Team 4
Coach: Stan Carpenter
#47: 5’7 ’26 Jalen Mills (South View)
Starting things off, we look at a player who simply knows how to compete on both ends of the floor, Jalen Mills. He’s a young, tough, unselfish guard prospect with an excellent motor, team-first mentality, and willingness to make the hustle plays whenever possible. Mills has visibly improved as an offensive piece, displaying feel, playmaking instincts, shooting ability, and a strong penetration sense. He genuinely doesn’t need a ton of offensive touches in order to impact a game. Mills plays so hard, utilizes his quickness and positioning to mirror opponents, and forces turnovers at a nice rate. Next in his development process is continuing to polish his perimeter shooting, as it would make him an even more lethal offensive threat. Coach Carpenter on Mills: “Jalen is a very high-motor guard. He passes very well and defends on and off the ball. He can attack the basket well and finish with either hand. Jalen’s area of opportunity is to become a better rebounder. With continued work, he should have a very good season.” Mills is a great teammate who always seems to produce, and this setting was no different, so it’ll be exciting to see how his high school journey pans out.
#89: 5’10 ’26 Branden Smith (Pasquotank)
Next, we look at a player who showcased a pretty polished identity, especially for his age, Branden Smith. He’s a long, wiry, intelligent guard prospect with toughness, defensive prowess, and a fairly well-rounded offensive arsenal. Smith lives in the midrange, but is also a reliable finisher and capable three-point shooter. He’s a useful ball-handler and overall creator who looks to set up others whenever possible. Smith plays with phenomenal energy on both ends of the floor, and displayed a clear desire to do the dirty work for this group. Next in his development process is working to improve his three-point jumper, as it would make him a very difficult matchup for majority of guards. Coach Carpenter on Smith: “Branden plays with tenacity on both sides of the ball. He can score in the midrange with consistency and plays man-to-man defense very well. He sees the floor and can run an offense effectively. Branden would become a more solid guard with a commitment to rebounding on both ends.” Smith proved to be an asset at camp, and should be an immediate contributor as a freshman at Pasquotank.
#105: 5’10 ’24 Nathan Tavares (Sun Valley)
Moving onto a player who stood out through his scrappy nature and overall defensive presence, Nathan Tavares. He’s a wiry, unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with quickness and the ability to outwork his assignment on both ends of the floor. Tavares is an excellent passer and defender with the ability to score as needed from all levels. He’s a pest defensively and forces turnovers at a healthy rate against opposing ball-handlers. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Carpenter on Tavares: “Nathan works very hard at applying pressure defensively. He sees man and ball, and is willing to communicate. He scores the ball well when getting downhill and attacking the basket or asserting himself in the midrange. Nathan’s areas of opportunity are working on his rebounding and three-point shooting.” Tavares did a lot of things well during his time at camp, and should be a useful contributor this season for Sun Valley.
#131: 5’11 ’24 Simeon Crawford (Conway)
Continuing onto a player who always seems to stand out with his tough, rugged identity, Simeon Crawford. He’s a strong, sturdy guard prospect with a quality blend of IQ, motor, scoring prowess, and playmaking ability. Crawford is comfortable with or without the ball in his hands. He’s a great downhill penetrator and finisher who can knock down perimeter jumpers, outwork his assignment defensively, and move effectively without the ball. Crawford displays a high motor, unselfish mentality, and willingness to do whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. Next in his development process is working to become a better rebounder, as it would allow him to push the break in transition more consistently. Coach Carpenter on Crawford: “Simeon can get to the basket anytime he wants. He sees the floor well and is willing to commit to playing good defense. His areas of opportunity are controlling his dribble, rebounding, and developing his three-point shot. He is primed for a very good season.” Crawford enjoyed a terrific showing at camp and should have a productive upcoming season at Conway.
