Team 1
Coach: Shawn Robinson
#1: 5’0 ’27 Jamey Patterson (Blythewood)
Starting things off, we look at a player that contributed quite nicely despite being among the smallest and youngest campers on display, Jamey Patterson. He’s a tough, high-motor guard prospect with an excellent understanding of how to properly position himself on both ends of the floor. Patterson is a capable defender, shooter, and ball-handler, and should steadily improve with continued physical development. Next in his development process is simply working to get stronger, as it would make him a more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Robinson on Patterson: “Jamey is a young guard who has good ball-handling skills. He’s shifty for his age and demonstrates no fear when attacking older, much taller defenders, but struggles to get enough separation to get off clean jumpers against opposing defenders.” Patterson still found a ton of opportunities, especially for a prospect in the Class of 2027, and should continue to progress over the coming years.
#18: 5’9 ’25 Drew Johnson (Jordan)
Next, we look at a player that continues to showcase a crafty game from the point guard position, especially for his age, Drew Johnson. He’s a smart, skilled floor general prospect with a fairly strong balance between scoring and playmaking. Johnson is a sharp ball-handler and passer with a clear desire to seek out his teammates for the best available scoring opportunity. He scores the ball with efficiency from all levels and defends his assignment effectively at the point of attack. Johnson can operate without the ball and apply nice scoring pressure, but is arguably at his best when setting the tone as a creator and utilizing his quick first step to touch the paint with regularity. Next in his development process is working on improving his rebounding presence, as it would allow him to secure boards and immediately push the break in transition. Coach Robinson on Johnson: “Drew is a composed left-handed point guard that can help space the floor with his jumper through drive-and-kick situations. He’s a talented passer in the pick-and-roll, but can sometimes risk turning the ball over more than desired when trying to set up others. He also finishes at a decent rate off the bounce in one-on-one scenarios.” Johnson enjoyed a strong showing at camp and should continue to develop into a very appealing prospect.
#19: 5’9 ’25 Elijah Sherrill (Highland School of Technology)
Moving onto a player that understands how to operate within his role on both ends of the floor, Elijah Sherrill. He’s a young, strong-bodied guard prospect with solid vision and useful scoring ability along the perimeter. Sherrill displayed an understanding of how to effectively contain his assignment defensively while working within the team concept. Next in his development process is working on his penetration ability, as it would make him a more complete offensive player. Coach Simpson on Sherrill: “Elijah is a solid young player who can pick up instruction relatively quick and make in-game adjustments. He’s very coachable and doesn’t force anything on the court. This can be good at times, but can also result in missed scoring opportunities. I would like to see him be more aggressive and look to attack the basket more often.” Sherrill found various ways to contribute during camp and should continue steadily developing over the foreseeable future.
#52: 5’10 ’23 Casey Merritt (East Henderson)
Continuing onto a player that consistently found ways to stand out with his penetration sense, Casey Merritt. He’s a wiry, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with the ability to get downhill or move without the ball and find opportunities as a finisher. Merritt is a solid team defender and displays nice vision as a passer, which allowed him to make an impact without necessarily needing to score. Next in his development process is working to get more involved as a rebounder, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Simpson on Merritt: “Casey is a guard that can drive and finish with both hands (and finesse). Sometimes, he drives to a fault and will turn down open jumpers to try and score at the rim. I would like to see him demonstrate more confidence in trying to stretch the floor.” Merritt did a variety of things well for his team during camp and should have a productive upcoming season for East Henderson.
#60: 5’11 ’24 Simeon Crawford (Conway)
Next, we look at a player with an understanding of how to utilize their quickness on both ends of the floor, Simeon Crawford. He’s a wiry, fairly young guard prospect with toughness and nice transition ability. Crawford is able to touch the paint with regularity, where he’s proven to be a reliable finisher and capable passer to open teammates. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent perimeter shooter, as it would make him more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Simpson on Crawford: “Simeon is a left-handed guard who has a quick first step. He’s able to beat most guards off the bounce or out of triple-threat position. However, he sometimes struggles to maintain his dribble on drives whenever opposing defenders are physical with him.” Crawford enjoyed a solid showing at camp and should be able to emerge as a contributor for Conway over the coming years.
