Team 10
Coach: Tyler Lewis
#24: 5’8 ’26 Darnerius Gibson (Winston-Salem Christian)
Starting things off, we look at a player who highlighted a pretty dynamic identity, especially for his age, Darnerius Gibson. He’s a smart, crafty, unselfish point guard prospect with nice quickness, vision, and playmaking instincts. Gibson attacks the basket well and can score as needed, but looks to get others involved whenever possible. He defends the point of attack very well, especially for his size, and forces turnovers at a nice rate. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would allow him to absorb more contact as a penetrator and finisher. Coach Lewis on Gibson: “Darnerius is a quick, shifty guard. Paint-touch guard who has the ability to create plays for his teammates. Good first step. Really good on-ball defender. Good anticipation skills in the passing lanes. Capable shooter from the perimeter. Will need to learn change of pace against bigger and stronger defenders. Also, working on over-dribbling when he already drew multiple defenders.” Gibson proved to be an asset during his time at camp, and will be a prospect to monitor over the foreseeable future.
#28: 5’9 ’24 Leon Cain (Green Level)
Next, we look at a player who stood out through his motor and general willingness to do the dirty work, Leon Cain. He’s a tough, unselfish, highly energetic guard prospect who plays bigger than his size would imply on both ends of the floor. Cain defends and rebounds very well for his size/position, and forces turnovers at a nice volume. Next in his development process is working to become a better penetrator, as it would complement his perimeter shooting nicely. Coach Lewis on Cain: “Leon was one of the hardest workers on my team. Competed for every loose ball. Good anticipation skills on the glass. Ran down a lot of rebounds. Good basketball IQ. Made the extra pass. Used his body well on drives and finished through contact. Capable shooter from the perimeter.” Cain made a consistent impact throughout camp, and should be able to carve out a useful role for Green Level during the upcoming season.
#68: 5’11 ’26 Darius France (Reagan)
Moving onto a player who should only continue to progress over the foreseeable future, Darius France. He’s a young, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with nice length and athleticism. France mixes it up well offensively, but understands how to play within the framework of the team structure. He defends well and looks to make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to become a better three-point shooter, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Lewis on France: “Darius is a long, athletic guard. Has the ability to get downhill and finish at the rim. Made shots from the perimeter. Uses his length & athleticism really well defensively. Has the ability to guard multiple guard spots. Good anticipation skills in the passing lanes.” France did a lot of things well at camp, especially for his age, and will be one to keep an eye on going forward.
#70: 5’11 ’26 Henry Vaughers (Aiken)
Continuing onto a player who made a lasting impression through his knockdown ability from beyond the arc, Henry Vaughers. He’s a young, wiry, high-motor guard prospect who knows how to maximize his presence on both ends of the floor. Vaughers can handle the ball and set up others as needed, but makes his biggest impact as a cutter and spot-up threat. He sets up well, displays great shooting mechanics, and consistently knocks down jumpers along the perimeter. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Lewis on Vaughers: “SHOOTER!!! Really good in catch and shoot situations. High basketball IQ. Knows the game. Makes the right basketball play. Confident from the perimeter. Will have to improve his footwork (ability to defend) and his finishing at the rim. Really coachable. Had a great attitude.” Vaughers maximized his role and opportunity at camp, and should be able to steadily progress over the coming years at Aiken.
#114: 6’2 ’23 Evaan Ezhilan (Mooresville)
Next, we look at a player who always seems to stand out through his steady, well-rounded approach, Evaan Ezhilan. He’s a smart, wiry guard prospect who does everything at an above-average level on the court. Ezhilan is a quality shooter, playmaker, and cutter with great positioning, defensive instincts, and a highly unselfish mentality. Ezhilan contains his assignment well on defense, pushes the ball up the court in transition, and can adapt to any collection of teammates. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it will only help prepare him of the physicality of the next level. Coach Lewis on Ezhilan: “Evaan competed/battled on every possession. Was one of the toughest players on my team. Took on every defensive challenge. Rebounded the ball well at the guard spot. Capable shooter from the perimeter. Excels getting out in transition and getting to the rim.” Ezhilan proved to be a clear asset at camp, and should warrant attention from college coaches during his upcoming senior season at Mooresville.
#120: 6’2 ’25 AJ Gladieux (Apex Friendship)
Moving onto a player who showcased a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, AJ Gladieux. He’s a wiry, smart, skilled guard prospect with a crafty handle and reliable scoring prowess from all three levels. Gladieux can create his own shot, operate without the ball, or set up others effectively as a playmaker. He’s a solid defender and rebounder for his size, and displays the ability to push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Lewis on Gladieux: “AJ has good size and length at the guard spot. Good playmaker. High basketball IQ. More athletic than he looks. Has the ability to score from all 3 levels. Made plays off the bounce for himself and his teammates. Good cutter.” Gladieux highlighted a lot of enticing flashes at camp, and should be a difference-maker for Apex Friendship over the next few years.
#156: 6’5 ’24 Elijah Armour (West Forsyth)
Continuing onto a player who knows how to make his presence felt as a high-motor piece around the basket, Elijah Armour. He’s a long, wiry, team-first forward/post prospect with solid touch, athleticism, and fluidity for his size/position. Armour does a nice job of pursuing rebounds, altering shots defensively, and capitalizing as a finisher in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a perimeter shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on Armour: “Elijah is a long, wiry forward. Runs the floor really well. Active on the glass. Will have to improve his skillset on post ups. Good hands and finisher off drop offs. Good timing altering / blocking shots. Playing back-to-back camp days, it was really fun to see how he competed / battled each day.” Armour enjoyed a quality showing throughout camp, and should carve out a productive role for West Forsyth going forward.
#160: 6’6 ’24 Marko Pandiloski (Windermere)
Finishing up, we look at a player who continues to showcase a steady amount of growth within his progression, Marko Pandiloski. He’s a big, strong-bodied forward prospect with a reliable spot-up presence and the ability to create for himself and others. Pandiloski plays hard, makes unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands, and knows how to properly find opportunities as an off-ball cutter. He battles for rebounds and extra opportunities on both ends. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable on-ball defender. Coach Lewis on Pandiloski: “Marko is a high-IQ forward. Good skillset and understanding of the game. Shoots the ball well from the perimeter. Played extremely hard. Won 50/50 balls. Used his body well on drives. Battled on the glass. Needs to work on foot speed.” Pandiloski continues to showcase steady improvement, and should be a useful contributor during the upcoming season at Windermere.