Team 12
Coach: Jay Lawson
#2: 5’2 ’29 Jaela Brown (Ballantyne Ridge)
Starting off, Jaela Brown is a 5-foot-2 prospect in the Class of 2029. Though small, she had no issue making her presence felt for this group. Brown is a scrappy, unselfish guard with a high motor and sharp penetration sense. She utilizes her quickness and craftiness to consistently break down opponents, touch the paint, and finish or set up others. Brown is a capable shooter, but at her best when getting downhill. She’s also a pesky defender with the positioning and instincts to reliably contain her assignment. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a more complete player. Coach Lawson on Brown: “Jaela is a small guard who can operate with the ball in her hands. Very shifty with her handle. Displays above-average ability finishing at the rim. Very high IQ and motor for an undersized guard.” Brown enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a key piece for Ballantyne Ridge over the coming years.
#8: 5’4 ’29 Makenzie Gonder (Northwest Cabarrus)
Next, Makenzie Gonder is a 5-foot-4 prospect in the Class of 2029. She really excelled at finding ways to make her presence felt within the flow of the action. Gonder is a steady, high-motor guard who rebounds her position and contains her assignment well defensively. She’s a useful creator and penetrator with the vision to set up others at a strong rate or finish at the basket. Gonder moves well without the ball to find scoring opportunities as a cutter. She’s also very unselfish and looks to do whatever is possible to give her team an edge. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a more complete player. Coach Lawson on Gonder: “Makenzie has a very quick first step and the ability to get paint touches when she’s aggressive. She does a nice job of moving without the ball and making herself available on offense.” Gonder found success during her time at camp and should be a difference-maker for Northwest Cabarrus going forward.
#11: 5’5 ’29 Kaitlyn Trotter (North Mecklenburg)
Next, Kaitlyn Trotter is a 5-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2029. Given her exceptional IQ, unselfishness, and creation polish, Trotter consistently caused problems for opponents. She’s a very reliable ball-handler and playmaker with the quickness, vision, and scoring prowess to apply constant pressure on defenses. Trotter mixes it up from all levels but is at her best getting downhill. She’s a strong defender with the necessary instincts to shut down opposing guards. Next in her development process is working to improve her rebounding presence, as it would make her a more complete player. Coach Lawson on Trotter: “Kaitlyn is amazing with the ball in her hands. Quick first step. Makes the correct decisions in transition and the half court. Finishes really well at the rim in a variety of ways. Got downhill at will under pressure and either scored or made the proper pass. Huge potential if she keeps it up.” Trotter certainly made a lasting impression during camp and has the tools to be a useful piece for North Meck this season.
#52: 5’7 ’29 DeZiah Oliver (Duke Early College)
Next, DeZiah Oliver is a 5-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2029. She clearly understands how to play to her strengths on both ends of the floor. Oliver is an extremely quick, scrappy guard with a nonstop motor and unselfish approach to the game. Her tight handle and sharp first step allow her to consistently touch the paint and finish or set up others. Oliver is an excellent defender with the blend of physicality and instincts to overwhelm opponents. She also knows how to move effectively without the ball. Next in her development process is working to improve her three-point consistency, as it would complement her penetration game nicely. Coach Lawson on Oliver: “DeZiah does a really great job of attacking downhill. Knows how to use her body really well to create contact and draw fouls. Plays hard on both ends of the floor.” Oliver did a lot of things well throughout camp and should be a key piece for Duke Early College over the coming years.
#55: 5’8 ’29 Harmony Dupree (Nash Central)
Next, Harmony Dupree is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2029. Between her nonstop motor, rugged defense, and strong rebounding presence, she really excelled at doing the dirty work. Dupree is a terrific cutter and finisher who finds success without the ball in her hands. She can knock down open jumpers but is at her best getting downhill. Dupree is a physical, overwhelming defender who anticipates well to force turnovers and push transition play. She’s also a great rebounder. Next in her development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make her a more dynamic creation threat. Coach Lawson on Dupree: “Harmony plays the game with a ton of heart and passion. Very high motor player who understands where to be on the floor. Does all the little things at a high level to impact winning. Finishes really well around the rim. Looking forward to seeing her growth.” Dupree highlighted an impactful identity during camp and has the tools to be a key piece at Nash Central going forward.
