6'7 '24 Draven Pilson (Forsyth Country Day)
The Furies are as balanced as any team in the state, and Pilson's steady growth makes them even more dangerous. While it seems rare, he truly shows progression each time he takes the floor. Pilson has drastically improved as a perimeter shooter over the last few months, and can now spot-up, attack off the bounce, or operate around the basket. He's a fluid, mobile athlete with the necessary rebounding instincts and defensive versatility to make a strong impact without needing a ton of touches on offense. Pilson is already very talented, but has the potential to continue trending upward over the coming years.
5'11 '23 Dakota Chavis (Richmond)
Although a lot of attention goes to the Raiders' young star prospect, Chavis was an undeniably important x-factor in this contest. He consistently found ways to make his presence felt as a rebounder, penetrator, and overall threat in transition. Chavis is tough, scrappy, and understands how to actively make the hustle plays within the flow of the action. He's a capable shooter and creator, but typically doesn't look to force the action with the ball in his hands. Chavis does a great job of embracing his role and making an impact on both ends of the floor.
5'10 '23 DJ Barksdale (York Prep)
Though it was a fairly balanced attack for York Prep, Barksdale consistently stood out as lethal floor-spacing option. He's slightly undersized but understands how to maximize his presence on both ends of the floor. Barksdale is a scrappy defender with quickness, positioning, and quality instincts, which allow him to contain his assignment and force turnovers at a solid rate. He's also a useful secondary ball-handler and can create for himself or others as needed.
6'2 '24 Rodrigo Farias (The Skill Factory)
Despite some struggles as a team, it was easy to see the appeal with someone like Farias as a two-way floor general. He doesn't necessarily look to score but possesses the capabilities to do so. Farias plays with phenomenal pace to his game, never rushed or out of control, and tends to get wherever he wants off the bounce. He possesses a tight handle, extremely sharp vision, and touches the paint with consistency. Farias does a nice job of identifying the correct read and then making it. As a sophomore, he will be a prospect for coaches to monitor going forward.
6'10 '23 Domas Kauzonas (Rabun Gap)
There's always an intriguing mix of talent at Rabun Gap, and Kauzonas is as appealing as anyone on the roster. He's a big, strong, mobile post prospect with a sturdy frame and an impressive amount of polish'especially for his size. Kauzonas is a quality finisher, floor-spacer, and overall scorer out of the post. He's tough, active, and makes his impact consistently felt as a two-way rebounder. Kauzonas also does a nice job of altering shots and running the floor in transition. Division I programs should be laying groundwork.
6'6 '22 Josh Scovens (Page)
Given everything over the last calendar year, it should come as no surprise to see Scovens fully solidified as the leader of this Page squad. He does absolutely everything for this group, from defending to rebounding to applying scoring pressure from all three levels. Scovens is a versatile offensive piece with the adaptability to consistently take what he wants or whatever the defense gives him. He's a reliable defender with instincts to force turnovers and make plays in transition. Scovens is skilled enough to operate as a primary ball-handler and push the break off defensive rebounds. It's easy to see why so many programs are getting involved.
6'6 '22 Nolan Hodge (Northern Guilford)
While it was definitely a team effort, one simply cannot ignore everything Hodge does for this squad. He's the clear focal point offensively, and rightfully so, as his smooth skillset and 6-foot-6 frame are guaranteed to cause problems for opponents. Hodge is a fluid, mobile athlete with IQ, vision, toughness, and impressive three-level scoring chops. He's shown visible improvement as a leader, and has stepped up to take over whenever his team needed. Hodge is the type of player who could legitimately keep getting better over the foreseeable future.
6'9 '22 Luke Grace (Wesleyan Christian)
The Trojans' personnel has consistently changed over the recent years, and Grace stands out as a major part of their three-headed monster of seniors. He's big, strong, and possesses the ability to play around the basket or space the floor from beyond the arc. Grace is a capable finisher and has shown a clear emphasis at establishing his interior presence, as opposed to settling for perimeter jumpers. He plays hard, does a nice job of altering shots, and battles for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Grace has also added some weight to his frame and absorbs contact effectively from within the paint.
6'9 '24 Jarin Stevenson (Seaforth)
Despite some struggles as a team, it was easy to appreciate everything Stevenson provided as the undisputed leader of this squad. In all honesty, there is nothing preventing him from becoming an extremely high-level prospect. He possesses the combination of IQ, size, skill, athleticism, and remaining upside to be special, simply put. At 6-foot-9, Stevenson's feel, fluidity, and overall identity is nearly unprecedented for someone at his age. He naturally leads by example and will do whatever necessary to provide his team with an edge. With continued physical development and playing experience, Stevenson will be able to determine his own fate.
6'1 '23 Will Gray (East Forsyth)
After being their leader throughout the last calendar year, it should be expected to see Gray return to his status as a tone-setter on both ends of the floor. He's an excellent all-around defender with great anticipation instincts to force turnovers and push the break with unwavering consistency. Gray is smart and makes great decisions with the ball in his hands, both as a scorer and playmaker. He's a decisive downhill penetrator with vision, athleticism, and finishing ability. College coaches should be watching him closely over the next twelve months, as he should be as productive as anyone in the state.
6'4 '23 Silas Demary Jr. (Liberty Heights)
Anyone from this team could be considered a standout on any given night, and Demary was certainly among their more reliable contributors in this contest. He's going to be a primary offensive option in pretty much every setting, so he looks to be an adaptable piece with this group. Demary typically looks to apply three-level scoring pressure, but can also operate as a floor general with relative ease. He's also a quality passer and rebounder for his position.
6'3 '23 Trey Boyd (NC GBB)
Although he's among the more recent additions to the roster, Boyd already looks more than comfortable at producing within the flow of this squad. He's a fairly well-rounded player, but clearly embraces his strengths as a lethal shooting threat from beyond the arc. Boyd moves well without the ball, positions himself for success, and seemingly knocked down everything he attempts in this contest'especially when given time and space. He's rapidly turned into one of the more valuable pieces for this squad.
6'3 '23 Markquan Gilbert (Ben L. Smith)
Leadership comes in various different forms for this squad, and Gilbert always seems to set the tone through his excellent two-way motor. He genuinely doesn't need the ball in his hands to make his presence felt as an offensive option, especially given the way he rebounds and capitalizes on second-chance opportunities. Gilbert draws fouls as often as anyone, and converts at a pretty high percentage from the line. He's a great teammate who works extremely hard at all times. Currently a junior, Gilbert will be a major part of the Golden Eagles' success going forward.
6'2 '25 Chad Traylor (West Charlotte)
While there were numerous noteworthy standouts from West Charlotte, one could argue that Traylor was as impressive as anyone on the roster. College coaches should be in pursuit of all their upperclassmen guard prospects whilst not forgetting about the freshman for the long-term future. Traylor is very smart, poised, and unselfish, which makes him an excellent young floor general'regardless of setting or surrounding teammates. That being said, he can also score the ball at a quality rate from all three levels. Expect him to continue trending upward.
