The NC Phenom 150 Spring Evaluation Camp took place Saturday, March 14th and the talent level was strong from top to bottom. Today, we will take a look at some of the players from each individual team. Each camp coach was to fill out a detailed individual player evaluation. While we try to focus on upside and potential, we also look carefully at intangibles such as attitude, cooperation, work ethic and team play. We hope to capture a thorough detailed resume for each player in attendance.
Zach James – #174/ 6’3 – Burlington Christian (2016)
“James has good basketball IQ for a guard and is a good passer. He needs to work on his ball handling and defensive skills, leg movements. He could also work on his conditioning.”
James had a great attitude both on and off the court and he has good size for a guard. He knocked down some shots and has a decent release but as a guard, he needs to learn the game of attacking and finishing at the rim, something he needs to improve on.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Acceptance of criticism, team play, range of mid-range shot, shooting off the dribble, passing skills
Areas of Work: Back to the basket moves, Penetration ability, ball handling skills, defense, quickness
Clayton Hicks – #233/ 5’8 – Webb (2017)
“Hicks is a good ball handler with the ability to get into the lane. He was also a great defender at times, giving maximum effort when he was on the court. He has a great attitude and was a good teammate on and off the court. He also had a nice outside shot.”
Hicks’ attitude displayed well with his teammates and did a lot of his damage when he attacked the lane and was looking to finish, using his quickness to his favor. Developing that consistent jumper while working in other areas such as rebounding, Hicks will be a solid guard.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, acceptance of criticism, penetration ability, ability to finish, ball handling skills, quickness
Areas of Work: Range of two and three point shot, Catch and shoot, Defense off the ball, transition defense, rebounding
Brian Mcelveen – #228/ 6’5 – New Hope Christian (2016)
“Mcelveen has great length and athleticism to go along with his good ball handling skills. He penetrates the lane and sees the floor really well. Mcelveen has a nice outside shot and is a good teammate. Being 6’5, he really runs the floor and plays the point guard position very well. He has Division I potential.”
Mcelveen was one guy that impressed the scouts and Phenom Hoops crew with his 6’5 frame but running the point position, using his size to create a mismatch any time he was on the court. Coaches agreed that Mcelveen has the talent to be a Division I player and should be a name that will be hard throughout the summer.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, team play, shot range, shooting mechanics, penetration ability and ability to finish, quickness, footwork
Areas of Work: Defense on the ball, transition defense, Moving without the ball, use of off hand
Cody Shubert – #71/ 5’11 – Lincoln Charter (2018)
“Great ball handling skills. Gets into the lane with ease and has a good basketball IQ. Solid three point shooter and solid passer. When he is pushed, he can be a solid on the ball defender for a smaller point guard with great toughness. I would say he has the potential but he has to continue to push himself. He is still only a 9th grader so he has room to grow and is an awesome talent and potential to be one of the best guards at the camp.”
As his coach said, Shubert is only in the 9th grade, so his talent seemed to good to be true for such a young player. He can do a little bit of everything on both ends and if he continues to put the work in and hard time, this kid could be a Division I talent.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Team play, Basketball IQ, Range of shot (both two and three), Ball handling, penetration ability
Areas of Work: Transition defense, Rebounding his position, Ability to finish, quickness and footwork
Christian Lanier – #72/ 5’11 – West Mecklenburg (2016)
“Decent ball handler. Tends to try and do too much offensively at times. He has decent offensive skills if he plays within the offense. Eliminate driving through multiple defenders and he needs to give a better effort on defense. Very good attitude though.”
Lanier needs to control himself and play within himself and the team, but we know that he has the capability to shoot and knock down shots. He also needs to put that same offensive effort on the defensive side of the ball.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Acceptance of criticism, range on his shot, penetration ability
Areas of Work: Passing skills, defense both on and off the ball, quickness and footwork, decision making
Ebon Jay – #204/ 6’5 – Person (2017)
“Jay has very good strength and is a good finisher around the rim. He is a great rebounder, he has a good mid-range jump shot and does well as a help defender. With his height, he showed that he can be a shot blocker and chases down offensive players on the break. At 6’5, he plays like a power forward and if he gets any taller, he could be a Division I player with his ability.”
Jay is still growing and as his coach says, if he continues to grow to potentially 6’8 or so, he could be a Division I player because of all the good he does while on the court. His motor seemed to always be on and had nice array of scoring abilities while competing on the defensive side of the ball.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, team play, Basketball IQ, Back to the basket moves, use of off hand, Defense on and off the ball, Transition defense, Rebounding
Areas of Work: Range of mid-range jumper, shooting off the dribble, release time, ball handling skills
Matthew Atherton – #173/ 6’3 – Orange (2018)
“Good attitude and teammate but somewhat overwhelmed with the talent level at the camp. He gets down on himself and just needs to continue to work, train, and build confidence as a player.”
Developing the confidence as a player will be the big thing Matthew can take away from this event. He has the talent if he continues to work and build his game, he just has to believe in himself and become more assertive.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Acceptance of criticism, team play, release time, shooting mechanics
Areas of Work: Range of shot, shooting mechanics, confidence, defense on and off the ball, quickness and footwork
Lance Crayton – #25/ 5’8 – Rock Hill (SC) (2017)
“Lance is a good ball handler and sees the floor very well. He showed several times that he has no issue or problem of getting into the lane on offense. He has a decent three point shot and is a solid on the ball defender, who fights through screens. Knows how to a team.”
Attitude and basketball IQ weren’t a problem and Crayton really seemed to excel better than other guards at the camp. Coaches were impressed with the young man on the court and was a true floor leader that scouts look for.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Basketball IQ, Release time, defense on and off the ball, quickness and footwork, ball handling, penetration
Areas of Work: range behind the arc, rebounding his position
Jasper Cool – #122/ 6’1 – Riverside (2016)
“Jasper is a solid standstill shooter with very good range. He has a great attitude but needs to improve on his ball handling and defensive footwork. Overall, Jasper has a very good basketball IQ.”
Jasper is a knock down shooter with a smooth stroke when he is set on the court and ready to shoot. Would like to see him use that sharp shooting ability in other ways on the floor to score on the court, while also working hard on his defensive presence on the court.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Basketball IQ, Effort, Range and knock down shooter, Shooting mechanics, release time
Areas of Work: Penetration ability and finishing, passing skills, defense, quickness
Michael Wade – #214/ 6’7 – TDD (2017)
“Michael is a good rebound and low post defender. He really excelled in his three point shooting for a big guy. He has a great attitude for the game and he seems to work harder when he is pushed. This young man has a great upside and teammate potential to be a stretch four at the next level.”
For a 6’7 big man, he has the range that can surprise an opponent and could potentially be a stretch four like his coach said above. He needs to work on his back to the basket moves when in the paint and ball handling skills.
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, team play, range of three point shot, release time, ability to finish, defense off the ball, transition defense, rebounding
Areas of Work: Back to the basket moves, use of off hand, ball handling