Team 3
Coach: Brady Potter
#147: 5'11 '22 Christian Alston (Cuthbertson)
Starting things off, we look at a player that offered a fairly steady, reliable two-way presence, Christian Alston. He's an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with an excellent penetration sense and the ability to finish with either hand. Alston utilizes his quickness very well on both ends of the floor, especially when attacking the basket or defending the ball. 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 an off-ball cutter. Coach Potter on Alston: 'Christian is a hard-working player and displays competitiveness on both ends of the floor. He's extremely quick, allowing him to stand out as a very good on-ball defender. He needs to improve his consistency as a perimeter shooter; he shot the ball well in drills but had some struggles during the games. Christian is extremely coachable and a great kid to have on your team.' Alston highlighted a ton of ability during his time at camp and should be a useful contributor during his upcoming senior season at Cuthbertson.
#152: 5'11 '24 Jaiquez Caldwell (Scotland)
Next, we look at a player with an impressive motor and team-first mentality, especially for his age, Jaiquez Caldwell. He's a long, wiry guard prospect with a quality penetration sense, finishing ability, and the understanding of how to make his presence felt as a defender at the point of attack. Caldwell also displays sharp instincts for jumping into passing lanes and intercepting passing, which often lead to transition play. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable ball-handler. Coach Potter on Caldwell: 'Jaiquez is a very competitive kid. He plays defense very well and uses his quickness to outwork opponents as an on-ball defender. He understands the game well but had some struggles scoring the ball on the offensive end. That being said, Jaiquez makes winning plays. He gets quiet during games, meaning he doesn't necessarily do anything wrong but could do more to stand out.' Caldwell enjoyed a quality showing at camp, especially for his age, and should be able to develop into a useful high school player sooner than later.
#171: 6'0 '23 CJ Vaughn (Glenn)
Moving onto a player that already displays the ability and understanding to be a target for next-level programs, CJ Vaughn. He's a smart, tough, athletic guard prospect with quickness, craftiness, and the ability to effectively apply scoring pressure from multiple levels. Vaughn does an excellent job of breaking down his assignment, getting downhill, attacking the basket, and finishing strong or setting up open teammates. He's great in transition, displays the necessary playmaking instincts to operate from either guard position, and consistently outworks opponents defensively. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent spot-up threat, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Potter on Vaughn: 'CJ is a quick, athletic point guard. He's a great defender when he doesn't gamble. He definitely has the potential to play in college but needs to work on his consistency as a perimeter shooter. CJ is an extremely coachable kid, eager to get better. There are times when he will get in a zone and can try to do too much offensively, but has clear talent and time to continue rounding out his skillset.' Vaughn stood out among the most enticing prospects on display and should gradually start becoming a priority over his foreseeable future at Glenn.
#176: 6'1 '24 Devin Grainger (Conway)
Continuing onto a player that made a lasting impression with his intangibles and overall competitiveness, Devin Grainger. He's a young, tough, smart two-way wing prospect with a nonstop motor and phenomenal defensive prowess. Grainger offers a great team-first mentality and does an excellent job of moving without the ball on offense. His activity level and positioning allow him to consistently make his presence felt on the glass. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him an even better creator. Coach Potter on Grainger: 'Devin was my most competitive player and clear leader of my team. He never stops hustling. He's a great defender with good athleticism. Devin drives the ball strong to the basket and displays a useful jumper. He already has the tools to potentially play in college. At times, Devin can get tunnel-vision with the ball offensively and force shots.' Grainger enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the tools to emerge as a useful high school contributor sooner than later.
