2018 Standouts
Rechon Black
6’6” Concord HS (Concord, NC)
Black’s game won’t necessarily blow you away, especially in a gym full of athletes like there was in this event. However, as you continue to watch Black you notice the smooth feel in which he plays. He already stands as a lengthy 6’6”, he is a true point guard who shows vision and pace on offense. Defensively, he plays the passing lanes very well. Black has early offers from Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, Clemson, Tennessee, Charlotte, and others. He is a Top 25 prospect. Black reminds of Detroit Pistons’ Spencer Dinwiddie.
Jairus Hamilton
6’7” Cannon School (Concord, NC)
Hamilton has great length and an almost college ready body, he is the prototypical size for a wing player. Throughout the event, Hamilton showed the ability to get downhill, and had he strength & athleticism to finish at the rim. A criticism against him is his inconsistent jump shot, but he showed great vision from the wing. Hamilton has early offers from Tennessee and Virginia Tech and should expect many more at this level. He’s a Top 100 guy. Hamilton has some similarities to Miami Heat’s Justice Winslow.
Will Dillard
6’2” Greensboro Day (Greensboro, NC)
If you look at the last 3 NCAA National Champions, you see that their back courts start two smaller guards. Louisville had Peyton Siva and Chris Smith. Connecticut had Shabazz Napier and Ryan Boatright. Duke had Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones. I make this note to say that Dillard fits this to a “t”. He is a tweener guard who may not shoot well enough for a full time 2, or handle well enough as a full time 1, but neither did any of the guys mentioned above. However, Dillard is an elite athlete, Dillard is an elite perimeter defender, Dillard has a high basketball IQ, and Dillard is a high level passer. Dillard is a player that fits the mold of the national champion’s trend. Dillard has early offers from Wake Forest and Charlotte, he is a Top 75 player. Dillard has some similarities to Seventh Woods.
Johnny Newman
6’5” Greensboro Day (Greensboro, NC)
Newman has a great pace and feel to his game. He is the glue man on a championship type team. Newman, a lefty, has good length and great anticipation. He excels in the mid-range on offense, where he finds his shot off the bounce and in attacking the basket. Defensively he can defend multiple positions, and does so with a high IQ. Newman carries an early offer from Charlotte, he’s a Top 150 type of player. Newman has some similarities to former Syracuse Orangeman Josh Pace.
Kody Shubert
5’11” Lincoln Charter (Denver, NC)
What Shubert may lack in size, he makes up for in swag and moxie. Shubert can light it up from the perimeter, but also has good court vision and does good stuff in the open court. Shubert doesn’t have any offers yet, which will change soon. Shubert has similarities to Marquette’s Andrew Rowsey.
Immanuel Bates
6’9” Jack Britt HS (Fayetteville, NC)
Bates exudes upside, there is a lot to like with his future. Bates has a 7’5” wingspan and wears a size 18 shoe, as a 15 year old. Bates needs some strength, but he has a good motor, coordination, and timing. Bates is a new name to the list, so his recruitment has yet to start. He should have a lot of eyes on him. Bates has some similarities to Hasaan Whiteside at the same stage.