Team 3
Coach: Nick Whitmore
#36: 5’5 ’23 Abby Smith (Cave Spring)
Starting things off, we look at a player that competed hard and made an abundance of plays during camp, Abby Smith. She’s a smart, unselfish guard prospect with a high motor and strong team-first mentality. Smith is a capable perimeter shooter, but also does a terrific job of impacting the game without the ball in her hands. She knows how to move without the ball and properly position herself on defense and on the glass. Next in her development process is working to get stronger, as it will make her a more consistent finisher at the basket. Coach Whitmore on Smith: “Abby did great work today! She is an unselfish and savvy player. She can work hard to build her base for finishing in traffic. Also, she can look to be more aggressive when looking for shots along the perimeter. She was great today and I wish her the best of luck this season.” Smith enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be a prospect to monitor as she continues to progress going forward.
#51: 5’8 ’25 Eli Ellis (Granite Falls)
Next, we look at a player that continues to showcase an advanced skillset and mentality for his age, Eli Ellis. He’s a young, smart, tough lead guard prospect that operates as the primary creator while applying nonstop scoring pressure from all three levels. Ellis has excellent range on his jumper but also possesses craftiness and the ability to attack the basket off the dribble. He plays with an edge defensively and welcomes physicality on that end of the floor. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it’ll better prepare him for being a lead guard at the high school level. Coach Whitmore on Ellis: “Eli did a great job today! I enjoyed watching him play. He has tons of potential and, with lots of work, will have a chance to be a very good player. He can work on his ability to get downhill and make multiple reads in a ball screen if he is covered. I wish him the best of luck this season.” Ellis is already a very useful two-way prospect that’ll only continue to get better over time.
#56: 5’9 ’20 Edward Marquina (Summit Charter)
Moving onto a player that worked extremely hard on both sides of the ball throughout camp, Edward Marquina. He’s a strong-bodied guard prospect that proved to be a clear team-first player that is always looking to make plays for teammates. Marquina typically operates without the ball and knows how to make plays as a result of his active motor. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him tougher for opponents to contain off the dribble. Coach Whitmore on Marquina: “Edward did an awesome job today! He is a hard worker and had an excellent attitude all day. He’s a tenacious defender and a good rebounder. Edward can work on his ball-handling and ability to shoot consistently. I wish him the best of luck this season.” Marquina showed his ability to impact the game without forcing the action and could be a useful contributor during the upcoming season.
#68: 6’0 ’21 Brevin Klym (Franklin)
Continuing onto a player that stood out as arguably the best perimeter shooter in attendance, Brevin Klym. He’s a smart, smooth guard prospect with a quality balance between playmaking and setting the nets ablaze from beyond the arc. Klym knows how to be in the right place at right time for rebounds, defensive rotations, and off-ball cutting. He’s not the flashiest player, but that’s part of what makes his dominance so exciting. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would give him a better penetrating sense to complement his excellent shooting capabilities. Coach Whitmore on Klym: “Brevin did great work today! He was a pleasure to coach and I appreciated his team-first approach. He has a great looking jumper and, with continued work, will have the chance to make it elite. Brevin can work on coming off of pin-downs and jab-step threes to help you reach the next level. I wish him the best luck this season.” Klym was very impressive during camp and will be one to keep a close eye on going forward, as he has the tools and ability to play at the next level.
#74: 6’0 ’20 Fahmir Ali (Beckley Prep)
Next, we look at a player that showcased a well-rounded skillset and glue-guy presence throughout camp, Fahmir Ali. He’s a smart, strong-bodied wing prospect with a tight handle, strong penetration sense, and excellent defensive instincts. Ali works well in a variety of different roles and rebounds consistently on both ends of the floor, making him a quality contributor with any group of teammates. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Whitmore on Ali: “It was a pleasure working with Fahmir today! He has an excellent attitude and contagious energy on and off the court. He can work on shooting the three-pointer when defenders go under the ball screen. I wish him the best of luck this season.” Ali enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could be poised for a productive upcoming season at Beckley Prep.
