South Carolina Top 80 Evaluations

 

Team 5

Coach: Derrick Richards

 

#6: 5'9 '21 Jalon Robertson (Greenville, SC)

Starting things off, we look at a player that brings an unselfish, team-first approach to both sides of the ball, Jalon Robertson. He's a scrappy point guard prospect with solid ball-handling skills and the ability to create off the bounce. Robertson has a sturdy frame for his height and shows a willingness to sacrifice his body on penetration attempts. He scored well from all three levels at camp and tallied numerous assists on the day. Defensively, he fights hard and creates havoc as an on-ball presence through use of his quickness. Robertson showcased an active motor throughout the day and made various plays in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency when finishing around the basket, as it would make him a much more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Richards on Robertson: 'Jalon is a tough point guard with a quick first step and solid feel for the game. He's very fast when dribbling downhill, especially in transition.' Robertson will be an intriguing player to watch during his upcoming sophomore year, as he could breakout as the season unfolds.

 

#23: 5'11 '22 Samaad Wright (Blythewood, SC)

Next, we look at a player that has an abundance of two-way upside, given his blend of youth and maturity, Samaad Wright. He's a point guard with phenomenal quickness and the ability to consistently get by opponents. Wright plays with a sharp decisiveness and awareness on the court, which leaves opponents with little margin for error on either end of the floor. He possesses nice size for his position and does a nice job of outworking his assignment in most categories. Wright effectively entered the paint, drew fouls, and made smart passes to teammates. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his intensity on the glass, as it would make him a more impactful two-way player. Coach Richards on Wright: 'Samaad is a very hard worker that moves well without the ball. He picks his spots well in order to get his shot off. He really came alive in the last game of the day.' Wright had a quality showing at camp and should be a prospect in the Class of 2022 worth monitoring.

 

#30: 6'0 '21 Tyler Rice (Columbia, SC)


Moving onto a player that has already made quite an impression with his overall feel and polish as a distributor, Tyler Rice. He's a point guard prospect with an excellent IQ and fundamental approach to the game. Offensively, Rice is a steady, reliable presence that initiates sets, attacks defenders off the dribble, and creates scoring opportunities for his teammates. He scores efficiently from all three levels and displays a strong balance between scoring and creating for others. He's deceptively sharp on defense and forced a plethora of turnovers during his time at camp. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to deal with. Coach Richards on Rice: 'Tyler is very explosive and attacks the rim well. He plays with a very high motor and rebounded the ball well on both ends of the floor as a result. Tyler shoots the ball very well from midrange and beyond the arc. He possesses a great first step and court vision.' Rice received a Penn State offer within the last few months, so it'll be interesting to see how he develops at Ridge View over the course of the upcoming season.

 

#43:6'1 '20 Mason Grigg (Rock Hill, SC)

Continuing onto a player that drew a lot of attention with his explosiveness and nonstop motor at camp, Mason Grigg. He's a guard prospect with a wiry frame and blindingly quick first step, which allows him to consistently blow by opponents and attack the rim. Offensively, Grigg can typically be found at the off-guard position, where he moves extremely well without the ball and applies constant pressure as a cutter. He's a really strong penetrator and finisher, but also highlights a pretty consistent midrange stroke whenever possible. His quick-twitch tendencies and nice feel for the game allow him to jump into passing lanes and accumulate many steals throughout the course of a game. With or without the ball, Grigg is a major problem for opponents in transition, and shows no mercy when looking to meet defenders at the rim. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his ability to play as the point guard and main creator, as it would allow his recruitment to take another strong step forward. Coach Richards on Grigg: 'Mason is very explosive and attacks the rim hard and under control. He plays with a high motor. He rebounded the ball well on both sides of the floor. Mason does the little things to make big things happen and is a great teammate.' Grigg was one of the most exciting players in attendance and won Mr. Station after receiving votes for numerous awards. He'll be a prospect worth keeping an eye on over the next two years.

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#64:6'3 '19 Bradley Foulks (Lexington, SC)

Next, we look at a player that provided his team with an excellent two-way presence during camp, Bradley Foulks. He's a long-armed wing prospect that knows how to make an impact with or without the ball. Offensively, Foulks showcased his ability to attack off the dribble, get downhill, and navigate his way to the rim, where he finished a strong majority of his chances. He shot the ball pretty well from the floor, but also displayed IQ and was quite aware of when to defer to his teammates. Foulks possesses a clear passion and willingness to defend while utilizing his length to disrupt any action around the rim. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his quickness, as it would make him even more unstoppable when looking to get by opponents. Coach Richards on Foulks: 'Bradley is a wonderful team-first guy. He's very vocal on and off the floor. He gets to the rim with ease and finishes through contact. Bradley was unselfish and worked hard throughout the day.' It would be fairly difficult to envision a scenario where Foulks doesn't enjoy a quality senior season, as he'll be expected to bring contributions on a nightly basis.

