Team 5
Coach: Johnson
#5: 5’7 ’22 Isaiah Smith (High Point, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player that continued to impact the game nicely on both ends of the floor, Isaiah Smith. He’s a young, slightly undersized point guard prospect that plays with great energy, especially on defense. Smith has solid penetration skills and is capable of pulling up from midrange at a quality rate. He rebounds well for his size and knows how to make plays in transition with the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to become stronger, as it will likely help his consistency as a finisher. Coach Johnson on Smith: “Isaiah is an outstanding young man with a great attitude and the ability to accept criticism. He needs to improve on his shooting and ability to control the game as a guard.” Smith does a nice job of operating within his role and making plays on both sides of the ball, so it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses going forward.
#13: 5’10 ’21 Bishop Radway (Zebulon, NC)
Next, we look at a player that was able to assert himself and contribute effectively during his time at camp, Bishop Radway. He’s a smart, wiry guard prospect with a solid three-level scoring arsenal and the ability to make plays for himself or others. Radway prefers to get downhill and attack the basket, as it highlights his vision and passing instincts within the paint. He’s a capable two-way player that contained his assignment well on defense and forced turnovers at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would allow him to create for himself or others with relative ease. Coach Johnson on Radway: “Bishop plays very hard and competes at a high level on both ends of the floor. He has to work on his decision-making and getting stronger. Bishop accepts coaching well and maintained a pretty positive attitude throughout camp.” Radway is already an intriguing guard prospect that looks comfortable and makes plays with any group of teammates.
#24: 5’11 ’20 Malachi Borders (Jacksonville, NC)
Moving onto a player that stood out with his very well-rounded approach and skillset, Malachi Borders. He’s a strong-bodied guard prospect with a quality feel for the game, which allows him to switch across multiple positions and operate within a variety of different roles. Borders is a useful offensive player that can handle the ball, make plays for others, and set himself up for easy scoring chances. He does a great job of attacking the basket and utilizing his body to finish through contact. Next in his development process is working on become a more consistent shooter from the perimeter, as it would make him an even tougher offensive threat. Coach Johnson on Borders: “Malachi plays hard and smart. He has a great attitude but has to work on his jumper and his decision-making on both ends of the floor.” Borders has a pretty useful skillset and understands how to assert himself within the flow of the game, so it’ll be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds over the next calendar year.
#31: 6’0 ’23 Isaiah Joyner (Old Fort, NC)
Continuing onto a player that made a pretty strong impression with his ability to shoot the ball, Isaiah Joyner. He’s a young, intriguing guard prospect with nice size and noticeable upside, especially on the defensive end of the floor. Joyner is a terrific spot-up threat from the perimeter but can also put the ball on the floor and pull-up from the midrange area. He knows how to move without the ball and set himself up for success in transition. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more useful penetrator and on-ball defender. Coach Johnson on Joyner: “Isaiah is young and plays hard. He has a great attitude and accepts coaching well. Isaiah must learn to play with confidence but has plenty of time to grow.” Joyner has some useful skills and could develop into an intriguing prospect, especially if he continues to put in the necessary work.
#44: 6’2 ’20 Max Rogers (Waynesville, NC)
Next, we look at a player that consistently makes a strong impression with his ability to score the ball, Max Rogers. He’s a smart, well-rounded guard prospect that scores the ball efficiently from all three levels and understands how to operate within the team concept. Rogers handles the ball well and looks to make plays for others whenever possible, but does a great job of taking advantage of easy scoring opportunities. He is capable of thriving with or without the ball in his hands, due to his off-ball cutting/positioning, and can expand his role based on team needs. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better defender at the point of attack. Coach Johnson on Rogers: “Max can score the ball on all three levels and has a high IQ but can work on competing on every defensive possession. He has a solid handle and can create for himself when necessary.” Rogers is capable of playing his game with any group of teammates and enjoyed another productive showing at camp, which should certainly have the attention of college coaches going forward.
#55: 6’3 ’20 Robbie Boulton (Oak Ridge, NC)
Moving onto a player that is capable of running a team and controlling the action on both ends fo the floor, Robbie Boulton. He’s a smart, very well-rounded point guard prospect that plays with patience and poise. Boulton offers a quality balance between scoring and playmaking and does a terrific job of playing a conservative brand of basketball. He rebounds the ball effectively and pushes transition play at a solid rate. Boulton leads by example and sets the tone with his intelligent offensive play. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more lethal penetrator and allow him to make more plays inside the paint. Coach Johnson on Boulton: “Robbie can shoot the ball and score from all three levels but has to get stronger and work on competing on every possession. He has a great attitude and accepted coaching well during his time at camp.” Boulton is a phenomenal game manager that doesn’t force the action and knows how to get everyone involved, so it’ll be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds going forward.
#66: 6’5 ’20 Ellis Khari Carson II (Greensboro, NC)
Continuing onto a player with a productive skillset and noteworthy amount of long-term upside, Khari Carson. He’s a long, wiry forward/post prospect that doesn’t require offensive touches in order to make an impact. Carson runs the floor well from end to end and understands how to make the hustle plays. He fights for rebounds, dives for loose balls, and looks to do anything possible to provide his team with an edge. Carson doesn’t force the action on offense and does a nice job of securing second-chance opportunities. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would allow him to be a more physical player on both ends of the floor. Coach Johnson on Carson: “Khari is a strong interior presence and has great length. He has to work on his moves with his back to the basket and finishing with more strength. Khari had a great attitude and accepted coaching well.” Carson is a nice complementary player that works well within the team concept and should play a vital role for his school team next season.
#73: 6’6 ’21 Anthony Sellars (Winston-Salem, NC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that stood out as one of the most impressive performers from camp, Anthony Sellars. He’s a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with a quality blend between IQ, skill, and athleticism. Sellars is already capable of dictating the offensive action and scoring efficiently from all three levels. He is unselfish and operates nicely within the team concept, frequently highlighting his ability to make plays for others. Sellars is a pretty rangy defender that forced numerous turnovers during camp and looked to push transition play whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it would make him an even more physical player on both ends of the floor. Coach Johnson on Sellars: “Anthony was clearly the dominant man out there on the floor. He can score at all three levels and defends at a high level. He needs to improve on his ball-handling and getting stronger.” Sellars is a very intriguing prospect that can already make his presence felt on both sides of the ball, but also looks likely to continue steadily improving over these next few years.