Team 1
Coach: Daymond Lindell
#8: 5’7 ’24 Zehren Hilton (Catawba Ridge)
Starting things off, we look at a player that consistently plays bigger than his size on both ends of the floor, Zehren Hilton. He’s a young, wiry, high-IQ guard prospect that knows how to constantly involve himself in the action despite a lack of size. Hilton is an unselfish playmaker and excellent perimeter shooter that continues to look stronger as a penetrating threat. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it’ll only make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Lindell on Hilton: “Z is a super-smart high-IQ player with maturity beyond his years. His body will catch up with his mind. He is a nice three-point shooter with good range and consistency. He handles the ball well with either hand and is a good passer. He needs to get stronger and will be a solid guard as he grows and develops physically and mentally. Zehren has big upside going forward.” Hilton seems to get better with each viewing, which certainly makes him one to keep an eye on going forward.
#59: 6’6 ’22 Jakwon Moore (Pender)
Next, we look at a player that was utterly and consistently dominant throughout his time at camp, Jakwon Moore. He’s a strong, athletic, well-rounded wing prospect with grit, toughness, and quality two-way versatility. Moore dictated the offensive action quite effectively as the primary creator and overall leader, attacking the rim, pulling-up from midrange, and getting others involved at a quality rate. He defended multiple positions and forced numerous turnovers, which allowed him to shine pretty frequently in transition. Moore also rebounded the ball at a fairly nonstop rate and made smart decisions on fast-breaks. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him virtually unstoppable. Coach Lindell on Moore: “Jakwon has a tremendous upside in that he’s super-athletic and knows the game. He changes speeds very well on offense and can finish well with either hand. He has a nice midrange to three-point jumper. Jakwon is a willing passer and playmaker. Once he decides to turn it up, he’s very difficult to contain.” Moore led his team to a championship while also securing the camp MVP with relative ease, and should ultimately have the attention of college coaches going forward.
#76: 5’9 ’21 Joshua Mosley (Neuse Christian)
Moving onto a player that showcased a pretty well-rounded skillset and approach during camp, Joshua Mosley. He’s a tough, scrappy guard prospect with great penetration instincts and the ability to create for himself or others. Mosley can effectively run a team while containing the point of attack on the other end. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more consistent finisher through contact. Coach Lindell on Mosley: “Josh is a complete team player. He’s a point guard with nice handles and good court vision. He stays ahead of the ball on both ends of the floor and can defend for 94 feet. Josh pushes the ball well on the offensive break. He’s super cat-quick and is an even-handed dribbler. Josh can shoot the midrange, attack the basket, and knows how to change speeds to his advantage. He’s a good dribble-drive penetrator.” Mosley did a lot of things well throughout camp and could be poised for a productive upcoming summer.
#77: 5’9 ’22 Amarya Huggins (Southwest Guilford)
Continuing onto a player that found a way to make his presence felt with any collection of teammates, Amarya Huggins. He’s a long, wiry, athletic guard prospect with great defensive anticipation and the ability to force turnovers at a solid rate. Huggins is a solid ball-handler and scorer that can create or find opportunities as a cutter. He makes the extra pass whenever available and makes smart decisions in transition. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it will take his offensive game to another level. Coach Lindell on Huggins: “Amarya is a nice complementary guard at either backcourt position. He penetrates well and drives to dish the ball often. He can hit the three-pointer but is more efficient from midrange or when utilizing his tear drop shot. He defends 94 feet and proved to be a good help-side defender. Amarya’s athletic talent will carry him far.” Huggins enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be worth noting throughout his continued progression.
#95: 5’11 ’21 Glenwood Robinson Jr. (Mooresville)
Next, we look at a player that was able to do a nice amount of everything at camp, Glenwood Robinson Jr. He’s a smart, scrappy, unselfish guard prospect with toughness and a fairly high two-way motor. Robinson offers a useful scoring presence but can also work to create for others. Next in his development process is working on his shooting off the dribble, as it would take his scoring ability to another level. Coach Lindell on Robinson: “Glenwood is a swingman with high basketball IQ. He sees the floor well in transition and displays good vision and court sense with the ball in his hands. What I like most about this kid is his ability to get you a bucket whenever you need one. He’s a good ball-handler with good passing skills and nice off-ball cutting instincts. He plays smart basketball, has an excellent attitude, and was a part of the camp championship team.” Robinson continues to improve with each viewing and should continue being a name worth noting.
