Team 1
Coach: Raye
#1:4’10 ’24 Zehren Hilton (Charlotte, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player that continues to emerge as an impact performer, regardless of surrounding talent, Zehren Hilton. He’s a young, somewhat undersized guard prospect that is capable of playing with or without the ball and finding success. Hilton is able to score on all three levels despite his lack of size and has a pretty strong understanding of his skillset and the team concept. He plays hard on every single possession and does a nice job of forcing turnovers on defense. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him an even more reliable finisher when attacking the basket. Coach Raye on Hilton: “Zehren is a very quick guard that has great court vision. He can shoot the ball at high level. Zehren can get to the basket at will, but can sometimes over-penetrate. He’s very crafty and has a bright future in basketball. Zehren is also very coachable.” Hilton is still very young and should grow into his body, but also has a pretty great feel for the game and clear two-way upside.
#22:5’8 ’23 Derrick Barksdale (Rock Hill, SC)
Next, we look at a player that really stood out with his ability to contribute on both ends of the floor, Derrick Barksdale. He’s a young, strong-bodied guard prospect that displayed excellent penetration skills and the ability to finish through any amount of contact. Barksdale is a capable shooter with great unselfishness and numerous leadership qualities. He also defends the point of attack at a consistently high level. Next in his development process is continuing to tighten his handle, as it’ll allow him to play either backcourt position with relative ease. Coach Raye on Barksdale: “Derrick is an aggressive combo guard that gets after it on both ends of the court. His defensive mentality is one that accepts the bad along with the good. He is a great shooter that will get to the basket and dunk it on opponents. Derrick has great footwork and his strength is not like your average eighth-grader. He’s a football player as well, but is an animal on the basketball court. He has a bright future in this game.” Barksdale is already quite intriguing and should be a prospect to watch progress going forward.
#23:5’8 ’23 Deuce Hudson (Darlington, SC)
Moving onto a player that operated nicely within the team concept and was able to make his presence felt on both sides of the ball, Deuce Hudson. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect with a fairly well-rounded skillset. Hudson is very quick and utilizes his first step to enter the paint and make plays for himself or others. He was unselfish throughout camp and willingly made the right play whenever possible. Hudson is smart, plays with an excellent motor, and will make the hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is continuing to work on the use of his off-hand, as it would open up more offensive opportunities and allow him to be a stronger finisher. Coach Raye on Hudson: “Deuce is a quick guard that has a high IQ. He’s a lockdown defender and can score the ball. Deuce is a scrappy player that gets after it on the defensive end. He communicates well on the floor.” There’s a lot to like with Hudson, who really embraces both sides of the ball and should grow into a quality two-way prospect.
#41:5’10 ’22 Lucas Megson (Charlotte, NC)
Continuing onto a player that really stood out with his impressive two-way motor, Lucas Megson. He’s a wiry point guard prospect that manages the game well and understands how to properly run a team. Megson proved to be unselfish and willing to set up his teammates whenever possible. He has a strong handle and runs the two-man game exceptionally well, but also showed creativity when attacking and finishing around the basket. Megson was an absolute pest on defense and caused havoc in a variety of different ways. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it’ll make him a more dangerous spot-up threat from the perimeter. Coach Raye on Megson: “Lucas is a crafty guard that loves the screen-and-roll. He can make tough passes look easy. Lucas is a coachable player that accepts criticism as well as encouragement. He plays with a lot of heart and will. Lucas is going to be a pretty solid basketball player on the varsity level.” Megson contributed extremely well throughout his time at camp and should certainly be able to become an impact player at the high school level.
#44:5’10 ’22 Ali Currie (Albemarle, NC)
Next, we look at a player that provided his team with an excellent two-way balance during his time at camp, Ali Currie. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect that plays hard and operates exceptionally well within the team concept. Currie has a quality feel for the game and is able to score in a variety of ways on offense. He shoots efficiently from the perimeter, attacks the basket, and finishes well with either hand. Currie displayed great instincts on defense and was arguably his team’s most imposing all-around defender. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as it would allow him to grab rebounds and immediately push the break. Coach Raye on Currie: “Ali is a high-energy guy that brings it every possession on both ends of the floor. He is able to get to the basket at will. As a left-hand dominant player, he loves to use his right hand. Ali can shoot the midrange well and can stroke the three-pointer very consistently.” Currie has a lot of useful tools and should be a prospect to watch progress over the next few years, as he could become even better with continued work.
