Team 8
Coach: Derrick Partee
#8:5’11 ’21 Cedric Patterson (Gaston Christian)
Starting things off, we look at a player that showcased a fairly intriguing skillset throughout his time at camp, Cedric Patterson. He’s a wiry, quick guard prospect that can play either backcourt position due to his blend of ball-handling and perimeter shooting. Patterson is able to make plays for himself and others pretty well, but typically looks to score within the flow of the offense. He’s a scrappy defender that is capable of forcing turnovers at a solid rate and pushing ahead transition play. Next in his development process is adding strength to his wiry frame, as it would likely make him a more physical player on both ends of the floor. Coach Partee on Patterson: “Cedric is a good shooter and teammate. He plays hard and was willing to make plays for others. Cedric can continue to work on his consistency as a finisher around the rim, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat.” Patterson enjoyed a solid showing at camp and could be a likely candidate to have a productive upcoming season at Gaston Christian.
#29:6’1 ’20 JaJuan Carr (Pender)
Next, we look at a player that possesses all the necessary tools to be a successful floor general at an incredibly high level, JaJuan Carr. He’s a smart, athletic point guard prospect with an exceptional feel for the game and a clear willingness to play the right way. Carr essentially has no holes within his game on either side of the ball. He’s already a lockdown defender with a terrific combination of strength, quickness, and pristine positioning. Carr is such a sharp, intelligent decision-maker on offense that simply thrives with surrounding talent. He scores the ball with unmatched efficiency from all three levels and understands how to get others involved at an excellent rate. Next in his development process is being more vocal on the court, as he has literally every other intangible to be an amazing two-way leader. Coach Partee on Carr: “JaJuan is a really strong point guard that is really good at finishing at the rim. He plays hard and doesn’t take any possessions off. JaJuan leads by example but can work on his communication skills.” Carr is arguably the most underrated floor general in the state, regardless of class, so it’ll be exciting to see what high-level programs start getting involved with the star of Pender.
#36:6’2 ’20 Emmanuel Bonsu (Cape Fear Academy)
Moving onto a player that possesses an incredible motor and array of translatable skills, Emmanuel Bonsu. He’s a big, strong, athletic point guard prospect with incredible tools and the ability to physically overwhelm any opponent in his path. Bonsu is an absolute monster in transition and capable of punching it on any victim around the basket. He shows no fear of any opponent and happily welcomes any challenge from the opposition. Bonsu is an excellent defender with particularly impressive on-ball and rebounding instincts, which allow him to secure rebounds and force turnovers at a pretty phenomenal rate. He’s an adequate shooter that can hit shots along the perimeter, but typically prefers to get downhill and attack the basket with strength. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him virtually unstoppable against most opponents. Coach Partee on Bonsu: “Emmanuel is a smart downhill guard with strength and athleticism. He sees the floor well and finishes with poise around the basket. He plays hard and welcomes physicality on both ends of the floor. Emmanuel can work on moving without the ball.” Bonsu should already be regarded as a Division I prospect and should start truly dominating throughout the next calendar year.
#48:6’3 ’21 Donovan Atwell (Lake Norman Charter)
Continuing onto a player that looks poised to enjoy a successful upcoming summer season, Donovan Atwell. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect that causes an abundance of problems for opponents with his well-rounded offensive skillset. Atwell is able to reliably space the floor and knock down easy looks off the catch, but also showed the ability to relocate without the ball and set himself up through cutting opportunities. He creates decently well for himself and scored numerous times around the basket. Atwell utilizes his length nicely on defense to contain his assignment and rebound the ball. He makes a noticeable impact in transition and can find success with any group of teammates. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it would likely make him a more impactful on-ball defender. Coach Partee on Atwell: “Donovan is really good at getting downhill and finishing at the rim. He has good shooting form but can improve on his shooting consistency.” Atwell has built a reputation as a prolific three-point shooter, so it’ll be interesting to see his approach going forward, as he showcased a variety of useful tools during camp.
#57: 6’3 ’20 Tristan Maxwell (North Mecklenburg)
Next, we look at a player that possesses an extremely long list of tools and translatable skills, Tristan Maxwell. He’s a strong, athletic guard prospect with an excellent IQ and the ability to overwhelm almost any type of opponent with his high-level scoring prowess. Maxwell can generate a clean look from anywhere on the floor with unbelievable ease and is capable of anchoring a high-level offense in an instant. He’s such a rugged, bulldog-like defender that can really shut down his on-ball assignment and force turnovers at a high level. Maxwell checks all the boxes and has all the tools to dominate any given game, but can work on being a true leader and elevating those around him. Next in his development process is playing with a consistent motor, as no one in the gym can stop him when he’s fully engaged. Coach Partee on Maxwell: “Tristan is a good shooter that can also finish at the rim. He’s able to score in many different ways. He needs to improve on his quickness.” Maxwell has all the talent necessary to thrive at the highest level going forward, so it’ll be interesting to see where he ultimately decides to further his playing career.
