This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise Indoor Sports in Bermuda Run, North Carolina, to host the second session of our annual June Team Camp. The combination of public and independent programs allows college coaches to see all types of prospects under one roof. In addition to the recruiting aspect, this affords high school coaches the opportunity to continue to compete and work out the kinks. There were countless prospects who stood out throughout the event and, per usual, this article will highlight five personal favorites. Let’s take a closer look…
6’2 ’27 Travien Williams (Hickory Ridge)
It’s clear that Travien Williams is the most drastically under-recruited prospect in North Carolina, and it’s somewhat ridiculous at this point. What more do coaches want? Is the consistent production, winning, and outperforming others not enough? Is dominating not enough? It’s genuinely perplexing that coaches are watching him destroy all types of opponents and still question his ability. Williams is an absolutely incredible penetrator whose tight handle, strong body, and phenomenal feel for the game allow him to get downhill literally whenever he wants. He’s able to effortlessly break down opponents, touch the paint, and make the right play with the ball in his hands. Williams displays terrific pace when attacking and sees the floor really well to set up others in scoring positions. Although he’s able to put nonstop pressure on the rim and basically score at will, Williams has made visible strides as a playmaker and firmly understands how to assert himself or defer to others. He’s an unstoppable downhill force who plays through contact and finishes everything he attempts. However, Williams also hit pull-ups in the midrange and showed the ability to efficiently space the floor off the catch and bounce. He rebounds his position, forces turnovers, and reliably pushes the break in transition. The recent changes in the recruiting landscape must’ve really warped how some people see the game, because Williams is an undeniable Division I talent who will be successful at the next level. Coaches would be smart to offer immediately.
6’9 ’27 DaQavis Greene (Fike)
Development is an obviously vital aspect of any prospect’s journey, and it’s difficult to fully encompass how much DaQavis Greene has progressed over the last year. The improvement itself would be enough to get excited about, but he also embraces his identity as well as any prospect in the state. In a time when every big man wants to pretend to be a wing (merely because they can hit a jumper and attack a closeout), Greene is a true post player with no confusion regarding his game. He’s an incredibly strong, physically overpowering interior piece who effortlessly seals off opponents to secure deep position, absorb contact, and finish around the basket or above the rim. Between his footwork, touch, and power, Greene has no issue asserting himself on the block or being in position to score on drop-offs. He runs the floor extremely hard in transition, fills the lane properly, and makes himself available for finishing chances on the break. Greene also secures second-chance opportunities and controls the defensive glass with relative ease. He utilizes his long arms and sturdy frame to reliably protect the rim and deter opponents from attacking the basket. Greene displays excellent feel and timing to block/alter a ton of shots, but also appeared comfortable being switched onto perimeter players and getting stops defensively. His appeal should be obvious to scholarship-level programs, and even some potential Division I schools, as his best basketball is still in the future.
6’8 ’28 Camden Hill (Panther Creek)
It’s no secret that North Carolina’s Class of 2028 is legitimately loaded with talent, and Camden Hill should be a guy who receives more attention from the masses going forward. He’s a fluid, versatile big man with an impressive blend of size, skill, and athleticism. At 6-foot-8, Hill showed the ability to attack opponents in a variety of ways. He’s a quality scorer on the block, displaying touch, footwork, and an array of viable moves, but is certainly not restricted to playing inside. Hill is extremely comfortable operating from seemingly anywhere on the court. Whether slotted on the block, in the midrange, or at the top of the key, he consistently found ways to apply pressure and make plays with the ball in his hands. Hill spaces the floor well from the perimeter, but can also attack off the bounce and get downhill or knock down jumpers in the midrange. He’s a willing passer who sees the floor well for his size/position and is capable of initiating the offense for stretches. In addition to his all-around offensive game, Hill is a quality defender and two-way rebounder. He plays hard, carves out space, and routinely outworks opponents for extra possessions. Add in the fact that he’s only going to get stronger and more refined over the next twelve months, and Hill should already be a real priority for Division I programs.
6’9 ’29 Jeremiah Triplin (James Island)
Quite possibly the most enticing long-term prospect in the building, Jeremiah Triplin has all the tools to be special. More often than not, bigger kids who dominate at an early age struggle to stay the course and take the necessary steps towards true stardom. However, that does not apply to Triplin. If anything, the last few years have allowed him to actually come out of his shell and legitimately blossom as a two-way player. Triplin is a long, fluid big man with a high motor and strong feel for the game on both ends of the floor. He already finds consistent success operating as a rim-runner who protects the paint, controls the glass, and properly fills the lane in transition. Triplin is capable of finishing above the rim, facing up, or scoring with his back to the basket. He’s a reliable floor-spacer who can knock down jumpers, attack closeouts, and make reads with the ball in his hands. Triplin also communicates extremely well and leads by example despite being so young. If he remains on his current trajectory, Triplin should maintain his status as one of the top prospects in the country.
6’8 ’27 Heath Johnson (Pinecrest)
Folks should know that the value of big men is possibly the highest it’s ever been, and that certainly includes someone like Heath Johnson and his skilled, high-motor identity. He has a smooth skillset with touch, footwork, and terrific finishing ability out of the post. Johnson showed the ability to finish over either shoulder or step out and knock down the occasional jumper. He plays incredibly hard to consistently outwork opponents for rebounds and loose balls, and always seems to be in the right position to make a play. Johnson moves well for his size and utilizes his strength/activity to overwhelm opponents on both ends of the floor. He blocks shots at a healthy rate and appears comfortable switching onto perimeter players defensively. Clearly a scholarship-worthy player, expect Johnson’s stock to skyrocket over the next few months.