Renegades –
#1 Carson Cooke, 5’6 2022 G – Lord knows I have a soft spot for shooters. This kid can really stroke it. Seen him twice now and each time he has been a weapon from deep. Easy/repeatable release is dangerous if given a look. Will move through the offense and when ball finds him, it usually finds the bottom of the net. Catch and shoot specialist all day.Moves ball in the offense well though, not just a sniper so can’t peg him just to throw up shots.
#3 Jayden Munson, 5’10 2022 G – 2nd time seeing this kid today. Showed out well both times. Not sure where his ceiling ends up but he’s got a solid enough floor that should help him find a home at some level after HS. Easy offense on this kid.
Charlotte Dragons –
#2 Wardell Williams, 6′ 2022 G – Looks like a basketball player as he has that body/build you look for. Once on the floor shows he knows how to use it. Is athletic, has quick ups (even on 2nd bounce), and can really take up space with each stride down the floor. Shows a comfort on the ball but is more a scorer than a creator at this point. Fun to watch when coming downhill but will over dribble at times in half-court.
#4 Elijah Rector, 6′ 2022 G – Another one of the long-range snipers in attendance today. Will go to the basket in transition but needs to learn to finish stronger when he does. At his best on the catch and shoot at this point. Waits for the ball to find him a bit too much, coach could be heard telling him several times to “MOVE” in the offense. Can shoot it though and shooters always seem to find a home and time on the court.
PSB Winston 16u
#00 Jeremiah Scale, 6’3 2022 W – Another big game for this strong wing. Too strong for most guards to hold and too quick for most bigs to handle. Got buckets at every level in this one. Having a very solid showing here this weekend so far as he has done work every time out.
#4 Seth Pitts, 5’11 2022 G – Had the deep ball working in this one hitting 4 in the first half alone. Needs to work on his overall game still but, shooters always find time on the floor, especially when they get hot. Gives good effort when on the floor but is going to have to put some work in to get where he wants to go.
Warriors Select
#15 Deidric Rogers, 6′ 2023 G – Athletic length that paced the team in points. More athlete than hooper at this time will need to learn how to put it all together. When in transition or attacking looks ok most of the time but can be a bit out of control. Showed the ability to hit the 3 but is better off the bounce.
Raising Young Men
#3, Cole Evans, 5’8 2023 G – 3 is the right number for this kid as he was hitting them from all over in this one. Slender build on this kid, did most damage in this one was from deep. Easy range out to the college stripe and a solid release. Does not have the ideal height you look for in a 2 but as long as he can hit like he did here today, you have a weapon with him on the floor. Works ok on the ball but strength lies in the catch and shoot.
#5 Devin Crumble, 5’10 2023 G – Built like a running back and plays like one too out on the floor. Gets the rock and looks to run when possible. Aggressive game sees him to the line often where he makes you pay. Runs through contact and does not mind the physical game. Nice vision as he attacks the lane allows him to find others in the offense. Solid showing here.
WBC Elite
#3 Shane Hawkins, 6’2 2023 G – Solid player top to bottom. Has the range/stroke to be an effective weapon deep. Has the ability to handle the ball well enough to give help versus pressure. Has the strength to hold up versus most any guards he will face. And he will make plays for those around him as he sees them. Not a lot of flash to his game but there is substance. As a coach, I take kids like that all day.
#24 Jarrod Vaughn, 6’4 2024 F – Big strong bodied forward that don’t mind working in the paint. Will defend his house then go to yours and do his best to cause damage in yours. No real finesse to his game, but he will bring the power as needed. Solid on the glass and good quick bounce on the glass. May not put up the numbers others on the team does but is a key to what they do on both ends of the floor.
CB Hoops
#4 Zechariah Barbour, 6’4 2023 W – Good combo of length/strength/size to be had here. Has an easy bounce to his game helping him to be a plus rebounder for his position as well as a threat on the backline of the defense. Long arms and quick feet causes issues on the defensive end and gives an advantage on the offensive end. No doubt a college-level player.
#6 Chy’Ron Davis, 6’2 2023 W – Another long and athletic wing for a team that seems to have several. Not as smooth with it at this point in his development as Barbour is but is still a player that can cause you issues. Showed he can take and hit the 3 as well as go off the bounce but still needs to refine his game. Gets a bit lost at times in the action and does not stand out as he should. Still, good looking young athlete that has upside still left to tap into.
Flash USA
#33 Jahreece Lynch, 6’1 2023 G – 2 games in today, 2 big-time performances. Scores every way you want a guard to out on the floor. Just an all-around impressive performance from this kid. No reason why he can’t play at the next level.
