Team 12
Coach: Jeff Bendel
#69: 5’9 ’24 Antoine Jones Jr. (Atkins)
Starting things off, we look at a player that consistently stood out through his ability to carry the offense, Antoine Jones Jr. He’s a quick, crafty, extremely confident guard prospect with the necessary skill and instincts to reliably generate (and convert) from all over the floor. Jones has no issue creating clean looks for himself off the bounce and possesses the capability of heating up or taking over completely. He plays bigger than his size and displayed an understanding of how to make an impact defensively. Next in his development process is working on his overall shot selection, as his ability to regularly hit incredible jumpers can sometimes lead to bad shots early in the offense. Coach Bendel on Jones: “Antoine is instant offense. He generates shots with relative ease through a combination of quickness and craftiness. He truly carried the offense throughout the day for one of my lineups. He can get hot in a hurry and is capable of disregarding defensive pressure on difficult perimeter jumpers. Antoine is also a solid finisher and passer. He stepped up defensively when we needed him.” Jones found numerous ways to shine during camp and should emerge as a useful varsity contributor for Atkins sooner than later.
#74: 5’10 ’25 Jonah Drye (Concord Academy)
Next, we look at a player that was able to make a lasting impression within his role on both ends of the floor, Jonah Drye. He’s a steady, unselfish guard prospect with a knockdown spot-up presence and some intriguing craftiness to his game. Drye isn’t necessarily quick but displays a strong feel for the game, which allows him to take opponents off the dribble and make some impressive passes to teammates. He provides great effort defensively, consistently battles on the glass, and understands how to make hustle plays on either side of the ball. Next in his development process is working on being steady and not forcing the action, as he showed the ability to make some amazing reads but can also get overeager (at times) when creating. Coach Bendel on Drye: “Shooter! Jonah is a great spot-up threat with decent secondary ball-handling skills. He creates and directly sets up others as much as possible. Jonah can surprise opponents (and even his own teammates) with his sharp vision. He also commits to defending and pursuing rebounds.” Drye made a definite impact at camp and will be a prospect to watch throughout his continued progression.
#82: 5’11 ’21 Quashawn Williams (Southern Lee)
Moving onto a player that was quietly the most consistent all-around presence on this team, Quashawn Williams. He’s a smart, heady, well-rounded guard prospect who simply understands the game and operates accordingly. Williams isn’t loud or flashy, but he’s very effective at doing everything at a quality level on the court. He can reliably handle the ball, set the offense, create his own shot, or operate as an off-ball threat. Williams is a well-rounded athlete and does a great job of applying pressure in transition, both as a scorer and playmaker. He displays defensive instincts, forces turnovers, and rebounds the ball well for his size/position. Next in his development process is working to be a more vocal presence on the court, as it would allow him to assume more of a leadership role. Coach Bendel on Williams: “Quashawn is a super solid, stead two-way guard. He is fairly reliable in every facet of the game, showing a strong blend of IQ, defense, and offensive balance. Quashawn made smart decisions, hit open shots, and made a lot of subtle, yet positive and necessary, plays within the action.” Williams proved to be an asset at camp and could be a useful addition for the right college program.
#84: 5’11 ’25 Colin Ball (China Grove)
Continuing onto a player that offered an extremely steady, team-first presence throughout camp, Colin Ball. He’s an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with the understanding of how to thrive within a low-maintenance role on either end of the floor. Ball embraces filling in the gaps and capitalizing on opportunities whenever available. He defends, makes plays offensively, and doing the little things for this group. Ball did a great job of producing within a role. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more reliable penetrating threat. Coach Bendel on Ball: “Colin was extremely consistent throughout the day. He’s excellent at making useful contributions within the flow of the game. While his reliable production made a major difference, his refusal to force the action was arguably his biggest appeal. He got defensive stops, finished in transition, and hit shots as needed. Colin is mature for his age.” Ball did a variety of things well at camp and will be a prospect to watch progress going forward.
#96: 6’0 ’22 Ali Currie (Albemarle)
Next, we look at a player that showcased numerous flashes of greatness on both ends of the floor, Ali Currie. He’s a tough, heady guard prospect with the ability to thrive in transition and make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Currie offers quality energy, especially as an on-ball defender, and forces turnovers at a solid rate. He’s a well-rounded athlete with lateral quickness and the ability to meet opponents at the rim for strong finishes. Currie performs effectively in an up-tempo style, but also made plays within the half-court. Next in his development process is working to assert himself more regularly as an offensive leader. Coach Bendel on Currie: “Ali is an athletic guard with an excellent presence in transition, both with and without the ball. He has a very quick first step and is able to touch the paint with ease. Ali is also a capable shooter with great lift on his jumper. He’s a great kid and still played well despite not enjoying his usual production. Ali was probably the most encouraging and motivating teammate on or off the court for my squad.” Currie proved to be an asset at camp and should be poised to have a productive senior season at Albemarle.
