The high school/grassroots development process differs greatly from that of any other level in basketball. Obviously these young players are going through physical changes, some for better and some for worse, which will ultimately help sculpt their overall basketball identity. However, there are also more critical checkpoints during this journey as opposed to the higher levels. This isn't meant to say that development doesn't occur in college or professional leagues, but rather that high school affects the most individuals. Each year, dozens of prospects emerge and outplay their ranking, reputation, and/or projected level (from any entity). This year should be no different, even with uncertainty swirling about the likelihood of an actual season. We will take a closer look at five prospects with an odds-on chance to outperform their current ranking (with their current position in parenthesis)…
#19: 6'5 Donovan Atwell (Davidson Day)
We've written at length about Atwell throughout the current summer season, as he's been one of the most consistently impressive performers across the state. For starters, it should be noted that he isn't just a shooter. That being said, Atwell is about as elite as one could be from beyond the arc. Between his IQ, preparation, volume and sheer efficiency, it's almost impossible to find any negatives within his identity. Atwell probably has the quickest release of any high-level shooter in North Carolina, yet doesn't allow the speed to affect his consistency or repeatable mechanics. He's continually adding strength and developing his game off the bounce, which is more evident now than ever before. His developing ability as a ball-handler makes him even tougher to contain, as running him off the line can still easily result in Atwell dismantling the opposition. He's also a quality defender with a great understanding of how to disrupt others through his length, positioning, and overall anticipation. Expect Atwell to vault himself forward at least a handful of spots, if not more, over the coming months.
#21: 6'7 Elijah Gray (Ardrey Kell)
Arguably the most intriguing prospect on this list, Gray has been someone who received varying amounts of acknowledgement over the last few years. There were certainly advocates for the 6-foot-7, do-it-all forward, but majority of folks were skeptical. Although Gray wasn't necessarily dominating every opponent in his path last summer, there were certainly enough flashes worth noting and being optimistic about. Fast-forward one year and anyone who previously bet on Gray is looking pretty smart. He's now become one of the hottest prospects within North Carolina's Class of 2022 and deserves to be regarded amongst the other top tier players throughout the state. His all-around skillset is shining and genuinely impacting all facets of the game. Gray has showcased the full arsenal this summer against all levels of competition. He's creating off the bounce, legitimately scoring from all three levels, highlighting playmaking ability, securing rebounds, offering excellent versatility (by toggling between the paint and perimeter), and maintaining his blend of size, skill, and athleticism. His offer amount continues to climb, and it'll only be a matter of time before all levels of Division I programs are vying for his services.
#30: 6'5 Michael Zanoni (Greensboro Day)
Despite playing on noteworthy teams and consistently producing in every possible setting, Zanoni has remained one of the least discussed of the high-level prospects within this class. Expect all that to change with the knockdown shooter's performance over the summer and his upcoming transfer to Greensboro Day. Like Atwell, Zanoni is definitely more than just a shooter and possesses the necessary ability to hurt opponents in a variety of different ways. However, he's such an incredibly lethal shooting threat that it simply must be acknowledged. Zanoni can spot-up or create his own shot with relative ease, able to access (and convert) from basically anywhere on the court. He has picturesque mechanics and only needs a glimmer of space to get off clean looks, making him quite tasking for most opponents to manage. Zanoni is a solid defender and rebounder with capable passing instincts, which allows him to keep his assignment honest even without necessarily needing to hit shots. Given his identity and understanding of the game, it's almost impossible to envision a scenario where he doesn't collect numerous Division I offers during the upcoming season.
#46: 6'5 Nolan Hodge (Northern Guilford)
The last three prospects each already possessed a reputation or some buzz entering high school, which differs drastically from Hodge. Unless you knew his family or watched him in rec leagues, the chances of being ahead of the curve were basically nonexistent. However for those who did, it was easy to see his natural feel for the game at an early age. Even prior to placing sole focus on basketball, Hodge already possessed a smooth, savvy approach to the game. Since then, he's grown multiple inches, added strength and athleticism, and has only continued to expand his abilities. Things have seemed to cultivate at the perfect time for Hodge, as he's really started to turn the corner from 'extremely talented prospect' to 'Division I priority' over the last few months. Additionally, the uptick in leadership and overall aggression has been noticeable'which should only positively impact his recruitment. It's still early but expect various Division I programs to start battling for the upper hand in regards to Hodge, especially as he climbs the rankings over the foreseeable future.
#51: 6'1 Davion Cunningham (North Mecklenburg)
Whether justified or not, there are various reasons why the other prospects on this list lacked a reputation or didn't receive proper attention over the years. However, Cunningham's situation is legitimately perplexing from all angles. Starting with the fact that he resides in Charlotte and plays for the most dominant public school program within North Carolina, it's tough to make sense as to what allowed him to soar under the radar for so long. Even looking at social media, there were no actual posts regarding his abilities until last March. After that, Cunningham's name has stayed in circulation. Although he played JV for most of last season, the dynamic point guard prospect could've started (and likely been the best player) for at least 90% of varsity squads. He's an exceptional defender with impressive IQ, toughness, and lateral athleticism, which leads to a nonstop flow of forced turnovers and transition opportunities. Cunningham has also proved to be a reliable floor general within the half-court, able to effortlessly create for himself or others while regularly asserting himself from all areas on the floor. He truly checks all the boxes and stands out as someone that could easily collect another dozen Division I offers over the next calendar year.
