Team 7
Coach: Stephen Jones
#12: 5’9 ’21 Michael Conrad (Atkins)
Starting things off, we look at a player that highlighted his ability to effectively run a team on both ends of the floor, Michael Conrad. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with a strong balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Conrad handles the ball well and knows how to navigate through traffic quite effortlessly. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler with relative ease. Coach Jones on Conrad: “Michael is a point guard with great vision and excellent ball-handling skills. He does a good job of getting his nose in the action. Michael finishes well around the basket with either hand. He played hard on both ends of the floor. Michael maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Conrad enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role during the upcoming season at Atkins.
#28: 6’0 ’23 Jaeden Allen (Atkins)
Next, we look at a player that competed and impacted the game well despite being among the youngest and smallest prospects on this team, Jaeden Allen. He’s a tough, scrappy, intelligent guard prospect with a knockdown midrange jumper and excellent ball skills. Allen possesses a quality handle, vision, and unselfish mentality when attacking the basket. He defends and rebounds bigger than his size would imply and knows how to push the break in transition with relative ease. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better penetrator. Coach Jones on Allen: “Jaeden is a small guy but great rebounder for his size. He has great potential at the guard position. He scores the ball very well from inside the arc. Jaeden played hard on both ends of the floor. He maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Allen enjoyed a great showing at camp and will be a prospect to watch progress over the coming years at Atkins.
#38: 6’0 ’22 Todd Ragland (Henderson Collegiate)
Moving onto a player that showed a clear willingness to do whatever necessary to provide his team with an edge, Todd Ragland. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with a reliable shooting stroke and the ability to finish effectively around the basket. Ragland gives great energy on defense and pursues loose balls at a consistent rate whenever he’s on the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him an even tougher spot-up threat. Coach Jones on Ragland: “Todd is a team player that is solid at pretty much everything. With continued skill work, he can take his game to another level. He played hard on both ends of the floor. Todd maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Ragland worked hard throughout camp and could emerge as a useful contributor over the coming years at Henderson Collegiate.
#55: 6’2 ’20 Christopher Beam (Atkins)
Continuing onto a player that seemed to shine brightest whenever his team needed it most, Christopher Beam. He’s a smart, strong, skilled guard prospect that can operate from either backcourt position, given his blend of shooting and ball-handling. Beam scores on all three levels and possesses a high motor, which allows him to cause havoc on the defensive end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would allow him to become a craftier finisher around the basket. Coach Jones on Beam: “Chris is a great point guard with a high IQ. He plays with a high motor at all times. Chris showed that he is college-level material. He played hard on both ends of the floor. Chris maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Beam was vital at camp, leading his team through the playoffs and securing the Tournament MVP with relative ease, so it’ll be exciting to see how performs during the upcoming season at Atkins.
#67: 6’3 ’23 Cade Nicholson (Charlotte Christian)
Next, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Cade Nicholson. He’s a young, skilled, fairly well-rounded wing prospect that shoots the ball at an extremely high level from the perimeter. Nicholson displayed the ability to handle the ball pretty well, but typically works as a cutter and spot-up threat. He also proved to be a reliable defender and rebounder 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 an even better finisher around the basket. Coach Jones on Nicholson: “Cade is a hard worker, especially without the ball in his hands. He’s a great shooter with a high IQ. Cade does a lot of things well on the court. He played hard on both ends of the floor. Cade maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Nicholson made a quality impact, especially for his age, and should be one to keep an eye on throughout his continued progression at Charlotte Christian.
#82: 6’4 ’22 Kyle Bean (Carmel Christian)
Moving onto a player that showcased a pretty smooth, steady all-around skillset and approach during camp, Kyle Bean. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect that does a quality amount of everything on the court. Bean shoots, passes, and handles the ball well for his size, but also possesses great defensive instincts. He can create with the ball or work as a cutter/spot-up threat without it. Bean has the ability to play in a variety of different roles and can expand his production as needed. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more physical presence on both ends of the floor. Coach Jones on Bean: “Kyle is a great guard with a high IQ and motor. There are a lot of college programs that could really use this kid. Kyle is an all-around player with a lot of skill for his size/position. He played hard on both ends of the floor. Kyle maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Bean was terrific during camp and should play an integral part in the success of Carmel Christian throughout the upcoming season.
#89: 6’4 ’20 Austin Locklear (Cape Fear Christian)
Continuing onto a player that seems to look more and more poised for a potential breakout season, Austin Locklear. He’s a smart, athletic wing prospect with a well-rounded offensive skillset and a quality frame for his position. Locklear is a useful defender that utilizes his body and motor to fight for rebounds and force turnovers. He knows how to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on his craftiness as a ball-handler, as it would make him a more reliable offensive threat. Coach Jones on Locklear: “Austin is a shooting guard that loves to attack. He’s a great passer with a high IQ. He scored the ball in a variety of ways and applied pressure from all three levels. Austin played hard on both ends of the floor. He maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Locklear enjoyed another productive showing at camp and could be a useful addition for the right college program.
#90: 6’4 ’20 Kalib Matthews (Henderson Collegiate)
Next, we look at a player that continues to look like an absolute diamond in the rough and one of the most underrated prospects in the state, Kalib Matthews. He’s a long, skilled, athletic wing prospect with an incredibly smooth, reliable perimeter shooting-stroke. Matthews is already tabbed as one of the best shooters in the state, but keeps getting better at attacking closeouts. He continues to become more versatile and aggressive on both ends of the floor. Matthews rebounds well and knows how to push the ball extremely well in transition. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it’ll help him prepare for the physicality of the college game. Coach Jones on Matthews: “Kalib is an all-around player that is highly athletic. He can score the ball from all three levels and shoots it extremely well from beyond the arc. Kalib played hard on both ends of the floor. He maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Matthews showed flashes of dominance during camp and has all the tools to have a big-time season at Henderson Collegiate.
#102: 6’5 ’20 Avante Matthews (Atkins)
Moving onto a player that really stood out with his nonstop motor and blue-collar approach on both ends of the floor, Avante Matthews. He’s a big, strong-bodied forward/post prospect with excellent feel for his skillset. Matthews finishes extremely well with either hand and through any amount of contact. He utilizes his body nicely and knows how to make plays without necessarily requiring offensive touches. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Jones on Matthews: “Avante is a great rebounder with a strong motor. He’s all over the court in pursuit of rebounds and extra possessions. Avante knows how to clear out space around the basket to position himself for box-outs. He played hard on both ends of the floor. Avante maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Matthews enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a vital piece during the upcoming season for Atkins.
#110: 6’9 ’21 Keeyan Itejere (GRACE Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was certainly among the most enticing long-term prospects on display, Keeyan Itejere. He’s a long, wiry, extremely athletic forward prospect that is still truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his upside. Itejere has a ridiculous motor and defensive versatility, which allows him to truly defend all five positions while rebounding and protecting the rim at a terrific level. He’s also able to score the ball in a variety of different ways, including post-ups, spot-ups, and the ability to attack the basket effectively off the dribble. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it’ll only make him more difficult to contain on either end of the floor. Coach Jones on Itejere: “Keeyan is a great athletic with strong defensive instincts and the ability to penetrate to the basket. He’s a scoring machine and decent three-point shooter. Keeyan played hard on both ends of the floor. He maintained a positive attitude, accepted coaching well, and was a good teammate.” Itejere was phenomenal throughout camp and continues to look like a very likely candidate to break out this season and really blow-up as a recruit.