Team 24
Coach: Willie Gaskins
#37: 5’7 ’29 Avery Scales (Caldwell Academy)
Starting off, Avery Scales is a 5-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2029. He consistently found ways to make his presence felt despite being the smallest camper on this team. Scales is a smart, skilled floor general with a high motor, scrappy nature, and balanced offensive identity. He’s a lethal shooting threat, both off the catch and dribble, who only requires a glimmer of daylight to get off clean looks. Scales is a willing passer who sets up others well as a playmaker. He also competes hard defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing defender. Coach Gaskins on Scales: “Avery is an ultra-competitive kid! Once he grows, everything should change. He has to stay in the gym and work to improve his defensive presence. Increasing his quickness and physicality will elevate his game.” Scales highlighted a lot of ability during camp and should be a useful piece for Caldwell Academy this season.
#76: 5’10 ’29 Elijah Xanavongxay (Maiden)
Next, Elijah Xanavongxay is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2029. He consistently found ways to stand out as a complementary, low-maintenance piece. Xanavongxay displayed great feel, motor, and unselfishness. He showed the ability to finish or knock down perimeter jumpers, but doesn’t need the ball to be effective. Xanavongxay moves well without the ball to find open seams within the defense. He also shows a willingness to make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to tighten his handle, as it would make him a more dynamic creator. Coach Gaskins on Xanavongxay: “Elijah had a great attitude throughout the day. He just needs to be more assertive on the court. He has to adjust to the speed of the game. Elijah was competitive but needs to continue working on his game.” Xanavongxay enjoyed a solid showing during his time at camp and has the tools to steadily progress over the foreseeable future.
#97: 6’5 ’29 Nicholas Cannon (Ben L. Smith)
Next, Nicholas Cannon is a 6-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2029. Clearly one of the top campers on display, there’s already a lot to like about his game. Cannon is a long, skilled, athletic wing with excellent size and two-way versatility. He creates well off the bounce, both for himself and others, and mixes it up well as a scorer from all levels. Cannon is comfortable dictating the action or playing without the ball. He’s capable of defending multiple positions and possesses quality instincts to force turnovers. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more imposing defender. Coach Gaskins on Cannon: “Nick was a joy to coach. With his length and ball-handling ability, he’s a walking mismatch. He showed solid touch with corner threes. Super competitive kid. Needs to improve his on and off-ball defense. Could potentially be a nationally regarded guy if he gets in the weight room.” Cannon proved to be an asset at camp and should be an immediate contributor for Ben L. Smith this season.
#124: 6’1 ’29 KJ McLawhorn (Farmville Central)
Next, KJ McLawhorn is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2029. He showcased a strong understanding of how to dictate the action as a primary creator. McLawhorn is a smart, unselfish point guard with a tight handle, sharp vision, and reliable penetration sense. He touches the paint at a high volume, where he’s able to consistently finish or set up others. McLawhorn is a capable shooting threat, but doesn’t need to score to impact the game. He’s a solid rebounder for his size/position and pushes the break well in transition. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing defender. Coach Gaskins on McLawhorn: “KJ is a pure point guard who has natural intangibles for elevating his surrounding teammates. Needs to play faster and be more physical. I would like for him to be more vocal and demand the ball when necessary. I think he will dominate as he gets more athletic. Pleasure to coach.” McLawhorn found success during camp and should be a key piece at Farmville Central going forward.
#125: 6’1 ’29 Royce Perkins (Salisbury)
Next, Royce Perkins is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2029. Between his unselfishness, high motor, and rugged approach, it was easy to appreciate what he brought to the team. Perkins is a quality creator with great vision and penetration ability. He finishes around the basket and plays well through contact. Perkins is a suffocating defender with the energy, toughness, and instincts to make life difficult for opponents. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Gaskins on Perkins: “Royce is a competitive player. He had a great motor on both ends of the floor. He needs to look at finishing first and then passing, so the defense will deem him a greater scoring threat. Defended extremely well. Needs to be more vocal. I can’t wait to see his development.” Perkins did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be a difference-maker for Salisbury over the coming years.
