Team 4
Coach: Luteke Kalambo
#0: 5'9 '25 Lawson Higgins (Burnsville)
Starting things off, we look at a player that highlighted a pretty well-rounded skillset and approach, Lawson Higgins. He's a wiry, team-first guard prospect with the ability to effectively create for himself or others off the bounce. Higgins also plays with a high motor and looks to do the little things whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better penetrator. Coach Kalambo on Higgins: 'Lawson has very good vision and has good court awareness. He can score on all three levels, pushes the ball well in the open court, talks well and gave good effort in the half-court defensive sets. Lawson displays a good attitude and proved to be a good teammate. With patience and hard work, Lawson will be a good addition to a high school roster.' Higgins enjoyed a pretty productive showing at camp and should be able to carve out a quality role during his upcoming eighth-grade season.
#1: 5'2 '25 Lucas Kimrey (Charlotte)
Next, we look at a player that consistently stood out with his motor and willingness to do the little things, Lucas Kimrey. He's a smart, slightly undersized guard prospect with a nice handle, solid creation skills, and the ability to knock down jumpers along the perimeter. Coach Lewis on Kimrey: 'Despite his age and size difference against older opponents, Lucas was a tough competitor who didn't back down from anyone. The lefty has a nice-looking shot from the perimeter and can make the floater when attacking the basket. What impressed me was his poise while handling the ball against pressure. Older, bigger defenders would try to pressure him in the backcourt and he didn't get rattled. Defensively, he moves his feet well and stays in front of the ball. As he matures, he will be able to finish at a higher level against height in the paint.' Kimrey performed quite well throughout camp and has the tools to carve out a useful role during his upcoming eighth-grade season.
#2: 5'4 '25 Jalen Mills (Hope Mills)
Moving onto a player that simply understands how to consistently make his presence felt within the flow of the team, Jalen Mills. He's a tough, high-motor guard prospect with a clear nose for the ball and instincts to make the hustle plays. Mills is a useful perimeter shooter and willing passer, but often makes the strongest impact with his scrappy defensive presence. Next in his development process is working to become a better ball-handler, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Kalambo on Mills: 'Jalen's best trait is effort as an on-ball defender. He's a good catch-and-shoot player. Jalen is always one of the first kids on the floor for 50/50 balls. He has a great attitude and works hard on the fundamentals of defense (stance and position). Jalen creates turnovers through effort on defense.' Mills continues to steadily progress and showcase his ability to contribute with any collection of teammates.
#3: 5'5 '26 Ethan Cohen (Columbia)
Continuing onto a player that made quite the lasting impression with his all-around coachability, Ethan Cohen. He's a smart, wiry guard prospect with a nice penetration sense and the ability to apply scoring pressure as a shooter off the bounce. Cohen handles the ball well and understands how to contain his assignment defensively. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Kalambo on Cohen: 'Ethan was one of the best listeners on this team. He has good mechanics in his shooting form and penetrates the paint off the dribble well. Ethan can score on all three levels and is savvy/deceptively quick enough to get to his spots whenever he desires.' Cohen displayed a great foundation at camp and has the tools to emerge as a useful prospect over these coming years, especially if he continues to work.
#4: 5'6 '25 Brendan Miles (Charlotte)
Next, we look at a player that showcased his ability to operate as the main glue-guy of this team, Brendan Miles. He's a scrappy, team-first guard prospect with a high motor and a pretty nice feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Miles is capable of making his presence felt without necessarily requiring the ball in his hands, due to his defensive prowess and rebounding effort. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Kalambo on Miles: 'Brendan is a utility guy from the guard position. He has the tools to defend, rebound, and push the ball in the open court. Brendan has good range on his jumper and is strong enough to finish through contact against bigger/stronger players. He is definitely a competitor.' Miles brought a lot to his team during camp and should be able to continue steadily progressing over these next few seasons.
#5: 5'8 '27 Mack Walters (Charlotte)
Moving onto a player that was arguably one of the most reliable shooting threats on this team, Mack Walters. He's a wiry team-first guard prospect with a pretty useful scoring arsenal and solid instincts as an off-ball cutter. Walters poses a quality spot-up threat but can also hit jumpers off the dribble and attack closeouts whenever necessary. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more capable on-ball defender. Coach Kalambo on Walters: 'Mack is a player that can defend most positions on the court. He has good range and consistency on his three-point shot and pushes the ball well in the open court. Mack competes well and has an attitude to lead by example.' Walters enjoyed a quality showing at camp, especially to be one of the younger campers on this team, and could be one to keep an eye on going forward.
#6: 4'11 '27 Bryce Ward (North Charleston)
Continuing onto a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Bryce Ward. He's a smart, skilled point guard prospect with a fairly well-rounded approach and the ability to create quality looks for himself and others. Ward shoots the ball at an efficient clip from midrange and beyond the arc, but also regularly displays the understanding of how to get downhill and set up others. Ward handles the ball with poise and defends effectively for his size. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a craftier finisher around the basket. Coach Kalambo on Ward: 'Bryce is a lead guard that is quick and handles the ball well. He has good vision and adjusts well when asked to change his approach. Bryce quickly splits the trap and has good vision to find open teammates.' Ward proved to be an asset during his time at camp and should emerge as a useful contributor for his middle-school team over these next few seasons.
#9: 6'0 '25 Brayden Hendrix (Myrtle Beach)
Next, we look at a player with an excellent crossroads between production and long-term upside, Brayden Hendrix. He's a tough, heady, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with the ability to score effectively from all three levels. Hendrix is pretty advanced in terms of physical maturity and utilizes his body well when attacking the basket. He displays a nice balance between scoring and playmaking, often showing a willingness to make the best available play. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Kalambo on Hendrix: 'Brayden is a great leader with the understanding of how to lead by example. He has range out to 25 feet, displays a good shot off the dribble, and understands how to utilize his three-point shot to attack the rim. Brayden periodically gets down, however, bounces back quickly and continues to lead.' Hendrix was exceptional at camp and should be able to emerge as a leader during his upcoming eighth-grade season.
#00: 5'9 '28 Jacen Upgraft (Aldie)
Finishing up, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term upside, Jacen Uptgraft. He's a young, big, strong-bodied post prospect with an incredibly sturdy frame and ability to overwhelm opponents with his body around the basket. Uptgraft plays hard, maintains an unselfish approach, and understands how to play within himself and the team quite well. He knocked down open jumpers at a solid rate and battled hard on the glass. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would allow him to defend more effectively in space. Coach Kalambo on Uptgraft: 'Jacen is a young player in the fifth grade who is not afraid of the moment. He's a good catch-and-shoot player with a quick release. He is learning and understands the game. Jacen has good court awareness.' Uptgraft highlighted some promising flashes during camp and should only continue to get better over the foreseeable future.