#97: 6’1 ’22 Jimmarion Blair (Reidsville)
Moving onto a player with the tools to continue trending upward over the next calendar year, Jimmarion Blair. He’s a tough, scrappy guard prospect with a solid motor and understanding of how to operate within his role on either end of the floor. Blair attacks the basket with regularity and is capable of finishing through contact or making a pass to an open teammate. He can operate without the ball, hit shots within the flow of the offense, and defend his assignment effectively on defense. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would take his offensive game to another level. Coach Bendel on Blair: “Jimmarion is a sturdy, active guard with a nice motor and penetration sense. He applies pressure in transition and does a great job of rebounding for his position. When asked to swap lineups in order to help stagger the two groups, Jimmarion accepted and embraced the task with open arms. He has the tools to be a useful player.” Blair enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could be poised for a productive senior season at Reidsville.
#108: 6’2 ’22 Sterling Charles Jr. (Forsyth Country Day)
Continuing onto a player that arguably stood out as the main glue-guy for this team, Sterling Charles Jr. He’s a long, active, well-rounded wing prospect with the understanding of how to naturally affect all facets of the game. Charles doesn’t require a ton of touches, but still finds ways to make plays on both ends of the floor. He rebounds, defends multiple positions, and consistently fills in the gaps on offense. Despite some misses, Charles showed the makings of a nice perimeter shooter. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better on-ball defender. Coach Bendel on Charles: “Sterling was my glue-guy throughout his time at camp. He did a strong amount of everything on the court and did so without complaining or wavering in any fashion. Sterling is versatile, well-rounded, and shows a willingness to do the little things. He plays hard and naturally produces. Sterling is simply a good player.” Charles made a strong impact at camp and should be able to carve out a productive role during his upcoming senior season for Forsyth Country Day.
#109: 6’2 ’25 Asher Tolbert (Meadowlark)
Next, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his potential, Asher Tolbert. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing/forward prospect with a solid motor, team-first mentality, and overall concept of how to operate within his role on both ends of the floor. Tolbert hit shots, made smart passes, and provided great effort as a defender and rebounder. He’s a reliable midrange shooter and capable threat from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Bendel on Tolbert: “Asher is a young, physically developing player with nice skill and a useful face-up/perimeter game at this stage. He plays hard, accepts coaching well, and does a great job of operating within the framework of the team at all times. Asher doesn’t try to do too much. He can work on refining the release point on his jumper.” Tolbert showed some enticing flashes at camp and will be a player to keep an eye on throughout his continued progression.
#120: 6’4 ’26 Jackson Powers (Advance)
Moving onto a player that easily stood out with his unselfishness, work ethic, and blue-collar approach, Jackson Powers. He’s a young, big-bodied post prospect with a high motor and incredible willingness to learn/improve. Powers consistently battles inside and shows a willingness to utilize his body to alter shots and secure rebounds. Given his young age, his ability to listen and implement coaching/instructions is one of his best qualities. Powers finished multiple opportunities inside, but was arguably more reliable as a floor-spacer from the perimeter—where he hit majority of his attempts and did so within the flow of the offense. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it will allow him to hedge screens and recover more easily or defend along the perimeter for longer stretches. Coach Bendel on Powers: “Jackson is a sturdy post prospect with an extremely unselfish, team-first mentality. He’s a really strong rebounder despite not possessing much athleticism right now. Jackson uses his body well and possesses soft hands around the basket. He finished, knocked down jumpers, and worked every second on the court. Jackson is a great kid; I loved his overall approach to the entire day.” Powers is young and will only get better with continued work, so it’ll be exciting to track his progress along the way.
#121: 6’4 ’22 Cameron McDonald (Atkins)
Finishing up, we look at a player with enticing crossroads between production and long-term upside, Cameron McDonald. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with a very useful balance between skill and athleticism. McDonald handles the ball, creates effectively off the bounce, and can apply scoring pressure from inside or out. He rebounds on a consistent basis and pushes transition at a nice rate. McDonald is a solid perimeter scorer, but arguably better from midrange and around the basket. Defenisvely, he showed the ability to block shots and move his feet in space along the perimeter. Next in his development process is working on adding strength, as it would only make him more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Bendel on McDonald: “Cameron is an intriguing player. He’s a long, skilled athlete with clear potential. He’s somewhat undersized but quite active from inside the paint. Cameron plays with a nice motor on both ends of the floor. He’s talented, but still doesn’t even realize his potential. Cameron accepted coaching and maintained a positive attitude. In terms of improvements, he’s too skilled to settle for jumpers.” McDonald stood out among the top prospects on this team and should have a very productive senior season at Atkins.