North Carolina Jr. Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations
Team 4
Coach Kee
#8: 4'10 '25 Trenton Horne (Franklinton, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player that brought an excellent attitude and demeanor to camp, Trenton Horne. He's a guard prospect with a strong motor and quality feel for the game. Horne possesses solid quickness and was able to consistently get by opponents throughout the day. He displayed nice vision and playmaking instincts on penetration chances, assisting to open teammates whenever possible. Horne did a great job of containing his assignment on defense and even forced a few turnovers on the day. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it would make him a more reliable finisher and two-way rebounder. Coach Kee on Horne: 'Trenton plays with good energy on both sides of the ball. He hustles and passes to the open man. Trenton knocked down shots and drove strong to the basket. He plays with passion and has a high basketball IQ.' Horne showcased his upside as a point guard and should continue developing all facets of his game, as he could be a really intriguing prospect.
#9:4'11 '25 Alexander Brodie (Wendell, NC)
Next, we look at a player that made noticeable unselfish contributions throughout the day, Alexander Brodie. He's a tough guard that penetrates nicely and scores on all three levels while constantly getting his teammates involved in the action. Brodie is a willing passer that sees the floor well and displays a quality feel for the game. Defensively, he was a suffocating on-ball defender with great lateral movement and positioning. That being said, he can still improve his focus when slotted off-ball on defense. Next in his development process is working on the utilization of his off-hand, as it would allow him to attack more angles on the court. Coach Kee on Brodie: 'Alexander is a skilled offensive player with nice leadership qualities and a team-first approach to the game. He can create offense for himself, or others, and makes his teammates better. Alexander is a great kid that works hard!' Brodie had a strong showing at camp and should be one to watch progress over the next few years.
#13:5'0 '24 Tyler Crider (Weddington, NC)
Moving onto a player that did an excellent job of highlighting his craftiness and efficient scoring ability, Tyler Crider. He's a guard prospect that can play with or without the ball and make a strong impact. Offensively, Crider can create offense for himself or slide off-ball and cause havoc as a cutter or spot-up shooter. He's a capable shot-maker from all levels, but doesn't try to ever force the action and consistently displays a team-first approach to the game. Crider is an able on-ball defender that can force turnovers, but his presence in transition can definitely improve. Next in his development process is working on setting the tone with his defensive leadership, as it would make him a very promising two-way prospect. Coach Kee on Crider: 'Tyler is a great kid that worked hard on both sides of the floor. He's a skilled player with a good understanding of the game. He's a great teammate and willing passer. Tyler should continue to work on his defensive concept off the ball.' Crider should continuing developing his game while maintaining the strong foundation he's already put in place.
#16:5'6 '23 Cole Thomas (Oak Ridge, NC)
Continuing onto a player that really excelled at a variety of offensive facets throughout camp, Cole Thomas. He's a guard prospect with an exceptional blend of IQ, motor, and creation ability. Offensively, Thomas can generate scoring opportunities in an instant, both for himself and others, and is always an unselfish teammate. He can score efficiently from all levels on the court, but his ability to score off the dribble is arguably his best avenue for points. Thomas knows how to operate without the ball and rebounded quite well for his size/position during camp. He looked to push the pace whenever possible and made multiple plays in transition. Next in his development process is working on his overall defensive presence, as he could become a really strong two-way prospect with added work. Coach Kee on Thomas: 'Cole is a skilled offensive playmaker. He can create for himself and others and does so with great regularity. He should continue to work on team defense and guarding the ball. Cole is a great kid and prospect.' Thomas consistently outworked his assignment and should be a prospect worth monitoring over the next few years.
#17:4'9 '26 Corey Thomas (Oak Ridge, NC)
Next, we look at a player that provided his team with an infectious energy on both sides of the ball, Corey Thomas. He's a young guard prospect with a team-first approach to the game, constantly looking to get others involved and make the hustle plays whenever necessary. Thomas displays a great motor and fights ferociously on the glass, frequently securing extra possessions for his team and pushing the break. He knocked down open shots throughout the day and scored multiple baskets as an off-ball cutter around the basket. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his ball-handling and utilization of his off-hand, as it would make him a much more dynamic point guard. Coach Kee on Thomas: 'Corey brought an excellent attitude to our team and was able to make plays on both ends of the floor. He guarded his assignment well and played a mature brand of basketball for his age.' Thomas is going to keep getting better with continued work and repetitions, which could become a scary sight for opponents.
