Team 7
Coach: Ryan Bernardi
#7: 6’0 ’23 Jaiden Thompson (Central Cabarrus)
Starting things off, we look at a player who showcased a scrappy, high-motor presence throughout camp, Jaiden Thompson. He’s a tough, heady guard prospect with a nice feel and the ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Thompson is a quality three-point shooter, but also attacks the basket and finishes with consistency. He handles the ball with poise and looks to set up others whenever possible. Thompson also does a nice job of mirroring opposing ball-handlers, forcing turnovers, and pushing transition play. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Bernardi on Thompson: “Jaiden is an effective paint-touch guard that has the potential to really run a team. He is very effective in transition and can make plays for others using his speed. He’s a good finisher with his strong hand and will have an impact as that. As he continues to improve his shot-making, look for him to continue to do big things.” Thompson enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should be a primary contributor for Central Cabarrus over these next two seasons.
#23: 6’3 ’23 Caden Bell (NC GBB)
Next, we look at a player who simply understands how to properly run a team and set the tone on both ends of the floor, Caden Bell. He’s a smart, unselfish guard prospect with strong vision and the ability to reliably create for himself or others on a consistent basis. Bell is a sharp ball-handler and penetrator with the tools to consistently get downhill and finish or pull-up from midrange. He’s an excellent on-ball defender who welcomes physical play and pushes the break in transition whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to improve his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Bernardi on Bell: “Caden is a heady guard that makes the right play more often than not. His midrange and ball-handling ability are some of his greatest strengths. He is a high-character kid that makes winning plays. As his shot continues to improve from beyond the arc, he will be able to impact even more. He must also work on keeping turnovers down. Caden was a pleasure to coach.” Bell did a variety of things well at camp and should be a quality contributor for NC GBB going forward.
#26: 6’3 ’25 Isaiah Henry (Cannon)
Continuing onto a player who possesses an enticing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Isaiah Henry. He’s a young, smart, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with quickness, defensive instincts, and efficiency as a perimeter shooter. Henry is a quality ball-handler and playmaker with the ability to create for himself and others as needed. He moves well without the ball and defends his assignment effectively on defense. Henry already understands how to make his presence felt while operating in various different roles. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would allow him to force more turnovers by intercepting passing lanes. Coach Bernardi on Henry: “Isaiah is a very promising young prospect. He contributed heavily to two major comeback victories with his basketball IQ and transition defense. Little things make all the difference. He needs to continue to develop his offensive skillset on the ball in order to keep growing.” Henry proved to be an impactful teammate at camp, and will certainly be a prospect to monitor over the coming years at Cannon.
#28: 6’4 ’24 Bishop Boswell (South Mecklenburg)
Moving onto a player who only continues to solidify himself as a premier prospect within his class, Bishop Boswell. He’s a smart, skilled, athletic, all-around guard prospect with the combination of size, vision, and scoring prowess to excel at either backcourt position. Boswell is arguably at his best when tasked when running a team, which he does with unwavering poise, toughness, and unselfishness. He’s an excellent defender and rebounder, especially for his position, and naturally does a quality amount of everything on the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler with greater ease. Coach Bernardi on Boswell: “Bishop really helps your team win. He won a team of games with CP3 over the summer and will continue to do so. He is a great on-ball defender, utilizing his length and strength. He plays hard and has a high basketball IQ. He can touch the paint and make the right read. If he can get more vertically athletic and work on his blow-by speed, he will be a nightmare for other teams.” Boswell continues to showcase the makings of a premier prospect and will be the clear leader for South Mecklenburg over the foreseeable future.
#39: 6’5 ’22 Josh Scovens (Page)
Next, we look at a player who continues to steadily trend upward as one of the more underrated names within the state, Josh Scovens. He’s a smart, tough, well-rounded wing/forward prospect with the ability to naturally cause matchup problems with his versatile offensive game. Scovens can legitimately lead an offense, given his strong blend of IQ, vision, creation skills, and three-level scoring prowess. He can work with or without the ball, and actively change his approach based on matchup. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more dynamic creator against defensive pressure. Coach Bernardi on Scovens: “Josh had a great day. He made huge plays in both of our victories. His shot looks really good and he made big ones throughout the day—including an and-one three to put the squad up by one. He is a big-time kid that puts the team first and will help teams win. He can defend and rebound at a high level. Josh will have a huge season at Page.” Scovens shined throughout his time at camp, and should certainly continue to see an uptick within his recruitment over the coming months.
