Team 20
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PLJSuI1FGChQaoiynjd_Hd7T1X2Z4LPibL
Coach: Yusuf English
#0: 5'5 '24 MJ Armstrong (Rock Hill)
Starting things off, we look at a player that contributed well despite being the smallest camper on this team, MJ Armstrong. He's a young, wiry guard prospect with a nice perimeter jumper and solid vision as a playmaker. Armstrong operates with a high motor and looks to make the right decision with the ball on offense. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handlers with less difficulty. Coach English on Armstrong: 'MJ has a good attitude. He can shoot the ball from beyond the arc. MJ understands how to communicate and be a vocal presence on the defensive end of the floor. He also runs the floor well in transition. MJ was a good teammate and overall pleasure to coach.' Armstrong enjoyed a solid showing at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on, especially if he continues to work.
#1: 5'8 '24 Aidan Cook (Waxhaw)
Next, we look at a player that already displays a pretty well-rounded foundation for his age, Aidan Cook. He's a smart, crafty guard prospect with a reliable three-point jumper and quality scoring arsenal within the arc. He makes up for his lack of size with motor and intelligence, and set up others well as a playmaker. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it'll make him an even better finisher through contact. Coach English on Cook: 'Aidan is a pleasure to coach. He plays hard, listens, and applies what he is taught. He can shoot the three-pointer off the dribble and off the catch. Aidan is tenacious on defense on the ball and plays the passing lanes well. He runs the floor well and knows how to get open to get his shot off. Aidan is a great teammate.' Cook proved to be a useful asset throughout camp and should emerge as a useful contributor sooner than later for Weddington.
#2: 5'8 '23 Tanner Shoe (Fayetteville)
Moving onto a player that made his presence felt within the flow of the team on both ends of the floor, Tanner Shoe. He's a wiry, high-motor guard prospect with a nice feel for the game and the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers at a solid clip. 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 English on Shoe: 'Tanner is a pleasure to coach. He rebounded exceptionally well for his size. He can hit the midrange jumper with consistency. Tanner plays hard on both sides of the ball. He had some struggles when penetrating in traffic but does a good job in the open floor. Tanner takes good shots, knocking down midrange and three-point jumpers with consistency. He's a great teammate.' Shoe did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be able to carve out a solid role over these next few years.
#3: 5'9 '23 Casey Merritt (Hendersonville)
Continuing onto a player that offered his team with a pretty steady, reliable presence, Casey Merritt. He's an unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with a keen penetration sense and the ability to finish or set up others. Merritt is also a quality perimeter shooter with nice instincts as an off-ball cutter. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him an even better on-ball defender. Coach English on Merritt: 'Casey is a pleasure to coach. He plays hard on both ends of the floor. He shoots the ball well from three-point range and rebounds well for his size. Casey passes the ball well but needs to work on the timing of his passes. He defends his assignment well and proved to be extremely coachable. Casey pushes the ball well in transition. He's a great teammate.' Merritt made a quality impact during camp and has the tools to become a useful contributor sooner than later for East Henderson.
#4: 5'11 '22 AJ Cook (Waxhaw)
Next, we look at a player that easily stood out as one of the most impressive campers on display, AJ Cook. He's a smart, crafty, all-around point guard prospect with an excellent balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Cook runs a team with pace, poise, and makes the right plays with unwavering consistency. He's a knockdown three-point shooter with great range, timing, and mechanics with the ability to assert himself off the catch or bounce. Cook also defends his assignment well at the point of attack and displays great anticipation as an off-ball defender. Next in his development process is working to become a better rebounder, as it would allow him to push the break in transition with relative ease. Coach English on Cook: 'AJ is a natural leader. He's very coachable and has a very high basketball IQ. He sees the floor well, always seeming to make the right basketball play. He can shoot the three-pointer from anywhere on the floor. AJ is a great teammate and is always encouraging others. He passes well and is great in the open court in transition. AJ was a pleasure to coach. He was one of the better ball-handlers at camp. AJ does a good job of controlling the tempo of the game. He also finishes well in traffic.' Cook enjoyed a phenomenal showing at camp, securing the Mr. Playmaker award, and should be a leader for Weddington during the upcoming season.