#30 Elijah Johnson, 6′ 2023 G – Really worked his offense last time we saw him. While that was still in effect this time around he also broke out more of his playmaking abilities. Good vision and creative passing led to some really nice looks for others in this one. Solid looking PG may not have a higher ceiling of others but is a kid that will make coaches happy at the right level.
NLPB Prospects –
#4 Brock Adams, 6’1 2023 G – Back to back solid showings from him here. Shows good handles, ability to find others, and willingness to defend. Sneaky good game on this kid.
#15 Dante Watson, 6′ 2023 G – Sniper always looking for an open window to shoot out of. Solid defender as well as he was constantly in the grill of whoever he was matched up with.
Charlotte Dragons
#32 Edgar Escobedo, 6’7 2024 F – Seen him work 3 times now and all 3 times he’s been solid. Coach says he is likely the best 3 point shooter on the team. Easy to see him translate as a stretch 4 at the right level. Needs to add size/strength but that will come. Bright future here.
#30 Bishop Boswell, 6’1 2024 G – Hard not to notice this kid on the court as he just looks the part. Can handle the ball, create for himself, and has that quick bounce that allows him to rebound his position strong. There are times when he could handle pressure a bit better and show better shot selection but tools and instincts are here. Can see him projecting nicely if he continues his progression.
Strong Center Elite
#3 Michah Jones, 6′ 2023 G – Shooter dropped a couple of bombs in the first half. PG size and has the speed and handles to handle the position at this level. Will over dribble the ball at times and needs to be more decisive with the ball but those are things that come with time and game experience.
#5 Xavier DeBerry, 6’1 2023 G – Powerfully built wing player looks like a football player out on the floor. Put up double digits in the first half. Bulldog type game to him. Uses physicality to his advantage. Not one you want handling the ball versus pressure. Skill level needs to be developed going forward but in a setting like this…when you have his strength and motor, you are going to be productive.
PSB Charlotte Elite
#32 Gavin Bullock, 6’4 2023 W – Shooter got hot in the 2nd half and went on a run where he dropped 3 3’s in a span of about 5 minutes. Streaky though and can fall in love with his jumper a bit too much at times and that leads to some questionable shot selections. Has the length you like to see in a shooter but will need to develop the rest of his game. Right now profiles as a 3 point specialist but if he puts in the work, could develop into more.
Stars Elite
#30 Ashton Troutman, 6’6 2023 F – Kid is growing on me. Not sure if it was just rust I saw in his first game or nerves but hes played much stronger the last 2 games I have seen him in today. Has the length, seems to have the instincts, now just needs to refine the skills and develop the moves. Will play college ball one day.
#5 Gavin Stinson, 5’8 2023 G – Lacks the size but the kid is tough, can shoot, and will come at you all day long. Playing his 3rd game in 24 hrs and still has gas in the tank to burn. Love kids like this.
Few360
#1 Jeremiah McClain 6′ 2024 G – Good body/size on a young wing guard here. Shows the ability to hit the 3, can drive and has makings of ability to work off the bounce 1 on 1. Will wait for the ball to find him too much on offense, will need to learn to move without the ball better, and can allow his emotions to be on his sleeve in games (never a good thing). Tools are here though and as he learns to harness his abilities he could really blossom as a player.
Next Level SC
#33 Jamar Williams, 6’6 2022 F – Long with size. Did not utilize him as much in the first half but is type of kid that will play college ball easy. Good mix of size and strength but needs to work on the craft. Not enough to just be big at the next level. Has the athleticism to hang once there but will need more than size and strength to make the impact he should. Still, solid floor on this kid and is a player worth developing.
Defenders 2022
#35 Quan Peterson, 6’2 2022 G – Nice looking wing player. Looks the part of a next-level player. Has the long features, active feet, and quick bounce you look for in a kid. Can go to the basket and looks good in transition but halfcourt game needs to be better defined. Can be a bit out of control at times but good things mostly happen when the ball finds him. Will create, defend, and rebound but needs to learn to lock in start to finish
#0 Jayden Smith, 2022 5’10 G – Quick kid with good handles at the G spot. Was able to split the pressure and mostly make the right play at the right time. Showed ability to get to the lane and get his while at same time being able to drive and kick. Changes speed well with the ball and uses it to set up his defender nicely. Can get caught “watching the game” at times but when locked in, kid can play.
