Team 1
Coach: Kevin Dawkins
#25: 5’0 ’29 Jamir Knight (Raleigh)
Starting things off, we look at a player who made a nice impact despite being the smallest camper on display, Jamir Knight. He’s a young, scrappy guard prospect with a solid motor and unselfish approach to the game. Knight stood out through his perimeter shooting, both from midrange and beyond the arc, and consistently proved to be a useful spot-up threat. Next in his development process is simply working to get stronger, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Knight: “Jamir is a small guard who listens to everything. He accepted coaching and displayed a positive attitude. Jamir has good form and can shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. He can continue to work on his reaction time against bigger/older opponents.” Knight enjoyed a solid showing at camp and should only get better over the coming years.
#32: 5’5 ’28 James Ferguson (Fayetteville)
Next, we look at a player who showcased a lot of offensive polish and an excellent nose for the ball, James Ferguson. He’s a smart, unselfish guard with a high motor and fairly well-rounded skillset. Ferguson utilizes his quickness to effectively break down opponents and attack the basket—where he finishes well. That being said, he’s also a great shooter and capable passing threat. Ferguson hit numerous shots from midrange and beyond the arc, both off the catch and dribble. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Ferguson: “James is a great kid. Anything I asked of him, he did. James made all the hustle plays diving for loose balls. If there was a 50/50 ball and he was around, he was getting it. There weren’t too many times he missed a shot while being left open. I would like to see him be more aggressive on offense.” Ferguson stood out as a difference-maker at camp and should be poised for a strong eighth-grade season.
#33: 5’5 ’28 Aryeh Raines (Raleigh)
Moving onto a player who highlighted a variety of intriguing flashes as a prospect, Aryeh Raines. He’s a strong, active guard prospect with a nice penetrating sense and the ability to finish through contact. Raines battles pretty well defensively, displaying a useful motor and a willingness to get involved in the action. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Raines: “Aryeh is another younger guy who just needs more time to get better. He did play hard in spurts, ran the floor well, and filled the lanes in transition. Aryeh is a strong kid who tries to get downhill and finish through contact whenever possible.” Raines made a solid impact during his time at camp, and will be a prospect to watch grow over the foreseeable future.
#55: 5’10 ’27 Grant Jacques (Grace Christian)
Continuing onto a player who easily stood out as one of the most polished campers in this age division, Grant Jacques. He’s a wiry, skilled guard prospect with a high IQ, terrific motor, and the ability to fill it up offensively. Jacques is a knockdown shooter, especially off the catch, who only needs a glimmer of space to get off clean looks. He’s a capable creator and penetrating threat, but typically finds the bulk of his opportunities as a spot-up threat. Jacques moves very well without the ball, makes the extra pass, and plays hard on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Jacques: “Grant can really shoot the ball! He was the MVP of our first game, hitting at least five three-pointers with 30 points. I would take him on my team any time. Doesn’t complain, plays the right way, and makes basketball plays. I can’t wait to see his growth through the years.” Jacques stood out as a top performer, earning the Mr. Offense award, and will be a prospect to monitor going forward.
#57: 5’10 ’27 Tristan Gaddy (Charlotte)
Next, we look at a player who showcased a lot of ability throughout his time at camp, Tristan Gaddy. He’s a smart, highly unselfish guard prospect with quality ball skills and an excellent playmaking sense. Gaddy displayed a tight handle, sharp vision, and the willingness to consistently make the right play with the ball in his hands. Gaddy is a useful shooting threat, but was arguably at his best when getting downhill and finishing or setting up others. He looked to make the right play at every possible opportunity. Gaddy also stood out as a solid transition defender. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Gaddy: “Tristan handles the ball well and is always in attack mode. He was able to get in the lane at will throughout the day. Tristan can get tunnel vision at times, but typically has a clear plan of what he wants to do. Displays a good IQ, knowing who to get it to and when to get it to them.” Gaddy made a lasting impression at camp, securing the Mr. Playmaker award, and will be a prospect to keep an eye on over the coming years.