#49:5’11 ’19 Kristin Jordan (Myrtle Beach, SC)
Moving onto a player with solid leadership qualities and an intriguing array of skills, Kristin Jordan. He’s a wiry guard prospect that showcased a fairly balanced approach on both sides of the ball. Jordan was an effective scorer from all levels and looked to get others involved quite often. He plays with great energy on defense, knows how to properly contain his assignment, and was able to force a few turnovers throughout the day. Jordan maintained an unselfish presence on offense and made the right play whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would certainly make him a more reliable penetrator. Coach Raye on Jordan: “Kristin has a great attitude and a high IQ for the game. He can shoot the ball and defend really well. Kristin has a very methodical game, but his game is above average. I am looking for big things from him in the future.” Jordan enjoyed a pretty solid showing at camp and should continue working to maximize his potential.
#63: 6’1 ’22 Miller Shouse (Fort Mill, SC)
Continuing onto a player that arguably possessed the most well-rounded skillset on this team, Miller Shouse. He’s a strong-bodied wing prospect that is simply always in the right place at the right time. Shouse plays with a strong motor and has maintained his foundation as a glue-guy with his ability to adapt and effortlessly fill in the gaps on both sides of the ball. He is a capable scorer, but doesn’t force the action and usually looks to take advantage of open opportunities. Shouse plays extremely hard and leaves it all on the floor. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more dynamic threat with the ball in his hands. Coach Raye on Shouse: “Miller is a great kid that can play and has a great attitude. He is a player that will take over a game if opponents don’t guard him. Miller needs to work on his speed and time of reaction. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the future.” Shouse is still very young and should be a prospect to watch grow over these next few years.
#68: 6’1 ’23 Zandae Butler (Florence, SC)
Next, we look at a player that currently sits at an incredible crossroads between productivity and long-term production, Zandae Butler. He’s a big, strong, incredibly mature wing/forward prospect with a physically advanced frame and quality two-way feel for the game. Butler is an absolute man on the basketball court and shows no fear of anyone in his path. He was able to attack the basket whenever he desired, displaying a strong amount of craftiness, and finishing anything he attempted around the basket. Butler is already a relentless rebounder and all-around defender, which caused an abundance of problems for the opposition. He’s already playing well above the rim and showcased high-level athleticism on nearly every possession. Next in his development process is working on the consistency of his three-point shot, as it would make him virtually unstoppable on offense. Coach Raye on Butler: “Zandae is a freakish athlete that has great upside. He can get to the basket at will and looks to punch it on opponents. Zandae’s defense is very intense and he gets after it on both ends of the floor.” Butler might’ve had the highest upside of anyone in the building, given his status as an eighth-grader that has already contributed on the varsity level. He’ll be a name to remember going forward.
#86: 6’3 ’22 Kieran Leviner (Bennettsville, SC)
Moving onto a player that placed terrific emphasis on the little things and was able to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor, Kieran Leviner. He’s a wiry forward/post prospect that plays with solid energy and attacks the glass whenever possible. Leviner did a great job of running the two-man game, but also positioned himself nicely away from the action for dump-off passes and action along the baseline. He went directly at every assignment on offense and scored the ball with nice efficiency. Next in his development process is working on the consistency of his shot off the dribble, as it would allow him to apply even more pressure from the midrange area. Coach Raye on Leviner: “Kieran is a very physical player that loves to fight down low on the block. His ability to finish on the screen-and-roll is remarkable. He finishes well at the basket and takes pride in boxing out. Kieran has a bright future in this sport.” Leviner enjoyed a strong showing at camp and should be able to continue steadily progressing over the next few years.
#87: 6’3 ’23 Merel Burgess (Florence, SC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that already possesses an exceptional amount of poise and polish for his age, Merel Burgess. He’s a young, big-bodied post prospect that understands his game unbelievably well, which allows him to overwhelm bigger/stronger opponents with relative ease. Burgess utilizes both hands very well when operating out of the post and already has a reliable arsenal of moves from the low-block. Burgess is a solid passer that rebounds the ball at a high level and pushes it ahead whenever possible. He’s quite nimble and moves very well for his size. Next in his development process is working on his quickness, as it’ll cause an abundance of problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. Coach Raye on Burgess: “Merel is a big guy that can flat-out play basketball. His game reminds me of Larry Johnson. He’s aggressive on both ends of the floor and has the ability to finish at will around the basket. His midrange game is pretty good. Merel loves to bang on the boards and has a gift for boxing out. This kid is a pretty good basketball player.” Burgess has a lot of attainable upside, so we’ll be monitoring his progression closely over these next few years.