Team 5

Coach: Kelvin Reid

 

#6:'5'0 '24 AJ Adams (Shelby, NC)

Starting things off, we look at a player that was arguably the most impressive floor general on display, AJ Adams. He's an incredibly smart, crafty point guard prospect that possesses advanced vision and unselfish nature. Adams scored efficiently from all three levels, but typically looked create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He's deceptively quick and strong, which allows him to bully his assignment on defense. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as it would allow him to push the break in transition more frequently. Coach Reid on Adams: 'AJ is an outstanding point guard. He has great court vision and finds teammates on time. AJ utilizes his strength and quickness to make up for his lack of size. AJ can score the ball on all levels. He can continue working to develop his off-hand.' Adams was simply phenomenal at running the show and setting up others, which led to him easily securing the Mr. Playmaker at camp. He has that 'it' factor and should be monitored closely over the next few years.

 

#7: 5'0 '25 Charlie Cox (Greensboro, NC)

Next, we look at a player that worked hard and impacted the game nicely on both ends of the floor, Charlie Cox. He's a young, well-rounded guard prospect with the ability to handle, pass, and score the ball. Cox plays fairly well within the team concept and kept the ball moving on offense, but took advantage of easy scoring opportunities. He proved to be a solid defender and quality rebounder, especially for his size. Next in his development process is working on adding strength, as it would make him an even tougher two-way player. Coach Reid on Cox: 'Charlie plays hard on both ends. He's very tough in traffic but needs to get stronger in order to increase his ability to finish at the basket. Charlie has a great motor.' Cox played with purpose and displayed some qualities during his time at camp, so it'll be interesting to see his growth going forward.

 

#17: 5'4 '23 Evaan Ezhilan (Mooresville, NC)

Moving onto a player that highlighted a high IQ and an effective two-way skillset at camp, Evaan Ezhilan. He's a wiry guard prospect that approaches the game with an unselfish, team-first mentality. Ezhilan is a capable perimeter shooter with sharp vision and the ability to make some crafty passes. He moves particularly well without the ball to set himself up for spot-up opportunities. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him a more reliable finisher when penetrating. Coach Reid on Ezhilan: 'Evaan moves well without the ball. He finds the open holes within the defense. Evaan does great with help defense and is a hard worker. He plays very hard on both ends. Evaan has a solid game but must get stronger and develop his ball-handling skills to maximize his abilities.' Ezhilan is already a very useful player, but can become even better with continued work, which should ultimately make him a nice contributor at the high school level.

 

#18: 5'5 '24 Bobby Hardison (Mooresville, NC)

Continuing onto a player that offered his team with an effective two-way presence throughout camp, Bobby Hardison. He's a solid, well-rounded guard prospect that knows how to maximize his offensive touches while creating for himself and others. Hardison shot the ball efficiently from all levels and moved particularly well without the ball to set himself up for spot-up opportunities. He handled the ball nicely and displayed decent craftiness when looking to create for others. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a shooter off the bounce, in order to become a more complete offensive threat. Coach Reid on Hardison: 'Bobby has a great motor. He has very good range on his shot. Bobby needs to get stronger on the ball. He's a hard worker but needs to continue developing his ball-handling and off-hand.' Hardison showcased a quality skillset during camp and should have a productive eighth-grade season if he continues to work.

 

#20: 5'1 '26 Egypt McLaughlin (Fayetteville, NC)

Next, we look at a player that showcased a quality motor and team-first mentality throughout camp, Egypt McLaughlin. He's a young, fearless guard prospect that offers a solid blend of ball-handling and passing for his age. McLaughlin fought for rebounds and defended hard against all types of opponents. He didn't force the action but was able to score multiple times within the flow of the offense. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it'll allow him to apply more pressure as a penetrator. Coach Reid on McLaughlin: 'Egypt did well being the smallest kid on the court. He was not afraid to go under the basket and fight with the big kids. As Egypt continues to develop his skills with ball-handling, he will become a handful for opponents to deal with.' McLaughlin has some solid tools and displayed the 'heart over height' notion quite well during camp.

 

#29:'5'6 '23 Cameron Weir (Mooresville, NC)

Moving onto a player that showcased a pretty well-rounded skillset and approach during camp, Cameron Weir. He's a wiry guard prospect that plays with a strong motor and is capable of operating from either backcourt position. Weir knows how to move without the ball for spot-up opportunities, but can also assume ball-handling duties and create for himself or others at times. Weir rebounded well for his size and displayed effective touch around the basket. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it will make him a tougher penetrating threat. Coach Reid on Weir: 'Cameron plays hard on and off the ball. He shoots the ball with great range. Cameron needs to continue to develop his ball-handling and off-hand. Cameron must get stronger in order to avoid getting pushed around by stronger opponents.' Weir had a solid showing at camp and should become a productive high school player with continued work.

 

#30: 5'7 '26 Carter Abernethy (Newton, NC)

Continuing onto a player that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term abilities, Carter Abernethy. He's a young, strong-bodied forward prospect that does an excellent job of operating within the paint. Abernethy displayed solid touch with both hands around the basket and proved to be a quality two-way rebounder. He was a great teammate and showed a willingness to make the hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is becoming a more consistent perimeter shooter, as it will take his offensive game to a new level. Coach Reid on Abernethy: 'Carter has good size for his age. He is a volume rebounder for a young player. Carter played hard and fearless, even against bigger/older opponents. He has the ability to dominate kids in his age group. Carter needs to continue to develop his ball-handling and off-hand.' Abernethy brought some intrigue with his advanced physical frame and could become a useful two-way player with continued work.

 

#48: 5'11 '24 Maddox Watson (Huntersville, NC)

Next, we look at a player that showcased a very intriguing two-way skillset during his time at camp, Maddox Watson. He's a long, wiry forward/post prospect that displayed the ability to operate inside or outside of the arc. Watson plays with a strong motor and fights for every available rebound or loose ball. He creates havoc with his activity level on defense and altered an abundance of shots around the basket. Watson also possesses solid shooting touch from the perimeter and took advantage of mismatches whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even tougher matchup for opposing forwards. Coach Reid on Watson: 'Maddox plays big. He had several blocks and altered many more shots. He shoots well with range and sees the floor very well. Maddox is a very good rebounder but needs to continue developing his ball-handling and off-hand.' Watson proved to be a reliable two-way contributor during camp and should have a very productive eighth-grade season.

 

#49: 5'11 '24 Nick Garrido (Huntersville, NC)

Finishing up, we look at a player that showed flashes of dominance during his time at camp, Nick Garrido. He's a strong-bodied guard prospect with a high IQ and nice two-way versatility. Garrido displayed an advanced feel for the game and was able to effortlessly create scoring opportunities for himself and others. He controlled the glass, scored the ball efficiently from all levels, and burdened the offensive load for his team exceptionally well throughout the day. Next in his development process is working on his ability to finish with his off-hand, as it would make him an even better scorer. Coach Reid on Garrido: 'Nick is a hard worker. He plays with great effort. He has the quickness to get by his man. He also has the size and strength to finish through contact at the rim. He is a willing passer. Nick has a solid all-around game. He can continue working to develop his ball-handling and off-hand.' Garrido was one of the most productive performers at camp and secured the Mr. Hustle award with relative ease, which should certainly make him one to watch going forward.