North Carolina Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations
Team 13
Coach Derek Hodge
#73: 5'7 '21 Lavonte Hughes (Cherryville, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player that displayed strong playmaking instincts at camp, Lavonte Hughes. He's a point guard prospect that is capable of getting opposing guards on their heels and touching the paint with great regularity. Hughes can shoot, but typically looks to attack the rim and finish through contact. He's a solid overall defender that knows how to contain his matchup pretty well at all times. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him a very tough offensive option for opponents to contain. Coach Hodge on Hughes: 'Lavonte looks to be a solid overall point guard. He has a very quick first step and can get into the paint. He's a great team player that looks to pass first. Lavonte has a nice jumper when he looks for it and is an above average ball handler. Defensively, he bothers the opposition and opponents had a hard time advancing the ball when Lavonte picked up full court.' Hughes worked hard at camp and should be able to steadily progress over these next few years.
#88:5'9 '22 Isaiah Tate (Kings Mountain, NC)
Next, we look at a player that was able to make nice contributions on both sides of the ball, Isaiah Tate. He's a young point guard prospect with a quality motor and the ability to coexist with any group of teammates. Tate doesn't force the action, but knows how to take advantage of open scoring opportunities from all levels. He makes the extra pass, hustles hard in transition, and willingly made the extra pass whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would allow him to finish strong and utilize more angles on the court. Coach Hodge on Tate: 'Isaiah worked hard throughout the camp and showed good understanding of the game. Defensively, he played with good principle and rebounded well for his position. Isaiah played well in space on offense and did a nice job of handling the ball. He has decent catch-and-shoot ability and will take the ball to the basket in traffic.' Tate is going to become a solid floor general and should be able to contribute during the upcoming season.
#120:6'0 '22 Cameren Spencer (Greensboro, NC)
Moving onto a player that provides a team with a balanced, hardworking, two-way presence, Cameren Spencer. He's a strong-bodied guard prospect with the ability to do a little bit of everything on the court. Spencer is capable of playing with or without the ball and finding success, due to his quality motor and team-first approach. He knocked down shots and looked to disrupt his assignment in every possible way on defense. Next in his development process is working on establishing a proven go-to scoring avenue, as it would allow him to make a stronger offensive impact. Coach Hodge on Spencer: 'Cam did a nice job today, playing with good energy and effort throughout camp. He shot the ball well with some range, showed the ability to hit catch-and-shoot threes in rhythm. Cam isn't afraid to take the ball to the basket in transition against bigger guys. He'll need to be a better finisher going forward. He gave good effort on defense and helped when needed. Cam has a strong frame, which allows him to guard bigger guys.' Spencer displayed numerous useful tools at camp and should grow into an intriguing prospect over the next few years.
#139:6'0 '21 Deuce Blake (Charlotte, NC)
Continuing onto a player that displayed a firm understanding of how to consistently make plays on both ends of the floor, Deuce Blake. He's a guard prospect with a nice all-around skillset, able to efficiently score the ball from all levels while frequently attacking the basket and finishing strong around the rim. Blake creates well for himself and others, and does a great job of looking for open teammates on the dribble-drive. He's a polished overall defender that forced numerous turnovers at camp, through help-side defense and bullying opposing ball-handlers. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would maximize his ability to handle the ball and score at the rim. Coach Hodge on Blake: 'Deuce had a very good day. He handled the ball well in transition and is a willing passer. He was good on penetration and catch-and-shoot situations. Deuce dribbles with his head up and displayed nice court vision. He played good defense, which got the team out in transition. Deuce is a good player and teammate.' Blake is still quite young, yet provides a strong amount of productivity, which should solidify him as a player worth keeping an eye on.
#152:6'1 '21 Brock Williams (Burlington, NC)
Next, we look at a player with an exceptional balance between productivity and long-term upside, Brock Williams. He's a combo-guard prospect that possesses unbelievable shot-creation skills and the ability to generate space against any type of opponent. Williams is well-known for his scoring gifts, but it was his defensive prowess that really stood out during camp. He forced an abundance of turnovers, both on and off-ball, and truly bullied opposing guards on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his spot-up ability, as it would allow him to seamlessly toggle between guard positions on both ends of the floor. Coach Hodge on Williams: 'Brock is a really solid player. His defensive was really impressive; he consistently created turnovers that led to transition baskets. When he got out in transition, he finishes. Brock's strong frame allows him to finish through contact. His ball-handling allowed him to take his man off the dribble and get into the lane at will. Brock is a decent catch-and-shoot option with good range beyond the arc. He should be considered one of the best overall players and competitors in attendance.' Williams is so talented; he appears more and more hungry with each passing day, which should lead to a sophomore season worth remembering.
#180:6'9 '20 Dean Reiber (Greensboro, NC)
Moving onto a player that possesses an incredible amount of talent andlong-term potential, Dean Reiber. He's a modern-day post prospect that is capable of doing virtually anything on the court. Reiber is an efficient three-level scorer with impressive athleticism and an excellent feel for the game on both sides of the floor. He displays impeccable touch around the basket and utilizes his combination of length and strength to overwhelm opponents. Reiber rebounds extremely well and moves quite purposefully on defense, able to alter and block shots with great regularity whenever protecting the rim. Next in his development process is to work on his ball-handling ability, as he'd be nearly unstoppable with the ability to consistently create off the dribble. Coach Hodge on Reiber: 'Dean is a long, athletic player that likes to operate in space. He finishes nicely around the basket and showed some range out to the three-point line. He runs the floor well in transition and finishes with the dunk whenever he can. I would like to see him post-up a little more. Defensively, Dean plays behind his man in the post and looks to alter shots with his length. He does a nice job gathering rebounds and getting the ball out in transition.' Reiber is shaping up to be among the top prospects in Guilford County, especially if he's able to assert himself as a leader.
#182:6'3 '20 Bryce Causey (Jamestown, NC)
Continuing onto a player that truly excels at consistently affecting all facets of the game, Bryce Causey. He's a wing prospect with an excellent motor, quality IQ, and the ability to thrive in a variety of different roles. Causey scores efficiently from all levels and knows how to outwork his assignment on both ends of the floor. He defends very well and displays great positioning on that end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more dangerous all-around threat on offense. Coach Hodge on Causey: 'Bryce is a strong player with a well-rounded game. He does a lot of little things that makes a team successful. He's a pretty solid defender that understands principles. Bryce is a good teammate that will pass to the open guy, but also is capable of scoring himself with range out to the three-point arc. He handles the ball well and has good court vision.' Causey is an incredible glue-guy that willingly sacrifices for the betterment of his team, definitely making him a prospect worth noting.
#194:6'3 ’21 Mazien Price (Charlotte, NC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a terrific amount of productivity and two-way upside, Maizen Price. He's a long, mobile forward prospect that is able to consistently affect the action on both ends of the floor. Price's offensive game continues to grow, but he's still a pretty solid scorer from inside the arc. He utilizes his length well on defense and when battling on the glass, allowing him to compete on every single possession. Next in his development process is continuing to work on the consistency of his three-point jumper, as it would make him basically unstoppable for most opponents. Coach Hodge on Price: 'Maizen displayed a good overall game at camp. He played within himself and made plays on both ends of the court. Maizen played nice defense that created turnovers and transition baskets. His help-side defense covered up for teammates. Maizen rebounded really well for his position and was able to handle the ball in transition. He took shots within the framework of things and didn't force the action. Maizen did make some really nice plays to get guys open shots.' Price is going to be an exciting prospect to watch grow, especially if he continues to work to polish his skillset.