Team 6
Coach: Mason Padgett
#3: 5’8 ’23 Derrick Barksdale (York Prep)
Starting things off, we look at a player that is pretty advanced and polished for his age, Derrick Barksdale. He’s a smart, slightly undersized point guard prospect with excellent perimeter shooting and the ability to overwhelm his assignment on both ends of the floor. Barksdale is quick and gets downhill with ease, which allows him to score or set up others nicely from within the paint. He does a great job of eliminating operating space as an on-ball defender and forces turnovers at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a better rebounder on both ends of the floor. Coach Padgett on Barksdale: “Derrick shot the ball wonderfully from midrange and beyond the arc during the day. He also had an excellent attitude and could totally accept coaching and criticism. Derrick showed he had the ability to really spot-up and convert, and his shooting mechanics were almost perfect. He truly could finish with both hands and had great quickness and footwork during the entire day. Derrick can improve on his rebounding but did hustle all day.” Barksdale did a ton of things well, especially for his size and age, and will be a strong contributor sooner than later at York Prep.
#19: 5’11 ’22 Andersen Groves (Porter Gaud)
Next, we look at a player that did a tremendous job of filling in the gaps on both ends of the floor, Andersen Groves. He’s a smart, scrappy two-way guard prospect with an excellent midrange jumper and quality defensive motor. Groves moves well without the ball and is capable of working off the bounce or spotting-up quite effectively. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him an even better finisher around the basket. Coach Padgett on Groves: “Andersen has a great IQ for the game of basketball. He had great hustle during the entire day. Andersen needs to improve and work on his release but his shooting form looks great. He played solid on-ball defense and had key stops for us during each game. I was also impressed with Andersen’s court vision and his ability to pass the basketball. Andersen has the ability to be a great high school player and could be a very good college player as well.” Groves showed some excellent flashes during camp and could emerge as a useful two-way piece for Porter Gaud this season.
#29: 6’0 ’20 Jordan Jones (Trinity Byrnes)
Moving onto a player that is arguably one of the quickest, most electric guards in South Carolina, Jordan Jones. He’s a smart, high-motor guard prospect that can operate effectively from either backcourt position, given his blend of ball-handling and scoring prowess. Jones knows how to get downhill and attack the basket with relentlessness, but can also step out and knock down the open jumper. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would allow him to force more turnovers by jumping into passing lanes. Coach Padgett on Jones: “Jordan really played with a lot of effort and had a great attitude today. He shot the midrange jumper and three-pointer at a high level today. His ability to catch and shoot the ball is definitely above average. Jordan needs to improve on his release timing of his jumper. When dribbling, Jordan went both ways well with the ball and was very strong when penetrating to the basket. Jordan can work on his passing but does have strong footwork and court vision.” Jones enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be a prospect for college coaches to monitor closely throughout his upcoming senior season at Trinity Byrnes.
#44: 6’1 ’21 Daveon Thomas (Lee Central)
Continuing onto a player that was certainly among the most dominant performers at camp, Daveon Thomas. He’s a smart, skilled, athletic guard prospect with a tight handle, excellent creation skills, and strong three-level scoring ability. Thomas is quick, incredibly fast in the open floor, and the necessary strength to make him a two-way nightmare for most opponents. He’s a sharp defender and quality rebounder (especially for his size) with the ability to push transition play with regularity. Next in his development process is working on the release of his jumper, as it would allow him to disregard even more defensive pressure on closeouts. Coach Padgett on Thomas: “Daveon has super bounce and can really jump out of the gym. He can also really shoot the three-pointer and also has tons of confidence when shooting the ball. Daveon has the ability to really attack the basket and finish around the rim with both hands. Daveon was also a great teammate on and off the court. He made key baskets for our team. Daveon will be a great high school player at any school and will play college basketball at a very high level.” Thomas continues to quietly be one of the most impressive guards in South Carolina and should see a major uptick in his recruitment during the upcoming season at Lee Central.
#57: 6’2 ’20 Jalen Robinson (Andrew Jackson)
Next, we look at a player that proved to be an excellent teammate and overall spot-up threat during camp, Jalen Robinson. He’s a long, wiry, team-first wing prospect with nice ball-handling skills and a willingness to set up others whenever possible. Robinson is a useful creator for himself and others but typically operates as a catch-and-shoot option on the offensive end. He competes hard on defense to get stops and secure rebounds. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to seize more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Padgett on Robinson: “Jalen truly loves the game of basketball and has a great work ethic. He competed on both ends of the floor and he got key wins with his teammates all day. He is an above-average three-point shooter and has a great release time with his jumper. He needs to improve on rebounding and moving without the ball. The kid can truly play.” Robinson enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a prospect for college coaches to monitor during the upcoming season at Andrew Jackson.
