Team 5
Coach: Austin Collins
#49: 5'7 '24 Kris Lewis (Green Hope)
Starting things off, we look at a player who impacted the game quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Kris Lewis. He's a wiry, scrappy guard prospect with an active motor on both ends of the floor. Lewis displayed IQ, unselfishness, and great balance between defense, playmaking, and apply scoring pressure from all levels. He utilizes his quickness to breakdown opponents and force turnovers at a nice rate. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open up more scoring opportunities alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Collins on Lewis: 'Kris is a ball hawk on defense! I love how he's able to defend the length of the floor. I just love it! He can pass, dribble, and score the ball well, especially for his size. Kris plays with heart, and that's going to take him far.' Lewis enjoyed a solid showing at camp, and should be a useful contributor for Green Hope over these next two seasons.
#87: 5'10 '24 Bobby Erwin Jr. (Hickory Grove)
Next, we look at a player who consistently found ways to produce within the flow of the action, Bobby Erwin Jr. He's a wiry, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with toughness, defensive prowess, and the ability to play with or without the ball in his hands. Erwin is a solid scorer from all levels, but also knows how to make his presence felt in transition. His quickness allows him to touch the paint at a high volume, where he's able to finish or set up others with relative ease. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him an even better finisher around the basket. Coach Collins on Erwin: 'Bobby plays both sides of the court! I love his passion for the game. He's a great defender and possesses a quick first step to the basket. Bobby can also shoot a little from deep and is very coachable.' Erwin did a variety of things well at camp and should be a useful piece for Hickory Grove during the upcoming season.
#109: 5'11 '26 Caleb Gaither (Providence)
Moving onto a player who highlighted a lot of positive flashes as one of the youngest campers on this team, Caleb Gaither. He's a long, wiry guard prospect with the ability to do a little bit of everything on the court. Gaither is a capable defender and active rebounder who looks to fill in the gaps however possible on both ends of the floor. He's a reliable shooter from midrange and beyond the arc, and can attack closeouts if necessary. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would allow him to become a better finisher around the basket. Coach Collins on Gaither: 'I want Caleb to shoot every wide-open shot he had, but he's a very pass-first player and I love that! He plays good defense and can take criticism in any form. Shoot more, shoot more, and shoot more, and Caleb will blossom.' Gaither made an impact during his time at camp, and will be a prospect to monitor over the coming years at Providence.
#129: 5'11 '25 Royce Darby (Hickory Ridge)
Continuing onto a player who showcased the ability to effectively operate within various different roles, Royce Darby. He's a long, wiry guard prospect with an active motor, unselfish mentality, and nice feel on both ends of the floor. Darby possesses a useful scoring arsenal from all three levels, but can affect the game without necessarily needing to score. He's an engaged defender, willing passer, and useful piece in transition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would only make him more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Collins on Darby: 'Royce has a high motor but sometimes lets the officiating get to him. If he leaves that alone, he is a good player! He can dribble and take opponents to the basket with his first dribble. He's a great kid with good upside. Royce can work on playing a little harder on defense. I loved his game.' Darby made a lasting impression at camp, and should be emerge as a useful piece for Hickory Ridge sooner than later.
