Team 8
Coach: Sam Layman
#132: 5’9 ’23 Andre Myrie (Village Christian)
Starting things off, we look at a player that showcased the ability to play much bigger than his size would imply, Andre Myrie. He’s a tough, fairly well-rounded guard with a nice feel for the game and reliable presence on either end of the floor. Myrie is a heady defender with the ability to force turnovers, push transition play, and make quality decisions with the ball. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to make a better impact alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Layman on Myrie: “Andre displays a great use of shot-fakes and patience to finish around the rim. He’s a great on-ball defender with an understanding of how to properly pressure the ball. Andre did a good job of attacking downhill to kickout to open shooters. He’s a good defender around the paint, using wall-offs and doesn’t swat for blocks. Andre looks to get his teammates involved and stays engaged on the bench. He’s a great teammate. He can continue to develop his jumper.” Myrie enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role for Village Christian next season.
#142: 5’10 ’23 Thomas Stafford (Page)
Next, we look at a player that always seems to find ways to make his presence felt within the flow of the team, Thoams Stafford. He’s a tough, heady, high-motor guard prospect with a nice offensive balance between scoring and playmaking. Stafford uitilizes his quickness very well defensively to cause problems for opposing ball-handlers. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Layman on Stafford: “Thomas is a nonstop hustle guy. He’s an aggressive on-ball defender and flies up and down the court. He shows a willingness to sacrifice his body and dive on the floor for loose balls. Thomas pushes the ball in transition and facilitates the offense well. He forces nothing and looks to get teammates involved. Thomas always sprints in transition. He can continue to work on his off-hand and developing a more consistent jumper.” Stafford continues to show progression within his game and should be able to carve out a nice for Page during the upcoming season.
#157: 6’0 ’23 Bryson Davis (Mallard Creek)
Moving onto a player that made a lasting impression with his toughness and defensive prowess, Bryson Davis. He’s a smart, high-motor guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and the understanding of how to effectively operate within his role on either end of the floor. Davis is a capable ball-handler and willing passer with sharp anticipation and the ability to force turnovers at a solid rate. Next in his development process Next in his development process is working to become a more reliable perimeter shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Layman on Davis: “Bryson is a lockdown defender at the point of attack. He’s also quite active on the boards. He possesses a quick first step in getting to the rim. Bryson is an unselfish guard willing to make the extra pass. He’s a good teammate and disciplined defender, especially within the paint. He can continue to work on finishing and shooting the ball with improved consistency.” Davis did a variety of things well at camp and should definitely return as a useful contributor for Mallard Creek next season.
#166: 6’0 ’24 Milton Turner (Walter Williams)
Continuing onto a player that performed quite well despite being the youngest camper on this team, Milton Turner. He’s a young, unselfish, strong-bodied wing/forward prospect with a solid understanding of the game. Turner works well within the team structure and capitalizes on offensive chances when presented the opportunity. Next in his development process Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more reliable defender along the perimeter. Coach Layman on Turner: “Milton displayed good use of his body to create space at the rim. He can finish around the basket and knock down jumpers when open. Milton does a good job of rebounding the ball. He’s a decent ball-handler for his size. He has good size but isn’t super-athletic. Milton did a good job of consistently trying to get his teammates involved. He can continue to work on finishing, defensive footwork, and becoming a more consistent shooter.” Turner did a variety of things well, especially for his age, and could be a prospect to watch progress going forward.
#181: 6’1 ’23 Jaden Lyles (Vance)
Next, we look at a player that arguably stood out as the most productive and reliable camper on this team, Jaden Lyles. He’s a tough, smart, well-rounded guard prospect with excellent penetration and finishing abilities. Lyles led by example in all facets of the game, proving to be an unselfish, high-motor captain from start to finish. He outworked his assignment on both ends, set up others whenever possible, and rose up whenever his team needed. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a perimeter shooter, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Layman on Lyles: “Jaden pushes the ball really well in transition. He possesses an explosive first step and has the ability to get to the rim and make acrobatic finishes. Jaden does a really good job of beating the first defender, engaging a second (and even third) defender and finding open teammates. He has good handles and shifty moves. Jaden puts pressure on the opposing defense in transition. He’s a great on-ball defender with good IQ. Jaden also communicates and provides a lot of energy. He can continue to work on his jumper.” Lyles proved to be a major asset during his time at camp and should be able to emerge as an asset sooner than later for Vance.
