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.
Landry Gaines – #79/ 5’11 – Topsail (2018)
“Landry has a very high basketball IQ. He also has great vision which leads to him making great passes. Landry showed the ability to catch and shoot the ball well while also being a tough defender that was willing to put his body on the line to get stops. He made several great passes in transition throughout the day. Landry needs to continue to work on his handle so it allows him to breakdown defenders off the dribble. He also needs to add a mid-range pull up to his game. He is a guy willing to do whatever is needed for his team.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: attitude, team play, catch and shoot, range behind the arc, passing skills, defense on and off the ball
Areas of Work: Mid-range shot, shooting off the dribble, ability to finish, transition defense, rebounding
Tanner Mitchell – #130/ 6’1 – Fort Mill (2016)
“Tanner is a very tough and physical kid. He made plays in the paint on the perimeter and all over the floor because of his toughness. He also has the ability to shoot the ball from three with deep range. He is an excellent rebounder from the guard position and also a great passer. In the future, Tanner will need to show the ability to create plays off the dribble. Defensively, he does a great job of keeping his body in between his man and the basket. He showed that ability to also take advantage of smaller guards on the block.”
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Basketball IQ, Range of three point shot, Release time, basket to basket moves, defense on and off the ball, vision and court sense
Areas of Work: Range of shot inside arc, shooting off the dribble, use of off hand, penetration ability, quickness
Jacob Skidmore – #218/ 6’7 – Kings Mountain (216)
“Jacob is a very skilled big guy that an do multiple things on the court. He showed the ability to finish down low, as well as make perimeter shots to keep the defense honest. Jacob also has great vision for a big guy and made several nice passes both in transition and in the half court set. He was able to lead the break and came away with multiple assist or points of his own. Defensively, Jacob does a good job of protecting the rim and crashes the defensive boards hard. He has a very high basketball IQ and good instincts. He needs to continue to work on his back to the basket moves and also gain some upper body strength.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: Basketball IQ, Team play, Range of shot inside arc, defense on the ball, Passing skills, Vision and court sense, Rebounding
Areas of Work: Shooting off the dribble, use of off hand, quickness
Craig Williams – #178/ 6’3 – Holly Springs (2016)
“Craig is a very long wiry athlete that is very good with the ball in his hands. He made several plays throughout the day when he was able to face up and get to the basket off one or two dribbles. He also showed a rare shooting touch that extends to the three point line. Craig will need to continue to develop his ball handling skills and also use his length and athleticism to rebound more. Craig has a lot of untapped potential that he must develop and if he does, he has the chance to be a very intriguing prospect.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Team play, range of shot, shooting off the dribble, ability to finish, footwork, Vision and court, moving without the ball
Areas of Work: Range of three point shot, release time, shooting mechanics, penetration ability, passing skills, transition defense
Josh Nork – #87/ 6’0 – York Prep (SC) (2016)
“Josh is a guy with a very solid basketball IQ. He knows the spots on the floor where his teammates and himself, can be effective. Josh showed the ability to shoot it from three very well, both catching and shooting and also using the dribble. Due to his size, Josh will have to play the point guard position and he showed the ability to create more off the dribble. Josh has great vision in the open court and made several great over the top passes on the day. Josh is a very vocal leader on the court, which is a great quality to have and should continue to direct his teammates.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Floor leader, Team play, Range of shot inside arc, shooting off the dribble, defense off the ball, footwork
Areas of Work: Back to the basket moves, ability to finish, rebounding
Zavian Jackson – #146/ 6’2 – Burlington Cummings (2016)
“Zavian is a high level athlete with elite quickness and leaping ability. He is a complete blur when exploding to the basket down the lane or in transition. Zavian showed the ability to break his man down at will and get wherever he wanted to go. The next step for Zavian will be to add a consistent jump shot to his game that will keep the defense completely off balance. He also had all the tools to become a lock down defender with his quickness, length, and solid build. A very good rebounder from the guard position and makes good things happen when he attacks the glass. Zavian’s potential is through the roof, with all of his physical gifts. The more he adds to his game, the harder it will be to have a chance of stopping him.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Effort, Quickness, Athletic ability, penetration ability, ability to finish, use of off hand, quickness and footwork
Areas of Work: consistent on jump shot, range of shot, shooting mechanics, defense
Devante Stevens – #181/ 6’4 – Neuse Charter School (2016)
“Devante gave a great effort throughout the day.. He showed the ability to do a lot of different things. When he wants to go down in the paint, he does a nice job making moves both with his back to basket and facing up. He has the ability to be a good rebounder when he wants to but sometimes stands on the perimeter too much. Would like to see him continue to work on his ball handling skills it would only add to his game. He has all of the tools to become a great defender. He did a great job of doing the little things such as setting screens and cleaning up misses.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: Attitude, Acceptance of criticism, Back to the basket moves, transition defense, defense off the ball
Areas of Work: Passing skills, quickness, moving without the ball
Cooper Crawford – #129/ 6’1 – Hough (2018)
“Cooper has a very high basketball IQ. He understands what plays he needs to provide on the basketball floor and rarely makes a mistake. He showed the ability to catch and shoot throughout the day at the camp. Cooper is a good defense that is willing to do whatever it takes to get a step on the defense. He will need to continue to work on ball handling and making moves to create for himself and others off the dribble.” – Coach
Areas of Excellence: Basketball IQ, Team play, catch and shoot, passing skills, defense off the ball, transition defense, vision
Areas of Work” Back to the basket moves, penetration ability, quickness, rebounding his position