#149: 6'1 '26 Cameron Tucker (Clayton)
Next, we look at a player who stood out with his motor and willingness to do the dirty work, Cameron Tucker. He's a young, long, tough wing/forward prospect with a team-first mentality and the ability to impact the game without needing a ton of touches. Tucker is a useful shooting threat and solid penetrator who finds ways to score within the flow of the action. He's a great off-ball cutter, defender, and overall hustle player. Tucker already does a lot of things well for his age. 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 Collins on Tucker: 'Cameron can be quiet at times, but that doesn't mean a thing. He reminds me of Kawhi'quiet but defends and does the little things. He displays a good IQ on both ends of the floor. If he continues to work on his three-point shooting, Cameron will be a fine player.' Tucker enjoyed a strong showing at camp, especially for his age, and is going to be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
#173: 6'2 '24 Malaki Long (Ashbrook)
Moving onto a player who arguably stood out as a main leader for his team during camp, Malaki Long. He's a smart, active, well-rounded guard prospect with a strong penetration sense and ability to affect all facets of the game. Long scored the ball from all levels, assumed creation duties whenever necessary, and outworked his assignment on a consistent basis defensively. Long made plays with and without the ball in his hands, and proved to be a positive teammate on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable ball-handler. Coach Collins on Long: 'Malaki can be a high-motor guy for a college team one day! He needs to keep working on his jumper and he'll be fine. He plays great defense and is very locked in while playing on the court. Malaki plays with grit, and can score the ball as well!' Long did a lot of things well at camp and should be a primary contributor for Ashbrook over these next two seasons.
#185: 6'2 '26 Zach Rankin (Corinth Holders)
Continuing onto a player who possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Zach Rankin. He's a young, wiry wing prospect with a clear understanding of how to properly move without the ball and rebound his position on both ends of the floor. Rankin is a capable creator and penetrator, but also knows how succeed as a spot-up threat and off-ball cutter. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would only make him more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Collins on Rankin: 'Zach is a kid who doesn't give up! He can be hard on himself if he misses shots, but that is okay'at least he is passionate about the game. Zach has a very good-looking shot and shows a willingness to play defense as well. He needs to be more vocal and take his time on his shot attempts. If he does that, then he will be a great 3-and-D player on the court.' Rankin highlighted a lot of enticing flashes at camp, and will be one to monitor over the coming years at Corinth Holders.
#204: 6'4 '24 Jordan Allen (Southlake Christian)
Next, we look at a player who is typically physically overwhelming for majority of opponents, Jordan Allen. He's a big, sturdy forward prospect with finishing ability and a useful amount of skill for his size and position. Allen can pass, dribble, shoot, and knows how to position himself for success as a defender and rebounder. He does a great job of finding open seams within the defense and applying pressure as a scoring option. Allen utilizes his body well to secure position around the basket. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better all-around defender. Coach Collins on Allen: 'Jordan has a football build and knows how to throw that weight and body around. He's not scared to get physical. He has a good shot and can pass if needed. This kid is very coachable and can knock down the three-point shot at a solid clip!' Allen did a variety of things well at camp, so it'll be exciting to see how his upcoming junior season unfolds for Southlake Christian.
#205: 6'4 '23 Landon Ingham (Avery County)
Moving onto, we look at a player who set the tone in numerous different ways at camp, Landon Ingham. He's a skilled, sturdy wing/forward prospect with some useful inside-out ability and rebounding prowess on both ends of the floor. Ingham defends his position well, forces turnovers, and makes unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands. He finishes seemingly everything he attempts around the basket, but can also space the floor at a nice rate. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Collins on Ingham: 'Landon can be very skilled at times and I loved that about him. He's smart on the floor and doesn't complain about anything. He works his butt off every play. He can drive and score at will, and has a good-looking shot!' Ingham made a nice impact during his time at camp, and should be poised for a productive senior season at Avery County.
#220: 6'7 '25 Tysere Payne (Winston-Salem)
Finishing up, we look at a player who possesses an intriguing collection of attributes, especially for his age, Tysere Payne. He's a long, sturdy post prospect with a enticing frame and obvious upside on both ends of the floor. Payne moves pretty well for his size and looks to overwhelm opponents whenever possible, but also plays nicely within the flow of the team concept. He secured rebounds, ran the floor, and forced multiple turnovers by intercepting passing lanes. 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 Collins on Payne: 'Ty has the height for college ball for sure, but needs to work on foot speed and post moves. Also, his attitude and is a great teammate. He needs to work on catching the ball and finishing! If Ty does that, he is going to be a problem!' Payne enjoyed a strong showing at camp, and will be one to keep an eye on over the coming years.