Team 3
Coach: Dre Simmons
#23: 5’10 ’21 Isaiah Escobar (The Burlington School)
Starting things off, we look at a player that continually stands out with his motor and scoring ability, Isaiah Escobar. He’s a smart, scrappy, high-motor guard prospect with quickness and nice perimeter shooting. Escobar defends quite well, especially for his size, and forces turnovers at a quality rate. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding ability, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dre on Escobar: “Isaiah is very gifted at the point guard position. He has the ability to takeover the game at any point. It is going to be a long day for any defender to try to stay in front of him. He has a lot of different moves when going to the basket and can finish with either hand. He has great court vision and is an animal in the open court. I was also impressed with his ability to knock down the three-pointer. Isaiah also gives maximum effort on defense and is a valuable piece to any he is on. I believe he has a lot of basketball left in his future.” Escobar enjoyed a great showing at camp and should be a useful piece throughout the upcoming season at The Burlington School.
#42: 5’10 ’22 Jackson Hartzell (Northwest Guilford)
Next, we look at a player that made quite a lasting impression with his perimeter shooting, Jackson Hartzell. He’s an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect that embraces his identity as a spot-up threat whenever possible. Hartzell is a scrappy defensive player that consistently fights for rebounds and loose balls. He handles and passes the ball decently well and makes smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more lethal penetrating threat. Coach Dre on Hartzell: “Jackson is a good shooter! He moved really well without the ball and was able to get open quite often. He sets screens well and just knows how to play the game. I was impressed with his effort and overall approach to the game.” Hartzell maximized his presence throughout camp and will be one to keep an eye on over the coming years at Northwest Guilford.
#49: 5’11 ’22 Richard Black III (Westminister Catawba Christian)
Moving onto a player that brought a lot of intrigue with his skillset and approach, Richard Black III. He’s a big, strong-bodied guard prospect with a lot of skill and the ability to cause mismatches with his frame. Black has a reliable midrange jumper but can also attack the basket or stretch the floor beyond the three-point line. He utilizes his body and position extremely well to defend and gain rebounding position. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would likely make him a more consistent finisher through contact. Coach Dre on Black: “Richard has very good court vision. He also has a nice floater when going to the rim against bigger defenders. He was scrappy and hustled on every play. He had touch on his shot and his mechanics were very good and he has a good chance of becoming a good player.” Black showed some great flashes at camp and should emerge as a leader sooner than later for Westminister Catawba Christian.
#62: 6’0 ’22 Sean Whitted (East Chapel Hill)
Continuing onto a player that showcased a fairly well-rounded approach and skillset during camp, Sean Whitted. He’s a wiry, high-motor guard prospect that plays within the team concept on both ends of the floor. Whitted can handle and pass the ball quite well but also knows how to penetrate and finish strong around the basket. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more lethal penetrating threat. Coach Dre on Whitted: “Sean is very shifty with the ball in his hands and has the ability to make very good decisions. He got to the rack often and could finish with either hand. He has the potential to be a really good player and, with continued work, I see him being a go-to guy. I would’ve like to see him assert himself a little bit more but I enjoyed coaching him, his attitude and performance were both very good.” Whitted proved to be an asset during camp and should have a productive upcoming season at East Chapel Hill.
#69: 6’1 ’21 Cedric Patterson (United Faith)
Next, we look at a player that simply knows how to run a team with a fairly balanced approach, Cedric Patterson. He’s a smart, crafty, fairly well-rounded point guard prospect with toughness and quality defensive instincts. Patterson does a nice job of creating for himself and others but can also score quite effectively from all three levels. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more consistent finisher around the basket. Coach Dre on Patterson: “Cedric has a great handle! He can control the flow of the game and facilitate easy buckets for his teammates. His hesitation is very useful and he gets guys to leave their feet very easily. I was impressed with the way he attacks the hoop. Cedric has great defensive instincts as well. He is very active, deflects passes, and is always in the way to disrupt the action. I like Cedric a lot and looking forward to seeing how things work out for him.” Patterson was great at camp and will be a vital part of United Faith’s success throughout the upcoming season.
