Team 3
Coach: Dre Simmons
#5: 5’6 ’25 Lucas Kimrey (Gaston Day)
Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Lucas Kimrey. He’s a young, slightly undersized guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and the ability to apply consistent pressure from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable penetrating threat. Coach Dre on Kimrey: “Lucas is a hard-nosed competitor. The first thing that pops out about Luke is his good-looking jumper, and he lets it fly with confidence. He has good range out to the three-point line and can make opponents pay if left open. Throughout camp, I also noticed he could be a reliable point guard as needed because of how he takes care of the ball and limits his turnovers. I like Lucas’ toughness and his willingness to play defense and not back down from any challenge. Coming into camp as a freshman, I’m very interested to see how his career pans out. Lucas is a great teammate, very coachable, and (with continued hard work) has the chance to have success at the game.” Kimrey enjoyed a nice showing at camp and will be one to keep an eye on going forward.
#50: 5’9 ’25 Joshua Dorsette II (Durham School of the Arts)
Next, we look at a player that possesses the makings of a blossoming floor general, Joshua Dorsette. He’s a smart, skilled point guard prospect with nice vision and a useful change-of-pace to his game. Dorsette handles the ball with poise, defends his position effectively, and is capable of applying scoring pressure from multiple levels. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him a more reliable finisher through contact. Coach Dre on Dorsette: “JD is a young man with a lot of potential. He has a solid handle and plays well under pressure. Josh also has range on his jumper and shoots the ball with confidence. He has a certain swag to his game and has that “look” about him. He was a hard worker, great teammate, and gave all effort throughout the day. JD also gets after it on the defensive end. If he keeps on his grind, he may be a kid to look out for.” Dorsette continues to steadily progress with each viewing and will be one to monitor as he begins his high school career.
#51: 5’10 ’26 Bryson Hardy (Blythewood)
Moving onto a player that consistently stood out despite being the youngest camper on this team, Bryson Hardy. He’s a smart, wiry guard prospect with a pretty advanced feel and overall skillset for this stage in his progression. Hardy works well within his role and outworks his assignment on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working to become more involved as a rebounder, as it would make him even more productive. Coach Dre on Hardy: “I didn’t realize Bryson was my youngest camper until I looked at my roster. He is in the Class of 2026 and currently an eighth-grader. This young man plays beyond his years and has a high basketball IQ for his age. Bryson has sneaky bounce. At 5-foot-10, I saw him grab the rim with both hands and I immediately took note of that. Also, he has a smooth shot and can fill it up out to three-point territory. At his size and age, he gives opposing guards fits. In every game we played, he created mismatch problems for kids in his age group. I believe that this young man has a chance to be a special talent. I’m confident in this!!” Hardy proved to be quite impressive at camp, especially for his age, and will be a prospect to watch closely going forward.
#68: 6’0 ’23 Joshua Vaught (Conway)
Continuing onto a player that regularly stood out with his glue-guy mentality throughout camp, Joshua Vaught. He’s a sturdy, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with a natural understanding of how to affect all facets of the game. Vaught does a healthy amount of everything within the flow of the action, from scoring to defending to setting up others, and produced in every contest. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as he has the ability to outwork most guards for a ton of extra opportunities. Coach Dre on Vaught: “I really like Josh. He makes a coach just want to give him the keys to the team. He has shifty handles as a lefty, which often catches the defense by surprise. I see so much potential in this young man. He has great pace and makes good reads with the ball. I really like when he is decisive and goes to the basket. Josh is hard to contain when he gets downhill and attacking the cup. I’ve had similar guys to Josh in this sense: I’m not sure this young man knows how good he is. I didn’t really see one matchup that I didn’t like his chances. I just wanted to see him cook the kid in front of him. Light-bulb moment! I really hope that switch turns on so my guy can dominate, simply put! He could be a difference-maker, and I hope he realizes how good he can be.” Vaught showcased a lot of positive flashes throughout the day and will be a player to watch over the next two seasons.
#81: 6’2 ’22 Ian Bush (Southern Alamance)
Next, we look at a player that seemed to continually improve throughout the course of the weekend, Ian Bush. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect with a team-first approach and useful understanding of how to operate within his role on both ends of the floor. Bush regularly stood out with his motor and overall willingness to make hustle plays. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him more physically imposing on either end of the floor. Coach Dre on Bush: “Ian is a long, athletic two-way guy who never takes a possession off on defense. I grew very fond of this young man because he had a spell where things weren’t going his way on the offensive end, but he pushed through it with defensive tenacity and desire to lock up his assignment. Because of this, he was able to create easy offense and, in turn, became more confident and had himself a nice showing as a result. With continued work on his skillset and keeping the hunger to defend, I can see this young man creating opportunities for himself.” Bush enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could be poised for a productive senior campaign at Southern Alamance.
