Team 9
Coach: Harold Smith
#18: 5’8 ’21 Lavonte Hughes (Cherryville)
Starting things off, we look at a player that embodies the “heart over height” notion quite well, Lavonte Hughes. He’s a smart, quick point guard prospect that plays bigger than his size on both ends of the floor. Hughes is an exceptional penetrator with the ability to finish strong through contact with either hand or setup teammates. He’s a great defender and solid perimeter shooter that can make plays and operate effectively without the ball. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as it would allow him to attack the glass and then immediately push the break in transition. Coach Smith on Hughes: “Lavonte is a real good player that listens and proved to be very coachable. He could be a good point guard for some teams. Lavonte is a very good hustle player that brings great team energy to the table.” Hughes enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be poised for a productive upcoming senior season, especially if he continues to work.
#41: 5’11 ’22 Dylan Khan (South Garner)
Next, we look at a player that offered an extremely well-rounded presence throughout camp, especially for his age, Dylan Khan. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect that highlighted his ability to do a little bit of everything on the court. Khan plays with a high motor and shows a clear willingness to make hustle plays whenever possible, including sprinting back on defense in transition. He scores the ball with efficiency from all three levels and can create fairly well for himself or others. 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 Smith on Khan: “Dylan is a really good shooter that listens very well. He has a high motor and brings great energy to the team. He loves to win and is a good player for some coaches. He is a good hustler that works very hard on the court.” Khan worked hard during his time at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
#84: 5’10 ’20 Javarus Keith (Harrells Christian)
Moving onto a player that stood out consistently with his all-around abilities on both ends of the floor, Javarus Keith. He’s a long, smart, athletic guard prospect with an excellent motor and nice two-way versatility. Keith is an efficient three-level scorer with quickness, sharp ball-handling instincts, and the ability to finish through any amount of contact. He’s tough and can be a leader on either end of the floor, given his willingness to rebound, defend, and force turnovers. Keith is great in transition, both with and without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler. Coach Smith on Keith: “Javarus is a really quick point guard that can push the ball in transition. He has a high IQ when playing the game. He has the potential to play at the next level. Javarus has a winning attitude and is a very good listener. He has an overall great feel for the game. He’s a very strong, intelligent, ambitious guard.” Keith was among the better floor generals on this team and could be a nice late addition for the right program.
#89: 5’10 ’23 Caleb Senyo (Veritas Christian)
Continuing onto a player that possesses a strong crossroads between production and long-term upside, Caleb Senyo. He’s a smart, wiry, young point guard prospect with the ability to run a team with poise and polish. Senyo can operate from either backcourt position and makes his scoring presence felt from all three levels. He defends well, fights for rebounds, and looks to make the best available play on offense. Senyo sees the game well, especially for his age, and can carve out a useful role with any collection of teammates. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him an even better penetrating threat. Coach Smith on Senyo: “Caleb is a very effective all-around player that gave great effort and listened very well throughout the day. He’s a very coachable player with good shooting and dribbling skills. Overall, Caleb is a solid, well-rounded guard with potential. He can continue working on shooting and off-ball defense.” Senyo continues to make strides with each new viewing and should ultimately be poised for a very productive upcoming summer season.
#109: 6’1 ’23 Eli Osborne (Kings Mountain)
Next, we look at a player that made a lasting impression with his overall performance at camp, Eli Osborne. He’s a young, wiry, well-rounded guard prospect with a high motor and clear team-first mentality. Osborne proved to be a terrific perimeter shooter that can attack the basket and create for himself and others off the dribble. He defends very well and naturally forces turnovers with his positioning and anticipation instincts. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him a more physical player on both ends of the floor. Coach Smith on Osborne: “Eli is a strong player with a good attitude and perimeter shot. He is a player that you can depend on to get his job done. He is a very good listener. Eli could play at the next level, he is young and has a lot of potential as a true guard. He’s a good team player overall, possessing great attributes, intangibles, and potential to be a wonderful basketball player for years to come.” Osborne enjoyed an excellent showing at camp and will be a prospect to watch progress over the coming years.
#114: 6’1 ’22 Jaylen Hartsfield (Wakefield)
Moving onto a player that offered his team with a steady, reliable two-way presence, Jaylen Hartsfield. He’s a long, wiry, high-motor wing prospect with efficient three-level scoring ability and a quality overall feel for the game. Hartsfield is a rangy defender that knows how to utilize his length to eliminate operating space and force turnovers. He rebounds, runs the floor in transition, and can score the ball in a variety of ways. 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 Smith on Hartsfield: “Jaylen is a good listener and displays a great feel for the game. He has a great attitude and is very coachable. Jaylen plays hard on both ends of the floor and understands how to work with his teammates. He made his presence felt with or without the ball in his hands throughout camp.” Hartsfield enjoyed a pretty productive showing at camp and should emerge as a primary contributor for Wakefield sooner than later.
#126: 6’3 ’21 Isaac Wallace (Laney)
Continuing onto a player that was arguably the most versatile prospect on this team, Isaac Wallace. He’s a long, skilled, and understands how to consistently affect all facets of the game. Wallace is a terrific ball-handler and passer, especially for his size, and utilizes his quickness to exploit mismatches. He attacks the basket with regularity, where he’s able to finish strong or setup others. Wallace also possesses great footwork and made his presence felt as a transition defender. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Smith on Wallace: “Isaac is a real good player that knows how to rebound the ball well on both ends of the floor. He’s very coachable, displays a great attitude, and listens very well at all times. He brings great energy to the table, always hustling hard to make plays. He is a real good player for any type of team.” Wallace did a lot of things well during camp and could be a player to keep an eye on over the next calendar year.
#129: 6’3 ’20 Bryce Causey (Southwest Guilford)
Next, we look at a player that continues to be one of the most productive two-way performers around, Bryce Causey. He’s a smart, wiry, high-motor guard prospect that truly knows how to do a little bit of everything while relentlessly scoring the ball from all three levels. Causey is an extremely instinctive cutter and quality spot-up threat that simply knows how to make plays without the ball. He’s also a reliable creator with the ability to generate and convert clean looks from all three levels. Causey is phenomenal in transition, both with and without the ball, and can make plays for himself or others. He rebounds and defends very well for his position, understanding how to play passing lanes and force turnovers at a pretty strong rate. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Smith on Causey: “Bryce is a real good player that is coachable and displays a positive attitude. He’s a great shooter that can alter the course of a game with his play.” Causey was quite impressive throughout camp, getting recognition as a top unsigned senior, and will be a great fit at a variety of programs at the next level.
#148: 6’10 ’22 Micah Handlogten (Southlake Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was easily among the most enticing long-term prospects on display, Micah Handlogten. He’s a long, wiry post prospect with phenomenal size and fluidity, especially for his age. Handlogten showed touch with either hand, great rebounding instincts, and the ability to protect the rim at a fairly high level. He’s tougher and more aggressive than opponents tend to think, which allows him to control the paint quite effectively on both ends of the floor. Handlogten moves well without the ball, makes the extra pass whenever available, and simply knows how to maximize his role on the court. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him an even more dominant interior presence. Coach Smith on Handlogten: “Micah is a really good rebounder. He’s very coachable and listens very well to any instruction. Micah can work harder to see the floor better. He moves well for his size and can block shots very well.” Handlogten was undeniably impressive at camp and truly possesses all the tools to attract the attention of Division I programs from this point forward.