Team 16
Coach: Christian Savage
#54: 5’8 ’27 Bowen Swofford (Mauldin)
Starting things off, we look at a player who showcased a quality level of offensive polish, Bowen Swofford. He’s a scrappy, high-motor guard prospect with a tight handle and reliable presence as a perimeter shooter. Swofford is a solid creator with the quickness to break down opponents, touch the paint, and finish or set up others. He hits jumpers at a nice percentage, both off the catch and bounce. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler more seamlessly. Coach Savage on Swofford: “Bowen is a quick-twitch guard who can get to his spots with ease. He has a nice midrange pull-up. Needs to be more vocal and work on making better decisions with the ball in his hands. Crafty handle.” Swofford did a lot of things well during his time at camp and will be a useful piece for Mauldin over the foreseeable future.
#55: 5’8 ’27 Brayden Mack (Ridge View)
Next, we look at a player who simply knows how to run a team and set the tone on both ends of the floor, Brayden Mack. He’s a smart, tough, unselfish guard prospect with sharp vision and reliable scoring instincts from all levels. Mack is a solid creator off the bounce, which allows him to attack the basket and make plays whenever possible. That being said, he’s arguably at his best when applying pressure as a shooting threat from midrange or beyond the arc. Mack is a quality all-around defender with great anticipation for forcing turnovers. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would highlight his scoring ability even more often. Coach Savage on Mack: “Brayden did a good job of facilitating for his teammates and making correct plays. Was good as an on-ball defender. Needs to get stronger and develop more confidence as a scoring threat. Smart, high-IQ guard.” Mack did a lot of things well at camp and will be a prospect to watch emerge for Ridge View over the coming years.
#62: 5’10 ’27 Brandon Ray (Eastside)
Moving onto a player who highlighted a highly polished skillset and strong feel for the game, Brandon Ray. He’s a smart, scrappy, high-motor guard prospect with a lethal penetration sense and the ability to apply scoring pressure from all levels. Ray handles the ball with poise, sets up others, and makes unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands. He finishes well around the basket and knocks down jumpers at a quality rate. Ray provides a steady defensive presence and regularly overwhelms opponents with his sheer energy. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities. Coach Savage on Ray: “Brandon has good size and feel for the game. He can create his own shot, showing the ability to shoot it off the bounce or attack downhill. Brandon needs to work on his court vision and creating for teammates.” Ray enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the tools to progress into a notable prospect over these next few years.
#63: 5’10 ’27 Carter Jackson (AC Flora)
Continuing onto a player who arguably stood out as one of the more impressive performers on display, Carter Jackson. He’s a smart, skilled guard prospect with a high motor and unselfish approach to the game. Jackson is a polished creator with vision, three-level scoring prowess, and a tight handle. He attacks the basket, knocks down jumpers at a high percentage, and sets up others in scoring positions. Jackson is excellent at making the right play with the ball in his hands. He’s also a quality defender with great instincts for forcing turnovers and pushing the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler more seamlessly. Coach Savage on Jackson: “Carter is a crafty point guard who is a deep ball threat. Can really shoot the ball off the catch and from beyond the arc. Gets downhill and creates plays for his teammates. Carter also takes pride in defending. Needs to work on being in attack-mode and avoiding being nonchalant. Strong-bodied guard.” Jackson proved to be an asset at camp and should be a useful piece for AC Flora over the foreseeable future.
#70: 5’11 ’27 Terrion Mack (Blythewood)
Next, we look at a player who arguably stood out as the best playmaker in attendance, Terrion Mack. He’s a quick, heady point guard prospect with a high IQ, nonstop motor, and phenomenal playmaking sense. Mack shoots the ball extremely well from the perimeter, but also consistently attacks the basket and finishes or sets up others. He’s able to utilize angles and change of pace to make terrific passes, both in transition and the half court. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler against pressure. Coach Savage on Mack: “Terrion plays with a high motor and causes problems for opponents as an on-ball defender. He defends, plays hard, and is vocal. Can knock down shots from midrange or beyond the arc. He has great court vision and is a good teammate. Needs to work on his ball-handling and being confident when making decisions off the bounce.” Mack did a lot of things well during his time at camp, securing the Playmaker Award, and should be a key piece for Blythewood going forward.
