North Carolina Jr. Phenom Camp Evaluations

 

Team 8

Coach: Jones

 

#46: 5'5 '24 Hunter Wall (Taylors, SC)

Starting things off, we look at a player that worked hard and constantly highlighted his team-first approach, Hunter Wall. He's a guard prospect with unselfishness and a willingness to create scoring opportunities for others. Wall knocked down a few open shots on the day and drove aggressively to the basket whenever possible. He did a nice job of containing his assignment on defense and consistently fought hard on the glass. Wall doesn't try to force the action on either end of the floor and does a great job of playing within himself. Next in his development process is working on his ability to penetrate and finish through contact, as it would allow him to apply more pressure as a scorer. Coach Jones on Wall: 'Hunter did a good job on defense. He took a charge in the first game and wanted to whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. He's a great team player, but can work on getting set when spotting-up.' Wall's hustle and attention to detail paid off nicely, as he enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should continue working to refine his skillset.

 

#47:5'5 '24 Marko Pandiloski (Mississauga, ON)

Next, we look at a player that has done a truly phenomenal job of improving his game over the last year, Marko Pandiloski. He's an off-guard that thrives at operating without the ball as a strong spot-up threat. Pandiloski consistently knocked down shots from midrange and three-point territory during the day while showing a little creativity off the bounce. He played extremely hard and was willing to do whatever his coach asked from him. Pandiloski moves well on defense and knows how to utilize his body to initiate contact unto opponents. Next in his development process is continuing to get quicker, as it'll allow him to penetrate and defend the ball with less resistance. Coach Jones on Pandiloski: 'Marko made a nice impact as a shooter. He's a very tough kid that can handle the ball and make passes to teammates. He needs to commit more to playing help-side defense.' Pandiloski has rapidly elevated his game and has a great chance to continue improving on both ends of the floor.

 

#56:5'6 '23 Kobe Phantirath (Charlotte, NC)

Moving onto a player that provided his team with an excellent attitude and unselfish approach throughout the day, Kobe Phantirath. He's a guard prospect that does a solid job of pursuing the ball and making plays within his role. Phantirath is capable of knocking down open shots and filling in the lane, which were his main two scoring avenues during camp. He was disruptive on defense and showed a clear desire to contain his assignment on that end of the floor. Next in his development process is continuing to refine his offensive skillset, as he has the tools to become a strong two-way prospect. Coach Jones on Phantirath: 'Kobe plays hard for his team and knows how to exert energy on both ends of the floor. He odes a good job penetrating to the basket, but needs to work on keeping his head up while dribbling.' Phantirath didn't require the ball to make plays at camp, so it'll be interesting to see how he develops going forward.

 

#64:5'8 '23 Semaj Cross (Gates, NC)

Continuing onto a player that did a pretty nice job of making an offenisve impact during his time at camp, Semaj Cross. He's a guard prospect that performs well within the team concept and finds ways to create havoc without the ball. Cross handles the ball nicely and willingly creates scoring opportunities for his teammates in the half court. He displayed his strong motor and both ends of the floor and pursued rebounds with extreme force. Cross secured numerous second-chance opportunities on the offensive glass and immediately converted them into points. Next in his development process is learning how to better defend, in order to make his assignment work harder to score. Coach Jones on Cross: 'Semaj is very aggressive when going to the basket. He rebounds incredibly well for a guard. He can be passive at times and needs to shoot more often. He will also improve once he commits to playing defense.' Cross has a solid foundation and could be quite problematic if his defensive presence can match his abilities on offense.

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#65:5'9 '24 Ashton King (Raleigh, NC)

Next, we look at a player that showcased a fairly well-rounded approach to both sides of the ball, Ashton King. He's a wing prospect with nice size and the ability to overwhelm opponents with his frame. King knocked down open shots and cut to the basket whenever possible, but didn't look to overdo things on offense. He's still finding his identity as a player but showed a lot of positive tendencies and signs towards productivity. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as he should easily become a strong rebounder given his size. Coach Jones on King: 'Ashton likes to shoot the ball, but needs to work on using his size to his advantage. He does a good job of finishing at the basket. He should try working on shooting midrange jumpers, as it could allow him to apply more pressure on offense.' King will be a prospect to keep an eye on, as he's just beginning to realize his abilities as player.

 

#66:5'9 '23 Bradin Minton (Church Hill, TN)

Moving onto a player that truly excelled as an intelligent floor general and savvy offensive creator, Bradin Minton. He's a high IQ point guard with impressive feel for the game and the ability to absolutely carve opposing defenses to shreds. Minton is an efficient three-level scorer, both off the catch and bounce, and has relatively no weaknesses as a scorer. He easily gets past defenders, despite a lack of elite quickness, and effortlessly makes plays inside the paint for himself and others. His vision is incredible and he sees passing angles that most guards simply cannot. Minton is a manipulative ball-handler with sharp instincts and the ability to consistently make his teammates better. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength and work on his defensive presence, as he has the necessary tools to become a dominant two-way prospect. Coach Jones on Minton: 'Bradin is a leader that makes his team better and displays a high IQ when it comes to passing. He did a good job at penetrating to the basket and needs to shoot more, especially since he's such an effective scorer.' Minton was one of the most tantalizing guards on display and will be one to monitor going forward.

