North Carolina Phenom 150 Session 3: Evaluation Team 9
Team 9
Coach Kelvin Mills
#10: 5'11 '23 Giovanni Nanucci (Greensboro, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player that could arguably emerge as the best long-term prospect from this camp, Giovanni Nanucci. He's a young combo-guard prospect that competed extremely well with the high school group and made a consistent impact on both sides of the ball. Nanucci has an innate sense of generating offense and knows how to create space against most opponents. He is an efficient three-level scorer with exceptional craftiness off the dribble. His combination of IQ, skill, and youth is unbelievable and allows him to contribute to any game. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would allow him to overwhelm opponents even more on offense. Coach Mills on Nanucci: 'Giovanni is a good basketball player with an excellent attitude and high basketball IQ. He provided great effort on both sides of the ball. He needs to continue to add strength and work on his footwork.' Nanucci is a very polished player for his age and was able to contribute quite nicely during the high school camp.
#11: 5'8 '23 Marcus Locklear (Laurinburg, NC)
Next, we look at a player that was able to make a pretty strong impact with his shooting ability, Marcus Locklear. He's a young, wiry guard prospect that was able to contribute nicely on the offensive end of the floor, especially given his age. Locklear shot the ball very efficiently from midrange and beyond the arc, both off the catch and dribble. He's a solid teammate and worked hard on defense throughout the day. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it'll allow him to become a better finisher around the basket. Coach Mills on Locklear: 'Marcus displayed a good attitude during his time at camp and played with great effort. He needs to get stronger and has to work on his ability to handle and pass the ball.' Locklear works hard on the basketball court and showed signs of becoming a quality two-way player, especially if he's willing to work.
#30: 6'1 '20 Tyree Barnes (Thomasville, NC)
Moving onto a player that showcased the ability to impact the game pretty well during his time at camp, Tyree Barnes. He's a long guard prospect that is wired to score the ball, able to get downhill and score strong around the basket quite regularly. Barnes showed signs of an efficient jumper, but can continue to fine-tune his mechanics. He passed the ball to open shooters and cutting teammates whenever possible. Next in his development process is adding strength to his wiry frame, as it would help his ability to defend against stronger opponents. Coach Mills on Barnes: 'Tyree has a high motor and plays hard all game long. He has good quickness with the ability to finish at the rim. He needs to move without the ball and work on his off-hand, but was an excellent defender.' Barnes is a pretty solid contributor, but will be even better if his defensive presence can match his well-rounded offensive approach.
#31: 5'10 '22 Tavon Sellers (Greensboro, NC)
Continuing onto a player that showed the ability to make plays fairly often during his time at camp, Tavon Sellers. He's a strong-bodied forward prospect that plays hard and looks to make an impact however possible. Sellers shot the ball decently well and is deceptively quick for his size. He plays with great energy, but should work to better utilize his tools on defense. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his perimeter skills, as it'll help him become a more complete player. Coach Mills on Sellers: 'Tavon is a big man with smooth touch and good hands. He has good footwork and plays well with contact. He has an excellent attitude. Tavon is a strong rebounder and pursues the ball with two hands. He works well without the ball.' Sellers is pretty young and should be able to continue steadily improving on both sides of the ball over the coming years.
#53: 6'1 '24 Alexander Slaughter (Greensboro, NC)
Next, we look at a player that is still just beginning to scratch the surface of his two-way abilities, Alexander Slaughter. He's a very young forward prospect that is still learning how to properly affect the game on both sides of the ball. Slaughter knows how to play hard an effectively run the floor. Next in his development process is simply continuing to get playing experience and repetitions, as it'll sharpen his feel for the game. Coach Mills on Slaughter: 'Alexander works hard and is a good student of the game. His skillset will get better with time and hard work. His strong hands were my favorite thing about him, as he's able to secure all 50-50 balls. He's a great team player. Alexander should get into every basketball camp he can and play as much pickup as he can. He can work on his off-hand.' Slaughter is extremely young and should be able to continue progressing over the coming years, especially if hes' willing to work.
