Team 6
Coach: Bronal Gary
#61: 5'9 '23 Samuel Hepler (Fred T. Foard)
Starting things off, we look at a player that was quite impactful on both ends of the floor, especially for his age, Samuel Hepler. He's a smart, skilled point guard prospect with a terrific jumper from midrange and beyond the arc. Hepler displays an advanced feel for his age and is able to set up others at a solid rate or apply nonstop pressure as a spot-up threat. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him an even better finisher through contact. Coach Gary on Hepler: 'Sam has a high basketball IQ. He always makes the extra pass and looks to share the ball. He has great mechanics on his jumper and doesn't force anything. In addition, he has a nice floater and knows when to properly utilize it. He will need to continue getting stronger, work on his ball-handling in the half court, and taking his shot off the dribble in order to reach the next level in his skillset.' Hepler showed a lot of ability, especially on offense, and will be one to watch grow over the coming years.
#67: 5'9 '23 Maxwell Dobson (Burlington Christian)
Next, we look at a player that competed well despite being one of the youngest prospects on this team, Maxwell Dobson. He's an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect that typically works without the ball as a cutter and decent spot-up threat. Dobson made a ton of hustle plays and outworked bigger/stronger opponents on the glass with frequency. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would allow him to make more plays as a secondary creator. Coach Gary on Dobson: 'Maxwell moves well without the ball, he is a good passer, and gives maximum effort on both ends of the floor. He also rebounds very well from his position and always looks to pitch the ball ahead, which shows his basketball IQ. Maxwell is a willing defender as well. He can continue working on his shooting, ball-handling, and strength in order to take his game to the next level.' Dobson provided a ton of effort and energy, and could develop into a nice high school player, especially if he continues to work.
#81: 5'11 '21 JeMarius Reed (Granville Central)
Moving onto a player that was arguably the most reliable defender on this team during camp, JeMarius Reed. He's a long, wiry, smart guard prospect with a high motor, unselfish approach, and excellent two-way ability. Reed is a quality playmaker with a tight handle and sharp vision, but can also score the ball decently well from al levels while locking up his assignment on the other end. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more lethal spot-up threat. Coach Gary on Reed: 'JeMarius handled the point guard position very well today. He made good decisions with the ball, knowing when to shoot, when to pass; drawing and kicking at the right time. He has a great change of speed and feel for the game. JeMarius is a good shooter, ball-handler, and can get to the basket. He's a good all-around ball player. He just needs to add a few more things to his bag (step back, floater maybe) to take his game up a notch.' Reed proved to be a reliable floor general throughout camp and should emerge as a quality contributor this season for Granville Central.
#87: 6'0 '21 Will Rhodes (East Forsyth)
Continuing onto a player that highlighted a fairly well-rounded skillset and approach at camp, Will Rhodes. He's a high-motor guard prospect that can create for himself and others while effectively scoring on all three levels. Rhodes is a nice off-ball cutter with spot-up ability and great rebounding presence on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable on-ball defender. Coach Gary on Rhodes: 'Will can play with or without the ball. He brings the ball up the floor, has a great feel in the half court set, and plays off the ball well. He's a high-motor player that goes hard on every possession. Will came down with several offensive and defensive rebounds, steals, and deflections. He gets to the basket, makes smart passes when the defense collapses, and finds teammates in a scoring position. He can continue to work on his spot-up game.' Rhodes impacted the game in a variety of different ways at camp and should carve out a useful role this season for East Forsyth.
#98: 6'1 '20 William Toman (Franklinton)
Next, we look at a player that did a terrific job of filling in the gaps on both ends of the floor, William Toman. He's a smart, high-motor guard that knows how to make plays within the flow of the team. Toman can knock down open perimeter jumpers, attack closeouts, and shows a willingness to make hustle plays on defense. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable finisher around the basket. Coach Gary on Toman: 'William did a great job of not forcing anything but impacting the game in every aspect. He played with different players regularly, but played his game every time. He pitches the ball ahead, brings the ball up, grabs rebounds, drives to the basket, pulls-up for the jumper, and knocking down the occasional three-pointer. William has a great attitude and was like a coach on the floor.' Toman enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should have a productive senior campaign at Franklinton.