#82: 6’2 ’22 Jefferson McLamb (Wesleyan Christian)
Moving onto a player that made a quality impression with his motor and perimeter shooting, Jefferson McLamb. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing prospect that simply knows how to create havoc with his nonstop energy on both ends of the floor. McLamb defends hard and secures rebounds/loose balls at a pretty strong rate. 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 Dre on McLamb: “Jefferson has great footwork around the basket. He is a shooter and workhorse. He had several offensive rebounds and was able to create his own shot. I love his effort and work ethic the most but he definitely knows how to play. His defense was great as well and he never took plays off. He is the type of guy that will take whatever role a coach gives him and thrives in it.” McLamb did a lot of things well at camp and should have a productive upcoming season at Wesleyan Christian.
#87: 6’2 ’22 Diadie Diarra (Mount Mission)
Continuing onto a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Diadie Diarra. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with a high motor and team-first approach to the game. Diarra creates well for himself and others but can also make his presence felt defensively and in transition. He moves well without the ball and finishes strong through contact. Diarra doesn’t force the action and utilizes his quickness well on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process working to get stronger, as it would make him a more consistent finisher around the basket. Coach Dre on Diarra: “Diadie is a long combo-guard with a high motor. He runs the floor well in transition. He’s a good ball-handler with vision and nice passing skills. He’s a team player with a good three-point shot and the ability to shut down his assignment as an on-ball defender.” Diarra was great throughout camp and should be one to keep an eye on over the coming years at Mount Mission.
#100: 6’4 ’22 Kheni Briggs (A.L. Brown)
Next, we look at a player that was easily among the most dominant two-way prospects on this team, Kheni Briggs. He’s a big, strong-bodied guard prospect with a phenomenal blend of IQ, skill, and two-way versatility. Briggs is a leader and tone-setter in every possible way, which allows him to consistently fill up every statistical category. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as he has all the tools and knows how to shut down opposing fast breaks. Coach Dre on Briggs: “Kheni is a straight beast. You really can’t stop him from getting to his spots. He gets downhill extremely well and has such a strong frame that he cannot be stopped. He crashes the glass very well and gets quite a few second-chance points. Kheni really and truly does it all. “Unbelievable” comes to mind when watching him play. He also showed that he has the three-pointer in his bag. Kheni is a high-level prospect and I believe that he is next level all day.” Briggs was excellent at camp, securing the 2022 MVP with relative ease, and should collect a slew of offers throughout the next calendar year.
#106: 6’5 ’20 Jalen King Joiner (Piedmont Classical)
Moving onto a player that knows how to make his presence consistently felt on both ends of the floor, Jalen Joiner. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with incredible explosiveness and a terrific motor. Joiner attacks the basket quite regularly but can also knock down the open jumper while containing his assignment well on defense. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would only make him tougher for opponents to contain on both ends of the floor. Coach Dre on Joiner: “Jalen is an athlete all day long. He is explosive and gets above the rim with ease. He has a decent midrange game and showed some range on his three-pointer. He is also a great defender and is always active on both ends of the floor. He has a great attitude as well and is just a pleasure to coach. I truly believe this young man is next-level potential and, with continued work, is going to be special.” Joiner enjoyed a quality two-way showing at camp and will be a vital piece in the success of Piedmont Classical throughout the upcoming season.
#119: 6’9 ’20 Ade’ Jenkins (CBC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was easily among the most impressive prospects on display, Ade’ Jenkins. He’s a big, strong-bodied post prospect with great size, rebounding instincts, and offensive versatility. Jenkins possesses great hands, quality footwork, touch over both shoulders, and the ability to space the floor quite well. He runs the floor properly in transition and passes the ball very well for his size. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a finisher, as it would take his offensive game to another level. Coach Dre on Jenkins: “AJ is a great passer from the post position. He has great feel for the game overall. Don’t bring it down low because he will send it back. As a big, he rebounds extremely well and throws an outstanding lead pass to start the break. He has great footwork with his back to the basket and finishes with touch around the lane. I like AJ a lot and his potential is through the roof. With continued growth and work, he is going to be a force in the middle at the next level.” Jenkins was undeniably impressive at camp and should be a prospect for college coaches to monitor going forward.