that this weekend. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the court, and he’s got an extremely quick first step. He is a tough defender who got several deflections and gave opposing guards problems as well.” Despite being committed to Elon for football, folks should expect another extremely productive season from Dalton as the focal point of North Davidson.
#3: 6’4 ’22 Chase Lowe (Weddington)
Continuing onto a player that has quietly established himself as one of the most productive prospects in the state, Chase Lowe. He’s a smart, skilled, versatile wing prospect with the ability to initiate the offense, create for himself or others, and apply strong downhill pressure in transition. Lowe touches the paint with regularity and looks to make the right play whenever possible, but can also finish above or through contact at the rim. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach King on Lowe: “Chase is a versatile wing who makes winning plays. He has exceptional ability to penetrate and makes the right play, often times finishing with either hand through traffic. Chase uses his body very well in gaining advantages on drives. In addition, he is a great communicator at both ends, and is willing to play whatever role is necessary in helping his team win.” Lowe proved to be a clear asset during camp and will be one for college coaches to monitor over his next few seasons as the leader for Weddington.
#4: 6’4 ’22 Donovan Atwell (Davidson Day)
Next, we look at a player that easily stands out as one of the top shooting prospects within the region, Donovan Atwell. He’s a smart, wiry, smooth-shooting wing prospect with incredible cutting/off-ball instincts. Atwell possesses picturesque shot mechanics, positions himself extremely well, and truly only requires a glimmer of daylight to get off his rapid release. He also handles the ball and attacks closeouts effectively, where he has the IQ and willingness to finish or make the extra pass. Next in his development process is working on adding strength, as it will only help prepare him for the physicality of the collegiate game. Coach King on Atwell: “Donovan is an elite-level shooter. He has the confidence and ability to knock down shots both on the catch and off the dribble. At his size and with his release, it’s extremely difficult to bother his shot. Donovan displayed mental toughness, taking and making one of the biggest shots of our day after having a tough shooting game.” Atwell continues to shine in every possible setting and should see a massive uptick in his recruitment over his next few seasons at Davidson Day.
#5: 6’5 ’22 Nolan Hodge (Northern Guilford)
Moving onto a player that has steadily progressed into one of the most underrated, intriguing prospects in the state, Nolan Hodge. He’s a long, smart, skilled, versatile guard prospect with incredible size and a smooth, unselfish approach to the game on both ends of the floor. Hodge possesses impressive skill, especially for his size, and can operate as a focal point or make a constant impact within a role. He creates very well for himself and others, showing a strong balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Next in his development process is continuing to further his alpha-mentality, as it will make him virtually unstoppable. Coach King on Hodge: “Nolan possesses elite shooting ability. He has a quick release and a lot of confidence, and at his size and with his athleticism, he can really create his own shot at will. Nolan also has a crafty game off the dribble. He brings high-level effort on both sides of the ball. He plays unselfishly and really well alongside more ball-dominant players.” Hodge will only continue to gain traction as a prospect and should accumulate plenty of offers over these next two seasons at Northern Guilford.
#7: 6’7 ’22 Shane Fernald (Lake Norman Christian)
Continuing onto a player that simply knows how to make a constant impact in all facets of the game, Shane Fernald. He’s a smart, skilled, versatile forward prospect with a well-rounded skillset and the ability to naturally cause mismatches on offense. Fernald plays with a high motor, passes the ball extremely well, and can score effectively from all levels. His blue-collar mentality is evident as a rebounder, where he simply overwhelms opponents with his positioning, understanding of angles, and sheer activity level. Next in his development process is working on getting back in peak physical condition, as it would only make him more appealing for college coaches. Coach King on Fernald: “Shane is a true point forward. He has great passing ability and an elite basketball IQ. He always seems to make the right play, racking up assists and tough finishes at the rim. Shane also possesses the ability to knock down jumpers, knocking down several three-pointers today. He is an excellent communicator on both ends.” Fernald proved to be a phenomenal glue-guy and overall asset during camp, and will play a vital role over the coming years at Lake Norman Christian.
#8: 6’9 ’23 Callum Richard (Gaston Day)
Next, we look at a player that continues to steadily trend upward as a prospect on both ends of the floor, Callum Richard. He’s a young, wiry, blossoming post prospect with a quality post arsenal and clear two-way upside. Richard possesses touch, footwork, and an understanding of how to access reliable shots or defer to teammates. He plays hard and offers an unselfish mentality, altering shots, consistently battling for rebounds, making the pitch-ahead pass, and running the floor hard in transition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physically imposing player on either side of the ball. Coach King on Richard: “As one of our two sophomores on the team, Callum displayed a really strong ability to finish around the rim. He’s got soft hands and polished footwork in the post, and he is also a willing passer. Callum has the makings to be a very strong post player with the ability to stretch to the three-point line as well.” Richard has all the tools to become an exceptional prospect, and will certainly be one to continue tracking as an already proven double-double machine for Gaston Day.
#9: 6’9 ’22 Jai Smith (Word of God)
Finishing up, we look at a player that has simply taken North Carolina by storm over the last few months, Jai Smith. He’s a strong, explosive, high-motor forward/post prospect that naturally seems to exude production on both ends of the floor. Smith’s nonstop activity allows him to dominate the glass, convert on countless second-chance opportunities, and legitimately overwhelm all types opponents at the rim. He can finish nearly anything within the paint, regardless of defensive pressure, but has also shown the makings of a useful perimeter jumper. Smith is a strong rim-protector and pure force in transition with the ability to consistently capitalize through beating his assignment down the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach King on Smith: “Jai is an absolutely explosive athlete that can fit with almost any team. Jai doesn’t need to have his number called; he simply attacks the glass and rolls to the rim harder than anyone else in the gym. He had countless dunks, both in traffic and in transition. He protects the rim well and can switch onto quicker guards. He was a force in the paint in every game we played.” Smith has collected more offers over the recent months than anyone in attendance at camp, and justifiably so, and should only continue to turn heads going forward at Word of God.