The North Carolina Top 80 is a major platform for kids throughout the state of North Carolina. The best of the best come to stake claim among the top prospects in the country. However, it also has allowed many players, who are not nationally ranked, to boost their stock in front of national media and college coaches alike.
Here is a look at some of the guys already on the national radar who showed out on this immense platform and raised their stocks
6’8” 2019 Patrick Williams
West Charlotte HS
Williams is already thought of as a Top 100 type prospect, but that is something that should change soon. We have been saying it for some time now but Williams may have the highest upside of any 2019 player in this entire region. Easily a Top 50 prospect and don’t be surprised if he graduates high school in the Top 25 or so range. Williams is a strong and lengthy 6’8”. He has next level explosion and the ability to knock down the 3-pointer consistently or get to the paint and punish the rim. Big time prospect who is only 16, if he continues to play with this aggression he could be a 5-star type.
6’4” 2020 Jaden Springer
Rocky River HS
Springer came into camp as a top 10 prospect, and he left no doubt about that walking out of camp. In fact, many of the ex-coaches and scouts in attendance were saying #10 was probably 5 spots too low for him. Springer, who won the coveted Mr. Top 80 award, is a lengthy guard who has unbelievable court vision to go along with high level explosion and a tight handle to get him downhill. Springer is an elite prospect and should be recruited by every program across the country.
6’5” 2019 Josh Nickelberry
Northwood Temple
Nickelberry is a big time scorer, it is effortless for him to go out and get buckets all over the floor. The explosive and lengthy Nickelberry has a smooth jump shot with deep range and confidence. But he is able to really rally his entire offensive game behind his ability to shoot. He is explosive in transition and has a great handle of the ball, aggressively looking to get to his spot and finish. Looking at the likes of Lonnie Walker and Allonzo Trier ranked among the nation’s Top 20 in previous classes, Nickelberry is a similar type talent, size, skill set.
5’11” 2020 Jalen Cone
Walkertown HS
Cone is as electric of a player as there is in this region. He has a high level scoring package that he is able to find and get his from multiple levels. Cone has a killer’s mentality that he competes against all comers. He has impeccable footwork and soft touch with range. Cone’s range is deep and his ability in the mid-range makes his hesitation dribble that much more lethal. Cone is a highlight reel waiting to happen as he led North Carolina in scoring and finished among the Top 10 scorers in the country according to Max Preps. Get in the stands and watch him, he is worth the price of admission.
6’1” 2021 Carter Whitt
Leesville Road HS
Only a freshman, Whitt is already among the elite point guards in The Point Guard State. Whitt has unflappable confidence on the ball and incredible vision and court awareness. He is one of those point guards who is able to cut angles and create passing lanes and his teammates quickly know to move around with their hands up, because the pass is coming. Whitt shoots it well and is even finished above the rim a few times in camp. Elite prospect, start him in the Top 50 and watch him climb throughout his high school career.