Team 5
Coach: Dre Simmons
#6: 4'10 '28 Derrick Caldwell (Mooresville)
Starting things off, we look at a player that performed exceptionally well despite his size and age, Derrick Caldwell. He's a tough, skilled, unselfish point guard prospect with a phenomenal feel for the game on either end of the floor. Caldwell is a strong creator with a sharp penetration sense and finishing ability. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dre on Caldwell: 'Derrick is a very talented young prospect. This young man is currently in the fifth-grade but his game is well beyond his years. He has a great handle and plays the point guard position with poise and maturity. Derrick has a great feel for the game and you can tell he's been well-trained. He likes to go by the nickname 'Doc,' and I can see why. He's a surgeon with the rock, cutting up the defense. Derrick has good range on his jumper out to three-point range. The sky is really the limit for this young man. I'm really excited to see what the future holds for him.' Caldwell displayed a lot of ability at camp and will be one to monitor throughout his continued progression.
#9: 4'9 '27 Brailyn Ford (Kannapolis)
Next, we look at a player that consistently found ways to make his presence felt within the flow of the action, Brailyn Ford. He's a tough, scrappy guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and the ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dre on Ford: 'Brailyn was a pleasure to work with. This young man shows a lot of promise. Even though he was one of the youngest players he wasn't afraid to get in and bang it out with the bigger kids. I really like his tenacity and desire to play. He has a pretty good shot, getting going at one point and made a few three-pointers in a decent stretch. He also has good guard skills and can find open teammates. Like most campers at this level, he can work on getting physically stronger and just continue training, and he should have a nice career.' Ford enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the tools to become a nice prospect, especially with continued work.
#18: 5'2 '26 Brandon Ford (Kannapolis)
Moving onto a player that made a lasting impression with his unselfishness and penetration sense, Brandon Ford. He's a wiry, team-first guard prospect with useful creation skills and nice leadership qualities on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physically imposing player. Coach Dre on Ford: 'Brandon has a pretty nice handle. He creates shots for himself and others. He was very vocal and seems to be a natural-born leader. I appreciated the fact that he came up to me after a game and wanted feedback on how to improve. I like the way he operated, getting downhill and playing with a combination of pace and control. Over the next few years, Brandon will be elevated to another level by getting stronger and staying in the gym.' Ford did a variety of things well during his time at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
#21: 5'3 '27 Jasiye Simmons (Statesville)
Continuing onto a player that continues to showcase steady progression with each new viewing, Jasiye Simmons. He's a young, wiry guard prospect that highlights consistent flashes of solid creation skills and overall effort within the flow of the action. 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 Dre on Simmons: 'Jasiye showed promise at times. It seems like he has a decent handle yet appears reluctant to put it on the floor. It seemed like nerves may have gotten the best of him at times, but he did manage to get a couple of shots going to the hoop'in addition to some midrange looks. At times on defense, he seemed to be out of place and lost his man on a couple of occasions. Understanding game situations and basketball IQ are probably next in his development. Being one of the younger campers, I think he has the potential to improve and be a really good player one day.' Simmons showed some intriguing flashes at camp and has the foundation to continue to improve over the coming years.
#30: 5'5 '27 Ramir Goins (Durham)
Next, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between production and long-term upside, Ramir Goins. He's a smart, fairly skilled guard prospect with toughness and the ability to make his presence felt with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dre on Goins: 'Ramir has some nice tools. At times, he showcased a pretty shifty handle and had no problem beating his man off the bounce. I also liked pace and overall confidence. I'm not sure if he actually knows how good he is, because I though very highly of him. I honestly think he can be that 'guy' on any team he's on. Ramir can play either backcourt position and find production. This kid can go, point blank. When the lightbulb comes on, watch out!' Goins proved to be an asset during his time at camp and will be worth monitoring across the foreseeable future.
#36: 5'6 '26 Jaylen Alexander (Knightdale)
Moving onto a player that made a lasting impression with his scoring ability and overall arsenal of tools, Jaylen Alexander. He's a smart, skilled guard prospect with a quality frame and the ability to apply three-level scoring pressure with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on adding strength, as it will only make him tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Dre on Alexander: 'Jaylen has game! He is a very intriguing prospect. He has good length and can score from all three levels. Jaylen has a nice handle and can breakdown his man and create off the bounce. He isn't afraid of a challenge and has flair/swag to his game. He has the frame of a baller and can have his way against most kids on this level. With continual work, Jaylen has a real shot at success.' Alexander made his presence felt in a variety of different ways and will be a player to keep an eye on going forward.
#50: 5'8 '28 Christopher Dickerson (Goldsboro)
Continuing onto a player that showcased a lot of appeal with his physique and overall identity, especially for his age, Christopher Dickerson. He's a big, strong-bodied post prospect with soft hands, footwork, and the ability to outwork his assignment as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would allow him to hedge screens and recover with less resistance. Coach Dre on Dickerson: 'Chris is a man down low. He has a great feel for the game and good footwork on the block. Chris never takes plays off and goes after the defensive and offensive glass with aggression. He has good moves in the post and even has range out to the three-point line. Simply put, Chris is a gamer and should really be a prospect to look for going forward. With continual work, this kid has potential to go far with the game.' Dickerson highlighted a lot of ability throughout camp and will be one to monitor closely over the coming years.
#60: 5'8 '25 Carter Shirley (Huntersville)
Next, we look at a player that arguably stood out among the top all-around performers on display, Carter Shirley. He's a smart, skilled, unselfish guard prospect with great size and the well-rounded skillset dominate the game. Shirley is an excellent leader with a quality two-way approach. Next in his development process is working to become stronger, as it'll only help prepare him for the physicality of the high school game. Coach Dre on Shirley: 'Carter had a phenomenal camp. This kid gets what he wants, when he wants it. Whenever attacking downhill, he had an array of finishing moves. As gifted as he is scoring the ball, he is selfless and gets his teammates involved. He makes great decisions and is a pass-first point guard, almost to a fault at times. Sometimes the better option is him and, instead of shooting, he might defer to others. I really liked Carter a lot and thought he was dominant. My advice for Carter is to know he is 'that guy,' because he's truly a dog.' Shirley was undeniably impressive at camp and has the tools to emerge as a player worth noting sooner than later.
#67: 5'9 '25 Brock Jackson (Winston-Salem)
Finishing up, we look at a player that made a lasting impression with his strength, toughness, and overall two-way mentality, Brock Jackson. He's a long, wiry wing prospect with an excellent downhill sense and the ability to create for himself or others effectively off the bounce. Jackson scores from all levels, sets up others whenever possible, and regularly outworks his assignment on defense. 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 Dre on Jackson: 'Brock is a bully. Yes sir! This kid gets to the cup anytime he makes his mind up. He has a great handle, really good pace, and a bag of finishing moves. I really like the fact that he takes pride in defense and will accept the challenge of the other team's best player. There is a lot to like about Brock, and he has so much potential. He can be the best player on any team. One word, legit.' Jackson proved to be a definite asset during camp and will be a player to monitor throughout his continued progression.