Fayetteville Flash
#15 Damien Robinson, 6’5 2022 F – Love it when bigs play big. Not the type of player that will drift from the paint and look for the 3 or have to be told to go eat. He was built to play inside and that’s just what he does. Had a solid showing last time I saw him, see nothing tonight to sway me otherwise. Needs to grow to go higher but kids like this always find a way onto a college roster.
#4 Kaleb James, 6’4 2023 G – The dash to Robinson’s bash. The long and athletic wing is a great match to the raw power of the big. Can defend multiple spots on D, fill multiple spots on offense, and can really get up and down the floor. Consistency is a work in progress and at times will not make the best decisions or try to do too much but 6’4 athletes don’t grow on trees. Kid has a future.
Next Level SC
#21 William Brooks, 6’3 2022 F – Another young forward that plays big but not with the same motor we saw in Robinson with the Flash. He gives good effort on the defensive end but is not there yet offensively. Will rebound hard and gives good effort on the defensive end but to get where he needs to go will need to become more of a force on offense.
Go Hard
#5 McCallum Wright, 6’2 2023 G – 16 points in the half tells you all you need to know about his ability to score the ball. Very smooth scorer that gets it done in a number of ways. Won’t just look for his own though. Sees the floor well enough and will make the pass. Won’t look to overdo things. Makes up his mind and goes with few wasted dribbles…always with a purpose. Punctuated it all with a nice, easy 2 handed slam in transition in 2nd half. Very nice looking guard. Kids a stud.
#12 Harrison Poole, 6’2 2023 G – Solid player at the guard spot that has the look and feel of a really good glue kid to me. Can do a bit of everything out on the floor but does not have that one thing to hang his hat on as a calling card. He can hit the 3, will defend as needed, can move the ball in the offense. In short, is what I call a do no harm type player. As when he is on the floor you know you can trust him to produce good more often than not as a coach.
Twin Hoops
#5 Brock Vice, 6’10 2023 F – Very long and raw young big causes problems with his length on the defensive end. The old saying goes, can’t teach size, just have to train it applies here. Needs to find some aggression on the floor and look to be more of a factor for a full game. Most of his production is based off putbacks or drop-offs but the potential for more is there if developed. Will be too long for most he will face here but as he moves up will have to find a mean streak to his game.
Garner Road
#1, CJ Alston, 6′ 2023 G – Said it last night, great heir to the lineage of productive PG’s that have come from the Garner Road franchise. Easy handles, smooth athlete, tough defender. Another strong performance.
#11 Tanner Mikulecky, 6’3 2023 G – Garner Road ALWAYS has a shooter on the roster. Tanner is that gun for them this year. Nice spin/rotation on his shot, easy release, and deep range. Got lost on offensive end a few times and when did, he made the defense pay. Pretty much a catch and shoot piece right now but when you can stroke it like that, you will find your way more often than not to the next level.
Strong Center Elite
#5 Xavier BeBerry, 6’1 2023 W – Saw more of the skill to compliment the power I saw last time I watched him go. More of an all around player than I initially thought. Still has the high motor and plenty of physicality but he showed hes more than just a bully type game. Showed he can hit the 3 tonight, will fight on the glass, and finish through bigger and contact. Pleasant surprise tonight.
#4 Steven Lassiter (6’4 2022 F) and # 11 Samuel Martin (6’8 2023 F) – Grouping these 2 together as I feel very similar about both players. They both have the length you look for. They both have the long arms and can defend/rebound. They both showed moments on the offensive end. But the also left both wanting to see more. I know young bigs take longer to develop but when you see flashes of something you can’t help but want to see what the finished project will look like. I think that Steven is a little further ahead in his development at this point (more assertive on the floor) But Samuel likely has the higher potential if he can find another level to his game.
PSB Charlotte Elite
Ollie Alford, 6′ 2023 G – Came out to start the game hot and led team to 34-26 lead at the half with his 8 points. The PSB system is one where anyone can be the guy any game. In this one he had the hot hand so he looked to take advantage of that fact. He’s a bit on the thin side at this point but has the frame to fill out and the athletics to make it work while he waits. Has ok handles and will make the extra pass when needed but primary focus is looking to score.
Team Giles
#24 Josiah Watkins and #10 Isiah Howell – Was hard to get a good read on this team with how they played in this one. Watkins and Howell stood out most to me but really need to see them again to make a good read. Watkins is a longer wing that runs the floor well and can finish but has a lot of spectator to his game in this one. Howell is more of a lead guard looking to score but did not get to run the team given how the game flowed. I think both have talent worth seeing again but was just hard to get a good read on where they are at on the prospect scale at this time.