 

#68:5'9 '23 Matthew Rogers (Sumter, SC)

Continuing onto a player that showcased a lot of two-way versatility and long-term upside at camp, Matthew Rogers. He's a strong-bodied wing prospect with athleticism and a terrific overall feel for the game. Rogers scores frequently and effortlessly from all three levels while displaying a clear understanding of how to thrive with or without the ball in his hands. He has great size and properly utilizes it on both ends of the floor, absorbing contact on finishes around the basket and making hustle plays on defense. Rogers has terrific potential as a shutdown defender, but will need to become quicker in order to maximize his versatility. Next in his development process is working on his ability to penetrate and finish with a full head of steam, as it would make him even more problematic for opponents. Coach Jones on Rogers: 'Matthew is a hard worker and great teammate. He does a good job working with others and making the right play. Matthew needs to improve his footwork.' Rogers had flashes of brilliance during camp and could realistically emerge as a top prospect from this event in the future.

 

#73:5'10 '23 David Tator (Fayetteville, NC)

Next, we look at a player that already possesses a pretty well-rounded skillset and approach to the game, David Tator. He's a guard prospect with a calm, steady demeanor and the ability to consistently affect various facets of the game. Tator possesses a strong motor and does a great job utilizing it to disrupt opposing ball-handlers. He shot the ball very efficiently from all three levels and displayed quality shot-selection throughout the day. Tator doesn't attack the basket a lot, but he will take advantage of prime finishing opportunities in transition. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would allow him to attack opposing guards and touch the paint with more regularity. Coach Jones on Tator: 'David plays with a great amount of energy and does a good job working with his teammates. He plays hard at all times and looks to secure extra possessions whenever possible. He needs to get better at finishing around the basket.' Tator made clear contributions at camp and should continue honing his skillset on both ends of the floor.

 

#77:5'8 '24 Langston Boyd (Charlotte, NC)

Moving onto a player that was arguably the most consistent and reliable offensive presence on his team, Langston Boyd. He's a guard prospect with incredible quickness and the ability to score whenever he desires. Boyd is able to get downhill, attack opponents, and finish around the basket with great regularity or set the nets ablaze with his exceptional jumper from midrange and three-point territory. He uses both hands well on offense and willingly creates scoring opportunities for his teammates when driving to the basket. Boyd is a strong rebounder for his position and does a great job of pushing the break in transition. Next in his development process is becoming a more disciplined defender, as it would make him a monster two-way prospect. Coach Jones on Boyd: 'Langston is a nice left-handed guard that knows how to naturally score the ball. He finishes well at the basket and is a great team player. Langston is very athletic, but needs to learn how to use his length on defense.' Boyd enjoyed an exceptional showing during camp and was among the top seventh-graders in attendance.

 

#83:6'1 '23 Peyton Scott (Charlotte, NC)

Continuing onto a player that was able to highlight his fluid all-around skillset throughout camp, Peyton Scott. He's a forward prospect that has noticeably grown over the last year, in the process of transitioning from a bigger guard to a tweener forward. Scott affects every facet of the game quite well, from scoring to rebounding, and knows how to utilize his motor on both ends of the floor. He possesses great length and altered an abundance of shots around the basket. Scott attacked the basket with force and showcased signs of phenomenal versatility throughout camp. He works hard on defense and forced numerous turnovers from inside the paint, leading to a lot of fast-break opportunities. Next in his development process is working on his quickness, as it would allow him to take opponents off the dribble with more regularity. Coach Jones on Scott: 'Peyton does a good job of finishing around the basket. He rebounds very well and needs to shoot more. Peyton scores well from all areas, but can keep working on his shooting form.' Scott was one of the top two-way prospects on display at camp and could become dominant with continued work.

 

#84:6'2 '23 Cade Nicholson (Charlotte, NC)

Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a strong amount of production and long-term potential, Cade Nicholson. He's a big man with a nice motor and decently well-rounded skillset. Nicholson runs the floor well and utilizes his size to extend beyond the outstretched arms of the defense. He fights aggressively for rebounds and even secured a few second-chance opportunities during the day. Nicholson has a strong team-first approach and passed the ball well to open teammates. Next in his development process is working on refining his offensive skillset, as a go-to scoring avenue would make him a more useful contributor within the team. Coach Jones on Nicholson: 'Cade did a good job of playing with his teammates and being unselfish whenever possible. He needs to make smart offensive decisions and work on his hands/catching the ball better.' Nicholson has a lot of upside and could be a quality prospect to monitor if he's able to continue improving on both sides of the ball.