Team 13
Coach: Steve Mims/Trenton Hancock
#7: 5’10 ’28 O’Brian Lowery Jr. (Gaston Day)
Starting off, we look at a player who showcased strong polish and feel on both ends of the floor, O’Brian Lowery Jr. He’s a smart, crafty point guard prospect with a lethal penetration sense and reliable creation instincts. Lowery scored the ball from all levels but displayed a clear willingness to set up others and make the right play with the ball in his hands. He defends with solid energy and is capable of forcing turnovers at the point of attack defensively. Lowery also understands how to dictate the action in transition. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Hancock on Lowery: “O’Brian is a combo guard with the ability to play either backcourt spot. Solid finisher who you can trust with the ball in his hands. Plays with good pace but needs to be more vocal. Great attitude. Strong defender.” Lowery proved to be an asset during camp and should be a foundational piece for Gaston Day over the coming years.
#21: 5’10 ’28 Draeton Nance (Davie County)
Next, we look at a player who consistently stands out as an excellent teammate and leader by example, Draeton Nance. He’s a smart, tough guard prospect with a high motor, well-rounded skillset, and unselfish approach to the game. Nance handles the ball with poise and looks to create for others whenever possible. That being said, he can also get downhill or knock down jumpers along the perimeter. Nance is a scrappy defender who works hard and battles well on the glass. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Hancock on Nance: “Draeton has amazing heart. Played hurt but continued to fight on both ends of the floor. Can really shoot the ball from the perimeter. Competes every play. Solid ball-handler but can improve when defensive pressure is applied. Models by example.” Nance did a lot of things well during camp and will be a prospect to watch emerge at Davie County going forward.
#22: 5’10 ’28 Jordan Pierce (Concord Academy)
Moving forward, we look at a player who did a terrific job of filling in the gaps on both ends of the floor, Jordan Pierce. He’s a quick, high-motor guard prospect with quality feel and an unselfish approach to the game. Pierce possesses a useful handle and quick first step, which he utilizes to break down opponents and touch the paint at a high volume. He converts perimeter jumpers at a nice percentage and is capable of making an impact as a spot-up threat. Pierce also offers a solid defensive presence at the point of attack. Next in his development process is working to improve his instincts as a playmaker, as it would make him a more reliable floor general. Coach Hancock on Pierce: “Jordan is a quick off-guard with long arms and a good shot from the perimeter. Does well to deflect passes. Provides solid energy on defense but could use some work on that end of the floor.” Pierce enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should emerge as a difference-maker for Concord Academy over the coming years.
#70: 6’1 ’28 Noah Dulin (Davie County)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who’s already known for his reputation as a marksman, Noah Dulin. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect with a smooth shooting stroke and the ability to impact the game without requiring the ball in his hands. Dulin didn’t hit shots at his usual rate, but still stood out through athleticism and unselfishness. He worked hard defensively, rebounded well for his position, and got to his spots well in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Hancock on Dulin: “Noah has a good body and is a solid athlete. Needs to improve as a ball-handler and get more adjusted to the speed of the game. Willing defender with a good attitude. Would like to see him be more vocal.” Dulin made a solid impact during camp and will be a prospect to watch emerge for Davie County over these next few years.
#77: 6’2 ’28 Gary Grear (Pine Lake Prep)
Next, we look at a player who stood out as a natural glue-guy on both ends of the floor, Gary Grear. He’s a scrappy, unselfish guard prospect with a fairly well-rounded skillset and the ability to operate in various different roles. Grear is an excellent shooter who spaces the floor, shifts the defense, and understands when to attack off the bounce. He’s a willing passer and useful finisher who makes solid decisions with the ball in his hands. Grear moves very well without the ball and secures rebounds at a strong rate for his size. He’s also a solid defender. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as it would make him an even better teammate. Coach Hancock on Grear: “Gary has a very good feel for the game. Gets to his spots and has a nice shooting stroke. Needs to get quicker and play with a constant motor. Good rebounder with good IQ.” Grear did a lot of things well during camp and will be a key piece for Pine Lake Prep over the coming years.
#80: 6’2 ’28 Nicholas Brooks (Southeast Raleigh)
Moving forward, we look at a player who offers a dynamic identity and rugged approach to the game, Nicholas Brooks. He’s a tough, athletic guard prospect with a great combination of size, toughness, and feel on both ends of the floor. Brooks is a useful perimeter shooter but is arguably at his best when getting downhill and finishing at the basket. He’s a capable playmaker with solid vision when creating for others. Brooks utilizes his length and nonstop motor to wreak havoc defensively. He forces turnovers, makes hustle plays, and rebounds very well for his size. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring chances as a cutter/spot-up threat. Coach Hancock on Brooks: “Nick is a three-level scorer and nice playmaker. Hustles on defense. Solid ball-handler and aggressive scorer. Capable defender. Needs to work on strengthening his upper body to finish through contact.” Brooks made a quality impact during camp and should be an x-factor at Southeast Raleigh going forward.
#96: 6’3 ’28 Trevor Holland (Caldwell Academy)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who has an enticing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Trevor Holland. He’s a long, skilled wing prospect with excellent size, shooting, and feel on both ends of the floor. Holland is already capable of creating with the ball in his hands, spotting up along the perimeter, and attacking closeouts as needed. He’s a useful passer who makes smart, unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands. Holland possesses a great motor and overall nose for the ball, which allows him to secure rebounds and make hustle plays consistently. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open him up to even more scoring opportunities within the flow of the action. Coach Hancock on Holland: “Trevor is a natural scorer who can hit jumpers or get to his midrange spots. He has long arms and utilizes his length well to be disruptive defensively. Needs to work on getting quicker and improving as a ball-handler.” Holland enjoyed a strong showing at camp and should be a key piece for Caldwell Academy over the coming years.
#135: 6’4 ’28 Knowledge Echols (Ambassador Christian)
Next, we look at a player who showcased the ability to impact the game with or without the ball in his hands, Knowledge Echols. He’s a strong, athletic forward prospect who possesses nice feel, toughness, and two-way instincts. Echols is an unselfish teammate with the ability to fill in the gaps and do a little bit of everything on the court. He hit shots, finished through contact, and contained his assignment defensively. Echols also battled well for rebounds on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Hancock on Echols: “Knowledge has long arms and stands out as a good defender when hustling and moving his feet. Solid offensive player in the half-court. Could use some polishing to his game, but there’s already a lot of tools to like.” Echols made a quality impact during camp and will be a prospect to watch closely at Ambassador Christian over the foreseeable future.
#138: 6’4 ’28 Shane Lucas Walker (Northwest Cabarrus)
Finishing up, we look at a player who made a lasting impression through his nonstop motor and terrific nose for the ball, Shane Walker. He’s a tough, physical forward prospect with a strong body and rugged interior presence on both ends of the floor. Walker is a phenomenal rebounder who positions himself for success, utilizes his body to ward off opponents, and capitalizes on second-chance opportunities. He also works hard defensively and runs the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Hancock on Walker: “Shane has the potential to be really good down low. Still has some learning to do but is an aggressive player with a good attitude. His defensive IQ, ball-handling, and jumper can improve.” Walker found ways to make his presence felt throughout camp and should be an asset for Northwest Cabarrus over the coming years.