#96: 5’11 ’20 Jase Ford (Overhills)
Moving onto a player that simply knows how to run a team with poise and intelligence, Jase Ford. He’s a smart, quick, heady point guard prospect with excellent vision and the ability to score in a variety of different ways. Ford excels in transition or in the half-court, given how he’s able to breakdown the opposing defense and attack the seams. He makes the extra pass and right play with unwavering consistency. Ford utilizes his quickness to mirror his assignment on defense, force turnovers, and get downhill on the other end. He’s a quality perimeter shooter with great change of pace and solid rebounding instincts for his size/position. 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 Lindell on Ford: “Jase is a point guard and bucket-getter. His catch-and-shoot is outstanding, as is his shooting off the dribble and overall mechanics. He displays good footwork, quickness, and big-play ability as a shooter or playmaker. He is a stopper on defense with the skills to play multiple positions. He has a high motor and knows the game.” Ford continues to display the makings of a college-level guard and could be a quality late addition for various programs.
#118: 6’2 ’20 Davis Grooms (Lincolnton)
Continuing onto a player that was easily among the most impressive guards on display, Davis Grooms. He’s a wiry, high-IQ guard prospect with an incredible balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Grooms is crafty and looks extremely comfortable operating as the primary ball-handler, able to run an effective half-court offense, two-man game, or up-tempo threat in transition. His passing was undeniably sharp throughout camp and was quietly a major part of this team’s championship run. Grooms is a quality perimeter shooter with great anticipation and instincts off the dribble. He’s also a useful rebounder and overall defender that knows how to position himself for success. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it’ll make him an even tougher finisher through contact. Coach Lindell on Grooms: “Davis is an all-around player. He’s good in transition and takes no plays off. This kid is a bucket. He is much faster than he looks and has big-play capability. Davis has good footwork, court vision, and moves very well without the ball. He makes plays on both ends of the floor.” Grooms was one of the most productive players at camp, securing the Mr. Playmaker award with relative ease, and could be a quality late addition for a lot of college programs.
#128: 6’3 ’21 Mandrell Johnson (Scotland)
Next, we look at a player that really stood out with his nonstop two-way motor, Mandrell Johnson. He’s a long, active, fairly athletic wing/forward prospect with phenomenal rebounding instincts on both ends of the floor. Johnson is a useful creator, second-chance scorer, and all-around defender that makes his presence felt in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more polished interior scorer. Coach Lindell on Johnson: “Mandrell puts in work. This kid will defend if you need a stop. He gives you great energy. He’s good in transition, defense, good on-ball defender; Mandrell makes plays on and off the ball. He has a very high basketball IQ and gives 100% effort on every possession. He was a key person for this team and their success in winning the camp championship. Mandrell can continue to work on getting stronger.” Johnson enjoyed a fairly productive showing at camp and could be poised for a strong upcoming summer season.
#139: 6’5 ’23 Beckham Tharpe (North Iredell)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a strong crossroads between production and long-term upside, Beckham Tharpe. He’s a long, wiry forward/post prospect that understands how to successfully rebound and move without the ball on both ends of the floor. Tharpe is a solid penetrator and displays touch with either hand around the basket. He can knock down perimeter jumpers at a useful rate but doesn’t typically force the action offensively. Tharpe plays hard and tough inside the paint, consistently working to alter shots and secure extra possessions. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him an even better rebounder and rim-protector. Coach Lindell on Tharpe: “Beckham is a 6-foot-5 swingman/forward with the ability to finish at the rim. He also can hit the jumper out to thirty feet. He’s a playmaker with the ball in his hands and sees the floor in transition. His quickness gives him the mechanics to play good on-ball defense and rebound his position well. Beckham plays with a high motor and gives maximum effort on every play.” Tharpe enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a prospect worth keeping an eye on over the coming years.