Team 8
Coach: Dwayne Cherry
#0: 5’9 ’21 Kadyn Dawkins (Eastern Guilford)
Starting things off, we look at a player that simply knows how to offer an excellent balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. He’s a smart, tough, unselfish point guard prospect with great timing as a passer, both in transition and the half-court setting. Dawkins makes the best possible play with unwavering consistency and leads by example on both ends of the floor. He defends bigger than his size would imply and forces turnovers at a strong rate. Next in his development process is working on his on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler with relative ease. Coach Cherry on Dawkins: “Kadyn is an outstanding point guard. He has excellent court vision and is very unselfish. He shoots it well and can shoot off the catch and dribble. He has good strength and his only limitation is his height. Kadyn gets the ball to players in the right spot.” Dawkins continues to prove himself against all levels of competition and should have a phenomenal senior campaign as he prepares for his collegiate career at Mars Hill.
#1: 6’2 ’21 Knoah Carver (Ardrey Kell)
Next, we look at a player with a seamless, complementary, well-rounded skillset and approach, Knoah Carver. He’s a smart, unselfish, all-around guard prospect with a quality blend of passing, shooting, and ball-handling. Carver is an excellent shooting threat from the perimeter but also attacks the basket and finishes strong with either hand. He moves well without the ball, rebounds well for his position, and makes the extra pass whenever available. Carver can reliably find contributions with any collection of teammates and operate from either backcourt positions with ease. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a better defender at the point of attack. Coach Cherry on Carver: “Knoah is a gifted player that has a knack for scoring at all three levels. He makes the right pass after drawing an extra defender off of dribble-penetration. He is excellent at the midrange pull-up.” Carver continues to be a useful contributor in every possible setting and should be a major factor for Ardrey Kell throughout the upcoming season.
#2: 6’3 ’22 LJ Thomas (Bull City Prep)
Moving onto a player that is arguably one of the top offensive weapons throughout North Carolina, LJ Thomas. He’s a smart, crafty, polished guard prospect with the ability to effortlessly create, and convert, any shot he desires on the court. Thomas utilizes his impressive handle to dictate the action and is capable of setting up others at a solid rate. He’s phenomenal in transition, both with and without the ball in his hands, and can easily finish above or through contact at the rim. He also defends and rebounds well for his position. Next in his development process is working on his passing ability, as it would allow him to operate as the primary creator at times. Coach Cherry on Thomas: “LJ is a strong, athletic guard that plays downhill and can finish at the rim. He can also shoot the three-pointer and midrange pull-up. He gives excellent effort on both ends of the floor. LJ has takeover ability.” Thomas continues to make his case as one of the top players in his class and should be a priority for college coaches as the focal point of Bull City Prep.
#3: 6’3 ’23 Will Brimmer (New Bern)
Continuing onto a player that showcased the ability to adapt and seamlessly find ways to make his presence felt, Will Brimmer. He’s a long, wiry, smooth wing prospect with IQ, toughness, and a reliable three-level scoring arsenal. Brimmer is capable of leading a team but also showed the ability to thrive within a role and affect all facets of the game. He makes quality passes, rebounds well on both ends, and understands how to outwork his assignment defensively. Brimmer can penetrate, spot-up, create along the perimeter, or effectively cut without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Cherry on Brimmer: “Will is a great utility guy. He fills up the stat sheet. He is a great third ball-handler and goes all-out on both ends of the floor. He defends with high energy and toughness, runs the floor, and finishes well in transition. Will showed the ability to knock down the three-pointer as well.” Brimmer found various ways to contribute during camp and looks likely to enjoy a productive upcoming season as the leader of New Bern.
#4: 6’4 ’22 Silas Demary Jr. (Millbrook)
Next we look a player that has easily trended upward as one of the bigger breakout prospects within North Carolina, Silas Demary Jr. He’s a smart, crafty, dynamic guard prospect with excellent creation skills and a strong presence in transition. Demary scores the ball efficiently from all three levels and highlights a useful playmaking sense when attacking the basket. He moves fairly well without the ball and understands how to apply constant pressure as an offensive force. He rebounds, defends, and forces turnovers at a quality rate. Next in his development process is working on clearly defining his position for the next level, as it would make him more desirable for college coaches. Coach Cherry on Demary: “Silas showed the ability to score the ball well. He attacked off the dribble and finished at the rim several times. He also knocked down the three-pointer and was able to bring the ball up against pressure. Silas is a fluid athlete that impacts the game on both ends of the floor” Demary highlighted phenomenal tools throughout camp and should be poised for a breakout upcoming season at Millbrook.