#156: 6’2 ’29 Rowen Fitzgibbons (Mt. Airy)
Next, Rowen Fitzgibbons is a 6-foot-2 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a highly unselfish guard with nice length and a nonstop motor. Fitzgibbons has the ability to find opportunities with or without the ball in his hands. He’s a capable shooting threat and solid penetrator. Fitzgibbons looks to make the extra pass whenever possible. He battles hard defensively and understands how to make hustle plays at a consistent rate. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Gaskins on Fitzgibbons: “Rowen did a great job of listening to instructions given from the coaching staff, but needs to work on applying the information into basketball play. Needs to keep working to improve all aspects of his game.” Fitzgibbons highlighted nice flashes throughout camp and has the tools to be a key piece at Mt. Airy going forward.
#174: 6’3 ’29 Carlo Black Jr. (Concord Academy)
Next, Carlo Black Jr. is a 6-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2029. He possesses an intriguing crossroads between current ability and long-term potential. Black excels at getting downhill and finishing at the basket, but can also knock down open midrange jumpers at a solid rate. He displays nice instincts as an on-ball defender and utilizes his quickness well to keep opponents in front. Black runs the floor effectively in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better creator against pressure. Coach Gaskins on Black: “Carlo accepted coaching and listened well throughout the day. He’s a good team player. Quick enough to attack off the bounce, but needs to continue working on his overall game.” Black enjoyed a solid showing during his time at camp and has the tools to steadily progress for Concord Academy going forward.
#175: 6’3 ’29 Caleb Nelson (Hickory Grove)
Next, Caleb Nelson is a 6-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2029. He possesses an intriguing skillset and overall array of physical tools. Nelson showed the ability to finish or knock down midrange jumpers, but doesn’t need a ton of touches to impact a game. His motor and toughness allow him to make plays defensively. Nelson utilizes his quickness to touch the paint at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better creator against pressure. Coach Gaskins on Nelson: “Caleb is really long and athletic. Good teammate who plays well within the flow of the action. Plays with great energy. Listens and accepts coaching well, but needs to sharpen his feel for the game and continue to work on his skillset.” Nelson highlighted a variety of flashes during his time at camp and should be a useful piece for Hickory Grove over the coming years.
#185: 6’6 ’29 Bryson Faulk-Warner (TW Andrews)
Next, Bryson Faulk-Warner is a 6-foot-6 prospect in the Class of 2029. It doesn’t take long to recognize his advanced frame and athleticism. Faulk-Warner is a long, fluid athlete with ball skills, rebounding instincts, and the ability to operate in various positions. He’s at his best when getting downhill and attacking the basket, but can also knock down jumpers from midrange or beyond the arc. Faulk-Warner positions himself well to secure rebounds and push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Gaskins on Faulk-Warner: “Bryson has a nice array of tools but needs to work on his attitude towards the game of basketball. Needs to play harder and use his teammates more.” Faulk-Warner has clear long-term appeal and should be a key piece for TW Andrews over the coming years.
#186: 6’6’ 29 Tolson O’Daniel (Northwood)
Finishing up, Tolson O’Daniel is a 6-foot-6 prospect in the Class of 2029. Given his status as the only true interior piece for this team, he found several ways to make his presence felt. O’Daniel is a developing post player with a great foundation of tools. He plays hard, moves well for his size, and knows how to impact the game on both ends of the floor. O’Daniel finishes effectively with both hands around the basket, but also displays great vision as a passer from the post. He’s a quality two-way rebounder who contains his assignment well defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a more dynamic athlete. Coach Gaskins on O’Daniel: “Tolson did a great job of accepting constructive criticism. He positively impacted team play on both ends with his unselfishness. I would love to see Tolson get quicker. With his IQ, he’ll impact the game even more.” O’Daniel highlighted a lot of appealing qualities during camp and should only continue to progress over the foreseeable future.