The travel ball season is officially underway for the majority of programs throughout North Carolina. Given the general growth and expansion of summer basketball, there are more teams than ever before. Many groups are being formed without any concept of how to actually structure a basketball team. Not the Carolina Riptide. They are among the very few programs who specifically hunt for guys who fit the mold. While they’ve had some exciting groups in the past, this current squad might be their most entertaining team yet. Let’s look at their pieces…
Whether travel ball or the high school season, folks should know that so much of team success is centered around point guard play and their ability to dictate the action. Fortunately, the Riptide have 6’0 Lincoln Raper (2026) and his blend of IQ, balance, and overall leadership. We wrote about him extensively yesterday (read here) and detailed what makes him such a difference-maker for this group. Ultimately, his lethal perimeter shooting, creation skills off the bounce, feel as a playmaker, and reliable defensive presence make him as valuable as anyone on the roster.
It didn’t take long to notice 6’6 Will Hall (2027) and the strides he’s made over the recent months. He’s a wiry, skilled forward who naturally causes matchup problems despite his slender frame. Hall is an excellent shooter for his size with the ability to post up, finish with either hand, and attack off the bounce. He regularly plays above the rim and battles well through contact around the basket. Hall utilizes his length well inside the paint, especially when securing rebounds and altering shots defensively. Add in the fact that he’s young for his grade, and his appeal is quite apparent.
Utility pieces are so meaningful in the overall scheme of things, and 6’4 Noah VanBeurden (2026) already stands out as a seamless addition to this group. In addition to playing hard and making hustle plays, VanBeurden understands how to impact all facets of the game. He’s able to excel within a role or operate as a focal point and find success in either situation. VanBeurden is a capable initiator and passer who mixes it up well as a scorer from all levels, moves without the ball, and naturally fills in the gaps however necessary. He has no real weaknesses within his game. His blend of IQ, size, skill, and athleticism allow him to consistently produce. Expect him to be a target for college coaches this summer.
Given the aforementioned importance of point guard play, 6’0 Braylen Todd (2026) clearly adds another smart, reliable floor general to this group. He’s an incredibly steady piece who sets the offense, creates for others, and contains opponents at the point of attack defensively. Todd primarily looks to get others involved but is more than capable of applying scoring pressure in various ways. He touches the paint at a high volume and plays well off two feet to finish or locate open teammates. Todd can also knock down jumpers off the catch or pull-ups off the bounce. He’s a capable rebounder who applies quality pressure in transition and makes hustle plays on a regular basis. Todd should appeal to several types of next-level programs.
There simply aren’t many players with a willingness to do the little things, which is a big part of what makes 6’2 Rodney Gidney (2026) such a difference-maker for this team. He’s a capable finisher and willing passer who can involve himself in the offense as needed. However, most of Gidney’s value comes from his rebounding presence, defensive prowess, and nonstop energy on both ends of the floor. His motor and mentality quietly make him a very valuable piece for this group.
It’s been amazing to watch 6’5 Drew Neve (2027) and his continued transition from a blue-collar guy to a versatile piece on both ends of the floor. While he still maintains his high motor and rugged mentality, it’s easy to see the strides he’s made within his overall skillset. Neve is a physical, athletic forward with the ability to knock down shots, attack the basket, and make decisions with the ball in his hands. He scored from all levels while consistently setting the tone as a rebounder and switching across multiple positions defensively. Neve’s toughness and nose for the ball allows him to regularly outwork opponents for extra possessions. He should remain a leader for this group.
Although this squad has various guys who can score the ball, 6’3 Jacob Mills (2027) is still among the most lethal spot-up threats in North Carolina. He’s improved as a creator and can score the ball from all levels, but plays to his strengths as a marksman and looks to apply pressure from beyond the arc. Mills moves very well without the ball, gets to his spots, sets up quickly, and displays a quick release off the catch. He’s also a pesky defender who positions himself well to force turnovers and secure rebounds. Although he didn’t knock down shots at his normal clip last weekend, Mills is still an elite shooting threat.