By: Patrick O’Brien and Rick Lewis
In an eventful day for Phenom Hoops on Monday, Rick and Patrick hit the road around the Charlotte area to check in on programs to see what they have coming into the upcoming season. Our first stop on the day was at Olympic high school, a program that has a lot of intriguing talent.
Let’s dive into the roster that we saw, as the Trojans have talented guard play and should be able to get up and down the court quickly.
A trio of guards look to lead the way
2020 6’4 Josh Banks (Committed to VCU): Banks looks to be one of the leaders for this Olympic team. He gets it done on both sides of the ball; as Jamie Shaw said, he is a 2-way wing with his athleticism and motor on the defensive end and his ability to create offensively. He will be looked at as one of the go-to players offensively, as well as bring that same versatility on defense.
Coach Rick: Josh Banks had a spectacular summer and saw his stock explode. In our latest NC 2020 rankings, Banks checks in at no. 6 and maybe one of the most explosive players in the state for his class. The slender and lengthy Banks is an elite-level athlete but also sports an ultra-smooth and fluid game. In addition, Banks leads by example and will be looked upon for valuable senior leadership as Olympic will be a name in the title hunt in the NCHSAA.
2020 6’1 Trevon Williams: Williams brings explosion immediately when he steps on the floor. His ability to rise above defenders but to also get to the rim, finish strong in transition, and knock down open shots, will make him part of the senior duo that should have fans at Olympic excited.
Coach Rick: Trevon Williams, like Banks, is also one of the more explosive players in the state and it will be hard to find a more dynamic duo than Banks and Williams. Williams can score from all three levels, sports an effortless jumper and is often on the receiving end of some crowd-pleasing dunks. It’s not often you find a 6’1 combo guard that has the ability to play above the rim, but that is the case with Williams. In addition, Williams is a strong and willing defender.
2023 6’2 London Johnson: Even though he is young, Johnson looks to be a critical piece for Olympic this season. Johnson has the length and size to play at a higher level, while also displaying a great motor. With his wingspan and length, he can guard multiple positions and switch between Banks and Williams. But he also has the confidence to be a scorer. He is an intriguing shot creator and can get downhill.
Coach Rick: London Johnson has tremendous length and an advanced skill set for a freshman. We have watched Johnson play countless times and each time we come away impressed with is poise, maturity and outstanding feel of the game. Johnson will be relied on to provide valuable minutes and help alleviate some of the scoring load from seniors Banks and Williams.
Watch for these players to be big contributors as well this season
2020 6’2 Nishawn Hodge: Hodge is going to be an interesting guard for Olympic, especially with his versatility and ability to lead at the point but also play off the ball and score. He is a quality all-around scorer on the court and utilizes his size at times. Hodge plays smart on the floor and provides that energy type plays that coaches and teams absolutely love.
2022 6’5 Jemez Herd: Herd is the biggest player on the team this year, from what we saw at the open gym. He played on JV last year but now it is his time to step up with his athleticism and length. It is what immediately stands out, as he showcased it time and time again, throwing down dunks and using his length to his advantage. He still has a ton of room for growth though, so it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop.
2022 6’3 Kush Carter: He has great size for a young prospect and we think that he could be a versatile defender. Offensively, he plays with a smooth feel to his game, has a smooth release to his shot and displayed solid handles. Carter just looks like a do-it-all type prospect for Olympic, especially with his physical tools.
Also, watch out for two freshmen guard in Braylen McCain and Kyre Bishop. Both could see some early time and have a chance to really step up early on in their high school career.