On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops had the pleasure of watching Central Cabarrus workout. Former Catawba College Head Coach, Jim Baker, has a talented group of young guards leading the way for his team this season. Although they may not be the biggest team, they are one of the toughest and scrappiest teams you’ll watch. Let’s take a look at some of their key players.
6’0 2023 Jaiden Thompson is coming off a strong sophomore season and spring/summer where he picked up a Western Carolina offer. He has a tremendous feel at the point guard position. He is very unselfish and looks to find the open man. He sees the floor really well. He is a really good athlete who is quick and shifty with the ball in his hands. He gets to his spots and makes a living in the paint, finishing with the midrange jumper or finding open shooters. He has made tremendous strides in the weight room and has added strength to his frame. In addition to his play on the court, Thompson has a 4.0 GPA.
Next, we look at the Daniel twins who are quickly making their presence felt across the state. This spring and summer with CC Elite 2024, they set the tone and were one of the top independent teams in the region. They look to build upon this success and have an even bigger sophomore season.
5’11 2024 Chase Daniel looks like he’s also added strength to his frame. He continues to showcase his ability to shoot the ball at a high level. He has a smooth release from three. He gets to the midrange and has a nice pull-up game. And despite his size, he gets into the paint and can finish around bigger defenders with euro steps or stop short for the floater. On the defensive end, he is one of the best I’ve seen. He locks up multiple positions with his toughness, quickness, and competitiveness.
5’11 2024 Carson Daniel is the ultimate floor general. He is a super smooth lefty who gets his team involved and has the ball on a string. He handles pressure well and is able to break his defender down. Carson has a really good feel for when it is time to create for himself and when it is time to get others involved. One thing is for sure, this kid doesn’t back down from anyone. He is one of the toughest competitors you will find. He has a nonstop motor and is an excellent, scrappy defender.
6’1 2023 Gavin Bullock will provide added size and physicality at the guard position for Central Cabarrus. He is a tough-minded player who embraces contact. He also has a high motor and gets things done on both sides of the ball. He will be expected to guard multiple positions this year, and he will embrace that challenge. From the perimeter, he can knock down shots and will stretch the court and create driving opportunities.