#198: 6'2 '23 Dallas Gardner (Myers Park)
Next, we look at a player that easily stood out among the top all-around prospects on display, Dallas Gardner. He's a long, athletic, heady guard prospect with great physical attributes and the ability to make his presence felt in transition or the half-court set. Gardner applies nonstop pressure in the open floor, utilizing his combination of speed, vision, and finishing ability to overwhelm the opposition. He's a reliable midrange shooter and capable of hitting shots from beyond the arc, but prefers to attack the basket whenever possible. Gardner is also a sharp defender, quality rebounder for his position, and able to create or find opportunities as an off-guard. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him an even more lethal offensive threat. Coach Potter on Gardner: 'Dallas was by far my best player. He's a great kid that always listens and can go spurts where no one can stop him. He has a good jumper, but arguably stronger when driving and using his all-around scoring ability. Dallas is a good defender, great rebounder, and has potential to play Division I basketball. He gambles too much on defense and reaches too much, which can leave defenders open and lead to foul trouble.' Gardner already possesses clear talent and will certainly be a prospect for college coaches to monitor going forward.
#203: 6'2 '23 Kimman Power (Carolina International)
Moving onto a player that showcased a pretty solid skillset and two-way identity, Kimman Power. He's a scrappy, skilled guard prospect with capable playmaking skills and the ability to knock down perimeter shots within the flow of the action. Power moved well without the ball and utilized his quickness to make an impact as an on-ball defender. He made unselfish decisions in transition, but also displayed his ability to score the ball from multiple areas. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more consistent finisher through contact. Coach Potter on Power: 'Kimman is a nice and very competitive kid. He's a decent defender. Kimman can sometimes make careless turnovers. In drills, he shot the ball well, but wasn't able to translate into the games. Kimman is extremely coachable, gives great effort, and won't give up.' Power enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on over the coming years at Carolina International.
#222: 6'3 '22 Shaun Harris (Caroline)
Continuing onto a player that highlighted a lot of tools on both ends of the floor, Shaun Harris. He's a long, strong, athletic forward prospect with excellent finishing ability and enticing bursts of two-way versatility. Harris can knock down perimeter jumpers but is at his best in transition or when getting downhill and attacking the basket. He also stood out as a steady rebounder throughout the day. Next in his development process is working to play with more energy, as it would naturally make him a more productive player on either end of the floor. Coach Potter on Harris: 'Shaun has a lot of upside. He is a freak athlete and possesses Division I athleticism. He has a good-looking jumper but couldn't get too many to fall during the games. Shaun is a good defender but can be lazy at times. It feels like at times, he can drift off amidst the action but displays good penetration ability.' Harris showed some intriguing flashes during his time at camp and could be poised for a strong senior campaign at Caroline.
#227: 6'4 '24 Cameron McKinney (Parkwood)
Next, we look at a player that possesses the combination of size, skill, and toughness to make a constant impact, Cameron McKinney. He's an athletic, high-motor forward prospect with an exceptional nose for the ball, especially as a rebounder. McKinney is a quality finisher, reliable midrange shooter, and capable threat from beyond the arc. He can defend multiple positions, forces turnovers, and consistently makes a strong impact in transition. McKinney also moves well without the ball and understands how to cut for scoring opportunities. Next in his development process is working to become a better passer, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Potter on McKinney: 'Cameron is a tough, gritty, hard-nosed kid. He's terrific rebounder and very competitive, but needs to continue working on his jumper and overall understanding of the game. He can work on having a more positive attitude and not being controlled by emotions on the court. Cameron is a guy that you want on your team.' McKinney proved to be an asset throughout his time at camp and should be a productive player across his high school career.
#246: 6'9 '24 Mason Hagedorn (Hough)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between production and long-term upside, Mason Hagedorn. He's a young, wiry post prospect with an unselfish mentality and the ability to be a useful face-up option offensively. Hagedorn plays with a high motor, runs the floor hard in transition, and does a nice job of making an impact as a rebounder. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would allow him to become a more physical player and, in turn, a better finisher through contact. Coach Potter on Hagedorn: 'Mason has college basketball size but needs to work on his low-post moves and improving his strength. He works hard on the court but can develop his hands and ability to catch the ball. His jumper is pretty good. He hits midrange jumpers but can also continue to work on his consistency from that area, as that is where most of his jumpers come from.' Hagedorn displayed numerous flashes during his time at camp and could be a player worth monitoring throughout his continued progression.