Team 9
Coach: Jamal Mitchell
#6: 5’8 ’27 JR Adams (Forsyth Country Day)
Starting off, we look at a player who understands how to set the tone on both ends of the floor, JR Adams. He’s a smart, tough, scrappy point guard prospect with the ability to dictate the action or find opportunities as an off-ball option. Adams handles the ball with care, sets up others, and scores at an efficient rate. He’s a reliable spot-up threat who can knock down jumpers off the catch or dribble. Adams also breaks down opponents and touches the paint with regularity. On the other end, he stands out as an engaged defender at the point of attack and displays nice instinct for forcing turnovers. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Mitchell on Adams: “JR is a quick, solid point guard. Very good at penetrating to the rim, especially off ball screens. He has a nice midrange game and really good court vision. Plays hard on the defensive side of the ball.” Adams enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should play a critical role for the Furies over the coming years.
#61: 6’0 ’27 Brayden Gatling (Southwest Guilford)
Next, we look at a player who continues to make a lasting impression through his production and dynamic identity, Brayden Gatling. He’s a smart, quick, well-rounded point guard prospect who offers great balance as a two-way floor general. Gatling utilizes his crafty handle and quick first step to consistently penetrate. He finishes really well at the basket, sees the floor nicely as a playmaker, and makes intelligent decisions with the ball in his hands. Gatling knocks down jumpers at a quality rate and mixes it up effectively from all levels. He’s a useful rebounder and pesky defender with great instincts for forcing turnovers. Gatling also knows how to make his presence felt 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 Mitchell on Gatling: “Brayden plays hard and runs the floor well. He has some high-level finishes around the basket. Secured some tough rebounds and made some good passes in transition.” Gatling proved to be an asset during camp and should continue shining as a focal point at Southwest Guilford over the foreseeable future.
#62: 6’0 ’27 JJ Short (Greensboro Day)
Moving forward, we look at a player who possesses an extremely steady, poised identity, JJ Short. He’s a smart, fundamental point guard prospect with a high motor and well-rounded skillset. Short handles the ball with care, plays with pace, and doesn’t allow opponents to speed him up. He attacks the basket, spaces the floor, and applies terrific pressure as a midrange threat. Short is also comfortable as a cutter and spot-up threat. He’s a scrappy on-ball defender who positions himself well to contain opponents at the point of attack. In addition, Short makes hustle plays at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working to increase his involvement as a rebounder, as it would allow him to push the break in transition more easily. Coach Mitchell on Short: “JJ has a good feel for the game. Pushed the ball well in transition, and was setting up teammates all day!” Short did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be a difference-maker for Greensboro Day over the coming years.
#86: 6’2 ’27 Jacob Mills (Carson)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who has clearly earned his reputation as one of the top marksmen in the state, Jacob Mills. He’s a smart, steady, low-maintenance guard prospect who excels as a shooter and off-ball threat. Mills has made clear strides as a creator and scorer with the ball in his hands, yet is still at his best when spacing the floor from beyond the arc. He moves well without the ball to find open seams and displays smooth, repeatable mechanics on his jumper. Mills has deep range and truly only requires a glimmer of daylight to get off clean looks. However, he understands how to take smart shots, make quality decisions with the ball in hands, and seize his opportunities within the flow of the action. Mills is a reliable defender and willing rebounder who plays with consistent energy on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more imposing player. Coach Mitchell on Mills: “Jacob made some great plays all day. Shoots open threes at a high clip. He also moved well without the ball. He was a very solid defender and made the right plays on the court.” Mills made a quality impact at camp and will remain a key piece for Carson over the foreseeable future.
#87: 6’2 ’27 Jazir Wright-McGhee (New Hanover)
Next, we look at a player who simply knows how to produce alongside any collection of teammates, Jazir Wright-McGhee. He’s a smart, tough guard prospect with a high motor, well-rounded skillset, and excellent nose for the ball. Wright-McGhee highlighted the ability to do everything on the court. He hit shots, finished through contact, and created for himself and others. Wright-McGhee is comfortable with or without the ball in his hands. He defends with terrific energy and physicality to suffocate his assignment with regularity. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring opportunities as a cutter/spot-up threat. Coach Mitchell on Wright-McGhee: “Jazir is a tough guard who plays on both ends of the floor. He made some tough baskets at the rim and secured tough rebounds on a regular basis. Jazir also pushed the tempo in every game today.” Wright-McGhee proved to be an asset during camp and should remain a key piece for New Hanover over the coming years.