#5: 5'11 '22 Carson Cryer (Raleigh)
Moving onto a player that really stood out with his toughness and ability to defend bigger than his size, Carson Cryer. He's a rugged, scrappy point guard prospect with quality ball-handling skills and a reliable jumper from the perimeter. Next in his development process is working to become a better passer, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach English on Cryer: 'Carson was the best defender on the team. He made a lot of great defensive plays. He's a good ball-handler and can shoot the midrange as well as the three-pointer. Carson is tenacious on defense and doesn't back down from a challenge. He rebounds well for his size and finishes well in traffic. Carson is a natural leader and did a good job of coaching the younger players. It was a definite pleasure to coach him. He's a great teammate.' Cryer proved to be a clear asset during camp and should be a useful contributor for Wakefield during the upcoming season.
#6: 6'3 '21 Michael Dulin (Charlotte)
Continuing onto a player that possesses an excellent crossroads between production and long-term upside, Michael Dulin. He's a long, wiry, athletic wing prospect with the ability to score in a variety of ways while effectively containing his assignment and rebounding the ball on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach English on Dulin: 'Michael is very athletic and finishes well around the rim. He's a good rebounder that plays hard on both ends of the floor. Michael runs the floor well on the break and is very aggressive when going to the basket. He is an effective ball-handler and can shoot the three-pointer. Michael is a good teammate and looks to make the extra pass whenever available. He was a pleasure to coach.' Dulin made a quality impact during camp and has all the tools to have a productive upcoming season for Franklin Prep.
#7: 6'3 '21 Sage Potts (Lebanon)
Next, we look at a player that consistently stood out with his willingness to do the little things, Sage Potts. He's a smart, wiry, team-first wing/forward prospect that really understands how to move without the ball and find scoring opportunities as a spot-up threat along the perimeter. Potts is a very scrappy defender with a high motor and strong rebounding instincts. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a better penetrator. Coach English on Potts: 'Sage finishes well around the rim. He can post-up and faceup well. He can hit the three-pointer and the one dribble pull-up jumper. Sage is a good rebounder and plays well around the rim. He can finish in traffic and proved to be a good teammate. He was a pleasure to coach.' Potts enjoyed a solid showing at camp and could carve out a useful role during his upcoming senior campaign.
#8: 6'5 '22 Isaiah Williams (Indian Trail)
Moving onto a player that simply understands how to bring a tough, intelligent presence on both ends of the floor, Isaiah Williams. He's a strong, athletic, well-rounded forward prospect with the ability to play bigger than his size would imply. Williams is an imposing force around the basket, displaying IQ, touch, craftiness, and great finishing instincts. He defends multiple positions, commands a lot of attention on the glass, and blocks shots exceptionally well. Williams is also a great passer with the necessary range to step out and knock down jumpers from midrange or beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier scorer with his back to the basket, as it would make him an even tougher assignment for opponents. Coach English on Williams: 'Isaiah is a natural leader. He can push the ball well on the break. He's a good rebounder, effective ball-handler, and makes good decisions with the ball. He finishes well around the rim. Isaiah has a great attitude and hit the three-pointer with consistency. He's athletic and proved to be a good shot blocker. He's a pleasure to coach, makes the extra pass, and was a good teammate.' Williams was a standout performer throughout his time at camp, averaging 14 PPG, and should have a very productive upcoming season at Porter Ridge.
#9: 6'5 '22 Matthew Knafelz (Charlotte)
Finishing up, we look at a player that operated well as a primary interior presence for this team, Matthew Knafelz. He's a wiry, high-motor forward/post prospect with great instincts as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. Knafelz positions himself for success on the glass and as an all-around defender. He also finishes well around the basket. Next in his development process is working to become a better passer, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach English on Knafelz: 'Matthew is a great kid. He runs the floor well and can finish well around the rim. He plays well with his back to the basket as well as facing. He can shoot the midrange jumper. Matthew is a good shot blocker and great teammate. He rebounds the ball well and was a pleasure to coach. Matthew also processes information quickly.' Knafelz made a nice impact during camp and has the tools to emerge as a useful contributor within the next few seasons for Providence.