 

#83: 6'6 '21 Mason Grant (North Charleston, SC)

Moving onto a player that possesses a terrific blend of production and two-way upside, Mason Grant. He's a long, athletic wing prospect with nice fluidity on the perimeter and quality strength, which makes him an absolute matchup problem for most opponents. Grant scores well on all three levels and moves with great purpose when he doesn't have the ball, somewhat of a rarity for most young prospects. He fights hard on the glass and displays an impressive motor on both sides of the floor. Grant finishes really well around the basket and makes the most of his offensive opportunities. His versatility on defense is very intriguing, as he can actively defend three positions at a quality level. Next in his development process is working on his ability to shoot off the dribble, as it would make him virtually uncontainable on offense. Coach Richards on Grant: 'Mason runs the floor very well and is a good finisher. He rebounds the ball on both ends of the floor and displayed a nice midrange game. He's a great team player with an unselfish approach to the game.' Grant is still just beginning to realize his potential, but he's definitely one to watch, as he has all the tools to enjoy a breakout sophomore season.

 

#88: 6'4 '19 Deuce Dean (Irmo, SC)

Continuing onto a player that possesses a natural ability to create scoring opportunities and distribute the ball at a strong level, Deuce Dean. He's a point guard prospect with great size and vision, which allows him to control the action while getting where he wants on offense. Dean has great leadership qualities, constantly communicating, making the intelligent read, and doing whatever necessary to give his team an edge. He operates well in transition and the half-court sets and has strong decision-making with the ball in his hands. Dean worked hard at camp and secured numerous extra possessions through hustle and attention to detail. Next in his development process is continuing to improve his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him a really balanced offensive threat. Coach Richards on Dean: 'Deuce is a very good facilitator that sees the floor well and will make the correct pass. He penetrates well and goes to the rim very strong. He's an explosive player with a quick first step. Deuce is a leader and great teammate.' Dean's recruitment should be one to watch, since he'll be a main contributor for this year's York Prep squad.

 

#95: 6'5 '21 Quenton Flood (Hopkins, SC)

Next, we look at a player that did an amazing job of outperforming his assignment on both ends of the floor, Quenton Flood. He's a strong, athletic wing prospect with great productivity and terrific two-way upside. Offensively, Flood looks to apply constant pressure as an off-ball threat through cutting and intense rebounding. That being said, he's quite capable of creating scoring opportunities for himself and attacks the rim with aggression. Flood plays extremely hard and brings great two-way energy to every single contest. He's really problematic for opponents in transition, due to his activity level and above-the-rim athleticism. Flood displays a particularly nice feel for the game on defense, where he has an innate sense for forcing turnovers and shutting down his man. Next in his development process is continuing to gain experience and playing repetitions, as he already possesses an abundance of useful tools. Coach Richards on Flood: 'Quenton is a very high energy player. He has a great midrange game and rebounds the ball well on defense. Quenton can finish at the rim with the best of them.' Flood is already a quality prospect, so it'll be exciting to watch his continued development over the next three years.

 

#107: 6'7 '19 Calvin Felder (Sumter, SC)

Moving onto a player that consistently turned heads with his highlight-reel ability on both sides of the ball, Calvin Felder. He's a strong, athletic forward prospect with next-level leaping ability. Felder plays with a calm demeanor, but moves and attacks with aggression, which causes most opponents to abstain from his path. His jumper has continually improved over the last year and now he's able to knock down a nice percentage from the floor. Felder is a monster in transition and frequently makes plays above the rim. He's quite versatile on defense, given his quick feet and firm understanding of how to disrupt opponents with his strength/length combination. Next in his development process is continuing to improve the consistency of his three-point shot, as a reliable stroke from distance would make him even more unstoppable. Coach Richards on Felder: 'Calvin is very explosive and attacks the rim under control. He has a quick first step and plays well with his back to the basket. Calvin sees the floor and will share the ball whenever possible. He's a great teammate that rebounds well and can defend plays of all sizes. Calvin displayed good footwork and nose for the ball.' Felder is a high-level prospect that holds a wide variety of offers; it'll be interesting to see where he ultimately decides to further his playing career, especially if more programs look to get involved.

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#116: 6'9 '21 Jacob Crawford (North Charleston, SC)

Finishing things up, we look at a player that is just beginning to realize his two-way abilities, Jacob Crawford. He's a big man with great size, strength, and a team-first approach. Offensively, Crawford understands how to operate well from the low-block and has upside as a floor-stretcher, given his nice looking stroke from midrange and beyond the arc. He's a strong two-way rebounder, but his presence will get even better with improved physicality. Crawford uses his body well on both sides of the ball and runs the floor with purpose. He gives great effort on the defensive end and has excellent upside as a rim-protector. Next in his development process is continuing to work on his frame and improving his physical presence. Coach Richards on Crawford: 'Jacob will be a great player. At this time in his game, the pressure he feels comes from within. He has nice touch around the basket. Jacob plays well with his back to the basket. He rebounded the ball well throughout the day.' Crawford has shown a lot of promise over the last year and looked pretty motivated at camp. It'll be exciting to watch his progression over the next few years.