Team 8
Coach: Johnny Moses
#17: 5’6 ’23 Michael Forte II (Summerville)
Starting things off, we look at a player that impacted the game pretty well despite being the smallest prospect on this team, Micahel Forte II. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with a team-first mentality and willingness to make hustle plays on both ends of the floor. Forte looks to create for others whenever possible but can also knock down perimeter jumpers at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on his ability to handle the ball, as it would make him a more reliable floor general. Coach Moses on Forte: “Michael is a great teammate who is willing to make the extra pass. He is one that is vocal on the floor and from the sideline. Working on his ball-handling and passing will aid him with going to the next phase of his game. Michael has a great attitude!” Forte gave great effort during his time at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward, especially if he continues to work.
#18: 5’7 ’23 Darren Lloyd (Florence)
Next, we look at a player that was easily among the most impressive guard prospects on display, Darren Lloyd. He’s a tough, heady, athletic, fairly intelligent point guard prospect with exceptional quickness and a strong balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Lloyd is extremely fast, which makes him nearly unstoppable in transition, and can overwhelm opponents defensively with his sharp instincts. He attacks the basket, finishes well through contact, and makes the right play whenever possible. Next in his development process is Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to seamlessly play alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Moses on Lloyd: “Darren is an explosive guard with an exceptional ability to draw contact and finish around the rim. He has great court vision with unlimited range. Clock and game management will boost his game to the next level. Wow!! I am looking forward to seeing Darren play in the future.” Lloyd was phenomenal throughout camp, securing the Mr. Hustle award with relative ease, and should be a productive high school player for the foreseeable future.
#43: 5’9 ’22 Noah Pless (Northwestern)
Moving onto a player that offered a nice complementary skillset and approach throughout camp, Noah Pless. He’s a wiry, team-first guard prospect with a high motor and the ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Pless typically operates without the ball but knows how to effectively create within two to three dribbles for himself or others. He runs the floor hard in transition and shows a willingness to consistently make hustle plays on either side of the ball. Next in his development process is working on sharpening his overall feel for the game, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Moses on Pless: “Noah is a solid rebounder and passes. He’s the consummate teammate, encouraging his teammates to play hard. Increasing his IQ and developing a consistent jumper and solid defense will aid him in his continued growth.” Pless did a lot of things well during camp and could be a prospect to watch grow over the coming years.
#44: 5’9 ’24 Rodney Lesane (Florence)
Continuing onto a player that showcased a pretty useful array of skills to be the youngest prospect on this team, Rodney Lesane. He’s a young, unselfish, strong-bodied wing prospect with a nice handle and the ability to create for himself or others fairly well. Lesane utilizes his body effectively to make his presence felt on the glass and knows how to run the floor hard in transition. He plays with great energy and displayed a quality feel for the game on both sides of the ball. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a more reliable on-ball defender. Coach Moses on Lesane: “Rodney is a solid player with a sneaky and crafty handle. He passes the ball well and understands his position. Working on his consistency and midrange shooting will aid him with growth in his game.” Lesane enjoyed a quality showing, especially for his age, and has the tools to develop into a matchup problem with continued work.
#59: 6’0 ’21 Aaron Veal (Cabarrus Charter Academy)
Next, we look at a player that was arguably the main glue-guy for this team during camp, Aaron Veal. He’s a smart, athletic, skilled, high-motor guard prospect that knows how to consistently affect all facets of the game. Veal handles and passes the ball fairly well, able to attack the basket or create for others pretty well. He’s a quality defender that utilizes his blend of positioning and quickness to mirror opponents and force turnovers. Veal also proved to be an excellent rebounder that can grab boards and immediately push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on his vision, as he has the necessary tools to make plays for others. Coach Moses on Veal: “Aaron is an explosive guard with a strong, solid body. He’s able to drive and finish well and also leaking out for the open jumper. Game management will assist him with taking his game to the next level.” Veal made his presence felt throughout camp and could be poised for a productive senior campaign.
#60: 6’0 ’23 Bryson Graves (West Florence)
Next, we look at a player that possesses a quality crossroads between production and long-term upside, Bryson Graves. He’s a smart, young, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with an excellent team-first mentality. Graves is very quick and attacks the basket with relentlessness and understands how to create within the flow of the offense for himself or others. Graves defends very well for his position and understands how to force turnovers at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on extending the range of his three-point jumper, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Moses on Graves: “Bryson is an athletic player that doubles as a strong rebounder. He has a calm demeanor that assists him in crucial times of the game. He gives great effort and fights on the boards. He’s a solid defender. Continued growth on the range of his shot will aid his development.” Graves proved to be a clear asset for his team during camp and should emerge as a strong contributor for West Florence sooner than later.
#85: 6’2 ’22 Russell Branch (Barnwell)
Moving onto a player that continues to quietly further his case as one of the premier floor generals in his class, Russell Branch. He’s a wiry, unselfish, incredibly smart point guard prospect that simply knows how to lead his team in all facets of the game. Branch is a phenomenal playmaker with vision, decisiveness, and the ability to see things multiple plays ahead of others. He sets up others whenever possible but also scores the ball with great efficiency from all three levels. Branch is a quality defender that forces turnovers at a strong rate, pushes transition play, and makes consistently intelligent decisions with the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Moses on Branch: “Russell has exceptional quickness with very nice range. He has a nose for the ball and has a solid understanding of his position. As he progresses, game management will assist him with his growth. I look forward to seeing him play overt the next few years.” Branch was phenomenal during camp, securing the Mr. Defense award with relative ease, and should be a prospect for college coaches to monitor closely going forward.
#88: 6’3 ’22 Keyon Adams (Marlboro County)
Continuing onto a player that stood out with his motor and blossoming versatility, Keyon Adams. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with a team-first mentality and the ability to operate in various different roles on both ends of the floor. Adams utilizes his length very well to force turnovers, secure rebounds, and alter shots around the basket. He also displayed the ability to create fairly well off the bounce and finish strong or knock down perimeter jumpers at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Moses on Adams: “Keyon is an extremely physical player with the ideal frame for basketball. He’s a solid team player who celebrates his teammates. His next steps will be developing a consistent midrange jumper and putting the ball on the floor to finish around the basket.” Adams made his presence felt in a variety of different ways and possesses the tools to become a strong contributor for Marlboro County sooner than later.
#97: 6’5 ’21 Logan Ortega (Bob Jones Academy)
Finishing up, we look at a player that did a pretty solid job as the main interior presence for this team, Logan Ortega. He’s a big, strong-bodied forward/post prospect with a terrific motor and team-first mentality. Ortega utilizes his strength extremely well to control the glass and finish around the basket. He positions himself for success and altered his fair share of shot attempts defensively. Ortega communicates and sets the tone with his motor and overall unselfishness. Next in his development process is working on his ability to finish around the basket, as it would make him a more reliable interior presence. Coach Moses on Ortega: “Logan is a solid wide body around the rim. He’s a strong and great rebounder. His attitude on the sideline is always positive. Conditioning and post moves are the main two things I would encourage Logan to continue developing for his growth as a player.” Ortega enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be a poised for a productive senior campaign, especially if he continues to work.