#60: 5’8 ’29 Tara Parks (Southeast Guilford)
Next, Tara Parks is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2029. It doesn’t take long to appreciate her steady presence and ability to fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Parks is a terrific penetrator with a solid handle and nice finishing ability. She moves well without the ball and understands how to find open seams within the defense. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a more complete player. Coach Lawson on Dupree: “Tara plays well with the ball in her hands. She understands how to run the floor and get to her spots in transition. Makes good decisions under pressure and communicates well with her teammates. Plays hard on both ends of the floor. Looks to make the right play.” Parks enjoyed a solid showing at camp and should be a useful piece for Southeast Guilford over the coming years.
#63: 5’9 ’30 Eden Moody (Forsyth Country Day)
Next, Eden Moody is a 5-foot-9 prospect in the Class of 2029. Although she was one of the younger campers on display, Moody highlighted a lot of impressive qualities. She’s a great athlete with IQ, size, and skill. Moody is a polished creator with the ability to reliably get downhill, set up others, and apply scoring pressure from all levels. She’s a willing rebounder and physical defender who forces turnovers at a quality rate. Next in her development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make her an even better defender at the point of attack. Coach Lawson on Moody: “Eden’s potential is through the roof. She has the ability to knock down the outside shot but can also easily get downhill when she wants. Finishes really well around the rim with both hands. Knows how to move without the ball to find chances as a cutter and spot-up threat.” Moody highlighted a lot of intrigue at camp and will be a prospect to watch emerge for Forsyth Country Day over the coming years.
#68: 5’10 ’30 Nia Stiles (Voyager Academy)
Next, Nia Stiles is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2029. In addition to her useful array of offensive skills, she really stood out through her defense, rebounding, and willingness to do the dirty work. Stiles is a consistent finisher around the basket, but can also knock down open jumpers at a respectable rate. She plays very hard and positions herself well to force turnovers and block shots. Stiles also shines as a rebounder with the length, strength, and positioning to outwork opponents on both ends of the floor. Next in her development process is working on her consistency as a perimeter shooter, as it would complement her penetration game nicely. Coach Lawson on Stiles: “Nia has great size. She uses her body well on both ends of the floor. Rebounds the ball at a really high level. Understands floor spacing and positioning when players are attacking the rim. Very high energy/effort defender.” Stiles did a lot of things well during camp and has the tools to emerge as a key piece at Voyager Academy going forward.
#72: 5’11 ’29 Ella Kollmann (Cuthbertson)
Next, Ella Kollmann is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2029. Few players on display could match her combination of intangibles, physical tools, and impactful identity on both ends of the floor. Kollmann showcased a complete game with a ton of strengths and no real weaknesses. She scores from all levels, showing the ability to play without the ball or create for herself and others. Kollmann wreaks havoc defensively. Her length, motor, and instincts allow her to block shots and force turnovers. Next in her development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make her even more physically imposing. Coach Lawson on Kollmann: “Ella is a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Easily one of the best players in the entire camp. She does everything really well. She has to get it in her mind that she’s as good as she is, and there won’t be anyone who can stop her. I look forward to seeing how she continues to add to her game as she goes through high school.” Kollmann clearly stood out during camp and will be a prospect to watch progress over the foreseeable future.
#133: 6’4 ’30 Tiffany Moore (River Road)
Finishing up, Tiffany Moore is a 6-foot-4 prospect in the Class of 2030. Between her incredible size, feel, and two-way ability, she was clearly among the top prospects in attendance. Moore utilizes her amazing length and mobility to effectively dominate opponents on both ends of the floor. She finishes very well around the basket, controls the glass as a rebounder, and protects the paint defensively. Next in her development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make her a better defender when switching onto smaller perimeter players. Coach Lawson on Moore: “Personally, I think Tiffany may have been the best player in her class. She’s really young, which shows at times, but you can see that it’s all there. Her ability to read coverages and finish at the rim is high level. One of the best parts of her game is her defensive ability. Tiffany is a star in the making.” It was difficult to be anything other than impressed with Moore during camp, and she will undoubtedly be a player to monitor closely over the foreseeable future.