#123: 6’3 ’23 Jaedon Whitaker (Henderson Collegiate)
Moving onto a player that quietly stood out as one of the more productive campers on this team, Jaedon Whitaker. He’s a long, athletic wing/forward prospect with the ability to apply constant pressure in transition and as a downhill penetrator. Whitaker utilizes his length to force turnovers, secure rebounds, and finish around opponents. Next in his development process is working to become a better passer, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dre on Whitaker: “Jaedon just makes the game look easy. He pretty much does what he wants, whenever he wants. He showcased the ability to get to the cup effortlessly. Also, he has good midrange and is reliable with the three-pointer. Jaedon is physically gifted and a pure athlete. He has the potential to be a dominant player when he develops that dog-like mentality to just overpower his opponents. Simply put, this kid has game and a lot to offer. His upside is tremendous.” Whitaker consistently found ways to stand out for this team and should be a useful contributor for Henderson Collegiate going forward.
#127: 6’3 ’23 Will Brimmer (New Bern)
Continuing onto a player that possesses all the necessary tools to appeal to various types of college coaches, Will Brimmer. He’s a long, wiry, athletic wing prospect with IQ and a fairly well-rounded skillset. Brimmer can apply scoring pressure in a variety of ways, but is arguably at his best when attacking downhill or forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Dre on Brimmer: “Will is a handful and not an easy cover on the offensive end. This kid’s ability to get downhill and just have his way is phenomenal! Also, he stands out as a vocal leader and doesn’t take plays off. From station work to our last game, I was absolutely impressed. He gets above the rim, can shoot, and locks up on defense. He is also a luxury for a coach because he can play on or off the ball.” Brimmer proved to be an asset during camp and should have another productive season as the clear leader of New Bern.
#136: 6’5 ’22 Elias Ayres (Neuse Charter)
Next, we look at a player that regularly stood out through his unselfishness and blue-collar approach, Elias Ayres. He’s a strong, sturdy forward prospect with the ability to battle inside or effectively space the floor from the perimeter. Ayres secures rebounds, provides great effort defensively, and fills in the gaps offensively. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would allow him to attack closeouts more frequently. Coach Dre on Ayres: “One word to describe Elias is “man!” This guy is built like a grown man and his game matches his physique. He can be a reliable post presence or be an off-guard. I like him in either role. At the four, he can stretch the defense and, at the guard spot, he can just overpower his matchups. He has great pace and feel for the game, and can rebound and lead the break in transition. Elias is very coachable and is a winner for sure.” Ayres enjoyed another nice showing at camp and should be a useful contributor for Neuse Charter during the upcoming season.
#142: 6’5 ’24 Tyler Showalter (Butler)
Moving onto a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, Tyler Showalter. He’s a wiry, unselfish wing/forward prospect with an understanding of how to operate within various different roles. Showalter can apply offensive pressure while making his presence felt defensively. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Dre on Showalter: “Tyler is a very intriguing prospect. At 6-foot-5, he has great guard skills, can fill it up from distance, or put it on the deck and create for himself. On defense, he can protect the paint or guard smaller players in pick-and-roll situations. He has intensity and a desire to be great. He doesn’t back down from any challenge and obviously, at his height, he can throw down with force. Tyler is unorthodox in that he’s a lefty and beats opponents off the dribble frequently. In the Class of 2024, I think he is one to watch.” Showalter did a lot of things well throughout the day and will be worth monitoring over the coming years.
#144: 6’6 ’23 Michael Wilson (Metrolina Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that easily stood out amongst the top performers on display, Michael Wilson. He’s a smart, skilled, inside-out forward prospect with the ability to affect all facets of the game. Wilson is a reliable passer, rebounder, and can score in a variety of different ways. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him more difficult for opponents to contain off the bounce. Coach Dre on Wilson: “Michael has a chance to be special. This young man is a matchup problem for opponents. He has length, handles, can shoot, and get above the rim. The game seems to move in slow-motion for him. He is never rushed. What I like about Mike is the fact that he knows he’s good, but isn’t cocky—just confident. He’s a “yes sir, no sir” type of guy who just wants to get it done. Mike had a great camp, showcasing many great qualities and should ultimately make any coach a happy man. I’m looking forward to seeing his development and what his future holds.” Wilson enjoyed a pretty high-level showing at camp and should be a major contributor during the upcoming season for Metrolina Christian.