Team 4
Coach: James Baker
#10: 5’8 ’22 Chris Britt (Gaston Day)
Starting things off, we look at a player that continually stands out with his sharp, quick, aggressive scoring prowess, Chris Britt. He’s a tough, heady lead guard prospect with the ability to reliably and effortlessly create quality shots out of little to nothing. Britt is excellent at blowing by his man and finishing around the basket or converting his incredibly lethal midrange pull-up. He’s a capable playmaker and great on-ball defender with the tools and understanding to force on-ball turnovers with regularity. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler with relative ease. Coach Baker on Britt: “Chris is a great kid that plays hard and shows a willingness to compete on both ends of the floor. He showed his ability as a true point guard during camp but also displayed a great jumper. Chris has a high IQ!” Britt proved to be an asset during camp and should continue to stand out as a consistently productive piece for Gaston Day going forward.
#1: 6’1 ’22 Gabe Proctor (Apex Friendship)
Next, we look at a player that always seems to stand out through his perimeter shooting and competitive streak, Gabe Proctor. He’s a wiry, smooth-shooting guard prospect with a great spot-up sense and the ability to make an impact without requiring the ball in his hands. Proctor is a smart cutter with an understanding of how to properly set himself up for three-point opportunities. He rebounds well for his position and knows how to make the extra pass. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable on-ball defender. Coach Baker on Proctor: “Gabe is a great kid that plays hard and wants to win. He’s a great shooter from deep and displays college range on his three-point shot. Gabe blocks out extremely well, especially for his size.” Proctor highlighted a useful presence at camp and will certainly be among the main contributors for Apex Friendship during the next few seasons.
#2: 6’2 ’22 Evan Smith (Ardrey Kell)
Moving onto a player that simply knows how to provide a steady, reliable, intelligent two-way presence in every possible setting, Evan Smith. He’s a tough, unselfish, well-rounded guard prospect with an adaptable, low-maintenance identity. Smith can seamlessly toggle between either guard position, given his ability to run a team or apply scoring pressure as an off-ball threat. He’s an excellent defender at the point of attack and against bigger opponents, which makes him an absolute menace for all types of opposing guards. Smith is an efficient scorer from all levels, but also looks to set up others and make the smartest possible decision with the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to become stronger, as it would make him an even better finisher through contact. Coach Baker on Smith: “Evan is a great kid that plays hard and competes! He hit some tough shots but must work on creating more space off the dribble. Evan knows how to play!” Smith made his presence felt in a variety of different ways at camp and will be a prospect for college coaches to monitor over the next two seasons at Ardrey Kell.
#3: 6’3 ’23 Athan Gill (Salisbury)
Continuing onto a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, Athan Gill. He’s a strong, physical, athletic wing prospect with a fairly efficient three-level scoring arsenal and aggressive downhill presence. Gill has great physical tools and upside as a defender and rebounder. He’s a reliable ball-handler and passer with the ability to finish above or through contact, and with either hand. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Baker on Gill: “Athan has a lot of ability! He must improve on getting to the next play rather than stopping on turnovers, no-calls, or missed shots. He had a period when he got after it and made tough plays and secured 50/50 balls. He must continue to develop his deep three-pointer.” Gill highlighted great flashes and a lot of appeal during his time at camp, and will be a prospect to keep an eye on over these next few years as the clear leader for Salisbury.
#4: 6’4 ’22 Karon Boyd (Cannon)
Next, we look at a player that simply exudes toughness, intensity, and blue-collar approach on both ends of the floor, Karon Boyd. He’s a long, athletic, physical forward prospect with IQ, a very high motor, and the ability to overwhelm his assignment in various facets of the game. Boyd utilizes his strength and positioning to make his presence felt on the glass while also highlighting sharp anticipation instincts as an all-around defender. He finishes well around the basket and has the necessary skill to assume some secondary creation responsibilities at times. 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 Baker on Boyd: “Karon is a great kid that plays hard and wants to win! He will get after it on either side of the ball. Karon can continue to improve his range and getting to the rim. He is easy to coach!” Boyd offered a steady, reliable two-way presence for this team and should play a vital role during the upcoming season at Cannon.
#5: 6’5 ’23 Comeh Emuobor (Ravenscroft)
Moving onto a player that arguably isn’t receiving enough attention as one of the top prospects within his class, Comeh Emuobor. He’s a long, smart, athletic two-way wing prospect with an exceptional amount of skill and the ability to thrive within various different roles. Emuobor is skilled and can reliably run a team on both ends of the floor. He’s strong, quick, crafty, and able to get downhill whenever he desires, where he’s able to set up others or finish above or through contact at the rim. Emuobor scores with efficiency from all levels and genuinely overwhelms his assignment as a defender and rebounder. He also plays with a phenomenal motor and unselfish mentality at all times. Next in his development process is working on his attentiveness with transition defense, as he has the necessary tools to single-handedly shut down opposing transition opportunities. Coach Baker on Emuobor: “Comeh is a great kid that plays hard and will compete. He’s easy to coach and possesses a great basketball IQ. He runs the floor, gets to the rim, and finishes. Comeh can continue to work on his range but has great upside!” Emuobor continued to impress at camp and should emerge as a priority for all types of Division I coaches during his upcoming season at Ravenscroft.
