Team 7
Coach: Joe Badgett
#7:5'11 '21 Carlos Raven (Wayne Country Day)
Starting things off, we look at a player that showcased an excellent motor and team-first approach throughout camp, Carlos Raven. He's a wiry point guard prospect with IQ, quickness, and a pretty useful two-way skillset. Raven is a solid all-around scorer, but is typically the most efficient when attacking the midrange and looking to pull-up from the elbows. He proved to be an above-average defender, especially at the point of attack, and forces turnovers quite regularly. Raven takes care of the ball and does a great job of getting his teammates involved whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more easy cutting and spot-up opportunities. Coach Badgett on Raven: 'Carlos is a great competitor with quickness and hard-nosed toughness. He can continue to work on getting even stronger and improving his range/consistency from beyond the arc.' Raven is already equipped to run a quality team and highlighted an abundance of tools during his time at camp, so it'll be interesting to see his progression going forward.
#11:5'11 '20 Jalen Cone (Walkertown)
Next, we look at a player that brought a ton of excitement with his presence during camp, Jalen Cone. He's a strong, athletic lead guard with quickness, sharp instincts, and the ability to overwhelm a variety of opponents. Cone is an effective three-level scorer that can generate a clean shot out of little to nothing, both for himself or others. He attacks the basket with regularity and is capable of playing above the rim whenever he desires. Cone defends the point of attack well and forced turnovers at a strong rate throughout the day. He's slightly undersized, but possesses all the necessary tools to dominate a game and dictate the action on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to coexist alongside another point guard with relative ease. Coach Badgett on Cone: 'Jalen is a high-motor player that will be great when he learns how to run a talented team.' Cone was arguably one of the most exciting performers in attendance and should be expected to have a breakout summer with Team Felton.
#23:6'0 '20 Randy Johnson (Charlotte Latin)
Moving onto a player that provided his team with a very balanced, well-rounded skillset on both ends of the floor, Randy Johnson. He's a strong-bodied point guard prospect that can operate in a variety of different roles and make his presence felt without needing to score. That being said, Johnson can easily apply scoring pressure from all three levels and understands when to defer to others versus when to take it himself. He sees the floor well and willingly looks to create opportunities for his teammates. Johnson has a strong enough blend of shooting and playmaking to thrive at either guard position. He's an excellent all-around defender that knows how to mirror his assignment and eliminate all operating space. Next in his development process is working to become an even better penetrator and finisher, as it would make him a more complete offensive player. Coach Badgett on Johnson: 'Randy is a solid Division I point guard that is only going to get better.' Johnson enjoyed a strong showing at camp and has a chance to enjoy a breakout senior campaign throughout the next calendar year.
#49:6'3 '21 Glenn Bynum Jr. (Northside Christian)
Continuing onto a player that made an incredibly strong impression with his nonstop motor and infectious energy level, Glenn Bynum Jr. He's a long, active guard prospect that truly embraces his two-way presence and looks to provide his team with an edge however possible. Bynum operates with a phenomenal motor, which allows him to score on easy cutting opportunities or simply by outworking his assignment in transition. He can also score within the flow of the offense and scores the ball effectively from all levels, but can still become more reliable as a spot-up threat. Bynum forced an abundance of turnovers during camp and did a great job of hitting the open man on offense. Next in his development process is working on the consistency of his jumper, as it would complement his menacing defensive presence quite nicely. Coach Badgett on Bynum: 'Motor, motor, motor! Glenn is a Division I player with a high energy level on both ends of the court.' Bynum is still quite young and looks likely to continue steadily progressing over the next few years.
#60:6'4 '21 AJ Smith (Hickory Grove)
Next, we look at a player that currently sits at a terrific crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, AJ Smith. He's a strong, athletic point guard prospect with great size and an excellent feel for the game. Smith is a high-energy player that frequently sets the tone on defense and shows no fear of any opponent. He's already a problem for opponents on defense, but also understands how to assert himself on offense, through aggressively driving and finishing at the basket. Smith has vision and craftiness with the ball in his hands, which allows him to create for himself or others with relative ease. He's a poised two-way rebounder that thrives in transition and is capable of pushing the break at a high level. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him basically unstoppable on offense. Coach Badgett on Smith: 'AJ is a strong, physical guard with tremendous upside. He has high major potential.' Smith has all the tools to become an extremely dominant point guard prospect, so it'll be exciting to see his growth going forward.