#64: 6’0 ’24 Connor Salyer (High Point Christian)
Moving onto a player that showcased a well-rounded identity and steady presence on both ends of the floor, Connor Salyer. He’s an unselfish, skilled guard prospect with excellent abilities as a spot-up threat and overall perimeter shooter. Salyer displays a strong feel for the game, which is evidenced in the way he passes, defends, and moves without the ball. He embraces his role very well alongside any collection of teammates. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable defender at the point of attack. Coach Simpson on Salyer: “Connor has the potential to be a very solid wing/perimeter player if he continues to work on his ability to stretch the floor while making plays off catch-and-rip situations against closeouts. When left open, he shows that he can knock down three-pointers with consistency but isn’t always shot-ready or looking to be aggressive offensively.” Salyer proved to be an asset throughout his time at camp and should carve out a nice role for High Point Christian during the upcoming season.
#65: 6’0 ’24 Damani Day (Victory Christian)
Continuing onto a player that continues to showcase the makings of a blossoming floor general, Damani Day. He’s a smart, sturdy point guard prospect with an excellent balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Day regularly stood out among the top passers on display, consistently setting the tone with his poised decision-making and ability to dissect the opposing defense. He also defends his position well and pushes the break effectively in transition. Next in his development process is working on his defensive prowess, as it would make him an even tougher assignment for opposing guards. Coach Simpson on Day: “Damani is a high-IQ guard. He’s very confident moving and scoring with or without the ball in his hands. He’s an efficient scorer who can attack off the bounce or stretch the floor in catch-and-shoot situations. He’s very often in control and on-balance when penetrating to the basket. Damani looks like a definite next-level player, and could receive a ton of attention if he continues to work.” Day ran the team with poise throughout his time at camp and could easily have a breakout sophomore season for Victory Christian.
#121: 6’3 ’23 Brayden Blue (Concord)
Next, we look at a player that naturally seemed to find opportunities as a glue-guy for this squad, Brayden Blue. He’s a long, wiry, fairly well-rounded wing/forward prospect with the ability to defend multiple positions and score from various levels. Blue displayed a high motor, unselfish mentality, and the ability to make plays whenever necessary. He also made smart passes and knocked down jumpers at an efficient rate. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more difficult assignment on either end of the floor. Coach Simpson on Blue: “Brayden is a solid guard who appears to have a relatively long wingspan for his frame. His length allows him to get deflections and disrupt whenever he is locked-in defensively. He can improve his ability to defend overall. On the offensive end, he contributes with his midrange pull-up jumper, which he can hit at a decent clip.” Blue enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should have a productive upcoming season at Concord.
#140: 6’5 ’22 Jarrod Small (Henderson Collegiate)
Finishing up, we look at a player who proved to be a definite asset through his toughness and blue-collar approach, Jarrod Small. He’s a long, mobile, athletic forward/post prospect with an active motor on both ends of the floor. Small stood out as a strong rebounder, collected a ton of second-chance opportunities, and capitalized on finishing opportunities whenever available. He finishes well around the basket and understands how to outwork opponents with consistency. Next in his development process is working on improving his off-ball awareness on defense, as it would lead to more forced turnovers. Coach Simpson on Small: “Jarrod has some nice physical attributes (like strength and athleticism), but can work to improve his overall feel for the game. His bounce, length, and strength make him a strong driver, as he’s able to get to the rim from beyond the arc with just one dribble—regardless if a defender is on his hip. However, he can work on going to his off-hand, mixing up his scoring moves, and shooting off the bounce.” Small produced quite nicely as the primary interior presence for his camp team, and should receive attention from college coaches throughout the upcoming season.