#6: 6’7 ’22 Avion Pinner (Riverside-Martin)
Continuing onto a player that easily stood out as one of the most versatility prospects in the building, Avion Pinner. He’s a long, wiry, well-rounded forward prospect with the ability to legitimately toggle between three or four positions defensively. Pinner is an excellent rebounder with the necessary skill to reliably push the break in transition and finish or set up others with ease. He’s a useful cutter and penetrator with an improving perimeter jumper from midrange and beyond the arc. Pinner handles the ball well for his size and displays smart decision-making with the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him an even tougher matchup for opponents. Coach Baker on Pinner: “Avion is a great kid that plays hard, competes, and wants to win! He has great upside. He runs, finishes, and is a quality athlete. Avion listens and asks questions; he wants to learn! He can continue working on his range and off-hand. Avion was easy to coach!” Pinner continues to highlight a lot of ability, regardless of setting, and should be poised for another extremely productive season as the clear leader of Riverside-Martin.
#7: 6’7 ’21 Toby Harris (Durham Academy)
Next, we look at a player that has transitioned from incredibly underrated to being a complete steal at the next level, Toby Harris. He’s a long, wiry, dynamic wing prospect with elite three-point shooting and a fairly complete offensive arsenal. Harris is smart and more athletic than seems to meet the naked eye, which allow him to beat opponents off the dribble, finish above the rim, and contain multiple positions defensively. He plays the right way and naturally leads by example, showing a willingness to make the unselfish decision with unwavering consistency. Harris scores the ball efficiently from all three levels and can operate as a focal point or thrive within a role. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it’ll only help prepare him for the physicality of the collegiate game. Coach Baker on Harris: “Toby is a great kid that competes and plays hard! He can score and the ball always seems to end up in his hands. Toby has nice range on his jumper from the elbow and beyond the arc. He has a high IQ on the court and is easy to coach! Toby has great upside.” Harris continues to produce in every possible matchup and setting, and should have an absolutely dominant season for Durham Academy as he prepares to further his college career at Brandeis.
#8: 6’8 ’22 Trey Ramsey (South Caldwell)
Moving onto a player that possesses a pretty enticing amount of skill, especially for his size, Trey Ramsey. He’s a smart, unselfish, well-rounded forward prospect with a smooth perimeter jumper and the ability to score from all three levels. Ramsey can handle and pass the ball well, showing a willingness and understanding to get others involved whenever possible. He finishes well around the basket and offers a nice balance between face-up and back-to-the-basket moves. Ramsey rebounds the ball at a consistent rate and is capable of pushing the break in transition, where he’s proven to make quality decisions with the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better defender along the perimeter. Coach Baker on Ramsey: “Trey is a great kid that plays hard, competes, and is easy to coach! He needs a little more strength and should move his release point off his right eye—as opposed to his left. Trey rebounds and finishes well at the rim. He displays a high basketball IQ and good upside.” Ramsey made a quality impact at camp and will be a prospect for college coaches to monitor throughout the next few seasons as the focal point for South Caldwell.
#9: 6’11 ’22 Christ Essandoko (Winston-Salem Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was arguably the most talented, impressive long-term prospect in attendance, Christ Essandoko. He’s a big, smart, strong, supremely skilled big man with size, soft hands, and incredible offensive polish. Essandoko is a lethal post-up threat with the ability to overwhelm opponents with his deep arsenal of moves, finishing ability, and pristine footwork around the basket. However, he also has the necessary tools to step out and effortlessly assert himself as a floor-spacing presence. Essandoko is an elite two-way rebounder, savvy passer, and quality overall defender with the ability to wall-up and block shots at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on getting back in peak physical condition, as it’ll likely make him coveted by all types of programs across the country. Coach Baker on Essandoko: “Christ is a great kid and very fun to coach. He enjoys the game, listens and wants to be good. The sky is the limit! He’s unstoppable down low! Christ rebounds and looks for the long pass. He can put it on the floor to start the break and is capable of knocking down three-pointers. He must continue to improve from 15 feet. He has several post moves. Christ needs to become a great free-throw shooter. He’s an excellent passer when taking the ball on out-of-bounds sets.” Essandoko is a special talent and should become one of the most popular recruits in the country over the next calendar year at Winston-Salem Christian.