#71: 6’0 ’27 Christopher Long (Blythewood)
Moving onto a player who stood out as the main glue-guy for this team, Christopher Long. He’s a tough, scrappy, high-motor guard prospect with a steady presence and the ability to operate in various different roles. Long is a capable finisher and shooting threat, but doesn’t force the action or look to do too much offensively. He’s a solid rebounder and reliable defender who forces turnovers at the point of attack. Long makes hustle plays and runs the floor hard in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler against pressure. Coach Savage on Long: “Christopher is a great glue-guy who does a great job of cutting and moving without the ball. Good on-ball defender. Needs to work on his overall confidence as an offensive threat.” Long made a quality impact during his time at camp and will be a prospect to watch progress over the coming years.
#77: 6’1 ’27 Oliver Coleman (Lugoff-Elgin)
Continuing onto a player who made a lasting impression through his defensive presence, Oliver Coleman. He’s a smart, rugged, high-motor guard prospect with excellent instincts at the point of attack. Coleman is a great midrange shooter, capable threat from beyond the arc, and decent penetrator. He does a quality job of playing within the team structure offensively. Coleman rebounds the ball well and contains his assignment effectively at the point of attack. 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 Savage on Coleman: “Oliver plays tough defensively. Good on-ball defender that straps and plays hard. He moves really well without the ball. Needs to work on finishing around the rim and building confidence in his offensive ability. Did a good job of being patient in PnR and making the right passes.” Coleman proved to be an asset at camp and has all the tools to emerge as a key piece for Lugoff-Elgin sooner than later.
#79: 6’2 ’27 Aaden Bruton-Smith (Greenville)
Next, we look at a player who arguably possesses as much long-term appeal as anyone on display, Aaden Bruton-Smith. He’s a smart, highly skilled wing prospect with excellent creation skills and a polished scoring arsenal. Bruton-Smith is a terrific shooter, both from midrange and beyond the arc, who handles the ball with poise and unselfishness. He displays the ability to make defensive plays and produce with or without the ball in his hands. Bruton-Smith also plays hard and consistently outworks his assignment. 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 Savage on Bruton-Smith: “Aaden is super-skilled and has an array of moves. Possesses a tight handle and mean pull-up game and (as the kids say) has a bag!! Needs to get better as a defender and playmaker. Would also like to see him attack the rim at a higher frequency. Super skilled with a crafty handle. Lots of upside.” Bruton-Smith made a lasting impression during his time at camp and will be a prospect to monitor closely over these next few years.
#86: 6’4 ’27 Zakarion Simpson (Laurens)
Moving onto a player who arguably stood out as the most impactful performer on display, Zakarion Simpson. He’s a long, athletic forward prospect with an incredibly high motor, unselfish mentality, and natural leadership presence on both ends of the floor. Simpson plays with infectious energy, especially on defense, and is capable of overwhelming opponents in a variety of different ways. He’s a great finisher around the basket (and above the rim) who lurks very well for lobs and putbacks. Simpson wreaks havoc as an all-around defender, utilizing his length, energy, and sheer instincts to shut down opponents. He rebounds at a nonstop rate and possesses a phenomenal second and third jump. Simpson also forces turnovers and runs the floor properly in transition. Next in his development process is working on his overall offensive polish, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Savage on Simpson: “Z played really hard today. Vocal leader, defended and finished around the rim. Blocked a ton of shots and ran the floor. Rebounded like an animal. Needs to get more polished and develop his footwork and overall skillset. Love his motor and high intensity.” Simpson was a massive difference-maker at camp, securing the Defense Award, and will be a prospect to monitor going forward.
#87: 6’5 ’28 Rodrick Davis (Columbia)
Finishing up, we look at a player who possesses an incredible array of tools and long-term upside, Rodrick Davis. He’s a young, fluid forward/post prospect with great length, toughness, and athleticism. Davis already possesses tremendous physical tools and the understanding of how to naturally overwhelm opponents. He’s a capable finisher and floor-spacing option, but arguably found most of his offensive chances through rebounding and fighting for extra possessions. Davis caused a lot of problems for opponents defensively, able to consistently get stops and force turnovers. He runs the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Savage on Davis: “RJ is a great rim-protector and overall pogo stick. He plays above the rim and rebounds on both ends of the floor. Not a bad shooter but needs to develop his motor and overall skillset. RJ has a high ceiling.” Davis highlighted an obvious amount of appeal at camp and will be a prospect to monitor over the coming years.