By: Cooper Hart
On Thursday morning, Phenom Hoops made it out to North Raleigh Christian Academy to check out the 2023-24 Knights. They’re coming off a 14-15 season where they finished 3rd in the TISAC and returned just one of their top six scorers.
6’3” ’24 Jayse Buckley
Buckley will be one of the few veteran leaders for this young group. He’s a knockdown shooter who moves well without the ball and can naturally fit within most offensive structures. He has good length that can be used to his advantage on the defensive end, allowing him to be quietly disruptive. He’s a smart cutter and his ability to impact the game without the ball in his hands should prove to be a great help for this guard-heavy group.
6’2” ’24 Brooks Buie
Buie is another senior who will handle leadership responsibilities while playing valuable minutes as a hybrid wing-forward. He’s a solid cutter, screener, and rebounder who brings a low-maintenance approach to the offensive side. He’s a high-energy defender with solid instincts, and seemed to constantly be involved in action on that side.
6’1” ’25 Cody Dickerson
Dickerson is an athletic combo guard who showed some impressive flashes this morning on both sides of the ball. He’s explosive when going downhill and can blow by defenders with relative ease. He has a strong frame which he uses to physically overpower opponents on both sides of the ball. He should provide complimentary scoring from multiple levels this season.
6’6” ’25 Tristan Thompson
Although Thompson was sidelined from this workout due to injury, what he will bring to this team cannot be ignored. He’s an athletic, high-motor forward with a developing offensive skillset. He’ll provide a much-needed inside presence and could make a large impact should some of his tools come around.
5’7” ’26 Bralyn Williams
Williams shined as a leader this morning, both vocally and by example. He’s a confident and poised lead guard who is quick with the ball and possesses a high IQ. He defends the point of attack well and provides great pressure defensively. He finishes through contact nicely and has great court vision as a passer. Given his selfless nature, it will be hard to keep him off the court this season.
5’10” ’26 Julian Hernandez
Hernandez is a sharpshooting guard with smooth shooting mechanics and a ton of confidence. He moves off the ball well and has good footwork when shooting off the catch. He showed flashes off the bounce as he’s growing more comfortable attacking and creating for himself. He’ll provide a lot of value as one of the best young shooters in the TISAC.
6’2” ’27 Caiden Jenkins
Jenkins was arguably the best player in the gym this morning, getting whatever he wanted on both sides of the ball. He impressed with his defensive intensity, applying pressure on the ball, and staying engaged at all times. Offensively, he showed off the full arsenal as a three-level scorer. He consistently got to his spots and converted with a variety of floaters, jumpers, and rim finishes.
6’2” ’27 Brennan Jefferson
Although not in attendance this morning, Jefferson has as much upside as anyone on this list. He’s a long and athletic wing who has all the tools to be considered a breakout prospect this year. He’s well-rounded offensively, able to finish at the rim through contact and knockdown outside jumpers consistently. His athletic tools give him a high two-way ceiling and we should see real flashes of that this season.