#127: 6’3 ’27 Tyrie Pressley (CPLA)
Moving forward, we look at a player who consistently finds ways to impact the game within the flow of the action, Tyrie Pressley. He’s a tough, scrappy wing/forward prospect with a high motor and phenomenal nose for the ball. Pressley plays bigger than his listed height would imply, particularly as a defender and rebounder. He finishes very well around the basket, makes unselfish decisions, and can space the floor as needed. Pressley defends multiple positions and makes hustle plays on a consistent basis. He’s capable of producing in several types of roles. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Mitchell on Pressley: “Tyrie was great around the rim all day. He ran the floor in transition, crashed hard for rebounds on offense, and was a very solid defender at the point of attack.” Pressley made a quality impact during camp and should be poised for another highly productive season at CPLA.
#139: 6’4 ’27 Caleb Nixon (Kings Mountain)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who provides an impactful identity on both ends of the floor, Caleb Nixon. He’s a strong, tough wing/forward prospect with a great combination of size, skill, and athleticism. Nixon displays versatility through his ability to create, knock down shots, and attack off the bounce. He finishes nicely around the basket and sees the floor well as a passer. Nixon plays hard and utilizes his body effectively to defend multiple positions and outwork opponents for rebounds. He’s able to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better defender when switching onto smaller guards. Coach Mitchell on Nixon: “Caleb is a long, athletic wing who showed the ability to make some deep shots today. He has a very quick shooting release, runs the floor well, and was great as a help-side defender.” Nixon did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be a key piece for Kings Mountain over the coming years.
#152: 6’5 ’27 Justin Frye (Panther Creek)
Next, we look at a player who has an intriguing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Justin Frye. He’s a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with nice size, athleticism, and an expanding skillset. Frye moved well as a cutter, handled the ball as needed, and displayed the ability to score from all levels. He played with great energy on defense to disrupt opponents and force turnovers. Frye maintained a useful rebounding presence and made hustle plays at a solid rate. He also consistently made his presence felt 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 Mitchell on Frye: “Justin was very good in half-court offense today. He moved well without the ball and cut to the basket a lot. Worked very well with on-ball defense.” Frye enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a difference-maker for Panther Creek during his upcoming sophomore season.
#153: 6’5 ’27 Keyonee Terry (South Granville)
Moving forward, we look at a player who possesses a ton of appealing tools, Keyonee Terry. He’s a long, fluid wing/forward prospect with quality athleticism and a blossoming skillset. Terry is an excellent passer who can handle the ball, touch the paint, and finish or set up others. He converted jumpers at a nice rate but is at his best in transition or attacking the basket. On the other end, Terry consistently contained his assignment and outworked opponents for rebounds. He’s skilled enough to push the break and made decisions with the ball 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 defensive pressure. Coach Mitchell on Terry: “Key was at the rim almost every play in transition. He had multiple dunks on the day and crashed hard for rebounds. Blocked several shots in help-side defense. Definitely a playmaker and impact player to keep an eye on.” Terry highlighted a lot of intrigue during camp and could be poised for a potential breakout season at South Granville.
#176: 6’10 ’27 Duka Vuksanovic (Asheville School)
Finishing up, we look at a player who made a lasting impression with his impressive presence on the block, Duka Vuksanovic. He’s a strong, highly skilled post prospect with a massive frame and the ability to physically overwhelm opponents on both ends of the floor. Vuksanovic possesses soft touch, excellent footwork, and sharp vision around the basket. He has great hands, which he uses to safely secure entry passes and rebounds. Vuksanovic can knock down midrange jumpers or hit the occasional three-pointer, but does most of his work from the low post. He makes his presence felt as an interior defender and plays hard to outwork opponents on either side of the ball. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a better defender when switching onto smaller guards. Coach Mitchell on Vuksanovic: “Duka is a force on the block. Posts every time down the floor, always calling out screens, and passes well from the post. Has a really good feel for the game of basketball!” Vuksanovic showcased a lot of ability during camp and should be a focal point for Asheville School over the coming years.