Team 9
Coach: John Allen
#3: 5'1 '28 Jordan Starkey (Wheatmore)
Starting things off, we look at a player that made a lasting impression with his sharp defensive presence, Jordan Starkey. He's a young, scrappy guard prospect with a high motor and ability to outwork his assignment on both ends of the floor. Starkey is very quick, which allows him to frequently touch the paint and finish or make quality passes to his teammates. He positions himself extremely well to force turnovers and then immediately push the break in transition. Starkey handles the ball with poise, rebounds well for his size, and displays a nice two-way IQ. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to play through contact more regularly. Coach Allen on Starkey: 'Jordan's defense is outstanding. He has quick hands and anticipates very well in off-ball defense at this age. He possesses great energy, the type that comes from a desire to be good. I would like to see him work on his handle and finishing strong at the rim. He can continue developing his leadership attitude.' Starkey enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be poised for a productive eighth-grade season.
#7: 5'3 '27 Jordan Handy (Bethany Community)
Next, we look at a player that understands how to effectively fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor, Jordan Handy. He's a wiry, team-first guard prospect with the ability to naturally do a little bit of everything on the court. Handy is a capable ball-handler with solid vision, quickness, and penetration instincts, but can also apply pressure as a spot-up threat whenever necessary. He provides great energy on defense and as a rebounder. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Allen on Handy: 'Jordan has good ball-handling skills, but I would really like to see him add more aggressive and vocal actions to command the game. His defensive presence is good. He can work on dribble moves into his shot.' Handy made a solid impact during his time at camp and will be a prospect to watch grow over the coming years.
#13: 5'4 '28 Moss Leroux (Cross Schools)
Moving onto a player that showcased a clear understanding of how to reliably produce within various different roles, Moss Leroux. He's a steady, wiry guard prospect with a high IQ, active motor, and unselfish approach to the game. Leroux is a useful creator with the necessary vision and ball-handling skills to initiate the offense, but also offers a quality spot-up presence along the perimeter. He poses a great shooting threat from midrange and beyond the arc, and displays an understanding of how to move without the ball. Leroux rebounds the ball well for his size and regularly makes hustle plays. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it'll naturally increase his defensive physicality. Coach Allen on Leroux: 'Moss' game will grow as he continues to physically develop. He can work on being more vocal and getting his off-hand as strong as his dominant hand.' Leroux proved to be a difference-maker during his time at camp and will certainly be one to watch progress going forward.
#15: 5'4 '29 Jaycee Victoria (Acellus)
Continuing onto a player that made a quality impact, especially for being the youngest camper on this team, Jaycee Victoria. He's a scrappy, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with solid size and athleticism at the current stage in his progression. Victoria can handle the ball, but typically found scoring opportunities as a cutter or spot-up threat. He's a willing passer, defender, and rebounder with the ability to make hustle plays as needed. Victoria utilizes his length and positioning well to disrupt opponents at the point of attack, which led to forced turnovers and transition play. Next in his development process is working to tighten up his handle, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Allen on Victoria: 'Jaycee is at a great starting point in a lot of different areas. With work, he'll move quickly. He has numerous other abilities that are even closer to being refined. His on-ball defense was more than I expected and can be a part of his game that separates him from others.' Victoria displayed a lot of enticing flashes at camp and will be one to monitor over the next few years.
#23: 5'7 '27 Evan Wilson (Tyro)
Next, we look at a player that showcased a very impressive, dynamic two-way identity, Evan Wilson. He's a smart, unselfish, all-around guard prospect with a high motor and the ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Wilson can reliably handle the ball, make smart passes, and create for himself and others. He scores the ball at an efficient rate from all three levels but displays a willingness to defer to his teammates whenever necessary. Wilson can also apply quality pressure as a cutter or spot-up threat. He's a great defender, both on and off the ball, and displays a knack for forcing turnovers. Wilson rebounds well for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Allen on Wilson: 'Evan will benefit from continuing to work on the mental side of the game. His skills are going to get him there, but his mental capacity will push him to greater heights.' Wilson proved to be an asset at camp and will be a prospect to keep an eye on as he enters the high school ranks.
#29: 5'9 '28 Jonah Hinson (Our Lady of Grace)
Moving onto a player that definitely stood out as one of the clear leaders of this group, Jonah Hinson. He's a smart, polished, unselfish guard prospect with a high motor and very well-rounded skillset. Hinson is crafty and extremely quick, which allows him to effortlessly break down opponents and touch the paint at a seemingly nonstop rate'where he's a terrific finisher and passer. He can knock down jumpers at a nice rate, but basically proved to be unstoppable when getting downhill and attacking the basket. Hinson is a sharp passer, reliable scorer, and poised creator. He also contains his assignment well and forces turnovers with consistency on defense, where he's able to lead the break or set up others. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Allen on Hinson: 'Jonah was one of the most solid players in the event. His ability to finish at the rim was among the best in games we played. I would like to see him become more vocal. His team will benefit from his IQ and it'll open doors for the future.' Hinson enjoyed an impressive showing at camp and has all the tools to develop into a notable prospect over the coming years.
#63: 6'0 '27 Isaiah White (Matthews Charter)
Continuing onto a player that already possesses a ton of appealing qualities, Isaiah White. He's a smart, skilled, athletic wing/forward prospect with great size, physicality, and the ability to consistently produce within various different roles. White is a quality creator with the necessary blend of vision, ball-handling, and overall instincts to effectively run a team. He touches the paint at a high volume, where he sets up others or finishes well through contact, but can also knock down jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. White is an excellent on-ball defender with great anticipation for forcing turnovers. He also rebounds well for his size and looks to push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on his off-ball awareness, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Allen on White: 'Isaiah has all the skills needed to become a notable player. I would like to see him be more open to pick up more aspects of his game as viewed by outside coaches. He can work on going left to prevent overplay to his right. Although he's a very good defender, Isaiah can add a defensive intensity to make himself feared by opponents.' White did a ton of things well throughout camp, securing the Defense Award, and should be one to watch during his upcoming freshman season.
#133: 5'11 '27 Jacob Wilde (Our Lady of Grace)
Finishing up, we look at a player that showcases a clear understanding of how to impact the game on both ends of the floor, Jacob Wilde. He's a strong, tough, high-motor forward prospect with a high IQ and unselfish mentality. Wilde has the necessary vision, craftiness, and ball-handling ability to create for himself and others, but doesn't require the ball to make his presence felt. He finishes really well around the basket, secures rebounds at a healthy rate, and alters shots effectively as an interior defender. Wilde also does a nice job of running the floor and utilizing his body to overwhelm others. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Allen on Wilde: 'Jacob's attitude and basketball IQ will make him a desired player for any coach. His ball-handling work should involve his left hand more. He can also work on using his strength to score against smaller players in the post, as that'll provide him with a major weapon.' Wilde enjoyed a strong showing at camp and has all the necessary tools to steadily progress over the coming years.
