Team 3
Coach: Kainan Justiniano
#27: 5’1 ’29 Devin Mangum (Wake Forest)
Starting things off, we look at a player who produced well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Devin Mangum. He’s a wiry, young guard prospect with a scrappy nature and high motor on both ends of the floor. Mangum displays solid feel for his age and works effectively within the team structure at all times. He knocked down midrange jumpers and the occasional three-pointer, but often stood out as a playmaker or finisher around the basket. Defensively, Mangum made a consistent impact—both off-ball and when defending the point of attack. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him an improved cutter and spot-up threat. Coach Justiniano on Mangum: “Devin was a pleasure to coach. He should keep developing as a point guard but already makes great decisions with the basketball. As Devin grows, he can work on different finishes around the rim and being an even bigger threat in pick-and-roll situations.” Mangum enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be one to watch as he progresses.
#30: 5’2 ’28 Jeremiah Purdie (Raleigh)
Next, we look at a player who really exemplified the “heart over height” notion throughout camp, Jeremiah Purdie. He’s a tough, rugged guard prospect with excellent quickness and the ability to cause a ton of problems for opponents defensively. Purdie handled the ball, created for himself and others, and found scoring opportunities from all levels. However, his ability to consistently force turnovers and outwork opponents allowed him to stand out each time he took the court. Purdie did a great job of lurking behind opposing ball-handlers and poking the ball out for easy fast-break chances. Next in his development process is working on his ability to shoot off the dribble, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Justiniano on Purdie: “Jeremiah was a pleasure to coach. I would like to see him continue to work hard and develop his game. He can work on his offensive game, getting two feet in the paint and kicking out or scoring it.” Purdie made a lasting impression at camp, securing the Mr. Defense award, and should be poised for a quality eighth-grade season.
#36: 5’6 ’27 Jack Hunter (Grace Christian)
Moving onto a player who consistently found opportunities within the flow of the action, Jack Hunter. He’s a smart, scrappy, high-motor guard prospect with useful defensive prowess and a pretty well-rounded offensive arsenal. Hunter utilizes his quickness to break down opponents and touch the paint, where he’s able to finish or set up others. That being said, he’s also a quality shooter from midrange and beyond the arc. Hunter rebounds very well for his size/position and properly contains his assignment defensively. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Justiniano on Hunter: “Jack was a pleasure to coach. I would like to see him continue to work on his game. He’s a good shooter but can keep working on shooting and different ways to score off the bounce.” Hunter proved to be a difference-maker during his time at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role for Grace Christian over the coming years.
#50: 5’9 ’27 Jasiye Simmons (Freedom Christian)
Continuing onto a player who continues to showcase steady growth within his progression, Jasiye Simmons. He’s a long, wiry, athletic guard with a high motor and unselfish approach to the game. Simmons utilizes his length and quickness to cause problems for opponents defensively, effectively containing his assignment and forcing turnovers. On the offensive end, he’s a quality penetrator and finisher with the ability to knock down jumpers when open. Simmons is a willing passer and actively does the dirty work whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Justiniano on Simmons: “Jasiye showed great effort on the bench and defensive end. I would like to see him continue to develop his off-hand and learning how to be a threat in transition. Jasiye can also run the lanes on the break.” Simmons enjoyed a nice showing at camp and will be a prospect to watch at Freedom Christian over the coming years.
#60: 5’10 ’27 Josh Helms (Rock Hill)
Next, we look at a player who arguably stood out as the top shooting threat on this team, Josh Helms. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with great feel, off-ball instincts, and understanding of how to make his presence felt within the flow of the action. Helms is a lethal spot-up option, both from midrange and beyond the arc, but can also hit jumpers off the bounce or defer to his teammates. He utilizes his motor and quickness well to contain opponents defensively. Helms also pursues rebounds and moves effectively without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Justiniano on Helms: “Josh did a great job of shooting the basketball, but can be more vocal with his teammates in getting the ball back after he hits a couple of jumpers. I’d like to see him improve his handle as well.” Helms made a quality impact throughout camp and should be a useful piece for Rock Hill over the coming years.
