6’3 Justyn Johnson-Whitfield (Davidson Day)
There are several enticing pieces within the Davidson Day roster, and Whitfield is definitely someone who should be attracting college coaches. He’s a scrappy, well-rounded guard who stands out as the top shooting threat on this team. Whitfield is capable of heating up quickly and knocking down jumpers at an extremely high percentage from beyond the arc. He moves well without the ball to find open seams and understands how to attack closeouts when necessary. Whitfield is also a capable creator, passer, and overall defender who can carve out a valuable role on any team.
6’4 Dane Cassada (Moravian Prep)
Between his IQ, skill, and lethal shooting ability, it should come as no surprise to see how seamlessly Cassada fit at Moravian Prep. He’s an incredibly polished player with the ability to create off the bounce, both for himself and others, and fill it up in a variety of ways. Cassada utilizes his pace and craftiness to create advantages for himself, generate space, and find openings to score from all levels. He’s comfortable initiating the offense or playing without the ball and applying pressure as a spot-up threat. Cassada also rebounds his position and provides consistent effort defensively.
6’5 Neal Swindell (Caldwell Academy)
Quite possibly one of the most underrated pieces in North Carolina, Swindell always seems to stand out as the ultimate teammate and glue-guy. He’s the type of player and person that every coach should want on their team. Swindell is an extremely adaptable, well-rounded piece with the IQ, skill, and physicality to be a versatile matchup problem on both ends of the floor. He’s able to do everything offensively, whether finishing through contact, knocking down jumpers, making the extra pass, or filling in the gaps. Swindell defends and rebounds much bigger than his size, and is capable of making plays with the ball in his hands. He’s simply an x-factor who finds production in every possible setting.
6’8 Ny’Zion Ballard (New Hanover)
Like his teammate mentioned in the previous group, it’s very confusing to try and understand the lack of offers being extended to Ballard. He’s an obvious scholarship-level piece with exceptional instincts as an interior defender and clear upside on both ends of the floor. Ballard offers a low-maintenance offensive game, but can finish out of the post, pose a lob threat, and find opportunities in transition. He’s a quality rebounder who battles well for extra possessions. However, so much of Ballard’s value comes through his ability to protect the rim at a high level. He’s phenomenal at utilizing his length and timing to deter opponents from attacking the basket, but can also hedge and recover or switch onto smaller guards when necessary.
6’3 Dashaun McKoy (Harrells Christian)
Rounding out this list, McKoy is another major difference-maker who probably doesn’t receive enough attention from the masses. He’s a strong, explosive athlete who simply knows how to wreak havoc on the court. McKoy does a terrific job of getting downhill and applying constant pressure on the basket, where he’s able to finish through contact or above the rim. He’s a capable three-point shooter and nice threat in the midrange. McKoy is a tough, physical, high-motor defender who suffocates opponents into miscues and forced turnovers. He’s also a great rebounder for his size/position.