Team 19
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PLJSuI1FGChQamlPvPEaLVIFMscgMEdtpY
Coach: William Monden
#0: 5’5 ’24 Cayden Martin (Greensboro)
Starting things off, we look at a player that performed very well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Cayden Martin. He’s a skilled, unselfish guard prospect with a tight handle, quality passing instincts, and the ability to score with efficiency from all levels. Next in his development process is working to improve his penetration sense, as it would complement his perimeter shooting nicely. Coach Monden on Martin: “Cayden has a bright future as a lead guard. He is very open to coaching and gives effort. He has good range from 30 feet and a quick release to shoot over taller players. Cayden also has a good handle. Going forward, he should work on strength to penetrate and get paint touches to create for others. He also needs to be more vocal as a lead guard on the high school level.” Martin proved to be an asset during camp and has all the tools to develop into a quality guard at the high school level.
#1: 5’7 ’24 James Quarles (Rock Hill)
Next, we look at a player that made a quality impact despite being the youngest camper on this team, James Quarles. He’s a quick, high-motor guard prospect with the ability to operate within the team structure and seize available opportunities when available. Next in his development process is working on becoming a better perimeter shooter, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Monden on Quarles: “James was a pleasure to coach. He had a great attitude at camp through drills and games and gave 110% effort on both ends of the floor. James was one of the younger kids of the team and was open to coaching from both his teammates and coach. That attitude and skill work will make him a better basketball player.” Quarles enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on, especially if he continues to work.
#2: 5’9 ’23 Hanif Omar (Durham)
Moving onto a player that was arguably the most impressive all-around scorer on display, Hanif Omar. He’s a smart, crafty, extremely quick guard prospect with an efficient three-level scoring arsenal and the ability to effortlessly create for himself or others off the bounce. Omar constantly mixes it up and shows no fear in being tasked to carry an offensive load. He offers a great change of pace and can shift directions in the blink of an eye. Omar plays bigger than his size when attacking the basket and finishing through bigger opponents. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring opportunities as a cutter. Coach Monden on Omar: “Hanif is a very strong lead guard. He has great potential as a leader on the floor and facilitator. He has good range on his three-point shot and showed a willingness to facilitate and take over a game by creating his own shot.” Omar highlighted flashes of greatness during camp, average 15 PPG, and should be a strong contributor during the upcoming season.
#3: 5’10 ’22 Jaylan Bowen (Raleigh)
Continuing onto a player that showcased a strong two-way skillset and approach throughout camp, Jaylan Bowen. He’s a smart, tough, crafty guard prospect with the ability to run a team or operate without the ball in his hands. Bowen is very quick, which allows him to penetrate and make plays for himself and others, but can also assert himself as a scorer from midrange or beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler. Coach Monden on Bowen: “Jaylan was one of the bright spots on the team. He played great team defense and was a vocal leader early on. He demonstrated deep range from three-point territory in catch and shoot situations and was comfortable playing both the lead guard and off-guard positions. Jaylan should look for opportunities to get more paint touches and create for others.” Bowen proved to be an asset throughout camp and should be poised for a very productive junior season at Millbrook.
#4: 5’11 ’22 Chance Castle (Myrtle Beach)
Next, we look at a player that made a pretty lasting impact with his motor and team-first approach, Chance Castle. He’s a wiry, unselfish guard prospect with a reliable jumper from midrange and the ability to knock down the open three-pointer. Castle moves well without the ball and does a nice job of making the extra pass whenever available. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a finisher, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Monden on Castle: “Chance had a positive attitude all camp and was very coachable. He gave 100% effort in every station and in every game. He needs to improve his footwork when pump-faking to avoid turnovers. Chance should also show more trust in his shot. He needs to play with quicker feet on defense.” Castle enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could emerge as a useful contributor over these next few seasons.
#5: 6’3 ’21 Kellen Vestal (Greensboro)
Moving onto a player that consistently found ways to contribute on either side of the ball, Kellen Vestal. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing/forward prospect with a sturdy frame and nice quickness, which makes him a useful on-ball defender. Vestal displayed solid footwork and operated effectively within the team concept. He also proved capable of knocking down open midrange jumpers. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Monden on Vestal: “Kellen was a tough competitor. He showed a lot of grit when battling in the paint for rebounds and willingly finding the outlet pass. As the camp went on, he showed an ability to finish through contact around the rim. Kellen needs to improve ball-handling and his shooting consistency from midrange and beyond the arc.” Vestal showed some solid flashes throughout camp and could be poised for a productive senior campaign.
#6: 6’3 ’21 Walter Ghaffar (Lumberton)
Continuing onto a player that seems capable of carving out a productive role with any collection of teammates, Walter Ghaffar. He’s a smart, tough, high-motor guard prospect with a well-rounded offensive arsenal and quality defensive prowess. Ghaffar is a strong finisher with great transition instincts and the ability to score from all levels. He rebounds very well for his position and does a great job of harassing his assignment with energy and positioning on defense. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Monden on Ghaffar: “Walter is a leader. His leadership started early in camp during the station drills. He has great size for his position and plays unselfish, putting his teammates in the correct spots for success.” Ghaffar enjoyed another quality showing at camp and will become a priority for various college programs heading into his upcoming senior season at Cleveland.
#7: 6’5 ’22 Elias Ayres (Greensboro)
Next, we look at a player that arguably stood out as the main glue-guy of this team, Elias Ayres. He’s a wiry, rugged forward prospect with nice length, a high motor, and the ability to do the dirty work on either side of the ball. Ayres is a quality shooter with quickness and great rebounding instincts. Next in his development process is working to become a better ball-handler, as it would make him a matchup problem for opposing forwards. Coach Monden on Ayres: “Eli has a great basketball IQ. He was one of the early leaders of the team during drills and throughout camp. He’s extremely coachable and the best thing about him is that he asked questions. Eli is vocal on the court and on the bench. He’s a solid defender with a high ceiling offensively. He can shoot it from midrange and beyond the arc. He needs to improve his handle in order to create for himself.” Ayres made a nice impact throughout camp and should be one for coaches to monitor over the next few years.
#8: 6’5 ’22 Collin Ferguson (Allendale)
Next, we look at a player that consistently stood out with his blue-collar approach, Collin Ferguson. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with a high motor and great interior toughness as a rebounder. Ferguson moved very well without the ball and knocked down open jumpers along the perimeter at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working to improve as a penetrator, as it would complement his perimeter shooting nicely. Coach Monden on Ferguson: “Collin demonstrated a lot of toughness in the paint when rebounding and defending players of his size and taller. He showed flashes of potential in catch-and-shoot situations from midrange and made great decisions playing in the middle against zone defense. Next for Collin is to improve footwork and quickness on defense.” Ferguson did a lot of things well during camp and has the tools to emerge as a quality high school contributor over the next calendar year.
#9 6’2 ’23 Lamon Pintard (Riverdale)
Lastly, we look at a younger prospect part of the 2023 class in Lamon Pintard. Pintard has good size already at 6’2 and really played well in multiple areas on the floor. What was noticeable about his game is the motor and energy he played with on the court, running the floor in transition, always moving on the floor offensively to create opportunities, and scoring around the rim. You also had to notice the impact he made on the defensive end, staying active and sticking to his opponent. Next in his development will continue to work on his overall offensive game, finishing strong at the rim and expanding where he can attack. Overall, Pintard played with that team mentality all throughout the camp and has tools that as he continues to develop, keep an eye on the impact he can make for a team.