Team 3
Coach: Dre Simmons
#63: 5’6 ’20 Alexander Jones (Phillip O’Berry)
Starting things off, we look at a player that simply knows how to impact the game despite his lack of size, Alexander Jones. He’s a tough, strong, heady point guard prospect with a nice blend of scoring, defense, and playmaking. Jones is extremely quick and fast, and can leave opponents in the dust in transition. 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 Dre on Jones: “Alex has the ability to be a very good floor general. He has a pass-first mentality but can be deadly from three-point range. He has a great pace to his game and never gets sped up. HE also showcased great on-ball defense and took the challenge of locking up the best opposing ball-handler during each contest. Alex is a team-first guy. He makes the best basketball play whether shot or pass and is a great decision-maker. I really like his game! He was a huge factor in our team’s success throughout the day.” Jones did a lot of things well, especially at his size, and could be a nice late addition for various programs.
#73: 5’8 ’23 Thomas Stafford (Page)
Next, we look at a player that continues to get better and better with each new viewing, Thomas Stafford. He’s a young, smart point guard prospect with sharp vision, quality ball-handling instincts, and the ability to score from all three levels. Stafford knows how to effectively run a team and get everyone involved in the action while defending and rebounding his position. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it’ll make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Dre on Stafford: “Thomas is creative and crafty when attacking the hoop. He can be a reliable threat from three-point territory but also showed flashes of drive-and-kick or finishing at the basket. He moves well without the ball and knows how to find the gaps in the defense. Thomas also has some tricks up his sleeve with the pass game. He had a couple look-away passes that really fooled the defense. Thomas had a solid showing at camp in my opinion.” Stafford proved to be an impact player throughout camp and should emerge as a strong contributor for Page during the next calendar year.
#79: 5’9 ’23 Dylan McBride (West Carteret)
Moving onto a player that worked hard and displayed a solid team-first mentality, Dylan McBride. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect that can do a little bit of everything while operating within his role on both ends of the floor. McBride can make the extra pass, knock down open jumpers, and run the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working on building his penetration game, as it would complement his perimeter shooting nicely. Coach Dre on McBride: “Dylan is a pretty good spot-up shooter that moves well without the ball. He is a tough-nosed kid that isn’t afraid to go down in the land of bigs and mix it up. He is a team-first guy that makes the right play when you need it most. I love his intensity and overall passion for the game. He brought the winning mentality to our team and had a very good outing today.” McBride highlighted some quality flashes during camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on going forward.
#101: 6’0 ’22 Trey Boyd (Green Hope)
Continuing onto a player that was arguably the most impressive ball-handler on this team, Trey Boyd. He’s a long, wiry, skilled guard prospect with a well-rounded skillset and approach on both ends of the floor. Boyd displayed his ability to operate in various different roles and defend multiple positions quite well. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a craftier finisher around the basket. Coach Dre on Boyd: “Trey has a smooth game. He has a lengthy frame and can handle the rock and shoot the ball equally well. I see a lot of potential in his game and I think that he is going to get better and better. Sauce! Don’t reach because he may embarrass you. He also has a solid jumper and can pull-up and shoot off the dribble. Trey is a good on-ball defender with good foot speed. I really like his game a lot, especially as I look at his upside. Trey got more confident in what he can do and understands how good he really is. This kid is going to be legit!” Boyd certainly impressed with his showing at camp and should be a prospect to watch throughout his continued progression.
#120: 6’2 ’21 Adonijah Whitley (Northern Guilford)
Next, we look at a player that seems to emerge as a glue-guy with any collection of teammates, Adonijah Whitley. He’s a long, wiry, fairly versatile wing prospect that naturally does a strong amount of everything on the court. Whitley is a quality defender, rebounder, and overall scorer that makes a ton of hustle plays. 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 opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Dre on Whitley: “”A Boogie” has game. He is a legit problem for the defense in a lot of different ways. He can get to the cup with ease and can step out and light up the opposition as well. He’s very athletic and can give you a highlight-worthy play in transition. He has a deceptive handle and can blow by defenders who are playing too close. The game comes easy to Adonijah and he is an asset to any coach looking for a well-rounded guard that can play either backcourt position. Stay tuned, I believe we will hear more about this kid in the future.” Whitley continues to quietly go about his business while maintaining a productive two-way game, which should have the attention of college coaches.
