By: Noah Hooper
6’8 2023 Patrick Tivnan (Team Hope 2023 Laney)
Coming from the long well-coached program of Charlotte Catholic, Tivnan really showed how much of a valuable asset he is to his team this morning as he completely dominated the glass on both sides of the floor. At 6’7, Tivnan’s versatile offensive skill set stood out as well as he is able to put the ball on the deck to get what he wants in the lane. Furthermore, Tivnan showed how dedicated he is to running the floor which really makes him stand out as it gives him opportunities to show his soft touch around the rim. On the defensive side of the ball, Tivan was really good this morning using his length to disrupt shots around the rim, which makes him a great defensive asset for his team. I have heard a lot about this kid, and in the short time I have seen him play, he has all the tools to play at the next level. I expect him to play a huge role for Mike King at Charlotte Catholic this year making an impact on both sides of the ball like he did this morning.
6’5 2023 Kaleb Parker (Team Hope 2023 Laney)
Alongside Tivnan on this Team Hope squad, Parker really showed me how high his ceiling is as a player given his length and smooth style of play this morning. What really impressed me about Parker was his willingness to run the floor, which is a lost art at the high school level for big men. He also showcased his smooth mid-range shooting stroke as he caught my eye with a nice jumper at the high post. Moreover, he showed me that he has the ability to handle the ball a little bit, which is a part of his game that will really make him a dangerous player in the next couple years if it improves. College coaches should really check this kid out because I think his style of play could fit many programs at the next level.
6’1 2022 Cole Sinclair (Durham Hurricanes)
To put it in simple terms, Cole was doing it all for his team this morning. He was scoring in bunches, finding his teammates, and playing really hard on both ends of the floor. What had me locked in on Sinclair on the offensive end was his shot making ability as he was able to hit step-backs, pull-ups, and spot-ups. He is also very good at using his strong frame to attack the rim and get what he wants in the lane. This is another player that has all the tools to play at the next level and will add a lot to a program in the future.
6’10 2022 Melian Martinez (Big Shots Elite NC 2022)
What really intrigues me about Melian is his size and athleticism. This is another player that has a really high ceiling as his size and soft touch around the rim give him an advantage over most bigs at the high school level. He also showed me that he is willing to run the floor hard which opens up opportunities for his team. This is definitely a kid college coaches should look at if they are looking for someone with length, athleticism, shot-blocking ability, and touch.
6’2 2024 Dellquan Warren (Wildcat Select 3SSB)
When watching Warren, the first thing that stands out is his athleticism. The way he was able to use his speed and athletic ability to get what he wanted in transition, as well as in the half-court was impeccable. Although he is an elite athlete, his passing ability is likely to go unnoticed as he did a really nice job playing a floor general role and showcasing his vision in transition as he made really good decisions in the open court. College coaches are definitely on the lookout for this kid as his athletic ability and passing is next level.