Team 4
Coach: Austin Collins
#43: 5’7 ’26 Dionte Neal (Reidsville)
Starting things off, we look at a player who already possesses poise well beyond his years, Dionte Neal. He’s a tough, crafty guard prospect with excellent creation skills and a dynamic scoring arsenal from all levels. Neal can effortlessly get wherever he wants off the bounce, and displays the combination of scoring and playmaking to apply constant pressure on opposing teams. He’s an excellent defender, especially for his size, with the necessary instincts to force turnovers and push transition play on a regularity. Next in his development process is working on moving without the ball, as it would allow him to play more seamlessly alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Collins on Neal: “Dionte is a hooper and can score the ball at all levels. Great pace with the ball in his hands. Plays defense very well. He’s an all-around player, and I loved his hustle as well.” Neal continues to showcase the makings of a quality prospect, especially given his current trajectory, and will be one to watch going forward.
#51: 5’8 ’26 Jacob Mills (Salisbury)
Next, we look at a player who truly excelled within his role on both ends of the floor, Jacob Mills. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with a terrific spot-up presence and the understanding of how to make an impact without requiring the ball in his hands. Mills moves very well as a cutter, finds open seams within the defense, and maximizes available scoring chances within the flow of the action. He’s unselfish, will make the extra pass, and provides great effort defensively. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player on both ends of the floor. Coach Collins on Mills: “One thing I would tell Jacob is to keep shooting until he misses. I love his shot and think it’s going in every single time. He plays hard and defends whoever. He is going to be a great shooter as the years go on.” Mills enjoyed another promising showing at camp, and will be a prospect to monitor going forward.
#71: 5’10 ’23 Jailen Cooper (JFK)
Moving onto a player who did a nice job of finding ways to make an impact without forcing the action or requiring the ball in his hands, Jailen Cooper. He’s a tough, sturdy guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and solid two-way motor. Cooper battles defensively, works on the glass, and runs the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a perimeter shooter, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Collins on Cooper: “I can tell that Jailen hasn’t been playing for very long, but he’s a good kid and works hard on the court. He just needs to get in the gym and continue to work on his craft. Jailen is coachable and displayed a positive attitude throughout the day.” Cooper worked hard during his time at camp, and will be one to watch as he continues to grow over these next two seasons at JFK.
#72: Johnathan Lee
Continuing onto a player who made a pretty lasting impression with his clear willingness to do the dirty work, Johnathan Lee. He’s a long, tough, athletic wing prospect with a high motor, team-first mentality, and strong defensive presence. Lee is great at getting downhill and finishing, but also moves quite well without the ball in his hands. He displays quickness and solid feel, which allows him to regularly force turnovers and push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler against defensive pressure. Coach Collins on Lee: “Johnathan is a great kid! I love how he asks a lot of questions and plays with a ton of energy on both ends of the floor. Needs to work on his jumper and making it an increased percentage. He has a good future if he keeps working.” Lee enjoyed a nice showing at camp, and will be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
#79: 6’0 ’25 Nicholas Graves (Bishop McGuinness)
Next, we look at a player who showcased the makings of a fairly enticing offensive threat, Nicholas Graves. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with a quality handle, unselfishness as a passer, and the ability to touch the paint (and finish) at a high volume. Graves is also a respectable shooter form the perimeter and displays a strong feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player on both ends of the floor. Coach Collins on Graves: “I just want Nicholas to keep shooting, shooting, shooting! If he does that, he will do big things one day and set records somewhere. He needs to work on his consistency as a shooter off the bounce just a little bit. Nicholas was coachable and provided a positive attitude throughout the day.” Graves did a lot of things well at camp, and has the tools to carve out a nice role for Bishop McGuinness over the coming years.
#80: 6’0 ’25 Patrick Graves (Bishop McGuinness)
Moving onto a player who already possesses the makings of a dynamic piece, but should only continue to progress, Patrick Graves. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with a high motor, unselfish mentality, and the ability to apply efficient scoring pressure from all three levels. Graves can reliably produce from either backcourt position, and doesn’t require the ball to make a consistent impact. He displays a high IQ. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would only open up more scoring opportunities as a cutter or spot-up threat. Coach Collins on Graves: “Patrick and his brother make a great duo, but I need him to be more vocal and shoot more as well. He has a great shot and good handle on the ball. Plays very good defense. Patrick was also coachable and provided a positive attitude throughout the day.” Graves made his presence felt in various different ways at camp, and will be one to watch emerge over the foreseeable future at Bishop McGuinness.
#188: 6’3 ’24 Bryan Sellars (East Forsyth)
Continuing onto a player who easily stood out as the most overwhelming athlete on this team, Bryan Sellars. He’s a long, wiry, rugged wing/forward prospect with a quality motor and the ability to naturally make plays on both ends of the floor. Sellars is a very active rebounder, especially for his position, and can capitalize on second-chance opportunities or push the break in transition. He utilizes his length very well against opponents and is capable of blocking shots at a high volume. Sellars is at his best when getting downhill and attacking, but can also knock down perimeter jumpers. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would only maximize his presence on both ends of the floor. Coach Collins on Sellars: “Bryan is very bouncy and can fly on either side of the ball. Plays with attitude, but in a good way. He listens and wants to win at all costs. Plays until the final buzzer. Needs to improve his jumper, but hit some throughout the day.” Sellars highlighted a lot of appeal at camp, and should be a name worth noting over these next few years.
#189: 6’3 ’23 Dillon McCafferty (East Chapel Hill)
Next, we look at a player who made a pretty lasting impression with his skillset and willingness to do anything to provide his team with an edge, Dillon McCafferty. He’s a wiry, team-first wing/forward prospect with an active motor and nice nose for the ball on both ends of the floor. McCafferty is adaptable and well-rounded enough to actively alter his approach and toggle between various roles. He looks to involve himself in the action however possible, and has the blend of motor and toughness to do so. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain on the glass. Coach Collins on McCafferty: “Dillon can absolutely play ball! He can shoot, defend, rebound, and listens very, very well. He is a great teammate and all the guys liked his teamwork. He showcased his ball-handling skills and was very vocal on both ends of the floor.” McCafferty proved to be a definite asset at camp, and should be a quality piece for East Chapel Hill during the upcoming season.
#193: 6’4 ’23 Taft Johnson (High Point Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player who continues to showcase a lot of intrigue with his pass-friendly identity, Taft Johnson. He’s a long, smart, heady point guard prospect with excellent size and a natural instinct for making quality reads with the ball in his hands. Johnson is great in the open floor but also more than comfortable at running a team in the half-court. He utilizes angles very well to open up passing opportunities, but can also attack and finish around the basket with consistency. Next in his development process is working to become a better three-point shooter, as it would only make him more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Collins on Johnson: “This kid can play! He has great size, hustles every possession, and plays hard until the final buzzer. Very athletic in many ways and rebounds the ball well for his position. Great finisher around the basket. Strong passing instinct.” Johnson highlighted a lot of ability during his time at camp, and could be poised for a potential breakout season at High Point Christian.