Head Coach Nick Jones is entering his fifth season with Pro Skills Basketball. This is his second'year as the 16u head coach. I was extremely impressed with Coach Jones last season while watching his Team Curry team play. His teams are always locked in. There is an acute attention to detail. They share the ball and execute on both ends of the floor.'
In talking with Coach Jones about this year's team, he stated, 'I'm really excited to have a core group that has been around and with the organization. They fit what we try to do. We've added a few new pieces to our core group. This makes for a great foundation to have successful spring and summer.'
Below we will look more in-depth at their roster.
Bryce Cash 6'5 2023 (Charlotte Christian)
Bryce Cash is one of the key returners on this Team Curry team. He had a tremendous season at Charlotte Christian with game averages of 15.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.4 steals. Simply put, he produces. Every single time he steps on the court, you know what you're going to get. He is extremely consistent and finds ways to help his team win, whether it's scoring the ball, making plays for others, or making plays on the defensive end of the court. Cash is a strong, athletic guard who excels getting downhill and finishing at the rim through contact. He is a physical driver who uses his body well. He also has the ability to knock down the midrange jumper. In addition, he has continued to improve his perimeter shot. This opens up the rest of his game. While Cash has the ability to really fill it up from a scoring perspective, he is an exceptional passer. He makes the right plays for his team. He plays under control on drives and when he gets into the paint, he is able to make the baseline drift pass to shooters in the opposite corner, or he's able to drop it off to post players for the dunk. Expect Cash to have an outstanding summer as one of the leaders for this Team Curry group.
Elijah Strong'''''''''''''6'8'''''''2023''''(Myers Park)
Strong is coming off a stellar sophomore season at Myers Park in which he averaged 19 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.''He is a highly skilled forward who can make plays from all three levels on the court. He is an extremely tough matchup for opponents. He has tremendous touch around the basket and can punish smaller defenders with his strength in the post. He can score over either shoulder. He can face up and make plays in the midrange. But he can also step out and knock down shots from the perimeter. His ability to stretch the court allows for him to make plays off the bounce. For his size, he can really handle the ball and create. Strong is one of the top prospects in the North Carolina 2023 class. His recruitment is really starting to take off.'
Silas Demary Jr. 6'4 2023 (Millbrook)
After playing limited minutes as a sophomore last year on a loaded Millbrook team, Demary wasted no time making his presence felt this season, helping lead Millbrook to a 4A NCHSAA State Title. Demary averaged 17.3 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.8 steals per game while shooting 54% from the field and 42% from three. Demary recently announced that he would be reclassifying to the 2023 class. His stock was already on the rise. But now, look out! He has the potential and skillset to really flourish at the next level. For a point guard, he has great size at 6'4. On the defensive end, he does a really good job of using his size to bother the ball, and he rebounds at a high level. He had several double-double games this season with points and rebounds. On the offensive end, he plays at his own pace. He understands how to facilitate but also take over and score when necessary. As a point guard, one thing that has always stuck out to me about Silas is his vocal leadership. He isn't afraid to make his presence felt and take command of a team.
Ta’Korrie Faison''''''''6'6'''''''2023''''(Wayne Prep)
Takorrie Faison is another returning Team Curry player who had a terrific sophomore season this season at Wayne Prep averaging 19.6 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. Faison is a high level athlete who is extremely explosive. He plays above the rim and will make highlight dunks and big-time blocks. His motor and energy also set him apart. In addition, his perimeter shooting has really improved. This is a testament to the work that he has put in. On the defensive end, he is very versatile. He has the ability to guard multiple positions. He has the quickness to guard smaller guards and wings on the perimeter, but also has the size and strength that is necessary to defending in the post when a switch occurs.
Riley Allenspach 6'10 2023 (Lake Norman Christian)
After moving to North Carolina this year and playing a national schedule for Lake Norman Christian, Allenspach is ready to make his mark as one of the top post prospects in North Carolina. While playing in relatively limited minutes this season behind the likes of Jonathan Kurtas (SIUE), AJ Allenspach (Army), and Joyful Hawkins who holds several high major Division 1 offers, Riley Allenspach always produces and made an impact when he was on the floor. He is a skilled post player who has the ability to score inside and out. In the post, he can go over either shoulder. From the perimeter, he showcases his touch and smooth release. Allenspach can really shoot the basketball, especially in pick and pop situations. He has all the physical tools and skillset that translate to playing basketball at a high level. Expect him really blossom this spring and summer.
Callum Richard 6'11 2023 (Gaston Day)
Callum Richard is coming off of an outstanding sophomore season at Gaston Day in which he averaged 14.5 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game. Richard is a long, fundamentally sound post player. What sets him apart from a lot of players in his class is that he is a true back to the basket post player. He has tremendous touch and a very consistent right hook. In addition, he has really good footwork around the basket. As he continues to add strength and expand his game in face-up situations and on the perimeter, his game will take off even more. On the defensive end, he does a great job of utilizing his length. He does a good job of walling up and getting vertical. He forces tough shots for opponents by either blocking or altering shots.
Trey Horton''''''''''''''6'5'''''''2023''''(Davidson Day)
Returning at the shooting guard position, Trey Horton looks to continue to elevate his game after a great sophomore season at Davidson Day. Horton is a tough, strong guard who can really shoot the ball from three. He has range, a quick release, and a ton of confidence. Horton has a knack for knocking down key shots at pivotal moments in games. His ability to play different positions and impact the game in multiple ways help him stay on the court for his team. More importantly, his ability to rebound the basketball, defend, and make winning/toughness plays will translate to not only being extremely productive for his high school and travel ball teams, but also at the next level.
Josh Bullock''''''''''''''6’1'''''2023''''(Lake Norman Christian)
One thing to note about Josh Bullock is that he is a competitor. He doesn't shy away from the moment and will make whatever play is necessary to help his team win. While Bullock played alongside the likes of Mikey Williams and Trey Green at Lake Norman Christian in the backcourt this season, Bullock always found a way to make his impact on the game. There were times when his team might have needed a basket, and he would knock down the perimeter shot or bury a tough midrange pull-up. Other times, he would make a play for a teammate by creating off the bounce and finding shooters in drive and kick situations. He is smart and savvy with the ball and makes the right reads. More importantly, Bullock is a defense first kid. He plays with an extremely high motor and will pressure opposing ball handlers making it difficult for them to initiate the offense.
Will Gray 6'1 2023 (East Forsyth)
Will Gray is coming off a superb sophomore season for East Forsyth where he averaged 16.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. At the point guard position, Gray does a great job of balancing scoring and facilitating. He can make plays for others. Also, his ability to score the ball in a variety of ways, whether getting to the paint or knocking down the perimeter shot, opens up everything else for his teammates. Gray is an explosive athlete who has a quick first step and can play above the rim. Defensively, he reads passing lanes really well, utilizing his quickness to jump the lanes and convert on the other end. One thing that really sticks out when watching Gray play is his motor. He leaves it all out there and competes every possession on both ends of the floor.
Michael Mora 6'5 2023 (Asheville School)
Michael Mora is another big guard for Team Curry that will provide length on the perimeter. After transferring to Asheville School from Palo Alto, California, Mora showcased his ability to really shoot the ball from behind the arc. In addition to his shooting ability, Mora is able to use his shot fake to drive and finish at the rim. While watching him play, his ability to defend also made an impression. He is a good on-ball defender who understands positioning and uses his length well to contest shots. While watching him at Team Curry tryouts, he blocked several shots at the end of the drive. Mora will be a great addition to this Team Curry roster and expect him to really make a name for himself this spring and summer.