Team 9
Coach: Kevin Dawkins
#31: 5'9 '23 Colin Fayed (Gaston Day)
Starting things off, we look at a player that was able to run a team very effectively, especially for his age, Colin Fayed. He's a young, wiry point guard prospect with polish and a high IQ on both sides of the ball. Fayed is a great creator that plays bigger than his size would imply on defense and on the glass. He knows how to be a floor general but can also spot-up quite effectively from midrange or beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physical presence on both ends of the floor. Coach Dawkins on Fayed: 'Colin is a very solid point guard with a high IQ and team-first mentality. He gets the ball out quick in transition and can finish or setup his teammates for easy buckets. Colin sprints the floor and controls the pace of the game nicely for his age.' Fayed enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be one to watch progress over the coming years at Gaston Day.
#36: 5'9 '22 Isaiah Smith (Southwest Guilford)
Next, we look at a player that was an excellent floor general option throughout this time at camp, Isaiah Smith. He's a smart, quick point guard prospect with great penetration ability and a pretty consistent three-point shot. Smith has made strides on both ends of the floor, improving as an overall defender and showcasing his excellent balance between playmaking and three-level scoring on offense. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities as a cutter or spot-up threat. Coach Dawkins on Smith: 'Isaiah showed that he can stretch the floor with his shooting range from beyond the arc. He started our first game off 4-for-4 from three-point range and also bullied his way to the basket. He has a great body for a guard and knows how to play through contact.' Smith continues to get better with each viewing and should have a pretty productive upcoming season at Southwest Guilford.
#55: 6'0 '22 Isaiah Robertson (Southern Wake Academy)
Moving onto a player that possesses a pretty nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Isaiah Robertson. He's a long, wiry wing prospect with a quality motor and team-first approach on both ends of the floor. Robertson plays within himself, able to knock down open jumpers while containing his assignment on the other end. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him a more physical presence on both ends of the floor. Coach Dawkins on Robertson: 'Isaiah was great for our team today. He was among the younger competitors and showed his ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Isaiah played hard on both ends of the floor and consistently worked for extra possessions. He moves well without the ball and scores at a solid rate from all levels. Isaiah had a positive attitude and team-first approach throughout the day.' Robertson did a lot of things well during camp and could be one to watch over the coming years at Southern Wake.
#56: 6'0 '21 Jaylen Lee (Northern Durham)
Continuing onto a player that stood out as one of the toughest, most reliable backcourt prospects on this team, Jaylen Lee. He's a big, strong-bodied guard prospect that knows how to get downhill, attack the basket, and finish with poise around the basket. Lee is a craftier ball-handler with sharp vision and the ability to create for himself or others quite effectively. He also proved to be a great defender with quick hands and quick feet. 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 Dawkins on Robertson: 'Jaylen is a big, strong guard that can get to the basket at will. He's a very good defender that can guard multiple positions. He had some struggles with shooting three-pointers but looks very good shooting midrange jumpers off the dribble. Jaylen is a good passer in transition. He was also very vocal as an on and off-ball defender.' Lee has a lot of useful tools to work with and should emerge as a nice contributor during the upcoming season at Northern Durham.
#75: 6'3 '21 Moses Payne (Butler)
Next, we look at a player that is able to truly embrace his two-way identity with any group of teammates, Moses Payne. He's a long, wiry wing prospect with a smooth perimeter jumper, especially from beyond the arc, and the ability to spot-up with relative ease. Payne can handle the ball as needed and does a great job of overwhelming his assignment on defense by utilizing his length. He's a quality rebounder and low-maintenance player that doesn't require touches to make an impact. Next in his development process is working on his ability to penetrate, as it would complement his three-point shooting nicely. Coach Dawkins on Payne: 'Moses can get really hot from beyond the arc and shoots it with the best of them. He started the second half of the first game hitting three consecutive three-pointers from deep range. Moses is a nice defender and knows how to move without the ball to find space for spot-up chances.' Payne continues to prove himself as an asset and should remain among the strongest contributors for Butler over the next few years.
#76: 6'1 '22 Nikolas Graves (Durham Academy)
Moving onto a player that simply knows how to properly run a team on both sides of the ball, Nikolas Graves. He's a smart, polished point guard prospect that knows how to penetrate and consistently looks to get everyone involved. Graves is a solid perimeter shooter but doesn't force the action and showcases excellent patience with the ball in his hands. He's also a reliable defender and rebounder that makes quality decisions in transition. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find cutting opportunities alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Dawkins on Graves: 'Nikolas is a traditional point guard that gets everyone involved on the offensive end of the floor. He's a good midrange shooter that uses pump fakes and jab-steps very well. Nikolas is a good on-ball defender that guarded the ball full court. He's a quality defender and smart overall player with a positive attitude and great team sense.' Graves was excellent throughout camp and will certainly be among Durham Academy's most important pieces going forward.
#93: 6'3 '20 Lars Nilsen (The Burlington School)
Continuing onto a player that consistently highlights a willingness to do anything possible to give his team an edge, Lars Nilsen. He's an active, strong-bodied wing prospect that stood out nicely with his three-point shooting and ability to score the ball with efficiency. Nilsen can play with or without the ball in his hands and find success. He gives great effort on defense and does a quality job of communicating with his teammates. Next in his development process is working on his craftiness as a passer, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Dawkins on Nilsen: 'Lars was one of the best shooters at camp. He hit four three-pointes in one game and continued applying pressure throughout the day. Lars can shoot from deep with defenders all over him. He needs to improve on passing the ball and making the right play for teammates but has a great attitude.' Nilsen certainly made his presence felt at camp and should carve out a useful role during the upcoming season for The Burlington School.
#111: 6'7 '23 Landon Johnson (High Point Christian)
Next, we look at a player that stood out nicely throughout camp with his blue-collar approach, Landon Johnson. He's a young, big-bodied post prospect with excellent rebounding instincts and the ability to overwhelm opponents on the defensive end of the floor. Johnson showcased a pretty polished scoring arsenal on the block and scored very efficiently with either hand out of the post. He utilizes his body well on both sides of the ball and knows how to run the floor effectively in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a perimeter shooter, as it would take his offensive game to another level. Coach Dawkins on Johnson: 'Landon surprised me today with how well he finished around the basket. He sprints the floor really well for his size. He needs to work on becoming a better rim-protector but has a really high ceiling and will be special in the future. Landon also brought a positive attitude and unselfish approach throughout the day.' Johnson was quite impressive, especially for his age, and will be a prospect to watch closely over the coming years.
#112: 6'7 '21 Matthew Cicco (Providence)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was arguably the most reliable interior presence for this team, Matthew Cicco. He's a smart, high-motor post prospect that plays within himself and finishes very well around the basket or from the block. Cicco is a great defender with the ability to alter and block an abundance of shots around the rim. Next in his development process is working to become a better penetrator, as it would make him even tougher for opposing big men to contain off the dribble. Coach Dawkins on Cicco: 'Matthew has good, soft touch around the basket with his right hand. He runs the floor really well for his size. He sets great screens and knocks down open jumpers off the roll. Matthew rebounds with two hands and above the rim. He plays great defense on the block and wing. He's great at keeping his defender behind him on the offensive end.' Cicco enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the tools to become a nice prospect going forward.
