Team 1
Coach: Daymond Lindell
#25:'5'11 '21 Dorien Johnson (Porter Ridge)
Starting things off, we look at a player that offered his camp team with a fairly well-rounded presence on both ends of the floor, Dorien Johnson. He's a wiry, steady guard prospect that handles the ball, creates for himself and others, and makes quality decisions on offense. Johnson is a solid all-around scorer, but stands out even more with his defensive presence. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open up more easy scoring opportunities. Coach Lindell on Johnson: 'Dorien has nice handles and sees the floor well really. He has a nice midrange jumper and rebounds his position well. Dorien defends for 94 feet and is capable of reliably switching across three positions. He's tough but needs to develop a little leadership by example and lift his teammates up vocally. Dorien has great upside.' Johnson made an abundance of plays during camp and could emerge as a primary option this season, especially with continued work.
#26:'5'11 '22 Gunner Walters (Mount Tabor)
Next, we look at a player that was arguably the most exciting performer with the ball in his hands, Gunner Walters. He's an extremely smart, pass-first point guard with quickness, craftiness, and the ability to thrive when pushing the pace. Walters was simply electric at running the team, bringing flair and excitement, but also showcasing his fundamentally-sound approach. He primarily looks to create for others but is quite capable of knocking down shots from midrange and beyond, especially when given time and space. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it'll only make him more physically imposing on both ends of the floor. Coach Lindell on Walters: 'Gunner is his father, Rex, and Bobby Hurley reincarnated! He has total control of the ball and is an even-handed passer and ball-handler. He has an unorthodox shot as a lefty but shoots the ball really well from the perimeter. Gunner is a great help-side defender that rebounds his position well. He's a nice floor general that dictates the level of play and controls the tempo with tremendous IQ.' Walters was one of the breakout performers from camp and secured the Mr. Playmaker award as a result.
#43:'6'1 '21 Bradlee Haskell (Pinecrest)
Moving onto a player that made an incredibly lasting impression with his nonstop motor and team-first approach, Bradlee Haskell. He's a strong-bodied guard with a well-rounded skillset and nice IQ on both ends of the floor. Haskell scored the ball effectively from all three levels, showing his ability to work with or without the ball quite well. He proved to be an absolute menace defensively, able to switch across multiple positions while forcing turnovers and pushing transition play at a high rate. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Lindell on Haskell: 'Bradlee's super hustle/never quit mentality is contagious and he lifts up his team through his great deeds on the court (tremendous motor). He pushes the ball and tempo well on both ends of the floor. He has exceptional use of either hand with nice touch as a finisher around the basket. His perimeter jumper is consistent. Bradlee defends well all over the court and can actively toggle between three positions.' Haskell was quite productive during camp and should be a useful contributor this season for Pinecrest.
#44:'6'1 '23 Joshua Bailey (South Garner)
Continuing onto a player that highlighted his ability to operate nicely in a variety of different roles, Joshua Bailey. He's a young, strong, athletic wing prospect that does a ton of things well, especially for his age. Bailey is great at getting downhill, attacking the basket, and finishing through contact, both in transition and the half court. He moves well without the ball as a cutter and understands how to find seams within the defense. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would only make him a better ball-handler and passer. Coach Lindell on Bailey: 'Joshua has a super-athletic body with nice strength and speed. He's a two-sport star that utilizes his athletic ability to defend well on and off the ball. He needs to be a bit more consistent with his jumper but finishes strong with either hand going to the basket. Joshua is in between positions and can defend multiple different guys on defense. He passes the ball well, runs the floor hard, and plays with great hustle.' Bailey had a solid showing at camp and could be one to keep an eye on as he continues to progress.
#59:'6'2 '20 Shaylen Woodberry (Mount Tabor)
Next, we look at a player that stood out quite frequently with his smoothness and ability to shoot the ball, Shaylen Woodberry. He's a long, wiry wing prospect with high IQ and excellent poise as an off-ball threat. Woodberry knows how to stay active, moving and relocating without the ball to set himself up for easy spot-up opportunities. He does a great job of attacking closeouts but also only requires a glimmer of daylight to get off a clean look. Woodberry can handle the ball and create for others while offering a pretty reliable rebounding and defensive presence. Next in his development process is working to add strength to his wiry frame, as it'll make him an even better finisher through contact. Coach Lindell on Woodberry: 'Shaylen is a super streaky three-point shooter that reminds me of a left-handed Reggie Miller. He runs the floor well and rebounds his position at an exceptional rate. He has tremendous court vision and is a willing passer with adept ball-handling skills and the ability to dribble well with either hand. Shaylen defends well on and off-ball and can guard four positions well. He has an outstanding basketball IQ.' Woodberry was quietly one of the breakout performers from camp and should have a productive senior campaign at Mount Tabor.
