Team 3
Coach: Patrick Paul
#1: 5’2 ’28 Christopher Strayhorn (Charlotte)
Starting things off, we look at a player that contributed nicely despite being the youngest and smallest camper on his team, Christopher Strayhorn. He’s an unselfish, team-first guard prospect that allows himself to learn and absorb information through coaching. Strayhorn displayed a useful midrange jumper and passed the ball to open teammates at a pretty nice rate. Next in his development process is working to become a better penetrator, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive player. Coach Paul on Strayhorn: “Christopher has a great attitude. He listens well and has the potential to get better on both sides of the ball. His jumper is solid and he has the ability to get better/more consistent. Defensive effort was there for Christopher. He needs to continue improving on his footwork.” Strayhorn made a nice impact at camp and could be one to monitor as he goes through his progression.
#2: 5’4 ’25 Hayes Burleson (Pittsboro)
Next, we look at a player that provided his team with a scrappy, team-first approach on both ends of the floor, Hayes Burleson. He’s a wiry, unselfish guard prospect with a solid spot-up jumper from beyond the arc. Burleson can also handle the ball and set up others whenever necessary. He plays hard defensively and understands how to keep his assignment in front decently well. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him an even better shooting threat. Coach Paul on Burleson: “Hayes shows the ability to be a really good shooter. He possesses great shot mechanics with a quick release. Hayes also shows the ability to set up his teammates with his penetration abilities. He’s a decent defender with good hands and good footwork.” Burleson enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on over the coming years.
#3: 5’5 ’26 Danarius Gibson (Thomasville)
Moving onto a player that continues to impress with his advanced feel and craftiness, Danarius Gibson. He’s a smart, very skilled point guard prospect with quickness, toughness, and the ability to create for himself or others with relative ease. Gibson can reliably run a team on both ends of the floor, displaying unselfishness as a playmaker and instincts as an on-ball defender. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities as a cutter. Coach Paul on Gibson: “Danarius is a strong ball-handler. He shows the ability to get downhill and make plays with regularity. He made great passes while navigating through traffic. Danarius defended extremely well and creates havoc for opposing ball-handlers.” Gibson stood out as a leader during camp and has the tools to develop into a very enticing floor general going forward.
#4: 5’6 ’25 Nikayle Hodge (Charlotte)
Continuing onto a player that showcased a quality amount of productivity and long-term upside, Nikayle Hodge. He’s a smart, fairly skilled guard prospect with a keen penetration sense and the ability to finish with craftiness or through contact. Hodge is a solid shooter but seems to make the strongest impact when attacking the basket and creating for himself and others. He’s also a quality defender with sharp anticipation instincts for intercepting passing lanes. Next in his development process is working on becoming a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Paul on Hodge: “Nikayle has high potential. He scores ease inside of the paint. He possesses a good handle with great IQ of his teammates and how to get them the ball. Nikayle knows how to be a willing passer while still making plays for himself. He’s a good defender and plays the passing lanes really well. Nikayle was a pleasure to coach.” Hodge highlighted a lot of promise at camp and has the tools to enjoy a productive upcoming eighth-grade season.
#5: 5’7 ’26 Khristian Bruce (Effingham)
Next, we look at a player that showcased a pretty enticing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Khristian Bruce. He’s a smart, skilled, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with craftiness and the ability to create for himself or others off the bounce. Bruce displays great instincts as a defender, both as an individual and within the team structure, and forced numerous turnovers throughout the day. He’s also capable of making his presence felt with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would allow him to force even more turnovers. Coach Paul on Bruce: “Khristian was a pleasure to coach. He played extremely hard on both sides of the ball and scored the ball with ease inside the paint. Khristian facilitated to his teammates whenever possible. He showed great potential and was one of the best players at camp.” Bruce shined as a leader for his team and has all the tools to develop into a quality prospect over the coming years.
#6: 5’8 ’25 Jake Lowery (Canton)
Moving onto a player that offered his team with a pretty well-rounded skillset and approach, Jake Lowery. He’s an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with a useful shooting stroke from the perimeter and the ability to effectively finish in transition. Lowery displays solid quickness and gives great effort as a defender at the point of attack. He also shows a willingness to make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on becoming a crafiter ball-handler, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Paul on Lowery: “Jake is a very fundamentally sound player. He hit shots while consistently making the right play. He played excellent defense, denying the ball while also in help-side for the steal. Jake needs to work on ball-handling. He was a pleasure to coach.” Lowery proved to be a useful asset to his team during camp and could be poised for a productive eighth-grade season.
#7: 5’8 ’25 Sawyer Belue (Waynesville)
Continuing onto a player that really stood out with his intangibles and ability to be a quality teammate, Sawyer Belue. He’s a team-first wing/forward prospect with a high motor and the understanding of how to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Belue fights for rebounds, loose balls, and consistently looks to make the unselfish play. Next in his development process is working on becoming a better ball-handler, as it would allow him to breakdown defenders and penetrate with less resistance. Coach Paul on Belue: “Sawyer was a great teammate. He did all of the little things. Sawyer finished really well while also showing a willingness to get back in transition. He was always the first one back to stop opposing fast-breaks. He made great plays on the defensive end while still producing on offense. Sawyer is a good kid with great upside.” Belue enjoyed a fairly productive showing at camp and could be one to monitor, especially if he continues to work.
#8: 5’10 ’25 Anderson Lee (Charlotte)
Next, we look at a player that made quite a lasting impression with his motor and blue-collar approach, Anderson Lee. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with nice size, awareness, and useful presence on both ends of the floor. Lee simply outworked opponents for rebounds on a consistent basis, which often led to transition opportunities. Next in his development process is working on becoming a better ball-handler, as it would allow him to take defenders off the bounce with more regularity. Coach Paul on Lee: “Anderson’s energy is what set him apart from other players. He’s a great rebounder on both sides of the ball. He plays well through contact and blocks shots at a good rate. Anderson defended the pick-and-roll extremely well. He’s jumper was decent but can continue to improve. Anderson was a pleasure to coach.” Lee offered his team with a reliable piece during camp and should be able to carve out a nice role during the upcoming season.
#9: 5’10 ’26 Chancellor Gill (Charlotte)
Finishing up, we look at a player that offered a lot of intrigue in addition to a high motor and team-first approach, Chancellor Gill. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with solid range on his jumper and the ability to wreak havoc within the paint as a defender. Next in his development process is working to become a better ball-handler, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Paul on Gill: “Chancellor shows flashes of great potential. He offered our team with a lot of good hustle throughout the day. He rebounds at a really good rate while hitting shots off the dribble. Chancellor blocked shots and then ran the floor effectively in transition. He needs to work on ball-handler and finishing with his off-hand. Chancellor was great to coach.” Gill highlighted a lot of tools throughout camp and could be one to monitor over the coming years, especially if he continues to work.