Team 2
Coach: Lucas Hunter
#3: 5’10 ’26 Ayden Johnson (Caldwell Academy)
Starting off, we look at a player who is easily among the best shooters in the state, Ayden Johnson. He’s a smart, quick guard prospect with the ability to cause problems for opponents with or without the ball in his hands. Johnson is a lethal marksman from the perimeter. Although he attacks the basket and converts in the midrange, he’s arguably at his best when applying pressure from beyond the arc. Johnson utilizes the threat of his shooting to open up driving lanes, where he’s able to finish or set up others as a playmaker. He’s capable of heating up in a hurry. On the other end, he stands out as a scrappy defender and useful rebounder for his size. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Hunter on Johnson: “Ayden does a great job of using his quickness to get paint touches and has good decision-making ability. He is sneaky athletic and has good shooting range.” Johnson made a strong impact during camp and will certainly be a key piece for Caldwell Academy this season.
#8: 5’11 ’25 Mykal “MJ” Williams (Farmville Central)
Next, we look at a player who simply elevates his teammates and propels winning in every possible setting, Mykal “MJ” Williams. He’s an incredibly smart, unselfish point guard prospect who knows how to reliably control a game through his poise, playmaking, and effortless scoring prowess. Williams is a crafty ball-handler with the quickness to effortlessly break down opponents, touch the paint, and make plays for himself and others. He scores at an efficient rate from all three levels and is comfortable dictating the action or applying pressure without the ball. Williams understands exactly how and when to assert himself. He displays excellent defensive instincts, particularly as an on-ball defender, and forces turnovers at a strong rate. Williams is also a quality rebounder for his size/position. He’s truly an amazing leader on and off the court. Next in his development process is continuing to work to prepare himself for the college game, as he will be a successful player wherever he goes. Coach Hunter on Williams: “MJ really understands the game. He has great quickness and vision, and makes his teammates better. This kid is all you want in a point guard—pure winner. Showed grit and toughness by defending a big when switched defensively. He is really tough in addition to being a great and willing passer. Love this kid’s game.” Williams made a lasting impression at camp and will look to maintain his unbelievable success entering his senior season for Farmville Central.
#19: 6’2 ’25 Ahmari Hicks (East Mecklenburg)
Moving forward, we look at a player who possesses a polished, reliable identity, Ahmari Hicks. He’s a smart, tough wing prospect with a high motor, a well-rounded skillset, and the ability to produce in various roles. Hicks is a quality creator, both for himself and others, who scores the ball effectively from all levels. He’s arguably at his best when attacking the basket and finishing but also converts perimeter jumpers at a consistent rate. Hicks is adaptable enough to alter his approach based on team needs. On the other end, he provides a rugged, engaged defensive presence. Hicks effort, strength, and instincts allow him to cause problems for several types of opponents. He’s a terrific rebounder for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him an even more dynamic player. Coach Hunter on Hicks: “Ahmari has great length and uses it well. He is a tough defender and slasher on offense. He impacts the game with his energy and toughness. I really like how competitive he is.” Hicks made his presence felt throughout camp and should be a target for college coaches during his upcoming senior season at East Mecklenburg.
#41: 6’4 ’26 Jim Gatehouse (South Mecklenburg)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who knows how to carve out a role alongside any collection of teammates, Jim Gatehouse. He’s a smart, skilled wing prospect with great size and an unselfish approach to the game. Gatehouse is a smooth shooter with excellent vision and useful creation instincts. He’s able to make plays off the bounce or find success without the ball in his hands. Gatehouse can expand his production as needed or produce within a role and offer a low-maintenance identity. He also provides consistent effort as a defender and rebounder, and is willing to make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better on-ball defender. Coach Hunter on Gatehouse: “Jim is a sneaky athlete with a quick release from beyond the arc. He needs to continue to improve defensively. He’s in the right spots off the ball and possesses a high IQ.” Gatehouse enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should be poised for a very productive junior season with South Mecklenburg.