#68: 5’11 ’27 Aidan Locklear (Hoggard)
Moving onto a player who already possesses an array of useful skills and overall tools, Aidan Locklear. He’s a smart, wiry guard prospect with great shooting ability and an active two-way motor. Locklear displayed the ability to score from all levels and find opportunities with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Locklear: “Aidan is a lot better than I think he realizes. Once he got locked in, he was able to get to the basket and score. The camp setting is hard when everyone wants to score. Aidan got a tad selfish at times but provided solid effort and made winning plays on defense. He has good IQ and makes plays that are required to win games.” Locklear did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be able to emerge for Hoggard over these next few seasons.
#73: 5’11 ’27 Omari Whiteside (Shelby)
Continuing onto a player who clearly stood out as the most overwhelming defender on this team, Omari Whiteside. He’s a tough, athletic, high-motor guard prospect with excellent quickness and overall instincts for forcing turnovers. Whiteside contains his assignment with or without the ball, moves well as a cutter, and finishes effectively through contact. He rebounds very well for his size/position and is willing to defer to open teammates whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more polished player. Coach Dawkins on Whiteside: “Omari is a great athlete and stood out as the best defender on this team. He made winning plays all day. If he was back on defense, he attacked anything in the air like a defensive back playing football. Omari led the team in steals and deflections. You can win a lot of games with kids like Omari.” Whiteside made a lasting impression throughout camp and should be able to carve out a useful role for Shelby sooner than later.
#85: 6’0 ’27 Scotty Jones (Wake Forest)
Next, we look at a player who easily stood out as a leader for his team during camp, Scotty Jones. He’s a smart, wiry, team-oriented guard prospect with a high motor and fairly well-rounded skillset. Jones handles the ball well, creates for himself and others, and is capable of applying scoring pressure from all levels. He’s quick enough to break down defenders and touch the paint, but also shoots the ball at a reliable percentage from the perimeter. Jones is a quality defensive player, both in terms of containing his assignment and forcing turnovers, and routinely pushes the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dawkins on Jones: “Scotty was a difference-maker. He was in attack-mode each game and was able to finish at a high clip around the rim. Scotty showed great athleticism on both ends of the floor. As he rounds out his game by working on looking for the open man, he will be a tough matchup.” Jones proved to be an asset at camp and will be a prospect to monitor going forward.
#86: 6’0 ’27 Fernando Duran (West Forsyth)
Moving onto a player who stood out through his nonstop motor and willingness to do the little things, Fernando Duran. He’s a strong, tough, scrappy guard prospect with terrific quickness and penetration ability. Duran is a capable midrange shooter but arguably at his best when getting downhill and making plays. He’s a great defender, both on and off-ball, and knows how to reliably contain his assignment and force turnovers. Duran is also a useful passing threrat, especially when attacking the basket. Next in his development process is working to improve his rebounding presence, as he has the tools to outwork others for extra opportunities. Coach Dawkins on Duran: “Fernando gives maximum effort on every possession. He has nice size for his age, which makes him stronger than the majority of his peers. He’s able to get into the lane and finish through contact. Fernando is a great leader and does all the small things that wins games.” Duran enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be one to watch emerge over the coming years for West Forsyth.
#129: 6’5 ’27 Benjamin Reid (Davie County)
Finishing up, we look at a player who possesses upside and an enticing array of tools, Benjamin Reid. He’s a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with great size and overall polish for his age. Reid is capable of applying scoring pressure from all levels, but is arguably at his best when hitting jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. He’s a useful defender who utilizes his body well to overwhelm opponents. Reid displays a solid motor and unselfish mentality on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as he has the tools to be an above-average rebounder. Coach Dawkins on Reid: “Ben is a long kid who could have really dominated camp. If he gets meaner and stronger, he has a chance to be really good. Ben has IQ and the ability to fill it up from beyond the arc. He’s a smart player who seems to always be in the right spots defensively.” Reid highlighted a lot of ability at camp and will certainly be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.