#147: 6’0 ’25 Xavier Longe (Clayton)
Next, we look at a player who arguably stood out as the top spot-up threat and overall marksman on this team, Xavier Longe. He’s a wiry, long-bodied guard prospect with the ability to excel within his role on both ends of the floor. Longe is a knockdown shooter from midrange and beyond the arc, but also shows a willingness to attack closeouts and set up others whenever possible. He’s a solid defender and ball-handler who doesn’t look to force the action offensively. Longe displays feel, energy, and an unselfish mentality. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Carpenter on Longe: “Xavier’s three-point shooting is absolutely deadly! He reliably shoots the ball and can finish at the basket. He plays very good man-to-man defense and handles the ball well under pressure. His area of opportunity is rebounding on both ends. With work on this, Xavier is going to be a very good player.” Longe made a nice impact during his time at camp, and should be able to carve out a useful role sooner than later for Clayton.
#165: 6’2 ’24 Andrew Herring (Chapel Hill)
Moving onto a player who made a pretty lasting impression through his motor and toughness, Andrew Herring. He’s a wiry, well-rounded wing prospect who knows how to naturally do a little bit of everything within the flow of the action. Herring is a quality defender with sharp instincts and the ability to force turnovers at a nice volume. He displays great feel and quickness, which allows him to overwhelm his opponent on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him an even better finisher around the basket. Coach Carpenter on Herring: “Andrew plays with a high motor and always communicates on defense. He puts himself in positions to make stops and always encourages his teammates. He’s a very heady player who doesn’t make many mistakes. He needs to work on blocking out and rebounding in order to be a better player.” Herring did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be poised to enjoy a productive junior season at Chapel Hill.
#183: 6’2 ’25 Patrick Graves (Bishop McGuinness)
Continuing onto a player who naturally understands how to fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor, Patrick Graves. He’s a smart, polished, unselfish guard prospect who can effectively operate from either backcourt position. Graves handles the ball, creates for himself and others, and can score the ball from all three levels. He plays hard, provides great defensive effort, and understands how to make plays within the flow of the action. Graves understands how to adapt to various different roles. 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 Carpenter on Graves: “Patrick shoots the three-pointer very well and attacks the basket with ease. He sees the court well and hits the open man with consistency. He commits to playing man-to-man defense and communicates well. Rebounding the ball will make Patrick a better player.” Graves proved to be an asset at camp and should be a major contributor for Bishop McGuinness over the foreseeable future.
#206: 6’4 ’25 Luca Wistehuff (Wake Christian)
Next, we look at a player who possesses a nice crossroads between production and long-term upside, Luca Wistehuff. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing/forward prospect with a high motor and clear willingness to make hustle plays. Wistehuff is a useful defender and unselfish offensive player who looks to fill in the gaps whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him a more lethal offensive player. Coach Carpenter on Wistehuff: “Luca has a very high basketball IQ and knows how to hit the open man. He communicates well on defense and encourage his teammates. He can score in the midrange but needs to look to score more often. Working on his shooting will help him gain the confidence he needs.” Wistehuff enjoyed a solid showing at camp, and could be a prospect to monitor over these next few seasons—especially if he continues to work.
#217: 6’6 ’24 Tyler Showalter (Butler)
Finishing up, we look at a player whose selfless leadership and overall production led to a dominant camp showing, Tyler Showalter. He’s a long, wiry, skilled wing/forward with high IQ, an unselfish nature, and nice versatility on both ends of the floor. Showalter can pass, handle, and shoot the ball very well, especially for his size. He can initiate the offense, create for himself or others off the bounce, or apply three-level scoring pressure without the ball. Showalter is a quality rebounder with the ability to push the break in transition and make plays with the ball in his hands. He’s also a solid athlete who can finish, block shots, and effortlessly fill in the gaps as needed. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it will only help prepare him for the next level. Coach Carpenter on Showalter: “Tyler is a high-level player on both sides of the ball. He can score on all three levels and passes the ball with ease. I was more impressed with his commitment to defense and getting his teammates involved. He can continue to develop his rebounding presence, but Tyler going to start attracting college coaches soon. His play led to the MVP of the camp.” Showalter enjoyed a phenomenal showing at camp, and should be poised for a notable junior season at Butler.