#54: 6'1 '19 Amilia Huggins (High Point, NC)
Moving onto a player that was able to truly overwhelm opponents with his defensive prowess, Amilia Huggins. He's a guard prospect that offers a solid blend of offensive skills, but knows how to dominate the game with his full-court pressure on defense. Huggins is an absolute on-ball bully and was able to accumulate numerous on-ball steals throughout the day. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would truly make him a reliable two-way player. Coach Mills on Huggins: 'Amilia is a hard worker with a good attitude. He plays good team basketball. He has good ball-handling ability and can score around the basket. He also has good footwork and plays good team defense. He should work on his off-hand and to rebound more effectively for his position, since he's capable.' Huggins' defensive intensity is arguably his most useful attribute and it was on full display during camp; he should be expected to have a very productive upcoming season within his role for Southwest Guilford.
#70: 5’10 ’22 Gabe Proctor (Apex High School)
Continuing onto a player that was able to make a quality impact during his time at camp, Gabe Proctor. He's a young point guard prospect that showed the ability to shoot while consistently looking to create for others. Proctor has a smooth jumper and is able to slide off-ball to apply pressure as a spot-up shooter whenever necessary. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a craftier ball-handler and finisher around the basket. Coach Mills Tate: 'Gabe is a true point guard. His ability to defend multiple positions was my favorite thing about him. His quickness allows him to provide quality help-side defense and recover. He has a very high basketball IQ, but can continue working on his ability to operate without the ball.' Proctor showed flashes of great perimeter shooting, so it'll be interesting to see how he develops over the coming years.
#73: 6’3 ’19 Kevin Tate (Charlotte, NC)
Next, we look at a player that showed the ability to make his presence consistently felt during his time at camp, Kevin Tate. He's a guard prospect with nice strength and a quality feel for the game. He's able to create very well for teammates, but also understands how to make his presence felt as a scorer and defender. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Mills on Tate: 'Kevin is a pretty skilled player at the point guard position. He has an advanced offensive skillset and can create off the bounce or catch and shoot. Kevin has a very nice floater and good midrange jumper. He's also very active on defense, which is somewhat uncommon at camps. He can work to build upper body strength.' Tate is entering his senior campaign and looked increasingly poised to enjoy a productive upcoming season based on his showing at camp.
#74: 6'3 '20 Lars Nilsen (Greensboro, NC)
Moving onto a player that possesses a lot of leadership qualities and solid long-term upside, Lars Nilsen. He's a strong-bodied wing prospect that really focuses on being a quality teammate and sacrificing for the betterment of the team. Nilsen shows the ability to consistently create space with the ball in his hands and is a capable shooter and playmaker. He fights extremely hard on defense for rebounds and loose balls, and does a nice job of forcing turnovers and pushing transition play. Next in his development process is working on his shot-selection and shooting consistency, as he creates nicely but settles for below-average looks. Coach Mills Nilsen: 'Lars is a leader by example on both ends of the floor and displays nice IQ. He always makes the right pass and is a good team player. Lars is a hard worker and can work on his off-hand.' Nilsen is an impeccable communicator and teammate, but will be extremely productive this season if he can work to make efficient use of his touches on offense.
#97: 6'7 '19 Julian Savoury (Durham, NC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a quality blend of productivity and long-term potential, Julian Savoury. He's a long, athletic big man that knows how to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Savoury takes pride in bothering his opponent and knows how to properly utilize his length around the basket. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it would allow him to dominate opponents in a variety of different ways. Coach Mills on Savoury: 'Julian has an excellent attitude and takes criticism well. He gave a solid effort throughout the day. He is a big kid with good footwork and quality hands. He can finish around the basket with contact. He's a good passer that knows how to pass out of a double team. Julian runs the floor and gets back on defense. He's a strong rebounder that goes up for the ball with two hands. He moves well without the ball on offense, but can continue to work on his off-hand.' Savoury is a pretty unique prospect, but has the chance to be really impressive, especially if he continues working to maximize his two-way skillset.