Team 10
Coach: Jason Cheek
#12: 5’5 28 Demi Thomas (NC GBB)
Starting off, Demi Thomas is a 5-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2028. She’s a smart, high-motor lead guard who knows how to dictate the offensive action and outwork opponents on defense. Thomas utilizes her quick first step to beat opponents off the bounce and touch the paint at a nice rate. She defends with a lot of toughness and rebounds well for her size/position. Next in her development process is working to tighten her handle, as it would make her a more dynamic creator. Coach Cheek on Thomas: “Demi is a smart player. Good teammate. Competes at a high level. Needs to work on her handle and seeing the floor. Needs to get more consistent with her three-point shot. Improved ball-handling will help with being strong in dribble drives to the rim. She can also work on her ability to move without the ball.” Thomas enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a useful piece for NC GBB going forward.
#25: 5’6 ’28 Ariel Price (Ben L. Smith)
Next, Ariel Price is a 5-foot-6 prospect in the Class of 2028. Although she found ways to make her presence felt on both ends of the floor, she mainly stood out through her high motor and unselfish approach. Price mixed it up well as a scorer, showing the ability to attack the basket or knock down jumpers. She’s a pesky defender who simply knows how to outwork opponents for extra possessions. Next in her development process is working on her ability to move without the ball, as it would make her a more complete player. Coach Cheek on Price: “I can tell that Ariel loves to compete. Great motor. Wants to win. She can work on consistency in her jumper, ball-handling, ability to protect the ball, and finishing at the rim. Improved ball-handling will help her be strong with the ball when trying to attack off the dribble. Ariel can also improve her off-ball instincts.” Price made nice contributions during camp and should be a difference-maker for Ben L. Smith over the coming years.
#26: 5’6 ’28 Layla Shearin (NC GBB)
Next, Layla Shearin is a 5-foot-6 prospect in the Class of 2028. Given her ability to consistently produce within the flow of the action, she had no issue finding ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Shearin displayed solid touch, vision, and floor-spacing ability on offense. She possesses a high motor and doesn’t shy away from physical play on either side of the ball. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a more reliable creator against pressure. Coach Cheek on Shearin: “I can tell Layla loves to play and compete. She has a good-looking jumper, she just needs to work on her ability to get open looks. Working on ball-handling and moving without the ball would benefit her game tremendously. Her footwork is pretty good but increased speed would help improve her game, especially on defense.” Shearin found success during her time at camp and should only continue to blossom for NC GBB this season.
#46: 5’8 ’28 Eva Matthews (North Mecklenburg)
Next, Eva Matthews is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2028. She’s scrappy, unselfish, and provides a positive presence on both ends of the floor. Matthews highlighted a fairly well-rounded skillset with the ability to defend, rebound, and score within the flow of the action. She plays with nice energy to actively fill in the gaps. Next in her development process is working to tighten her handle, as it would make her a more dynamic creator. Coach Cheek on Matthews: “I like watching Eva play. She plays as if she is really having fun. However, Eva often gets overshadowed on the court. She could make a huge impact on the game if she showed more emphasis on doing the little things that often get overlooked. Crashing the glass, boxing out for rebounds, being relentless on defense, etc. She also needs to work on her ability to move without the ball.” Matthews made her presence felt throughout camp and has the tools to be a useful piece for North Meck going forward.
#55: 6’0 ’28 Ellie Smith (Lake Norman)
Next, Ellie Smith is a 6-foot-0 prospect in the Class of 2028. Given her size, array of physical tools, and clear two-way upside, it’s easy to see her overall appeal. Smith already shows flashes of being able to overwhelm opponents around the basket. She’s a capable finisher, but is arguably better at spacing the floor from the perimeter right now. Smith plays hard to make her presence felt defensively and on the glass. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a better finisher around the basket. Coach Cheek on Smith: “Ellie has huge upside. There is so much potential to really become an elite player. She has great footwork and a smooth jumper. She can work on her ball-handling and getting to the rim. Ellie can also improve her ability to move without the ball on offense.” Smith highlighted a lot of intrigue throughout camp and should only continue to progress at Lake Norman over the foreseeable future.
#67: 5’10 ’28 Alaya Clemons (JH Rose)
Next, Alaya Clemons is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2028. It didn’t take long to appreciate the rugged, unselfish, high-motor presence she brought to this team. Clemons showed the ability to score from multiple levels and make plays off the bounce, but also found consistent success as an off-ball threat. She battled on the glass while highlighting a scrappy, physical defensive presence. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a better finisher around the basket. Coach Cheek on Clemons: “Alaya is a hustler. Hard worker. Very coachable. Alaya recognizes and takes ownership when a mistake is made. She thrives on working hard to overcome her size. She needs to work on ball-handling and being confident with the ball to get the team into its offense. Alaya also needs to work on her ability to move without the ball.” Clemons made her presence felt in a variety of ways during camp and should be a key piece for JH Rose over the coming years.
#126: 6’0 ’29 Olivia Sims (Northern Durham)
Next, Olivia Sims is a 6-foot-0 prospect in the Class of 2029. Despite playing up an age group, she had no issue making her presence felt on both ends of the floor. Sims already possesses great physical tools with the size, strength, and athleticism to overwhelm opponents. She’s a tough, rugged defender with the quickness and positioning to reliably contain her assignment. Sims is also a quality rebounder who regularly outworks opponents for extra possessions and converts second-chance opportunities. Next in her development process is working on the use of her off-hand, as it would make her a more complete player. Coach Cheek on Sims: “Olivia has tremendous upside. So much potential. She wants to win and compete. Olivia has determination and a desire to get better. She needs to work on ball-handling and moving without the ball. Olivia would get multiple shots a game if she got really good at cutting to the rim after passing.” Sims highlighted a lot of appeal during camp and will certainly be a prospect to monitor at Northern Durham going forward.
#128: 6’3 ’28 Kyndall English (Grace Christian)
Finishing up, Kyndall English is a 6-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2028. She clearly impressed through her blend of size, skill, and long-term upside. English is a strong, physically imposing post player with touch, footwork, and excellent rebounding instincts. She carves out space really well on the block to position herself for easy scoring chances. English plays through contact and anchors the paint extremely well defensively. Next in her development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make her a better defender when switching onto smaller guards. Coach Cheek on English: “Kyndall is very skilled. Possesses huge upside. It’s obvious why she is highly recruited. I love Kyndall’s physical style of play. She can continue to work on finishing through contact. Because Kyndall plays so aggressively, she will consistently draw fouls at the rim. That being said, she will need to improve her free-throw shooting. Kyndall can also work on moving without the ball and dominating the paint.” English showcased a lot of ability during camp and should be a key piece at Grace Christian over the foreseeable future.