#18:4'9 '25 Jon Mwanda (Wake Forest, NC)
Moving onto a player that was able to elevate his teammates on both ends of the floor, Jon Mwanda. He's a guard prospect with excellent scoring ability, able to apply pressure off the dribble as a penetrator or off-ball as a cutter and spot-up shooter. Mwanda shot the ball efficiently from the floor and was comfortably scoring from anywhere on the court. He's pretty crafty and can create offensive opportunities for himself and others nicely, especially after getting by his assignment and touching the paint. Mwanda forced numerous turnovers when defending the point of attack and scored well in transition. Next in his development process is working on his focus as an off-ball defender, as it would make him an even better two-way presence. Coach Kee on Mwanda: 'Jon is a very skilled offensive player with a high IQ and great playmaking instincts. He is a great kid that works hard on the court and looks to create for his teammates whenever possible. He should continue working on his concept of team defense.' Mwanda is already an intriguing prospect that can regularly contribute to any group of teammates, so it'll be interesting to see how his game develops going forward.
#29:5'3 '24 Malique Johnson (North Atlanta, GA)
Continuing onto a player that made a strong impression as one of the top performers in attendance, Malique Johnson. He's a point guard prospect with natural vision and phenomenal playmaking instincts. Johnson scored relentlessly from all three levels and consistently left his assignment in the dust when looking to penetrate. He possesses a great motor and overall nose for the ball, allowing him to attack opposing ball-handlers and stop them in their tracks. He's a bully on defense with his ability to force turnovers and leave opponents frustrated. Johnson's high IQ and innate sense for the game is clear in the way he carries himself on offense. Next in his development process is working on becoming a more disciplined off-ball defender, as it would make him a tremendous two-way prospect. Coach Kee on Johnson: 'Malique is a competitive, high IQ, skilled guard. He displays a good feel for the game and is an unselfish playmaker. Malique was one of the most poised guards at camp. He should continue to work on his help defense capabilities away from the ball.' Johnson simply understands how to make a constant impact on the game without forcing the action or stepping outside his comfort zone and will be one to watch going forward.
#30: 5'3 '24 Reeves Cates (Pinehurst, NC)
Next, we look at a player that showcased an incredible motor on both sides of the ball during his time at camp, Reeves Cates. He's a guard prospect that looks to lead by example, making hustle plays, getting after loose balls, and willingly defending any opponent in his path. Cates is pretty quick and gets downhill with relative ease; he attacked the rim frequently and finished a strong amount of his chances at the rim. His energy is infectious and motivates others to work harder. Cates has a great feel for the game and was able to make an abundance of quality passes to cutting teammates. Next in his development process is continuing to work on the utilization of his off-hand, as it would allow him to attack more angles on the court. Coach Kee on Cates: 'Reeves is a high-energy, high IQ guard. He competes and plays unselfishly. He has soft touch on his jumper but should continue working on his release point, as it will elevate his offensive skillset. Reeves is a great kid!' Cates' blue-collar approach will always leave an impression on coaches, and that was the exact case at camp.
#41: 5'5 '24 Brandon Anderson (Clayton, NC)
Moving onto a player that was arguably the most valuable two-way performer on this team, Brandon Anderson. He's versatile and somewhat positionless at this level, since he can disrupt opponents in so many different ways. Anderson scored a strong majority of his points through causing turnovers and zooming past everyone in transition. He was also able to consistently knock down shots from midrange and beyond the arc, but his ability to attack the rim was clearly his most reliable scoring avenue. Anderson rebounded extremely well on both ends of the floor and willingly created scoring opportunities for his teammates whenever possible. Anderson is already very smart and exemplifies an incredible feel for the game, especially for a seventh grader. Next in his development process is continuing to refine his overall shooting mechanics, as it would likely help improve his consistency as a shooter. Coach Kee on Anderson: 'Brandon has versatility and a great feel for scoring the ball. He does a great job of creating offense for himself and others while outworking his assignment on both ends of the floor.' Anderson enjoyed a strong showing at camp and should continue working to maximize his phenomenal long-term potential.
#45: 5'5 '25 Clark Coats (Boiling Springs, SC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a lot of intrigue and long-term upside as a prospect, Clark Coats. He's a wiry forward prospect with nice size for his age and the ability to stretch the floor consistently. Coats utilizes his length well to extend by the outstretched arms of opponents when finishing around the basket. He is an efficient three level scorer with the ability to handle the ball in transition and make quality reads as a playmaker. Coats can destroy opponents with his ability to operate and consistently score out of the post. He moves really well without the ball and creates his own success with quality positioning without the ball. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it would make him a tougher interior presence on defense. Coach Kee on Coats: 'Clark has a great offensive feel for the game. He has soft touch around the basket and extended range on his jumper. He's very unselfish and should improve on his defensive footwork.' Coats is going to become a nice player, especially if he continues working on refining his game.