#69: 6’4 ’22 Kheni Briggs (A.L. Brown)
Moving onto a player has a very appealing skillset to pair with his obvious long-term upside, Kheni Briggs. He’s a big, strong-bodied guard prospect with an excellent blend of IQ, motor, and two-way tools. Briggs is an intelligent ball-handler that offers a phenomenal balance between scoring and playmaking, which keeps the opposition guessing from one possession to the next. He shoots the ball efficiently from the perimeter and utilizes his body well to absorb contact when attacking the basket. Briggs is crafty and sees the entire floor in transition, which allows him to easily make plays for himself and others. He defends and rebounds at a strong level for his age and communicates well on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is continuing to expand his all-around skillset, as he already has the foundation to become a really impressive prospect. Coach Partee on Briggs: “Kheni is really good at getting downhill and is capable of doing a lot of things well on the basketball floor, but can continue to improve his jumper.” Briggs is still very young, yet already produces at a high level, so it should be exciting to monitor his progression going forward.
#79: 6’6 ’20 Aleksander Stoimenov (Tri-City Christian)
Continuing onto a player that can thrive with any group of teammates and looks likely to breakout over the next few months, Aleksander Stoimenov. He’s a long, smart wing prospect that makes a massive impact with his ability to space the floor and reliably score from all three levels. Stoimenov possesses beautiful shooting mechanics and only requires a glimmer of daylight to launch bombs from along the perimeter. He’s not just a spot-up threat though, as he’s proven able to operate nicely within three to four dribbles and can generate clean looks for himself or others. Stoimenov has great size, which he utilizes well to rebound and contain his defensive assignment. Next in his development process is working to become more creative with the ball in his hands, as it would add another dimension to his status as a knockdown shooter. Coach Partee on Stoimenov: “Aleksander is a good player and teammate that can really space the floor and knock down open looks. He can work on getting stronger in order to become a better finisher around the basket.” Stoimenov is still somewhat under the radar, but should likely turn into a highly-coveted asset throughout the next calendar year, especially considering how valuable shooting is at the next level.
#96: 6’7 ’20 Jadyn Parker (West Brunswick)
Next, we look at a player that currently sits an incredible crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, Jadyn Parker. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with a useful skillset and quality two-way feel for the game. Parker does a great job of affecting various facets of the game and understands how to get involved in the action at all times. He shoots the ball decently well from beyond the arc, but applies the most scoring pressure from the midrange and when attacking the rim strong. Parker is a capable athlete that looks to play above the rim whenever possible. His length is very difficult for opponents to handle on defense and the glass. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it could make him a better penetrator and would likely push his recruitment to the next level. Coach Partee on Parker: “Jadyn is a good player that needs to continue getting stronger and working on his shooting mechanics. He plays hard and was a good teammate, but could use additional strength to be more effective.” Parker is already quite appealing, but looks likely to continue progressing, so it’ll be exciting to see which Division I program wisely gets involved here.
#113:6’9 ’20 Georges Lefebvre (Cape Fear Academy)
Finishing up, we look at a player that stood out as one of the most intriguing prospects from camp, Georges Lefebvre. He’s a big, strong, athletic power forward prospect with an excellent blend of intelligence, smoothness and hard-nosed ruggedness. Lefebvre is a walking mismatch given his ability to score reliably from anywhere on the court and then immediately turn around to pose as the most disruptive defender in the building. He possesses great physical tools, but also displays an excellent feel for his game on both ends of the floor. Lefebvre protected the rim, forced turnover while switching across and reliably containing three to four positions during camp. He should remain one of the most well-rounded defenders in any basketball context. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his scoring arsenal from the low post, as it would make him nearly unstoppable given his current blend of size, strength, and shooting. Coach Partee on Lefebvre: “Georges is an inside-outside threat that finishes well with both hands. He can continue to improve his jumper, but worked hard and played physical inside the paint.” It’s almost shocking that Lefebvre doesn’t currently hold more Division I offers, but that’s almost guaranteed to change over the next year or so, given his extremely appealing (and unique) two-way skillset.