#86: 6’2 ’21 Jairus Moyers (Abingdon)
Moving onto a player that was one of the most unselfish, hardest-working performers from this team, Jairus Moyers. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing/forward prospect with a high motor and blue-collar approach on both ends of the floor. Moyers is a phenomenal rebounder, especially for his size, and knows how to outwork bigger/stronger opponents for extra possessions. He’s a solid scorer in all areas and looks to make the extra pass whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Whitmore on Moyers: “Jarius did great work today! He has an excellent attitude and solid basketball IQ. Keep playing the right way and it will pay dividends. In order to play at the next level, he should keep working on his handle and make 500 three-pointers a day to become a great shooter.” Moyers enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on, especially if he’s willing to work.
#103: 6’5 ’20 Robertas Jonaitas (Beckley Prep)
Continuing onto a player that has continued to trend upward throughout the last calendar year, Robertas Jonaitas. He’s a long, wiry, high-level athlete that is always looking to play above the rim, through penetration, filling the lane, and cutting without the ball. Jonaitas has continued to improve as a shooter and overall creator, but should continue to trend upward over the next year. He plays hard, especially on defense when pursuing the ball and containing his assignment along the perimeter. Next in his development process is working on the consistency as a perimeter shooter, as it would make him basically unstoppable on offense. Coach Whitmore on Jonaitas: “Robertas did great work today! He plays hard and has exceptional athleticism. He should continue to work on developing his handle and ability to knock down shots from beyond the arc. I wish him the best of luck this year!” Jonaitas is already so exciting and impressive but is genuinely still just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term potential.
#107: 6’5 ’20 David Early (Beckley Prep)
Next, we look at a player that possesses an incredible crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, David Early. He’s a big, strong-bodied guard prospect that effectively creates for himself and others while applying scoring pressure from all over the floor. Early is great at getting downhill and attacking the rim, but is also capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers at a solid rate. He’s a useful rebounder and overall defender that’ll only continue to improve over time. Next in his development process is working on defining his frame, as it would allow his phenomenal two-way game to shine. Coach Whitmore on Early: “David did nice work today! He is a bulldog out on the court and has lot of potential. He can work on his ability to stretch the defense this fall and keep being aggressive at attacking. I wish him the best of luck this season!” Early has all the necessary tools to become an extremely successful player and long-term prospect, which should have schools buzzing about him throughout the upcoming season.
#113: 6’8 ’20 Cameron Stitt (Beckley Prep)
Moving onto a player that was quite possibly the most consistently dominant performer at camp, Cameron Stitt. He’s a long, wiry, incredibly high-level offensive forward with the ability to space the floor as well as any player of his size. Stitt has quality athleticism and a mobile frame, which complements his shooting stroke nicely and makes him an absolute nightmare for opponents to contain. He handles the ball and is a capable passer, but also has sharp defensive tendencies and forces turnovers from the interior and perimeter. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would make him even more physically imposing as an interior presence. Coach Whitmore on Stitt: “Cam did good work today! His ability to stretch the floor is terrific. He can work on developing his upper body strength this off-season to maximize his potential. I wish him the best of luck this season!” Stitt was pretty dominant during camp, securing the camp MVP with relative ease, and giving us a preview of what to expect throughout the upcoming season.
#118: 7’3 ’21 Bol Kuir (Hurricane)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was arguably the most intriguing long-term prospect from camp, Bol Kuir. He’s a long, wiry post prospect with incredible size and a blossoming two-way skillset. Kuir displays solid touch and feel around the basket, which makes him incredibly difficult to guard at his stature. He has quality hands and ran the floor exceptionally well in transition. Kuir plays with a strong motor, actively pursuing rebounds and protecting the rim with poise. Next in his development process is working on building strength, as it’ll only continue to improve his ability as a rebounder and rim-protector. Coach Whitmore on Kuir: “Bol did nice work today! He is a terrific teammate and is just beginning to scratch the surface. He can work on his left hand and overall jumper this offseason. I wish him the best of luck this season!” Kuir enjoyed a great showing at camp and should be monitored closely going forward, as he possesses tremendous upside.