Team 8
Coach: Brian Allen
#11: 5’8 ’25 Gavin Fields (Ashbrook)
Starting things off, we look at a player that arguably stood out as the best perimeter defender on this team, Gavin Fields. He’s a young, tough, slightly undersized guard prospect with a high motor and excellent quickness. Fields is a great penetrator, able to effortlessly get downhill and finish or set up others. He’s also a terrific all-around defender with the instincts to mirror his assignment and force a ton of turnovers. Next in his development process is working to become a more reliable three-point shooter, as it would take his game to another level. Coach Allen on Fields: “Gavin is a pest on the defensive end. He creates all kinds of problems for the opposition. He is very creative with his handles and will look to pass first before shooting, but has the ability to knock down jumpers. Gavin brings a lot of intensity to the game. Although he is small, he stands tall on heart and fight.” Fields proved to be a definite asset during camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on at Ashbrook going forward.
#14: 5’8 ’24 Michael Mallory (High Point Academy)
Next, we look at a player that found various ways to fill in the gaps within the natural flow of the action, Michael Mallory. He’s a wiry, energetic, team-first guard prospect with excellent defensive instincts and the ability to make an impact without requiring a ton of offensive touches. Mallory is a useful penetrator and capable playmaker, but often finds opportunities as a cutter and spot-up threat. He utilizes his quickness to his advantage and provides great effort on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Allen on Mallory: “Michael allows his game to do the talking for him on the court. He plays hard the entire game, never complains, and does whatever you ask him. He can lock-in defensively on any ball-handler. Michael is a magnet to the ball. I love his attitude and commitment to working hard.” Mallory enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be able to emerge sooner than later for High Point Academy.
#16: 5’8 ’24 Tristen Shelton (Spartanburg)
Moving onto a player that showcased a fairly well-rounded approach and collection of skills, Tristen Shelton. He’s an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with the ability to do a little bit of everything within the flow of the team concept. Shelton is a nice defender and capable penetrator with a useful cutting sense and a clear willingness to find the best possible decision. Next in his development process is working on becoming a more reliable perimeter shooter, as it would take his game to another level. Coach Allen on Shelton: “Tristen is a kid who plays quietly but allows his game to do the talking, especially on defense. He moves well without the ball to get open shots. Tristen plays hard every possession. He is not afraid to jump in and rebound the ball despite his small frame.” Shelton found various ways to make an impact at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role over the coming years at Spartanburg.
#56: 5’11 ’25 Arrington Kee (Cape Fear)
Continuing onto a player that continues to highlight pretty steady growth within his overall progression, Arrington Kee. He’s a long, wiry, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with a willingness to do the dirty work on either end of the floor. Kee is a reliable defender, both on and off-ball, and understands how to force turnovers at a consistent rate. He’s able to score effectively from all levels, whether through cutting, spotting-up, or creating for himself. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain off the bounce. Coach Allen on Kee: “Arrington has a strong work ethic and is not afraid to compete. He plays strong defense and has strong catch-and-shoot abilities. He has a lot of upside to his game. His ability to learn and apply is only going to increase his game as he gets older. I see him being an impact player in the future.” Kee did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should only continue to develop over the coming years.
#57: 5’11 ’23 Camden James (Lincoln Charter)
Next, we look at a player that made his presence felt through athleticism and a strong defensive mentality, Camden James. He’s a strong, high-motor guard prospect with an excellent penetration sense and the ability to finish or pull-up from midrange at a reliable rate. James is a quality ball-handler and passer with a willingness to set up open teammates whenever possible. He also consistently overwhelms his assignment defensively, eliminating operating space and forcing turnovers with relative ease. Next in his development process is working on his ability as a three-point shooter, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Allen on James: “Camden has tremendous ball control and the ability to find the rim whenever he’s penetrating. He is very shifty in his movements to create space. Camden has aggressive defensive prowess and clamps down hard on the ball. He’s a quiet storm, and destroys on defense.” James enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a useful contributor for Lincoln Charter during the upcoming season.
#73: 6’1 ’24 Hunter Decuir (Clover)
Moving onto a player that consistently found ways to apply pressure with his spot-up presence and overall three-point shooting, Hunter Decuir. He’s a wiry, fairly high-motor guard prospect with an understanding of how to capitalize opportunities within the flow of the team concept. Decuir is a useful cutter with the ability to find open space and consistently make opponents respect his presence. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better penetrating threat. Coach Allen on Decuir: “Hunter has a strong release in his mechanics, and his ability to catch-and-shoot shows he puts in the work during training. Hunter moves really well to create open shots from himself on the floor. He has a positive attitude and is really coachable. He works really hard and is a very true team player. Hunter has the ability to heat up on the court.” Decuir found various ways to make an impact at camp and should be able to steadily develop over the coming years at Clover.
#74: 6’1 ’22 Malachi Thorpe (Henderson Collegiate)
Continuing onto a player that arguably stood out as the most lethal shooting threat on this team, Malachi Thorpe. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect with IQ, toughness, and a willingness to work hard on either side of the ball. Thorpe can score from all three levels but is truly at his best when applying pressure from beyond the arc, both off the bounce and as a spot-up threat. He handles the ball well, sets up others, and can overwhelm his assignment defensively. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it will only make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Allen on Thorpe: “Malachi has a jumper and range like bombs dropping from the sky. When he gets hot, the nets are getting fried. He shoots the ball from twenty-six feet like most shoot from the free-throw line. He’s aggressive on defense and goes 110% the entire time. Malachi is definitely a closer and someone you want on the court in the clutch.” Thorpe proved to be a definite asset throughout camp and should have a nice senior season at Henderson Collegiate.
#82: 6’2 ’24 Miles Beard (Hickory Ridge)
Next, we look at a player that showcased the ability to carry the offensive load for various extended stretches, Miles Beard. He’s a smart, skilled, well-rounded guard prospect with terrific IQ and overall polish for his age. Beard can reliably create for himself or others and apply nonstop scoring pressure from all three levels. He’s a solid athlete with toughness, quickness, and useful capabilities as a defender and rebounder. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would lead to even more forced turnovers. Coach Allen on Beard: Miles is a very explosive player who has the ability to rip a rim off the backboard. He can catch fire in shooting the deep ball and does a nice job of penetrating to the basket. Miles has the ability to make passes to teammates to create easy baskets. At times, he can improve on seeing the entire floor, but has tremendous upside to his game as he continues to develop.” Beard stood out as one of the more enticing long-term prospects at camp and should return as a leader for Hickory Ridge during his upcoming sophomore season.
#129: 6’4 ’23 Alius Bowser (Victory Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that showcased a pretty productive identity on either end of the floor, Alius Bowser. He’s a long, physical, athletic forward prospect with toughness, footwork, and quality rebounding instincts on either end of the floor. Bowser showed the ability to attack the basket and finish through contact or above the rim. He plays very hard at all times and looks to wreak havoc against any opponent in his path. Next in his development process is working to become a more reliable perimeter shooter, as it would take his game to another level. Coach Allen on Bowser: “Alius has a game-changing impact that sparks crowds with his explosiveness. His on-court personality shows what kids are missing about the game, just purely having fun. He can be dominant on both sides of the ball. He is quick, explosive, and energetic, which makes him extremely deadly on the court. Alius has the ability to score in bunches, but also locks down on the other end of the floor.” Bowser proved to be a tone-setter throughout camp and should be able to carve out a nice role for Victory Christian during the upcoming season.