#42: 6’4 ’26 Jyi Dawkins (Smith)
Next, we look at a player who has all the makings for a potential breakout campaign, Jyi Dawkins. He’s a long, athletic wing prospect with a high IQ, polished skillset, and strong two-way versatility. Between his vision, handle, and ability to score from all levels, Dawkins is a lethal offensive threat. He’s a reliable creator, both for himself and others, and mixes his approach up well as a scorer. Dawkins is arguably at his best when getting downhill and finishing through contact or above the rim, yet also knocks down jumpers at a consistent percentage. He makes smart, unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands and excels in transition. Defensively, Dawkins utilizes his quickness, strength, and nonstop motor to cause a ton of problems for opponents. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Hunter on Dawkins: “Jyi is a competitive wing that has a great handle and can get by most defenders. He uses his length/wingspan to finish at the rim. He excels in transition and has a knack for finishing plays around the basket.” Dawkins proved to be an asset at camp and will be a prospect to monitor over these next two seasons at Smith.
#43: 6’4 ’26 Markus Kerr (Chambers)
Moving forward, we look at a player who showcased flashes of pure dominance throughout the day, Markus Kerr. He’s a smooth, athletic wing prospect with a high IQ, unselfish approach, and incredibly polished skillset. Kerr is a terrific creator for himself and others, displaying the necessary handle, vision, and scoring prowess to consistently burden a heavy load offensively. Whether dictating the action or hunting for his own shot, Kerr knows how to operate as a primary decision-maker. He applies constant pressure from all levels and mixes it up enough to keep defenses guessing. Kerr plays above the rim, through contact, and excels in transition. He contains his assignment well and forces turnovers at a strong rate defensively. Kerr also rebounds the ball at a high volume for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Hunter on Kerr: “Markus is a tremendous player and can score at all three levels. He has great positional size and makes others around him better. I loved how unselfish he was in this environment.” Kerr was undeniably impressive during camp, leading all scorers at 24 PPG and securing the NC Top 80 MVP. Expect him to have a big year at Chambers.
#47: 6’5 ’25 Christian Ananaba (Southeast Raleigh)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who continues to trend upward, Christian Ananaba. He’s a long, athletic wing prospect with an excellent combination of IQ, skill, and physical tools. Ananaba displayed the ability to initiate the offense and set up others as needed, but was arguably at his best when applying pressure as a scorer. He finishes extremely well at the basket (both through contact and above the rim) and converts perimeter jumpers at a nice percentage. Ananaba is a great passer who makes unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands. He’s a suffocating on-ball defender with the length, quickness, and motor to mirror opponents. Ananaba is also a great rebounder for his position. Next in his development process is working to tighten his handle, as it would make him a more reliable creator. Coach Hunter on Ananaba: “Christian is a physical wing with the ability to score on all three levels. He’s a competitor and very unselfish. His length at the guard position and ability to score makes him a tough mismatch for opponents.” Ananaba did a lot of things well during camp and should be a priority for college coaches entering his senior season at Southeast Raleigh.
#49: 6’5 ’25 Isaiah Smith (Burlington Christian)
Next, we look at a player who showcased an impressive level of offensive prowess, Isaiah Smith. He’s a strong, athletic wing prospect with great size, skill, and feel on both ends of the floor. Smith handled the ball well, created for himself and others, and applied seemingly nonstop scoring pressure from all levels. He utilizes his quick first step to consistently touch the paint and finish, but also knocks down jumpers at a nice percentage. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would allow him to force turnovers at an increased rate. Coach Hunter on Smith: “Isaiah is a talented scorer. He has a tendency to take challenging shots at times. He can make them, but he takes a lot of tough shots. He can get moody when he doesn’t touch the ball, so his attitude can continue to improve about how he can impact the game without scoring. He is a very talented player. If he puts it all together, he will be hard to stop.” Smith enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a target for various college coaches during his upcoming senior season.
#62: 6’7 ’26 Elton James (Winston-Salem Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player who has an enticing blend of size, skill, and physical tools, Elton James. He’s a long, versatile forward prospect with a high IQ, nonstop motor, and unselfish approach to the game. James is an adaptable, well-rounded player who can do everything on the court. He knocked down three-point jumpers, but was arguably at his best when attacking the basket or asserting his midrange presence. James handles the ball and sets up others very well for his size/position, and is capable of initiating the offense as needed. He’s a great rebounder who actively toggles between multiple positions defensively. James is capable of producing in several roles on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a more dynamic player. Coach Hunter on James: “Elton is an extremely talented forward who can score on all three levels. He has great energy on the court and is a great teammate. He took some tough shots at times, but is a high-level player who has the toughness to produce. Great teammate. I enjoyed coaching him.” James proved to be an asset at camp, finishing fourth in scoring at 15 PPG, and should be a huge addition for Winston-Salem Christian.