#68: 6'4 '20 Keishon Porter (Southwest Edgecombe)
Moving onto a player that should be a major candidate to enjoy an upcoming breakout season, Keishon Porter. He's a long, athletic wing prospect that plays with a team-first approach and displays an excellent feel for the game. Porter handles the ball, creates for himself and others, and is capable of reliably scoring from all three levels. His well-rounded skillset allows him to toggle between primary and secondary roles, as he's able to vary his approach based on surrounding talent. Porter is a handful for opponents to try and contain in transition, as he overwhelms his assignment with numerous physical tools and then finishes through any amount of contact at the rim. Next in his development process is working to be more assertive on offense, as he has the necessary tools and scoring chops to be the primary option with any group of teammates. Coach Badgett on Porter: 'Keishon has a great skillset. He's a sneaky athlete with great potential. He needs to be more aggressive.' Porter is honestly among the most underrated prospects in the state, so Division I programs should start getting involved sooner than later.
#80: 6'6 '21 BJ Freeman (Word of God)
Continuing onto a player that possesses an intriguing skillset and obvious long-term upside, BJ Freeman. He's a pretty well-rounded forward prospect with a quality blend of IQ, size, and skill. Freeman can handle the ball effectively and looks comfortable generating offense for himself and others, but also does well without the ball and applies solid three-level scoring pressure. Freeman rebounds the ball extremely well and is capable of pushing transition play with relative ease. He's an impactful defender that contains his assignment pretty well and has the tools to contain multiple positions on the floor. Freeman is an unselfish player that does an excellent job of operating within the team concept. Next in his development process is working on his back-to-basket moves, as he has the necessary size to dominate smaller opponents in the low post. Coach Badgett on Freeman: 'It's real simple for this kid. How good does he want to be is the question'' Freeman possesses an incredibly strong arsenal of tools and could ultimately become a big-time prospect, but he'll need to continue working in order to reach his long-term upside.
#90: 6'6 '20 Myles Hunter (Carmel Christian)
Next, we look at a player that currently sits at an intriguing crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, Myles Hunter. He's a long, athletic wing/forward prospect that can reliably score on all three levels while making crafty plays for others. Hunter can find ways to score with or without the ball, given his ability to spot-up and handle the ball. He proved to be an excellent on-ball defender that understands how to properly utilize his length and positioning to force turnovers on a regular basis. Hunter rebounds the ball pretty well for his position and does a nice job of looking ahead in transition. Next in his development process is working to establish some low-post moves, as it would allow him to take advantage of smaller players around the basket with more effectiveness. Coach Badgett on Hunter: 'Myles has high major potential. He has a great skillset and can score at all three levels, but needs to be more aggressive.' Hunter could be a quality fit at a variety of college programs, so it should be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds throughout the next calendar year.
#101: 6'8 '20 Cheick Traore (Concord First Assembly)
Moving onto a player that showcased the strongest blue-collar approach of anyone at camp, Cheick Traore. He's a big, strong post prospect with a massive, physically-advanced frame and the ability to properly utilize it on both ends of the floor. Traore plays with incredible energy, especially for his size, and truly overwhelms most opposing big men. He's an excellent rebounder that pursues the ball with two hands and runs the floor with great purpose. Traore is all about the team and will do literally anything to provide his team with an edge. He communicates extremely well on both sides of the ball and displays solid touch when operating around the basket. Next in his development process is working on his ability to score outside of the paint, as it would make him a much more threatening offensive player. Coach Badgett on Traore: 'Cheick is a big, physical center with a great motor. He's very vocal on the court. Cheick is a great teammate. This young man is going to have a bright future.' Traore is the type of player that every team needs in order to win. He genuinely buys-in and gives everything he has on every single possession, which should make him an excellent contributor at the next level.
#108:6'9 '20 Kuluel Mading (High Point Central)
Finishing up, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to unlock his long-term abilities, Kuluel Mading. He's a long, thin post prospect with a solid feel for the game and blossoming offensive skillset. Offensively, Mading looks comfortable operating from either block with his back to the basket and can score pretty well with either hand. He possesses nice touch and instincts around the basket, especially as a rebounder. Mading might be thin, but he utilizes his length and positioning incredibly well to secure rebounds and extra possessions on both ends of the floor. He runs the floor extremely well and doesn't necessarily require offensive touches to impact the game. Mading is patient and understands how to score within the flow of the offense, which is very encouraging for his continued growth. Next in his development process is simply continuing to add strength, as everything else looks likely to fall in place with his current work ethic. Coach Badgett on Mading: 'Kuluel has a great motor, attitude, and skillset. He just needs to continue working on getting stronger.' Mading is already an extremely appealing prospect, but it's almost guaranteed that he's only going to continue to improve throughout the next calendar year.
