Team 6
Coach: Josh Staley
#0: 5’0 ’28 Jason Staley (Blythewood)
Starting things off, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term upside, Jason Staley. He’s a smart, young guard prospect with great vision and the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers at a consistent rate. Staley displays a high motor as a defender and was able to harass opposing ball-handlers quite effectively. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would help prepare him for the physicality of the middle school game. Coach Staley on Staley: “Jason has a high IQ for his sage. He displays a great basketball feel and shooting touch. Jason offers a positive attitude and does a terrific job of working with others and offering an unselfish mentality.” Staley enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has a ton of upside, which should only allow him to continue progressing over the coming years.
#1: 5’4 ’26 Talan Staley (Blythewood)
Next, we look at a player that possesses an excellent crossroads between production and long-term upside, Talan Staley. He’s a smart, well-rounded point guard prospect with toughness, defensive prowess, and the ability to outwork his assignment on both ends of the floor. Staley makes great decisions with the ball in his hands, both as a scorer and playmaker, and operates well as a leader. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to turn into a fairly dominant force on either end of the floor. Coach Staley on Staley: “Talan has excellent foot speed and quickness. He can defend 94 feet without losing a step on his assignment. Talan also displays a great overall understanding of the game and how to set up himself while also getting others involved. He’s a strong competitor on both sides of the ball.” Staley continues to showcase all the tools to become an exceptional talent, which should make him one to monitor for the foreseeable future.
#2: 5’5 ’25 Nigel Chivers (Lugoff)
Moving onto a player that consistently thrived whenever able to get out in transition, Nigel Chivers. He’s a smart, well-rounded guard prospect with a strong, sturdy frame and the ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Chivers attacks well, knocks down jumpers at a quality rate, and defends his position well at the point of attack. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Staley on Chivers: “Nigel is a strong defender and high-level playmaker. He’s really good in the open floor, showing an understanding of how to make an impact with or without the ball in transition. Nigel brought a positive attitude, active motor, and unselfish mentality to our team.” Chivers made a quality impact throughout camp and has the tools to emerge as an impact player sooner than later for Lugoff Elgin.
#3: 5’7 ’25 Darnerian Gibson (Thomasville)
Continuing onto a player that continues to highlight the ability to run a team with incredible poise on either end of the floor, Darnerian Gibson. He’s a smart, crafty, heady point guard prospect with sharp vision, ball-handling instincts, and the ability to score in a variety of different ways. Gibson is a strong penetrator with unselfishness and quality decisiveness as a playmaker. Next in his development process is working to become a more productive rebounder, as it would allow him to battle on the glass and then immediately push the break in transition. Coach Staley on Gibson: “Darnerian is an explosive guard that can score in bunches. He’s a great defender and playmaker. Darnerian understands how to consistently break down his assignment, enter the paint, and make plays for himself and others. He brought a positive attitude, active motor, and unselfish mentality to our team.” Gibson showcased a lot of ability on both ends of the floor throughout camp and should steadily progress into a very reliable floor general going forward.
#4: 5’8 ’25 Arrington Kee (Fayetteville)
Next, we look at a player that continues to highlight an intriguing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Arrington Kee. He’s a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with the all-around skillset to naturally affect all facets of the game. Kee handles the ball well, creates for himself and others, and shows the ability to score at an efficient clip from multiple levels. He also defends multiple positions and effectively rebounds the ball for his position. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physical player on either side of the ball. Coach Staley on Kee: “Arrington is a high-level glue-guy. He possesses a great motor and overall feel for the game. Arrington showed his ability to score and defend at a high level. He maintained a positive attitude and unselfish mentality throughout the day.” Kee enjoyed another productive showing at camp and should stand out as an impact player during his upcoming eighth-grade season.
#5: 4’8 ’26 Kamauri Hunter (Columbia)
Moving onto a player that contributed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Kamauri Hunter. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect that plays hard and bigger than his size would imply on both ends of the floor. Hunter runs a team with poise, offering a quality playmaking presence and reliably making plays for his open/cutting teammates. He can attack the basket or knock down open jumpers, but places a ton of emphasis on making the right play. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physical player on either side of the ball. Coach Staley on Hunter: “Kamauri is a model floor general. He’s a great on-ball defender and excellent passer with nice timing in the open floor. He maintained a positive attitude and unselfish mentality throughout the day.” Hunter did a lot of things well, especially as a primary creator, and should be able to carve out a useful role during his upcoming seventh-grade season.
#6: 5’7 ’25 Drew Johnson (Durham)
Continuing onto a player that simply knows how to overwhelm opponents with his IQ and craftiness, Drew Johnson. He’s a very sharp, well-rounded point guard prospect with an exceptional blend between playmaking and three-level scoring. Johnson is capable of breaking down opponents with relative ease, touching the paint, and finishing or setting up others with heady passes. He defends his assignment very well and utilizes his quick hands to force a ton of on-ball turnovers. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Staley on Johnson: “Drew has a strong frame and great court vision. He can score with efficiency and create for his teammates. Drew brought a positive attitude, active motor, and unselfish mentality to our team.” Johnson continues to showcase a ton of appeal as a floor general and should be poised for an extremely productive eighth-grade season.
#7: 5’9 ’25 Mason Dobie (Southern Shores)
Next, we look at a player that arguably stood out as one of the most reliable scoring options for this team, Mason Dobie. He’s a wiry, strong-bodied wing prospect with an excellent perimeter jumper and the ability to effectively create for himself or others. Dobie can adapt and operate within various different roles on offense, showing the understanding to be an effective spot-up threat or penetrator off the bounce. He makes smart decisions as a passer, defends his assignment well, and battles for rebounds on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better on-ball defender. Coach Staley on Dobie: “Mason can score at a very high level, both in transition and the half-court. He possesses a strong body and high IQ. He maintained a positive attitude and unselfish mentality throughout the day.” Dobie proved to be a definite asset for his team during camp and should be a prospect worth monitoring over the foreseeable future.
#8: 5’11 ’25 Colin Ball (China Grove)
Moving onto a player that made quite a lasting impression as one of the main blue-collar workers for this team, Colin Ball. He’s a rugged, strong-bodied forward prospect with a high motor and the ability to make plays without necessarily requiring a ton of offensive touches. Ball consistently makes his presence felt on the glass as a two-way rebounder, securing a quality amount of second-chance opportunities and looking to advance the ball in transition. He’s an effective scorer from the perimeter but also uses his length and energy very well to score around the basket. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Staley on Ball: “Colin is a high-level rebounder with a nonstop motor. He displays a great feel for the game. Colin can score the ball well from all three levels. He maintained a positive attitude and unselfish mentality.” Ball enjoyed a very productive showing during camp and should be an impact player during his upcoming eighth-grade season.
#00: 6’5 ’26 Elton Smith (Columbia)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was easily the most dominant two-way force in attendance, Elton Smith. He’s a long, tough, athletic forward prospect with an advanced physique, both in terms of actual development and overall coordination. Smith was able to naturally affect all facets of the game while controlling the interior and overwhelming opponents on both ends of the floor. He blocked shots, forced steals, highlighted finishing prowess, knocked down jumpers, and simply bullied opponents with regularity. Smith is already quite productive, but also possesses an obvious amount of upside. Next in his development process is working to maintain a positive attitude, as it would make him an even better teammate. Coach Staley on Smith: “Elton is a long, athletic hybrid forward. He can control the game by rebounding and protecting the rim. He can score the ball with both hands and displays a great motor at all times. Elton was extremely tough for opponents to contain.” Smith was incredible at camp, securing the MVP with relative ease, and has the tools to emerge as an amazing prospect over the coming years.