South Carolina Phenom 150 Evaluations

 

Team 2

Coach: Jordan Washington

 

#55:5'6 '22 Jaden Sanders (Dalzell, SC)

Starting things off, we look at a player that brought a team-first approach to camp, Jaden Sanders. He's a scrappy guard prospect with a strong motor and the ability to complement teammates on the court. Sanders scored the ball decently well and consistently looked to make the extra pass. He's somewhat small, but he still understands how to move his feet and defend against opposing point guards. Next in his development process is continuing to grow and add strength, as it will allow him to navigate through traffic with less resistance. Coach Washington on Sanders: 'Jaden is a great team-player and overall motivator. He drives the ball well and finished strong, especially in transition. He fought hard for rebounds and loose balls, but Jaden could improve his decision-making.' Sanders is only entering his freshman year, which should allow him to gain repetitions and further playing experience. He will be one to revisit in the coming months.

 

#74: 5'9 '20 Myron Poindexter (Goldsboro, NC)

Next, we look at a player that provided his team with toughness and a positive attitude, Myron Poindexter. He's a lead guard with excellent quickness and the ability to get by opponents. Offensively, Poindexter is looking to get downhill and attack the rim, which was his most reliable scoring avenue at camp. He is a willing cutter, passer, and shows a quality understanding of how to move without the ball. Next in his development process is continuing to sharpen the consistency of his jumper, as it'll make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Washington on Poindexter: 'Myron has a great attitude and approach to the game. He plays hard from start to finish and understands how to wear down his opponent. His ability to drive is great, but he still needs to improve as a ball-handler, in order to remain a point guard.' Poindexter showcased a lot of intriguing skills over the weekend, so it'll be interesting to see how he builds off his performance going forward.

 

#78:5'10 '22 Christopher Taylor (Florence, SC)

Moving onto a player that made a solid impact on both ends of the floor, Christopher Taylor. He's a guard prospect with the ability to play off-ball or as secondary creator/offensive initiator. Taylor displays a strong motor and willingness to make the hustle plays whenever possible, especially in transition; he brought an excellent attitude and team-first approach to camp. Taylor forced a few turnovers on defense and looked to always make the smart pass. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it would allow him to absorb more contact and penetrate to the basket with frequency. Coach Washington on Taylor: 'Christopher is a solid all-around player that will do whatever is asked of him. He played very hard on both sides of the ball and has a great attitude. Christopher could improve his ball-handling abilities, in order to become a better creator and scorer.' Throughout camp, Taylor was ready to do anything to provide his team with an edge, and it was a big part of their success.

 

#94:6'0 '21 Andrew Chapman (Hartsville, SC)

Continuing onto a player that played exceptionally hard on both ends of the court, Andrew Chapman. He's an off-guard that is always looking to contribute, but rarely forcing the action. Offensively, Chapman can score through cutting or spotting-up, and shows the ability to frequently penetrate to the basket. His always-active motor forces opponents to always keep an eye on him, or else he'll slip through a backdoor cut. Chapman was a solid defender at camp and looked solid in help-defense scenarios, but can continue working on staying in front of opponents. Next in his development process is becoming a more polished creator for others, as it would make him an even more dangerous offensive player. Coach Washington on Chapman: 'Andrew plays really hard at all times and clearly has a desire to win. He shoots it well and understands how to move without the ball. Andrew needs to improve his defensive presence.' Chapman should definitely have a solid upcoming season at Hartsville, as he could make real contributions on a nightly basis.

 

#96:6'0 '22 Gamar Powers (Columbia, SC)

Next, we look at a player that showcased great flashes of his offensive arsenal throughout camp, Gamar Powers. He's a wing prospect that understands how to play without the ball and still make an impact. Offensively, Powers gets to his spots effectively and poses a strong spot-up threat from beyond the arc. He's also capable of creating for himself within one to two dribbles and can knock down the midrange pull-up. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his defensive presence, which will definitely come with further playing experience. Coach Washington on Powers: 'Gamar is a great kid and well-mannered. He's a team player with the right approach to the game. Gamar needs to work on his defensive consistency, as it will make him a more complete player. He was an absolute joy to coach.' Powers should be an interesting prospect in his first high school season, but there should be doubts about his abilities to contribute right now.

