At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from'North'Carolina'went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today's edition will highlight Gabe Proctor of Apex Friendship.

When it comes to shooters, Gabe Proctor is without question one of the best shooters in the region. He has a quick release and deep range. More importantly, he shoots with ultra confidence and expects every shot to go in, no matter the moment.

Proctor burst onto the scene during the summer of 2020 going into his junior year playing for Tea Marie Hoops (Team Loaded NC). He quickly made a name for himself with his ability to knock down big shots. He was doing this against some of the best players and shoe-sponsored travel teams in the region.

Then last year as a junior, it was his first season on varsity, and he quickly made his presence felt averaging 17 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 2.7 APG while having a 50-40-90 shooting season. Proctor shot over 50% from the field, 48.5% from three, and 93.5% from the foul line. He did this while playing on one of the best 4A teams in the state alongside Kenny Noland (Columbia), Luke Proctor (Guilford), and Will Asked (Hargrave).

Gabe Proctor followed up a breakout junior year with another productive spring and summer with Team Loaded NC, with talent including MJ Rice (McDonald’s All-American and Kansas commit), LJ Thomas (NC State commit), Noah Ross (UNCW commit), Kenny Noland (Columbia commit), Freddie Dilione, and Jaquantae Harris. On a team this full of Division I prospects, Proctor continuously found a way to earn minutes and be a threat on the floor against some of the nation’s top talent on the Adidas 3SSB Circuit. In addition, he started in half of the team’s games against premier opponents.

Fast forward to this year, Proctor is leading the way for Apex Friendship. Many people early on could have written off Apex Friendship after losing four starters from last year’s team. However, Proctor has helped them to a 11-5 record overall and they are sitting at the top of their conference with a 7-2 record. As they enter the final stretch of their season, Proctor and Apex Friendship look to make another deep state playoff run.

Proctor is on a tear, averaging 15 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.1 APG while constantly being the focal point of opponent’s scouting reports and getting everyone’s best defender. And once again, Proctor is shooting an astounding 48.6% from behind the arc. Earlier this month, Proctor had 29 points while connecting on 9 three-pointers against Greenfield School, one of the top private school teams in the state.

We’ve all known Proctor for his elite shooting ability, but this season, he has expanded his game and having to play more with the ball in his hands. He utilizes his threat from the perimeter to set up his drives where he makes good decisions in the paint. More importantly, Proctor plays with an incredibly high motor and passion for the game. He is constantly communicating and is always the loudest player in the gym. This energy is contagious.

In an era where transferring and reclassifying has become the norm, Proctor stayed loyal to his school even when he wasn’t playing as an underclassman. He continued to work and earn everything he has gotten. He wanted to finish what he started and play with the same group of guys that he’s played with since elementary school.

Everyone needs a knock down shooter. Gabe Proctor is that guy and is without question worthy of opportunities to play at the next level.