#65: 5’11 ’27 Noah Diaz (Charlotte Latin)
Moving onto a player who showcased polished scoring ability and a quality offensive arsenal, Noah Diaz. He’s a wiry, high-motor guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and the understanding of how to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Diaz is a reliable shooter, both from midrange and beyond the arc, but can also attack closeouts and finish. He’s a willing passer and active defender who looks to make hustle plays whenever possible. Diaz displayed nice instincts at the point of attack and forced numerous turnovers on the day. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Justiniano on Diaz: “Noah did a great job today. He’s really good at picking up instruction and new concepts on the fly. I would like to see him keep learning and working on these concepts.” Diaz did a lot of things well at camp and will be a prospect to watch emerge for Charlotte Latin going forward.
#83: 5’7 ’29 Gordan Tracy (Greensboro Day)
Continuing onto a player who highlighted a lot of intriguing qualities, especially given his age, Gordan Tracy. He’s a young, scrappy, team-oriented guard prospect with great size and overall energy on both ends of the floor. Tracy was arguably at his best when hitting shots from midrange and beyond the arc, where he converted at an efficient rate throughout the day. However, he’s also a useful cutter with a willingness to move without the ball and defer to others. Tracy rebounds well for his size/position and runs the floor hard in transition. Next in his development process is working on his ball-handling ability, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Justiniano on Tracy: “Gordan was a pleasure to coach. I would like him to keep working on his offensive game, playing off two feet, and finishing around the rim. He did a great job of battling defensively.” Tracy made a solid impact at camp and will be a prospect to monitor over the foreseeable future.
#98: 6’2 ’27 Jadon Beam (Burns)
Next, we look at a player who consistently found ways to physically overwhelm the opposition, Jadon Beam. He’s a smart, strong, well-rounded wing/forward prospect with excellent ability as a finisher, defender, and two-way rebounder. Beam handles and passes the ball very well for size/position and regularly shows flashes of versatility. He carves out space effectively on the block and controls the glass with relative ease. Beam utilizes his body nicely to absorb contact on both ends of the floor. He consistently produced within the flow of the action on either end 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 Justiniano on Beam: “Jadon does a great job of driving and using his strength to finish through defenders. I would like to see him keep working on his right hand and overall ability to play without the ball.” Beam proved to be an asset during his time at camp and should be a meaningful contributor for Burns sooner than later.
#117: 6’3 ’27 Macklin Habenicht (Marvin Ridge)
Moving onto a player who showcased a promising crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Macklin Habenicht. He’s a long, wiry, skilled forward prospect with great IQ, size, and perimeter shooting ability. Habenicht did a healthy amount of everything during camp. He hit jumpers, attacked the basket, made plays defensively, and rebounded his position on both ends of the floor. Habenicht highlighted nice passing instincts and looked to set up others whenever necessary. He scored from all levels, ran the floor hard in transition, and outworked his assignment on either side of the ball. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Justiniano on Habenicht: “Macklin was a pleasure to coach. He was great playing in the paint, making moves, and finishing around the basket. Macklin did a lot of things well but can continue to work on his shooting off the dribble.” Habenicht made a quality impact during his time at camp and will be one to watch grow at Marvin Ridge over the coming years.
#152: 6’0 ’27 Matthew Sancho-Joseph (Cannon)
Finishing up, we look at a player who made an impression as one of the most productive campers on display, Matthew Sancho-Joseph. He’s a big, strong, versatile wing/forward prospect with a polished skillset and the ability to naturally cause matchup problems for opponents. Sancho-Josesph handles the ball well for his size/position and is capable of creating quality looks for himself and others off the bounce. He finishes through contact, but also hits jumpers at a quality rate and finds opportunities as an offensive rebounder. Sancho-Joseph is a great rebounder, physical defender, and useful 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 Justiniano on Sancho-Joseph: “Matthew did a great job of doing everything on the court. His passing skills were great to find open teammates and contribute to their success. I would like him to continue working on his jumper.” Sancho-Joseph was a difference-maker at camp, securing the Coach’s Award, and will be a prospect to watch throughout his progression.