 

#113: 6'2 '21 Bryson Pugh (Rock Hill, SC)

Moving onto a player that was able to effortlessly get by opponents throughout his time at camp, Bryson Pugh. He's an athletic wing prospect with blinding quickness and the understanding of how to properly utilize it. Pugh is a nice catch-and-rip option on the wing, while also showing his ability to score in transition through filling the lane. He rebounded the ball extremely well, securing and scoring numerous second-chance opportunities. Next in his development process is sharpening the consistency of his jumper, as it would make him a much more complete offensive threat. Coach Washington on Pugh: 'Bryson plays very hard on both ends of the floor. His slashing ability is great and he's able to get downhill whenever he wants. Bryson needs to improve on his ball-handling and decision-making down the stretch.' Pugh made a quality two-way impact during camp and will be a prospect to keep an eye on in the coming months.

 

#117:6'3 '21 Cohen Gaskins (Summerville, SC)

Continuing onto a player that simply exudes polish and leadership on both ends of the floor, Cohen Gaskins. He's a guard with the ability to fill up the stat sheet, given his incredibly well-rounded approach to the game. Gaskins checks nearly every box in terms of intangibles, given his size, unselfishness, and constant vocal guidance. His IQ and overall feel for the game are impressive, especially given his age. Gaskins can effortlessly toggle between playing on and off-ball, able to highlight his passing and efficient three-level scoring abilities whenever he desires. He is a coach's dream, both in terms of his ability to produce and lead a team on both sides of the ball. Next in his development process is to work on getting quicker, as it would allow him to be an even better offensive player with the added wrinkle to blow by opponents at will. Coach Washington on Gaskins: 'Cohen shows great leadership skills; he is very vocal on both sides of the ball. He has a great ability to attack the basket and finish strong through contact. Cohen is a strong two-way prospect.' Though he didn't win any awards at camp, it would be difficult to envision a scenario where Gaskins doesn't have a breakout upcoming season. He already has all the tools to become a Division I player and will only continue to improve.

 

#132: 6'4 '21 Earl Burgess (Spartanburg, SC)

Next, we look at a productive player that still has a lot of two-way upside, Earl Burgess. He's a long-bodied forward with the ability to consistently apply pressure to the opposition, both through his motor in transition and tenacity on defense. Offensively, Burgess provides a nice mix of penetration and spotting-up from midrange. He shows the ability to operate well within one to two dribbles and score around the basket. Burgess utilizes his length pretty nicely to contest and alter shots. Next in his development process is continuing to add polish as a jump shooter, as it would make him a versatile two-way prospect. Coach Washington on Burgess: 'Earl is a great team player that approaches the game in the right manner. He drives and finishes well around the basket. Earl competes and plays hard at a high level; he was a great energy guy for our team.' In many ways, Burgess was the glue-guy of this squad, and could possibly emerge in a similar role this upcoming season. He's another prospect with an abundance of useful tools to work with.

 

#135:6'4 '21 Malachy McGuirt (Rock Hill, SC)

Moving onto a player that brought a lot of intrigue during his time at camp, Malachi McGuirt. He's a strong, athletic forward with the ability to switch between various different roles, especially on offense. McGuirt is quite mobile for his size, able to operate from the perimeter full-time and generate scoring opportunities for himself or others. He's vocal on both sides of the ball and shows the willingness to do anything to give his team a competitive edge. Right now, McGuirt isn't a great shooter, but his shot form looks nice and he hits midrange pull-ups pretty regularly. He's a pretty versatile defender with the ability to guard two or three positions at this level, with no hesitation. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would unlock an entire new scoring realm for the forward. Coach Washington on McGuirt: 'Malachi is already a pretty good player with a great attitude and overall approach to the game. He plays hard and communicates well. He made a strong impact in transition and showed his ability to get the rebound and push the break.' McGuirt was one of the most unique prospects on display at camp, but he should continue to improve, which could be a scary sight for opponents.

 

#145: 6'7 '19 Jake Krawczyk (Fort Mill, SC)

Finishing up with a player that should emerge as a college-level player within the next few months, Jake Krawczyk. He's a big man with a strong frame and quality touch around the basket. Offensively, Krawczyk gets to his spots and shows a strong capability for knocking down the midrange shot, especially if left alone. He displays an excellent feel for the game and seems to always move with purpose, especially when attacking the glass and fighting for rebounds. Defensively, Krawczyk moves quite well and understands how to cause havoc with his size, able to alter shots and monitor the paint nicely. Next in his development process is working on his low-post game, as it would make him a very well-rounded offensive option. Coach Washington on Krawczyk: 'Jake is a high-motor player with a big body. He finishes well at the rim and displays nice touch from fifteen feet and in. He needs to work on his footwork and playing hard on every play.' There is a lot to like with Krawczyk, who could definitely play college basketball in a year from now.