#190: 6’1 ’22 Sean Whitted (Springfield Commonwealth Academy)
Moving onto a player that consistently made his presence felt through explosiveness and dominating the glass, Sean Whitted. He’s a long, tough, wiry wing prospect with a quality feel for the game and a phenomenal nose for the ball. Whitted is quick and very active, which allows him to regularly outwork bigger/stronger opponents as a two-way rebounder. He makes unselfish decisions and secures a lot of second-chance opportunities. Next in his development process is working to become a better off-ball defender, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Layman on Whitted: “Sean is an extremely athletic, fantastic leaper and rebounder for his position. He can rebound the ball above the rim. While he’s not necessarily a great shooter, Sean is unselfish and doesn’t force the action. He pushes the ball well in transition and scans for teammates. Sean is a good passer and can find the open man. He had spotty effort, especially on defense. Sean can continue to develop his jumper and hustle in transition (defense).” Whitted enjoyed an excellent showing at camp and should be a player to monitor over the next calendar year at Springfield Commonwealth Academy.
#208: 6’2 ’23 Peyton Hunt (Hayesville)
Continuing onto a player that easily stood out as the main glue-guy and blue-collar cog on this team, Peyton Hunt. He’s a sturdy, unselfish, high-motor forward prospect with the ability to play bigger than his size would imply on both ends of the floor. Hunt is a strong rebounder, capable scorer and passer, and generally low-maintenance player with an understanding of how to do the dirty work. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would allow him to take slower forwards off the bounce more regularly. Coach Layman on Hunt: “Peyton is a great hustler and isn’t afraid to play physically on either end of the floor. He can knock down open shots but doesn’t force anything. Good glue-guy. He’s not going to do anything better than anyone else but will do a lot of little things extremely well. Peyton rebounds the ball well on both ends of the floor. He’s a great post defender and understands how to use verticality to make shots difficult for opponents. Peyton doesn’t try to swat for blocks.” Hunt enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a useful piece for Hayesville over the coming years.
#217: 6’3 ’23 Gabriel Campbell (Caroline)
Next, we look at a player that showcased enticing versatility, especially defensively, and a useful offensive arsenal, Gabriel Campbell. He’s a long, wiry, fairly well-rounded wing/forward prospect with the ability to excel within his role and make a lasting impact on either end of the floor. Campbell is a useful perimeter shooter, capable creator for himself or others, and excellent defender with toughness and rebounding ability. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Layman on Campbell: “Gabriel is a solid defender with the ability to guard all positions on the court. He can knock down shots when open, but doesn’t force anything. He’s okay with not scoring, but can turn it on when a bucket is needed. Gabriel rebounds the ball very well and utilizes his body effectively when attacking the rim. He displayed great eye contact in huddles. Gabriel can continue to work on ball-handling and his overall control as a finisher.” Campbell proved to be an asset during his time at camp and should be a useful piece for Caroline over the coming years.
#232: 6’4 ’23 Nick Elliott (Southeast Guilford)
Moving onto a player that possesses an enticing crossroads between production and long-term upside, Nick Elliott. He’s a long, wiry, skilled wing prospect with phenomenal all-around shooting abilities. Elliott is a lethal spot-up threat from distance but also shows the instincts to create his own shot off the bounce. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physical defensive player. Coach Layman on Elliott: “Nick has a knack for making tough shots. He can score the ball at all three levels. Nick can hit three-pointers off the dribble. He needs to improve his ball-handling (as he can be turnover prone) and overall hustle in transition. Nick also got beaten on defense; he should work to get his teammates more involved. It’ll be interesting to see his development with shot-selection and ball-handling.” Elliott showed a ton of quality flashes during his time at camp and should be able to emerge as a strong contributor over the coming years for Southeast Guilford.
#241: 6’5 ’21 Stevan Bajski (Woodberry Forest)
Finishing up, we look at a player that consistently stood out through his motor, communication, and willingness to work, Stevan Bajski. He’s a strong, sturdy forward/post prospect with natural leadership by example and a desire to do whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. Bajski is a reliable finisher and floor-spacer with nice post defense and overall toughness. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would allow him to take opposing big men off the bounce more regularly. Coach Layman on Bajski: “Stevan is a great communicator and overall teammate. He started talking in stations and didn’t stop all day. Stevan encourages teammates and talks with intention on defense. He can score the ball at all three levels. Stevan displays good patience in the post and use of shot-fakes, and finishes well around the rim. He also set really good screens for teammates. Stevan can continue to develop his footwork and moves out of the post.” Bajski enjoyed an excellent showing at camp and could be a useful late addition for the right program at the next level.