Team 1

Coach: Greg Gary

 

#60:'4'10 '25 Montonio Flowers (Lake Taylor)

Starting things off, we look at a player that really encompasses the 'heart over height' notion during his time at camp, Montonio Flowers. He's a smart, team-first point guard prospect with excellent scoring prowess from anywhere inside the arc. Flowers handles the ball well and displays great vision when getting downhill and attacking the basket. He's very quick and it's pretty evident as an on-ball defender, where he was able to get stops and force turnovers effectively. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would improve his presence as a rebounder. Coach Gary on Flowers: 'Montonio is a fierce attacker with the ball in his hands. He showed a great ability to weave in and out of traffic against bigger opponents. He displays a lot of shooting range for his size. Montonio can continue to work on moving without the basketball and adding strength in order to battle bigger opponents.' Flowers competed well at camp, especially for his age and size, and will be a prospect to watch going forward.

 

#80:'6'2 '22 Variam Jones (Varina)

Next, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Variam Jones. He's a long, wiry wing prospect that already displays useful vision and solid shooting ability, but is truly just beginning to harness his offensive skillset. Jones worked hard for rebounds on both ends of the floor and secured numerous extra possessions as a result. Next in his development process is working on his overall defensive prowess, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Gary on Jones: 'Variam showed a lot of heart on the court, running with energy while attempting to get himself and his teammates involved in the game. I would strongly suggest that he gets involved with the high school program, even if just to train, as it would improve his basketball IQ on both ends of the floor.' Jones worked hard and should only continue to get better over time, so it'll be exciting to track his progress over the coming years.

 

#92:'6'0 '25 Kareem Stagg (Oscar Smith)

Moving onto a player that could genuinely end up as one of the best long-term prospects from this event, Kareem Stagg. He's a young, strong-bodied wing prospect with unselfishness and a pretty well-rounded skillset on both ends of the floor. Stagg can do a lot of things well on offense, but typically plays within himself and looks to make the smartest available decision whenever possible. Next in his development process is continuing to work on honing his guard skills, as it'll likely make him a legitimate mismatch for the foreseeable future. Coach Gary on Stagg: 'Kareem has huge upside at his size in the seventh grade. He shows athleticism, toughness, and the ability to handle the ball. He showed a lot of openness to learning the game of basketball and implementing minor changes and schemes on the fly. Kareem has the potential to be a big guard.' Stagg highlighted some impressive flashes throughout the day and will be one to watch grow over the remainder of his progression.

 

#95:'6'1 '20 Jackson Culhane (Blue Ridge)

Continuing onto a player that simply knows how to effectively run a team on both ends of the floor, Jackson Culhane. He's a smart, stocky point guard prospect with a sharp playmaking sense and the ability to apply excellent spot-up pressure from beyond the arc. Culhane takes care of the ball, scores as needed, and does a great job of containing bigger/faster opponents on the defensive end. He's also a useful rebounder with the ability to set up others quite often in transition. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him an even better on-ball defender. Coach Gary on Culhane: 'Jackson is a mature guard and plays with confidence, smoothness, and fluidity with the basketball. He showed the ability to hit the open three-pointer with good shooting mechanics. He has plenty of range and soft touch on perimeter shots. Jackson can continue to improve on holding other guards on the perimeter.' Culhane proved to be a useful piece throughout camp and could be poised for a very productive senior campaign at Blue Ridge.

 

#96:'6'1 '20 Lamondre Gregg (Meadowbrook)

Next, we look at a player that was quietly among the most efficient and productive performers on display, Lamondre Gregg. He's a smart, wiry guard prospect with an excellent motor and the ability to truly dictate the offensive action from start to finish. Gregg is unselfish and displayed great vision when creating for himself or others, but was basically unstoppable when looking to apply three-level scoring pressure. He regularly mixes it up on offense and can also apply pressure in transition while locking up his assignment on the other end. Gregg forced turnovers, fought for rebounds, and broke down opponents with his tight handle on a frequent basis. Next in his development process is working on adding strength to his wiry frame, as it would only make him tougher for the opposition to contain. Coach Gary on Gregg: 'Lamondre is a pure playmaker with and without the basketball. He has the 'it' factor. He can create from the point guard position, score at will, and plays great on-ball defense. He has the ability and talent to play at the next level. Lamondre's midrange and three-pointers were spot-on for most of the day.' Gregg enjoyed a phenomenal showing at camp and will be one for college coaches to watch throughout the upcoming season at Meadowbrook.

 

#112:'6'4 '23 Jacob Nelson (Patrick Henry)

Moving onto a player that really stood out with his two-way rebounding prowess, Jacob Nelson. He's a big, strong-bodied forward/post prospect that simply knows how to make his presence consistently felt without forcing the action or necessarily requiring offensive touches. Nelson knocked down multiple midrange jumpers and finished decently well around the basket. 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 Gary on Nelson: 'Jacob is a board cleaner. His best game showed up on the glass on both ends of the floor. He displayed a good rebounding sense through positioning and anticipation. He's more of an undersized forward that can stretch the floor for perimeter jumpers. He can continue working on his footwork and containing faster opponents. Jacob can also work on his court vision, as it would allow him to set up teammates on fast breaks and in the half-court.' Nelson showcased a lot of tools during camp, especially for his age, and could be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.

#113:'6'5 '22 Alzhonzo Billups (Boom)

Finishing up, we look at a player that arguably possessed as much long-term upside as any camper in attendance, Alzhonzo Billups. He's a long, wiry, athletic wing prospect with efficient three-level scoring and the ability to consistently affect all facets of the game. Billups can pass, handle, and shoot while operating as a primary creator or useful off-ball threat. He knows how to disrupt the opposition with his length, both as a finisher and overall defender, and absolutely thrives in transition. Billups also knows how to position himself and rebound very well on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Gary on Billups: 'Alzhonzo is a wiry point guard with speed and quickness. He showed the ability to slash through traffic and get to the rim. He's willing and capable of sharing it, both from the top of the key or down low. Alzhonzo rebounds with authority.' Billups was undeniably impressive throughout camp and will be a prospect for Division I coaches to watch over the coming years.