#49: 6’6 ’23 Freddie Dilione (Word of God)
Moving onto a player who possesses as much talent and raw ability as anyone within the state, Freddie Dilione. He’s a long, skilled, athletic wing prospect with the necessary size, creation skills, and three-level scoring prowess to consistently dominate an offense. Dilione can apply scoring pressure from anywhere on the floor, but has the vision and defensive instincts to alter his approach as needed. Next in his development process is working to highlight his playmaking ability more frequently, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Bernardi on Dilione: “In any gym that Freddie walks into, he has a legitimate case to be the most talented player. At his size, his ball-handling and shot-making abilities are very impressive. He can create his own shot very well. The question with Freddie will be how does he impact winning. He must continue to defend and showcase his passing abilities. Great kid who will probably make a lot of money playing this game.” Dilione continues to look like a noteworthy prospect and will be a target for all types of programs over these next few years.
#55: 6’6 ’23 Takorrie Faison (Goldsboro)
Continuing onto a player whose game seems to naturally find production in every type of setting, Takorrie Fasion. He’s a big, mobile, strong-bodied forward prospect with a high motor and explosiveness as a finisher. Fasion embraces his identity extremely well, not looking to force the action or operate out of his comfort zone, and lets the game come to him. He’s a solid defender and quality rebounder who plays bigger than his size on the glass. Fasion runs the floor well in transition and happily welcomes any defender to challenge him at the rim. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Bernardi on Fasion: “Takorrie is an elite athlete. He gets up in the air effortlessly. He can impact the game in transition and the open floor. Takorrie has a chance to be an elite defender with his strength and athleticism. His skillset and shooting ability must improve as well.” Faison showcased a lot of ability at camp, and should be poised for yet another productive upcoming season at Goldsboro.
#58: 6’7 ’25 Colt Langdon (Millbrook)
Next, we look at a player who already has a reputation as one of the premier young names in North Carolina, Colt Langdon. He’s a young, extremely polished forward prospect with excellent size and a fairly advanced collection of skills for this stage in his progression. Langdon displays the ability to score from all levels, and in a variety of different ways. He’s already a useful passer and inside-out scorer who should only get tougher and more athletic with time. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more reliable on-ball defender along the perimeter. Coach Bernardi on Langdon: “Colt is an impressive prospect. His body, touch, feel, and skillset are high-level for his age. He looks to be a big-time power forward in high school and beyond. He can make shots and facilitate very well. His quickness and athleticism must continue to come along for him to reach his ceiling.” Langdon enjoyed a nice showing at camp, especially given his age, and will be a prospect to watch closely over the coming years at Millbrook.
#71: 6’8 ’23 Donovan Raymond (West Charlotte)
Moving onto a player who understands how to make his presence consistently felt through defense and physicality, Donovan Raymond. He’s a long, tough, athletic post prospect with a high motor and clear willingness to do the dirty work whenever possible. Raymond is a reliable finisher and capable midrange shooter with quality rebounding instincts on both ends of the floor. He alters shots, displays solid footwork from the block, and runs the floor hard in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more polished scorer out of the post. Coach Bernardi on Raymond: “Donovan had an unbelievable day. His shot-blocking and overall defensive presence was game-changing. He showcased an improved jumper and good finishing abilities. Donovan will be an impact player at every level due to his defense and rim-protection instincts.” Raymond proved to be a clear asset at camp, securing the Mr. Defense award, and should be a definite leader for West Charlotte over these next two seasons.
#74: 6’9 ’24 Zion Gardner (Word of God)
Finishing up, we look at a player who made a pretty lasting impression with his motor and blue-collar approach, Zion Gardner. He’s a big, mobile, strong-bodied post prospect with a natural understanding of how to make hustle plays and fill in the gaps as needed on both ends of the floor. Gardner is a capable finisher, both in the half-court and transition, but typically makes his biggest impact as a defender and rebounder. He works hard for extra opportunities, alters shots at a strong rate, and rebounds the ball very well at all times. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Bernardi on Gardner: “Zion has a very high ceiling. Great touch, good hands, and a good body. Zion’s ability to rebound and be a paint presence can have a huge impact. Coachable and displayed a positive attitude.” Gardner did a lot of things well at camp and should be a valuable contributor at Word of God over the foreseeable future.