#123: 6’2 ’23 Cole Callaway (Pine Lake Prep)
Moving onto a player that continues to further his reputation as one of the top three-point shooters in North Carolina, Cole Callaway. He’s a young, smart, well-rounded guard prospect that has added a noticeable amount of strength and skill over the last few months. Callaway is a lethal shooter but showed his ability to get involved in all facets of the game during camp. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better on-ball defender. Coach Dre on Callaway: “Cole is building his résumé around the state as a knockdown shooter. Anyone who has seen this kid knows he is good for three to five three-pointers a game. But don’t disrespect him by thinking that he is just a shooter. He is more comfortable putting the ball on the floor and getting by people. For a kid in the ninth grade, his game is very advanced and his body is built more like a junior or senior. Cole is the type of player any coach would love to have on his team and, in my opinion, it’s not “if” but only a matter of where he will be playing at the college level.” Callaway continues to impress and stand out as one of the top players in his class, securing the Mr. Station award with relative ease, and should have college coaches buzzing for the foreseeable future.
#137: 6’5 ’20 Harry Cash (May River)
Continuing onto a player that seems to naturally find a way towards production, regardless of surrounding teammates, Harry Cash. He’s a long, wiry, athletic forward prospect with great rebounding instincts, an inside-out offensive game, and strong defensive versatility. Cash is great in transition and displays a quality feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him an even more lethal offensive threat. Coach Dre on Cash: “Harry does so many things well on the basketball court. He rebounds any and everything in his area. He also showed the ability to stretch the defense by bringing bigs out of the paint and shooting the three-pointer. His footwork down low is very effective and he has a great second bounce. I was really impressed with his knack to crash the glass and get a ton of second-chance points. Harry runs the floor well for a big man and is always a threat to finish a lob in transition. His upside is tremendous.” Cash enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should have more action within his recruitment, as he has all the makings of a scholarship-level prospect.
#141: 6’6 ’21 Smedes York (Broughton)
Next, we look at a player that made his interior presence felt on both ends of the floor throughout camp, Smedes York. He’s a long, wiry forward/post prospect that plays consistently hard and tough on the glass. York displayed touch with either hand, ran the floor effectively in transition, and altered numerous shots around the basket. Next in his development process is working to become a better passer, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Dre on York: “Smedes is a very athletic big man who can get up and down the floor very well. He finishes very well at the hoop and is deadly in pick-and-roll situations. His length presents a lot of problems for guys driving the paint and he is a difference-maker on the glass. He also showed touch out to midrange, rebounded the ball, and got the break started quickly. I also like the way he hits the offensive glass because he gave us several second-chance opportunities throughout the day. I was impressed with his work ethic during camp.” York did a lot of things well at camp and could be even more productive during his upcoming senior campaign at Broughton.
#149: 6’3 ’22 Darius Kane (Eastern Alamance)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a phenomenal crossroads between production and long-term upside, Darius Kane. He’s a tough, heady, athletic guard prospect with a fairly well-rounded skillset and team-first approach on both ends of the floor. 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 opportunities. Coach Dre on Kane: “Darius is a dog! No offense! This kid has a man’s body and is tough to stop when going downhill. He has a nice midrange game and can shoot the three-pointer as well. He has a nice balance to his game and can even bang down low and be a stretch four if needed. When he realizes how much better he is than a lot of his competition and that light bulb moment happens, I thin we are looking at a double-double machine on a nightly basis. I’m very excited to see his continued progress as he develops. He has the tools to be a really good player.” Kane was certainly a standout at camp, especially given his age, and could be poised for a breakout over the next few months.