#5: 6’6 ’22 Cade Tyson (Carmel Christian)
Moving onto a player that has firmly placed himself in the conversation as one of the top shooters in the state, Cade Tyson. He’s a long, wiry, unselfish wing prospect with great positional size and a low-maintenance identity. Tyson is a lethal shooting threat with IQ, patience, and quality instincts as a cutter. He can attack closeouts, effectively rebound, and contain his assignment well on defense. Tyson makes the extra pass and does an excellent job of operating within the framework of the offense. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a more reliable defender against quicker opponents. Coach Cherry on Tyson: “Cade shoots the ball at an extremely high level from anywhere on the floor. He also showed the ability to not only get to the rim but also finish at the rim on shot-fakes. Cade has very good footwork and a team-first mentality. He really stretches the defense with his shooting and takes quality shots.” Tyson continues to trend upward as a Division I prospect and should be poised for a breakout upcoming season at Carmel Christian.
#6: 6’7 ’23 Elijah Strong (Myers Park)
Continuing onto a player that is quietly trending towards a potential breakout upcoming season, Elijah Strong. He’s a strong, skilled, polished forward/post prospect with an exceptional arsenal around the basket and blossoming array of perimeter skills. Strong displays a terrific feel for the game on both ends of the floor. He rebounds the ball at a consistent rate, defends very well against varying types of opponents, and highlights impressive offensive versatility. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a shooter off the dribble, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Cherry on Strong: “Elijah has an extremely bright future. His upside is tremendous. He’s very agile for a player of his size. He stepped out and knocked down multiple three-pointers. Elijah highlighted euro-steps to the basket and showed his versatility and athleticism. He rebounds well and defended on the low block as well as the perimeter. I’m excited about the future of his young man.” Strong proved to be an asset at camp and should only continue to progress over the coming years for Myers Park.
#7: 6’7 ’21 Elijah Ormiston (Cannon)
Next, we look at a player that simply knows how to carve out a role as a glue-guy with any collection of teammates, Elijah Ormiston. He’s a sturdy, steady, well-rounded forward prospect with a natural understanding of how to affect all facets of the ball. Ormiston is a great two-way rebounder with the necessary skill to push the break decently well in transition. He finishes, does the little things, doesn’t require a ton of offensive touches, and shoots the ball at an efficient rate from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Cherry on Ormiston: “Elijah played very strong inside. He finishes around the basket with either hand and had a couple of plays where he finished at the rim. He displayed the ability to step out and knock down the three-point jumper as well. Elijah provides great effort on both ends of the floor.” Ormiston made a quality impact during his time at camp and should continue to see an uptick in his recruitment over the upcoming season at Cannon.
#8: 6’8 ’22 Noah Ross (Trinity Academy of Raleigh)
Moving onto a player that knows how to apply his perimeter shooting in basically every setting, Noah Ross. He’s a big, skilled wing/forward prospect with great size, off-ball instincts, and clear upside as a defender. Ross rebounds the ball well on both ends of the floor and has the necessary ability to effectively push the break in transition. He creates well within two to three dribbles and does a nice job of picking his spots offensively. Next in his development process is working to become a better ball-handler, as it would allow him to attack closeouts and make plays more often. Coach Cherry on Ross: “Noah was one of the unsung heroes on this championship team. He shoots the ball extremely well from all over the floor. He uses his shot-fake to set up drives to the basket, where he finished at the rim with two hands more than once. He moves very well at 6-foot-8 and was one of our top shooters. Noah is an absolutely wonderful teammate.” Ross did a lot of things well at camp and could have a breakout upcoming season at Trinity Academy of Raleigh.
#9: 6’10 ’21 Kuluel Mading (The Burlington School)
Finishing up, we look at a player that continues to highlight an impressive crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Kuluel Mading. He’s a long, wiry, fluid forward/post prospect with IQ and a blossoming offensive skillset. Mading possesses touch, improving ball skills, and a useful perimeter jumper. He’s a quality athlete, especially for his size, and runs the floor very well in transition. Mading rebounds the ball nicely and blocks shots at a consistent rate as a weak-side defender and overall rim-protector. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him an even tougher assignment for opponents. Coach Cherry on Mading: “Kuluel was dominant on both ends of the floor. Whether it was finishing at the rim from lobs off the pick-and-roll, ball screen actions, or stepping out to hit a three-pointer to blocking and altering shots and rebounding at a high level. He runs the floor very well and his teammates loved playing with him.” Mading proved to be an asset throughout camp and should have a productive senior campaign as a focal point for The Burlington School.