#60:'6'2 '22 Silas Demary Jr. (Millbrook)
Moving onto a player that provided his team with a steady, reliable two-way presence throughout camp, Silas Demary Jr. He's a smart, well-rounded guard prospect that showed the ability to work well with or without the ball in his hands. Demary is a great creator, both for himself and others, that takes care of the ball and looks to make the right play whenever possible. He defended and rebounded well, which allowed him to push the break in transition with regularity. Next in his development process is working on his ability to shoot off the dribble, as it would make him even tougher for the opposition to contain. Coach Lindell on Demary: 'Silas is a good floor general that can use either hand well when he passes or handles the ball. He rebounds his position well as a strong guard. Silas is mentally tough with high basketball IQ. He looks to get his teammates involved offensively and is a defensive presence on and off the ball. He has good playmaking abilities and is a definite coach on the floor.' Demary contributed very well during camp and should emerge as a useful two-way piece this upcoming season for Millbrook.
#76:'6'5 '21 Ayinde Taylor II (Knightdale)
Continuing onto a player that brought a ton of intrigue with his unique style and overall approach to the game, Ayinde Taylor. He's a long, wiry wing/forward prospect that typically looks to attack the basket or utilize his length out of the post. Taylor can handle and pass the ball well for his size, but also knows how to operate without the ball as an off-ball cutter. He displayed a nice two-way feel for the game, especially on defense, where he was able to reliably contain multiple positions. Next in his development process is working on the consistency of his perimeter jumper, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Lindell on Taylor: 'Ayinde is a throwback, old-school player like Adrian Dantley'a grinder with great court awareness. He can handle the ball well and has a decent perimeter shot but needs to work on post moves and defending stronger opponents on the block. He has an even-keeled demeanor, which needs to turn into a 'dog-like' mentality when competing. Ayinde has good size but will get stronger as he develops. He'll play on the perimeter and in the post very efficiently.' Taylor made a ton of quality contributions during his time at camp and could be one to keep an eye on going forward.
#77:'6'5 '22 Chatham Lambiotte (Cape Fear Academy)
Next, we look at a player that arguably possessed the most impressive motor in attendance at camp, Chatham Lambiotte. He's a strong-bodied power forward with infectious energy, an excellent blue-collar approach, and a blossoming offensive skillset. Lambiotte is a terrific two-way rebounder that simply never quits on any possession. He showed some nice perimeter skills throughout the day but still makes the strongest impact as an interior presence. Next in his development process is continuing to tighten his handle, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Lindell on Lambiotte: 'Chatham is a team player/grinder that is willing to do all the dirty work for his team's success. He rebounds, takes charges, dives on the floor, making post to perimeter passes exceptionally well. He keeps his head in the game and has a high motor on 'go' at all times. He needs some work on finishing strong and perimeter jumper. He has decent handles but knows his role and plays within himself.' Lambiotte has a lot of appealing tools and should only continue to progress over these next few years.
#92: 6'9 '20 Myles Evans (Ravenscroft)
Finishing up, we look at a player that had an extremely impressive offensive showing at camp, Myles Evans. He's a smart, strong-bodied big man that looked the most fluid and reliable since returning from injury. Evans has always displayed touch and utilized his size around the basket, but his newfound versatility and ability to knock down perimeter jumpers with regularity was excellent. He rebounded well and pushed the pace whenever possible in transition while showing his ability to handle the ball at times. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a true matchup problem for most opposing big men. Coach Lindell on Evans: 'Myles has tremendous upside with awesome physical and mental basketball attributes. Recovering from ailments, Myles still has flashes of dominance in the post and when he steps out to shoot the three-pointer. He's a strong passer that handles the ball well with either hand. He needs to heal, get stronger and in-game shape, and the talent will take over. Myles is a DI talent.' Evans was unstoppable at times and was awarded with the co-MVP award for his phenomenal play, certainly making him one to watch during the upcoming season.