Team 1
Coach: Kelvin Mills
#1: 5’4 ’23 Caleb Bruni (Jonesborough, TN)
Starting things off, we look at a player that was able to highlight a nice array of skills, Caleb Bruni. He’s a young, slightly undersized guard prospect with a solid feel for the game and the ability to operate with or without the ball. Bruni showed the ability to score from all levels while getting his teammates involved at a quality rate. Next in his development process is working to add strength in order to prepare for the physicality of high school basketball. Coach Mills on Bruni: “Caleb is very crafty with the ball and can attack the basket pretty well. He plays hard and has a good awareness of where his teammates are on the floor. Caleb can continue to work on being more vocal as a point guard.” Bruni was one of the few middle-school players from this event, but he did a great job of competing and contributing throughout the day.
#17: 5’10 ’22 Mason Gladieux (Raleigh, NC)
Next, we look at a player that showcased a pretty useful skillset when operating without the ball, Mason Gladieux. He’s a wiry guard prospect that proved to be a capable perimeter shooter and spot-up during his time at camp. Gladieux does a nice job of working within the team concept, not forcing the action, and taking advantage of open scoring opportunities. He was able to contain his assignment pretty well and showed an understanding of how to relocate without the ball. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a much more useful offensive threat. Coach Mills on Gladieux: “Mason has good range when shooting the ball, but needs to work on his court awareness. He has to work on getting stronger. Mason played better as the day carried on, showing awareness of what to do on offense with more poise.” Gladieux had a nice showing at camp and could continue steadily improving throughout the next few seasons.
#18: 5’10 ’23 Sam Boyd (Henderson, NC)
Moving onto a player that currently sits at a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Sam Boyd. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with solid size and the ability to make his presence felt with or without the ball. Boyd is an active shooter that does a great job of moving without the ball and applying constant pressure as a spot-up threat. He also showed the ability to handle the ball and get to the basket at a quality rate. Next in his development process is working on becoming quicker, as it would make him a much better on-ball defender. Coach Mills on Boyd: “Sam can shoot the ball very well but can work on getting open. He can be more aggressive on offense, but needs to continue to work on his upper body strength. Sam has to commit on defense and communication to establish himself as a leader.” Boyd contributed particularly well on offense throughout his time at camp and could become an excellent two-way prospect with continued work.
#36: 6’1 ’19 George Jones (Bayboro, NC)
Continuing onto a player that continues to stand out as an impressive athlete and competitor, George Jones. He’s a strong-bodied guard prospect that knows how to get downhill and attack the basket with relentlessness. Jones plays with a pretty strong motor and does an excellent job of outworking his assignment on defense. Jones displayed improved consistency on his jumper at camp and was able to affect all facets of the game in each contest. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him an even craftier finisher around the basket. Coach Mills on Jones: “George attacks the basket very well but needs to work on his consistency when finishing at the rim. He plays with great effort and did a good job of picking up his teammates when they were down. George is very athletic but could commit to playing defense against the best players all the time.” Jones simply knows how to embrace his role and skillset on both sides of the ball, so it’ll be interesting to see where he decides to further his playing career.
#37: 6’2 ’20 Jahleel Deberry (Winston-Salem, NC)
Next, we look at a player that did a phenomenal job of getting involved and affecting various facets of the game, Jahleel Deberry. He’s an athletic, long-bodied guard/wing prospect with nice strength and a solid feel for the game on both sides of the ball. Deberry is a very capable scorer that prefers to attack the basket, but can also knock down jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. He handles the ball well and utilizes his athleticism to finish strong inside and outwork opponents on the glass. Next in his development process is working on getting others involved, as it would open up easy scoring opportunities for the team. Coach Mills on Deberry: “Jahleel is very athletic and plays hard on offense. He has a very good midrange pull-up jumper. Jahleel attacks the basket and looks to score on every play. He needs to look for his teammates more often and improve his defensive awareness.” Deberry worked hard at camp and has a lot of intriguing tools, which should make him a prospect worth monitoring throughout the next calendar year.
#59: 6’4 ’21 Aaron Oates (Jacksonville, NC)
Moving onto a player that returned to camp and has continued to look like a capable college-level prospect, Aaron Oates. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with great size and a useful two-way identity. Offensively, Oates is an efficient scorer that can effectively create for himself from all three levels or work to open up opportunities for his teammates. He has a high IQ and understands how to operate within the team concept. Oates has a solid defensive presence and utilizes his length nicely to accumulate off-ball steals, but could become even better with additional strength. Next in his development process is working on tightening his handle, as it would make him a more useful creator for himself and others. Coach Mills on Oates: “Aaron does a great job at attacking the basket and finishing at the rim. He played hard on defense and is a good shot-blocker.” Oates was among the most productive all-around players from this team, so it’ll be interesting to see how his role expands going forward.
#61: 6’4 ’20 Elan Muniz (King, NC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that showcased some intriguing offensive tools throughout camp, Elan Muniz. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with size and the ability to reliably stretch the floor from midrange and beyond the arc. Muniz is a great spot-up option that can also take opponents off the dribble and finish pretty well around the basket. He’s an unselfish player that looks to make plays for open teammates whenever possible, but knows when to take advantage of easy scoring opportunities. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more useful offensive threat. Coach Mills on Muniz: “Elan is a good shooter, but needs to move without the ball and create space to get his shot off better. He has very good length and size, but needs to use it more on defense. Elan can keep working to get open.” Muniz contributed well and showcased a solid amount of skill during his time at camp, but it’ll be interesting to see how he develops over the next calendar year.