#109: 6'2 '20 Justin Stephens (Corinth Holders)
Moving onto a player that was easily among the most productive scorers on this team, Justin Stephens. He's a smooth, team-first guard prospect that simply knows how to score the ball with efficiency from all three levels. Stephens is a reliable creator for himself and others with the ability to consistently find seams within the defense and capitalize with buckets. He is a sharp, willing passer that moves well without the ball and rebounds much bigger than his size would imply. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more even-handed creator off the dribble. Coach Gary on Stephens: 'Justin was a beast all day. Most people would look at his super athleticism and miss his other skills. He can shoot with range, score in a variety of ways from midrange, and get out and run in transition'where he finishes consistently. He has a great handle and good basketball IQ. He can continue working on making one move and going along with his pull-up jumper from three-point range.' Stephens was among the most consistent performers on this team and should be a primary leader this season for Corinth Holders.
#118: 6'3 '20 Joshua Norman (Northwest)
Continuing onto a player that showcased some excellent flashes before suffering an injury, Joshua Norman. He's a long, wiry wing prospect with a quality shooting stroke from midrange and beyond the arc. Norman is a solid ball-handler with nice vision and the ability to get downhill quite effectively. He defends at a useful level and was able to make multiple plays in transition. Norman still proved to be an encouraging teammate from the sidelines. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him an even better spot-up threat. Coach Gary on Norman: 'Joshua got hurt during our first game but showed that he can shoot, bring the ball up the court, and played extremely well with his team.' Norman still showed a nice on-court identity before being sidelined and should carve out a useful role for Northwest during his upcoming senior campaign.
#122: 6'3 '22 Ryan Roberts (The Burlington School)
Next, we look at a player that possesses all the necessary tools to have a breakout season, Ryan Roberts. He's a smart, smooth-shooting wing prospect with a well-rounded skillset and the ability to control the action with or without the ball in his hands. Roberts is a quality ball-handler, penetrator, and overall creator but still makes the strongest impact as a spot-up threat. He's also a reliable defender and rebounder, especially for his size/position. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would simply make him tougher to contain off the bounce. Coach Gary on Roberts: 'Ryan was the best player on the floor each time he played. He's explosive and has a great pace to his game with changing speeds. He's a great ball-handler that knows when to push the ball, pass ahead, and when to keep the ball. Ryan is an exceptional talent. I can see him working his way into being a Division I player. He's a good rebounder and on-ball defender.' Roberts continues to get better and better and should start garnering attention from college coaches sooner or later, especially as he gears up for a big season at The Burlington School.
#123: 6'4 '23 Jakwon McKnight (Webb)
Moving onto a player that possesses an incredible crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Jakwon McKnight. He's a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with an advanced skillset and two-way feel for the game. McKnight is already extremely well-rounded with the ability to pass, handle, and score in a variety of ways. He's smart, active, and displays great instincts as an all-around defender. Next in his development process is simply working to add strength, as it'll help prepare him for the physicality of the high school game. Coach Gary on McKnight: 'Jakwon played hard throughout the day. He showed range on his jumper, able to shoot it from deep, midrange, and get to the basket and finish. He's very long and can get his hand in the passing lanes for deflections. He's a good rebounder and will play defense (help-side) off the ball at a high level to stop the opposition. He also had several steals from the help-side. Jakwon can continue working on his catch-and-shoot jumper as well as full court ball-handling. He is one to watch for the future.' McKnight showcased some high-level flashes throughout camp, leading everyone in scoring at 23 PPG, and will be a prospect for college coaches to monitor over the coming years.
#140: 6'7 '21 Sila Tako (Cape Fear Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was able to bully opponents around the basket on both ends of the floor, Sila Tako. He's a big, strong-bodied post prospect with a high motor and the ability to overwhelm opponents with his sheer stature. Tako displays touch with either hand but can also knock down the open perimeter jumper. He's an excellent two-way rebounder that understands how to clear out space and box-out on every possession. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would allow him to take slower opponents off the dribble with more frequency. Coach Gary on Tako: 'Sila plays hard and has nice touch on his jumper. He's a great offensive rebounder and great at challenging the ball off of help-side. He's a pretty good ball-handler with a nice touch. He needs to use his height more to take advantage of smaller defenders by posting up. If he does that, he can find his way on a Division I roster.' Tako was quite productive throughout camp and should have a very strong upcoming season at Cape Fear Christian.
