Team 7
Coach: Dre Simmons
#1: 5'0 '27 Landen Moore (Matthews Charter)
Starting things off, we look at a player that made a consistent impact despite being the smallest camper on this team, Landen Moore. He's a smart, tough, scrappy guard prospect with a high motor, fairly well-rounded skillset, and clear willingness to do the dirty work. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more lethal penetrating threat. Coach Dre on Moore: 'Landen was an absolute pleasure to coach! As a coach, we love to see guys who maximize their game with hard work and effort. This young man is a workhorse. He really got himself going on the defensive end, playing the passing lanes and creating easy baskets off turnovers. Once he got going on defense, it naturally turned into offense. He has a good shooting stroke and is reliable from beyond the arc. He can also create off the dribble and get to the rack. I was truly impressed with Landen. He is that Swiss army knife that every coach can use. I believe his work ethic and will to win will have him as a competitor to know over the future.' Moore did a lot of things well at camp and will be a prospect to watch grow going forward.
#9: 5'4 '27 Talon Dearborn (Sam Gentry)
Next, we look at a player that showcased an understanding of how to produce within a role, Talon Dearborn. He's a tough, unselfish guard prospect with a high motor, useful shooting stroke, and ability to make his presence felt as a cutter or spot-up threat. 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 Dearborn: 'Mr. Dearborn was a good addition to my team during camp. He showed great potential and upside with continued work. He occasionally showcased the long ball and the ability to space the floor. He operated well without the ball and displayed a knack for getting open off backdoor cuts and v-cuts. Defensively, he competed all afternoon and doesn't cheat you with effort. Overall, he gave a solid effort and, with continued hard work, can make some noise in the future.' Dearborn enjoyed a solid showing during his time at camp and has the tools to develop into a useful player over the coming years.
#11: 5'4 '28 Antoine Morman Jr. (Durham School of the Arts)
Moving onto a player that easily stood out as one of the top campers on display, especially among seventh-graders, Antoine Morman Jr. He's a poised, intelligent, dynamic guard prospect with craftiness, sharp vision, a tight handle, and the ability to score in an impressive variety of ways. Next in his development process is simply working to get stronger, as his game is already very mature and advanced for his age. Coach Dre on Morman: 'Very rarely will I go out on a limb and call a seventh-grade kid a stud, but goodness gracious this kid can play. Antoine was clearly in a league of his own. In our first game, he dropped a 40-ball and got it however he wanted; long range, midrange, off the bounce, at the basket, and in catch-and-shoot scenarios. He put together a masterpiece and dominated all the competition. Every young player has to continue to work, that's obvious, but I'll go ahead and vouch/co-sign/stamp/bet that this kid is going places and will be a name that should become well-known. The sky is the limit for Antoine!' Morman was very impressive at camp, securing the MVP award, and will definitely be a player worth monitoring over the foreseeable future.
#19: 5'6 '28 Easton Voltz (Summerfield Charter)
Continuing onto a player that made a lasting impression with his perimeter shooting and complementary game, Easton Voltz. He's a smart, scrappy, unselfish guard prospect with a reliable jumper from midrange and beyond the arc. Voltz plays hard and is capable of making plays without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working on his ability to create off the bounce, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Dre on Voltz: 'Easton showed flashes of being a sniper, especially through drills and stations. He had his moments, but in my honest assessment, I believe he is a much better player than what he was able to showcase today. As I coach, I wish I could have put him in more opportunities to score or screens to get him open because I am sure the kid can shoot. However, I did appreciate his good spirit and willingness to be a great teammate. I believe these traits will take Easton a very long way.' Voltz made a nice impact at camp and will be a prospect to watch progress going forward.
#20: 5'9 '27 Trashawn Dickerson (Luther Nick Gerald)
Next, we look at a player that stood out through his ability to outwork opponents on both ends of the floor, Trashawn Dickerson. He's a long, scrappy, team-oriented guard prospect with a high motor and quality feel for the game. Dickerson hit jumpers, set up others, attacked the basket, and forced numerous turnovers defensively. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more lethal penetrating threat. Coach Dre on Dickerson: 'Trashawn is the type of player that all coaches love! He's a true two-way player. He gives maximum effort on every possession. At times, he stretched the floor and displayed great touch as a shooter. Other times he attacked the basket like a bruiser. On defense, he loves to challenge himself and apply intense pressure. He showed great enthusiasm for the game and had a contagious, positive attitude. I really enjoyed coaching Trashawn. He's a pure workhorse.' Dickerson made his presence felt in various different ways at camp and looks likely to steadily progress over the coming years.
#40: 5'10 '29 Trey Myers (East Forsyth)
Moving onto a player that already possesses a lot of appeal, especially given his physical tools as the youngest camper on this team, Trey Myers. He's a young, physical wing/forward prospect with a strong frame and the ability to anchor the paint on both ends of the floor. Myers finished, rebounded, and altered a ton of shots defensively. He did a lot of things well, particularly given his age. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open him up to more scoring opportunities as a cutter and spot-up threat. Coach Dre on Myers: 'I was very impressed with Trey's ability to finish around the basket. He proved to have good hands and caught plenty of passes that led to easy finishes. He also does a good job of clearing out space with his body and utilizing his size inside the paint. He rebounds well and gets the break started in transition. Although he's a bigger fellow, he got up and down the floor pretty well. I did notice he doesn't like failure and displayed a fire in him that could push his game to another level.' Myers made a really strong impression at camp and displayed a lot of upside, so it'll be exciting to track his progress going forward.
#42: 5'10 '27 Marcus Martin (Durham School of the Arts)
Finishing up, we look at a player who easily stood out as one of the more dominant campers on display, Marcus Martin. He's a smart, tough, athletic wing/forward prospect with a high motor and a lot of ability on both ends of the floor. Martin finished and set up others while controlling the glass and anchoring the paint defensively. He forced a ton of turnovers and made a consistent impact in transition. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it'll only help prepare him for the increased physicality of the high school game. Coach Dre on Martin: 'Marcus is ‘like that.' He displays a high motor, rim-running ability, and is always involved in the action. He might block a shot on one end, sprint to the other end, and set up others or finish at a high rate. He just seems too strong for most middle-school opponents and honestly just bullied smaller guys. He has strength as well as grace. Marcus is a very well-rounded prospect. I'm excited to see how he pans out because, in my opinion, the kid is a bucket.' Martin was undeniably impressive at camp, securing the Hustle Award, and will definitely be a prospect to monitor over the foreseeable future.