#58: 6’2 ’22 Russell Brunson Jr. (Calhoun County)
Moving onto a player that really stood out with his ability to apply scoring pressure from beyond the arc, Russell Brunson Jr. He’s an unselfish, high-motor wing prospect with phenomenal spot-up instincts from midrange and beyond, which allows him to seamlessly operate with any group of teammates. Brunson proved to be a quality passer with nice vision, but never forced the action and always worked within the flow of the team on both ends of the floor. 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 Padgett on Brunson: “Russell was an excellent teammate and had a great attitude. He has a great jumper and shoot the three-pointer really well. His shooting mechanics are also very nice as well. Russell needs to improve on dribbling with both hands and moving without the ball, but displayed solid court vision and great footwork. He was fun to coach and will continue to be a great high school basketball player.” Brunson make his presence felt throughout camp and should be poised for a productive upcoming season at Calhoun County.
#84: 6’4 ’21 Chris Rhone (Gray Collegiate)
Continuing onto a player that continues to look like one of the most underrated prospects in South Carolina, Chris Rhone. He’s a hyper-active guard prospect with a IQ, size, and the ability to dominate in a variety of different ways on the court. Rhone is a tone-setter in basically every facet of the game, consistently making his presence felt as a defender, rebounder, playmaker, and three-level scorer. He has no real weakness but still plays well within the team concept at all times. Next in his development process is working on his post moves, as it would allow him to take advantage of smaller opponents around the basket. Coach Padgett on Rhone: “Chris was an excellent teammate and was always positive on every single possession. He has a very high basketball IQ and had tons of effort today on both ends of the floor. Chris shot the ball very well from midrange and even better from beyond the arc. Chris also has a great release time along with amazing shooting mechanics. Chris also can go both ways with his dribble and has strong footwork and moves great without the ball as well.” Rhone has a ton of tools and could legitimately be the breakout prospect for Gray Collegiate during the upcoming season.
#85: 6’4 ’21 Roman Bowie (Legion Academy)
Next, we look at a player that showcased an extremely well-rounded skillset throughout camp, Roman Bowie. He’s a long, strong-bodied wing/forward prospect with the ability to affect every facet of the game on both ends of the floor. Bowie can make a quality impact with or without the ball in his hands, able to reliably create for himself and others or spot-up along the perimeter. He’s an excellent complementary player that can create, defend, and apply three-level scoring pressure at an efficient clip. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would allow him to force more turnovers by jumping into passing lanes. Coach Padgett on Bowie: “Roman had an amazing attitude today and truly cared about his teammates. Roman has an above-average jumper from midrange and beyond the arc. He has a great ability to finish the basketball and truly enjoys attacking the rim. Roman needs to improve on his defensive positioning and court vision in transition. Roman also has great shooting mechanics and will continue to be a great shooter in high school.” Bowie offered a nice two-way presence throughout camp and should emerge as a quality leader sooner than later for Legion Academy.
#101: 6’5 ’20 Harry Cash (May River)
Moving onto a player that was arguably the main glue-guy of this team during his time at camp, Harry Cash. He’s a long, wiry forward/post prospect with an exceptional motor and a fairly intriguing array of skills. Cash typically operates without the ball in his hands, showing his ability to find space as a cutter or spot-up along the perimeter. He displays a nice IQ and team-first approach on both ends of the floor and looks to setup others whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it’ll only make him a more physical defender and rebounder. Coach Padgett on Cash: “Harry was super fun to coach today. He had a great attitude and amazing basketball IQ throughout the day. Harry is super athletic and blocked tons of shots today. He also attacked the basket and had some fun dunks to watch. Harry also had great penetration ability and the ability to finish around the basket. Harry can improve on his ball-handling and his transition defense, but he really had a great day.” Cash is a very impactful two-way player that offers excellent productivity and should garner a ton of interest from college coaches during the upcoming season.
#113: 6’7 ’22 Jimeion Brown (Lancaster)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a phenomenal crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Jimeion Brown. He’s a long, wiry, intelligent power forward prospect with excellent instincts as a rim-protector. Brown offers a nice balance between skill and athleticism, which, at his size, already makes him a matchup problem for opposing big men. He understands defensive concepts and does a terrific job of utilizing his length to alter shots and secure rebounds around the basket. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain on both ends of the floor. Coach Padgett on Brown: “Jimeion had a solid attitude all day and played hard for his team on every possession. Jimeion needs to work on using both hands when he dribbles but showed that he could really shoot the basketball. I would say that Jimeion does need to improve on his shooting off the dribble but he showed his spot-up ability nicely. Jimeion truly could finish around the basket and had great passing skills and great quickness.” Brown is a prospect that will only continue to get better with time but should already have the attention of all types of college coaches, as he has the chance to be special.