(6) 6'4 Zion Collins (Word of God)
Although his previous high school season was somewhat lost due to injury, Zion Collins has come back and continued to show flashes of high-level ability. In terms of tools, he pretty much possesses them all. His blend of athleticism, positional size, and overall feel for the game make his appeal quite obvious. Collins can reliably handle the ball, create his own shot, make plays for others, and contain his assignment defensively. His all-around skillset allows him to operate in various roles, which is considerably more useful than just knowing how to be a focal point, but still regularly shines as a leader and primary option in most settings. Collins' continued progression should definitely breed excitement amongst spectators and college coaches alike.
(7) 6'8 Gevonte Ware (1 of 1 Academy)
Slightly different to the previous entry, Gevonte Ware's freshman season was basically ended after discovering an extra bone in his foot and needing surgery to get it removed. That being said, he is still undoubtedly as talented and enticing (especially as a long-term prospect) as anyone in North Carolina's Class of 2025. Ware possesses a strong frame, great hands, excellent mobility, and the toughness to consistently battle in the paint on both ends of the floor. He finishes well around the basket, both through contact and above the rim, and displays touch with either hand. Ware is a great rebounder who knows how to properly run the floor in transition and capitalize on easy opportunities. He also highlights useful defensive instincts and clear upside as a switchable rim-protector. Though already impressive, Ware has the tools to be the top prospect in the state and will be one to watch blossom over the next few years.
(8) 6'5 John Lash (Charlotte Christian)
Multi-sport athletes are a pretty common entity throughout North Carolina, but John Lash is regarded among the very best. Though he's considered to be a high-level baseball prospect, his basketball ability warrants plenty of attention. In terms of production, Lash's nightly averages of 12.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 1.5 SPG while shooting 58% from the floor basically speak for themselves. It's not flashy or anything, but he knows his identity and showcases it exceptionally well. Lash also notched the third-most double-doubles in the state among all freshmen (per MaxPreps). His understanding of how to excel as a tough, high-motor forward who prioritizes rebounding and doing the little things makes him quite valuable. Given his status as a notable athlete in two sports, it'll be fun to follow his journey going forward.
(9) 6'0 Chadlyn Traylor (West Charlotte)
Poise is an incredibly important thing in basketball, specifically for a ball-handling guard, which is a massive part of what makes Chad Traylor so impressive. It's difficult to point out any real weakness or negative in his game, as Traylor is an intelligent, team-first floor general who leads by example and outworks his assignment on both sides of the ball. He possesses great offensive balance, able to score whenever necessary but primarily looking to set up others, and simply understands how to seek out the best available shot with the ball in his hands. Traylor is very unselfish but does assert himself as needed. For a loaded West Charlotte squad, he averaged 9.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 4.2 APG with 49/45/67 shooting splits. Upon accounting for the context, those numbers are seriously worth noting. Traylor also had a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in 29 of 31 games as a freshman. It's easy to see the ability, so expect him to continue turning heads over the foreseeable future.
(10) 6'5 Tre McKinnon (Lake Norman)
Right now, few public schools possess the amount of young talent like Lake Norman'which definitely includes the likes of Tre McKinnon and his tons of upside. He's a long, wiry forward prospect with athleticism and the ability to attack the basket or knock down perimeter jumpers. McKinnon is arguably at his best in the open floor, but is more than capable of finding ways to make plays in the half-court. Last season, he posted averages of 11.8 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.7 BPG. Given his age and the overall depth of talent within the Wildcats' roster, McKinnon was certainly an impressive contributor during his freshman year. He's continued to highlight flashes this spring, and should only get better over the coming months.
