By: DeAjai Dawkins
2023 Kyler Harris (Cap City Scrappers)'
You will be hard-pressed to find a player in NCHSAA 4A who had a more individually dominant season at the guard spot. Kyler Harris terrorized opponents this past high school season with some of the more entertaining scoring performances I watched all year. One thing is for sure; Harris is not afraid to take it to any defender. His acrobatic finishes around the rim, sneaky explosiveness and confident shotmaking spell out a player who will eventually earn the trust of a college coach.
2023 Andre Wright (TMS Academy)
Andre Wright was one of the more talented guards of the weekend. The Anderson University commit is a constant competitor that helps maintain a level of balance between the talented pieces this roster boasts. Aside from being able to attack and create for himself, I was a fan of how Wright was willing to constantly sacrifice his body on the defensive end. Tasked with guarding an explosive, powerful guard of similar size, I was interested in how he moved his feet defensively.
2023 Jah'Kim Payne (TMS Academy)'
Payne is one of my players on this roster that embodies the program's foundational traits as his own. Jah'Kim is a tough competitor, constantly looking to get to the basket and challenge help defenders at the rim. His fearlessness is a tone-setter, as I find it very difficult to envision a scenario in which his teammates would not be motivated by his play.
2025 Yohan Gutierrez (Combine Academy Regional)'
Gutierrez is someone who I have been familiar with since his freshman season, as he came onto the NC high school scene as an immediate commodity. This weekend, he asserted himself offensively, using his length at the rim and on defense, knocking down perimeter jumpers in the process. Showing flashes of dynamic play that makes him a commodity.
2024 Khyelle Ingram (Juice All Stars/Bull City Prep)
Khyelle Ingram is a prospect that can play either the 2 or the 3. He displayed excellent leadership throughout the weekend, constantly acting as a vocal motivator on the floor. Aside from his undeniable presence vocally, Ingram leads by example on both ends. He has shown he can knock down perimeter jumpers, initiate contact in the lane, and play with a contagious, competitive fire.
2023 Nick Jones (Olympus Prep Academy)'
Out of all the talented players I saw this weekend, and there were many, Dorian 'Nick' Jones stands out as one of the very best. Jones is a very talented, shot-creating guard with wiggle and impressive vertical athleticism. Jones' impact as a spark plug through his scoring is difficult to replace simply due to the volume in which he can fill it up. Clearly a player that can not only play at the college level, but score many points for a coaching staff if needed.
2024 Grant Hamilton (Weddington)'
What is there to be said about a high school program that has had multiple players in the annual 'best shooter in the state' conversation' Weddington has a very realistic candidate in Hamilton, but do not mistake him for just a shooter. Over the calendar year, I've witnessed the player who hit 12 3's in a high school game transform into a very well-rounded player. Solid athleticism with the ability to handle defensive pressure on the ball. Clearly, a player that will contribute collegiately one day.'
2024 Malaki Long (Carolina Storm)'
Speaking of players I've watched transform their game over a span of time, Ashbrook's Malakhi Long has emerged as a legitimate threat at the varsity level. The scoring guard plays with an undeniable energy that cannot be diminished, only matched. He's continued to refine his perimeter game and does not seem to shy away from attacking the basket. A versatile piece on a very sizable, well-coached roster.'
2026 William Stevens (Carolina Riptide)''
Always fun coming across a prospect that presents a clear physical upside, and even more fun when that prospect has the game to go along with the size. Stevens is an agile C/F with nimble movement & a wide range in which he can be used on the floor is impressive. I was impressed with how advanced he is as a passer at this stage, and how quickly he thinks the game with the ball in his hands. Can play the middle of the interior.'
2025 Kyce Matthews (Team EAT)'
Matthews is a promising sophomore guard with a wide handle and wiggle in his movement with the ball. When I asked him what high school he went to, all I could do was chuckle when he responded 'North Meck'. There is no public school in the state that can account for more elite ball handlers in the past 5+ years than North Mecklenburg. Trayden Williams, Jordan Crawford, Davion Cunningham, just to name a short and recent few. Showed confidence all weekend''in his shot creation and attacked defenders with consistency. I expect to hear his name in due time.'
2027 Travien Williams (Team Ish)'
On a team full of impressive guard talent, 2027 Travien Williams stands out as one of the most promising. Travien is a strong-framed combo guard that can assume a primary facilitator role if need be. This roster does not call for him to facilitate as much as he's required to simply produce in all facets. Defensively he's capable of taking on an array of talent due to his strange and agility movement. Going to have a productive summer.