North Carolina Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations
Team 18
Coach Ryan Bernardi
#79: 5'8 '21 Nathan Hutchins (Advance, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player that was able to highlight his scoring ability quite well at camp, Nathan Hutchins. He's a point guard prospect with nice ball-handling skills and can get by most opponents off the dribble. Hutchins shot the ball efficiently from all levels and applied great pressure when attacking the rim and finishing through contact. He sees the entire floor in transition and rebounds the ball extremely well for his size/position. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even more explosive penetration threat. Coach Bernardi on Hutchins: 'Nathan had a great attitude all day and was a team-first guy. He exploded in the second game with multiple buckets in succession. He's crafty with the ball and is a great passer. As Nathan grows into his frame and continues to add upper body strength, he will be a good player. He was a pleasure to coach.' Hutchins is just beginning to realize his two-way potential and should be able to steadily improve over the next few years.
#80:5'8 '22 Sean Whitted (Durham, NC)
Next, we look at a player that was able to consistently utilize his combination of quickness and intelligence during his time at camp, Sean Whitted. He's a young point guard prospect that displayed a lot of useful tools and flashes of defensive upside throughout the day. Whitted is a solid defender, but has ample room to grow and assert himself as a major plus on that end of the court. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would allow him to attack more angles on offense. Coach Bernardi on Whitted: 'Sean had a great attitude and overall willingness to get better at camp. He asked me after every game about what he could do better. Sean played very hard and broke out in one contest with multiple three-pointers. He drove and finished very well. He has a great ability to beat his man off the dribble.' Whitted showcased an excellent foundation and should continue building off his strong showing at camp.
#126:6'0 '20 Isaiah Bridges (Fayetteville, NC)
Moving onto a player that took deliberate pride and displayed leadership qualities in his defensive presence, Isaiah Bridges. He's a two-way guard prospect with nice strength and athleticism, which allows him to bully opponents whenever he desires. Bridges is really polished all-around scorer that can get it done in a vast variety of ways. He was arguably the top overall defender on this team and did an exceptional job of mirroring his on-ball assignment throughout the day. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open up and abundance of cutting opportunities around the basket. Coach Bernardi on Bridges: 'Isaiah is a natural-born leader. He was an extension of the court on and off the court. Isaiah is an elite defender that plays with physicality and does a great job of defending hard without fouling. If he continues to develop his jumper, Isaiah will be a great player.' Bridges ability to contribute on both ends of the court cannot be overstated and he should be a strong candidate to enjoy a productive upcoming junior season.
#145:6'1 '20 Collin Brown (Philadelphia, PA)
Continuing onto a player that provided his team with a lot of translatable two-way skills at camp, Collin Brown. He's a guard prospect that is capable of thriving with or without the ball in his hands. Brown is a capable creator, both for himself and others, and can score effectively on all three levels while consistently getting his teammates involved in the action. He takes tremendous pride in his defensive efforts, closing out on every shot attempt and moving his feet extremely well when defending the point of attack. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would improve his ability to penetrate. Coach Bernardi on Brown: 'Collin is a crafty wing that can score at a few different levels. He is a great athlete that gets out in transition and can finish above the rim. He's a good defender as well. Collin's shot had good mechanics, but was rather inconsistent today'look for that to continue to improve.' Brown was our only attendee from Pennsylvania, but he was certainly memorable and enjoyed a worthwhile showing at camp.
#146:6'1 '20 Darien Wynn (Greensboro, NC)
Next, we look at a player that possesses an incredibly unique blend of skill and athleticism, Darien Wynn. He's a long, wiry wing prospect that can score efficiently from any spot on the floor while involving his teammates whenever possible. Wynn utilizes his motor and length well to attack the glass and rebound on both sides of the ball. He is a deadly catch-and-shoot option with an excellent feel for the game and ability to make his presence felt on every single possession. Next in his development process is working to set the tone with his transition defense, as it would make him a leader in virtually every category. Coach Bernardi on Wynn: 'Darien is an elite athlete with a knockdown jumper. He crashed the offensive glass hard with his eyes set on putback dunks. Darien hunts his shot and scores it very well. He is a pleasure to coach and has a clear desire to get better. Expect to see him at the next level in a few years.' It'll be interesting to see how Wynn's next two seasons will unfold, especially if he can maintain his high level of play from camp.
#187:6'3 '20 Lars Nilsen (Greensboro, NC)
Moving onto a player that exemplified more leadership qualities than everyone else in attendanc, Lars Nilsen. He's a wing prospect with nice size and the ability to consistently create offensive opportunities for himself and others. Nilsen utilizes his incredible motor and strong feel for the game to give maximum effort on every single possession. He's a capable scorer and disciplined defender, allowing him to coexist with any group of teammates. Nilsen is always communicating, regardless if he's on the court or bench, and does an excellent job of encouraging his teammates. Next in his development process is working on simplifying his shot selection, in order to make the game easier on himself. Coach Bernardi on Nilsen: 'Lars is a natural-born leader. He was one of the smartest and most vocal players I've had at camp. He has a great-looking jumper and just needs to tighten up and improve his consistency. Lars' IQ and coachability were off the charts. Any coach would be lucky to coach this young man.' Nilsen is unselfish and willing to do whatever necessary to provide his team with an edge.
#188:6'3 '22 Marschall Uber (Greensboro, NC)
Continuing onto a player that possesses a strong blend of productivity and long-term potential, Marschall Uber. He's a young forward prospect that truly understands how to get after it on both ends of the floor, constantly highlighting his big-time motor and wreaking havoc for opponents. Uber displays quality touch around the basket and showed signs of a reliable midrange shot and formidable three-point stroke throughout camp. He's actually pretty quick for his size and showcased excellent footwork. Next in his development process is working on his passing abilities, as it would open him up to an entirely new dimension of his offensive game. Coach Bernardi on Uber: 'Marschall is a high-motor big man with great midrange shooting ability. He works hard defensively and disrupts shots with his length and high motor. Marschall has a good attitude and a willingness to get better. He can continue to develop by extending his range to the three-point line.' Uber will be one to keep an eye on, as he possesses a lot of intriguing tools to work with, especially given his young age.
#235:6'10 ’19 Hasan Beniz (Fayetteville, NC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses an incredible amount of skill for his size and position, Hasan Beniz. He's a big man with a quality feel for the game and the ability to impose his will in a variety of different ways. Beniz is a poised ball-handler and intelligent creator for others, hitting cutters extremely well from the high post and open spot-up shooters whenever possible. He scores really efficiently as a shooter and does especially well from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would help strengthen his ability to protect the rim. Coach Bernardi on Beniz: 'Hasan has an outstanding attitude. He took criticism very well and implemented it during the games. He had a great post game and an elite righty-hook. Hasan is also a capable driver to the rim and even broke out a great euro-step during the second game. He needs to improve his conditioning and sprinting back on both ends. He has a nice midrange game and can become elite if he extends beyond the arc.' Beniz is a very intriguing two-way big man that enjoyed a great day at camp and should solidify himself as a college-level prospect this season.