North Carolina Phenom 150 Session 2: Evaluation Team 15
Team 15
Coach: Ryan Bernardi
#40:5’9 ’21 Kendall Davis (Charlotte, NC)
Starting things off, we look at a player was able to run his team with brilliant poise throughout camp, Kendall Davis. He’s an intelligent point guard prospect with quickness and an unselfish approach to the game. Davis scored effectively from all levels while consistently getting to the rim and finishing well through contact. He’s a great transition and off-ball defender with solid positioning when guarding the point of attack. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to easily coexist alongside another primary ball-handler. Coach Bernardi on Davis: “Kendall is an extremely high IQ, young point guard with great upside. He understands the game better than anyone I’ve seen at camp. Kendall was able to beat his man and pass at proficient level. He needs to continue to add strength and his range needs to continue to improve, as is expected with good form.” Davis made excellent contributions at camp and should be a prospect worth keeping an eye on going forward.
#43:6’0 ’20 Axel Holm (Huntersville, NC)
Next, we look at a player that was able to highlight his two-way skillset quite well at camp, Axel Holm. He’s a combo-guard prospect that is capable of handling the ball, creating offense, and dismantling defenses with his perimeter shooting. Holm sees the floor well and displays quality feel for his role within the team. He’s a tough defender, especially given his size, and was able to force numerous turnovers on the day. Next in his development process is adding strength to his wiry frame, as it would allow him to absorb more contact on penetration attempts. Coach Bernardi on Holm: “Axel is a knockdown three-point shooter that needs to hunt his shot more often. He must continue to cut and drift on the perimeter to set up his three-point shot. Axel is a great player that could help the team more by shooting more. He needs to become quicker and more explosive to take his game to the next level.” Holm should be a quality rotational piece for Lincoln Charter throughout the upcoming season.
#47:6’0 ’20 Christian Dantzler (Cameron, NC)
Moving onto a player that showcased an abundance of strong playmaking abilities at camp, Christian Dantzler. He’s a point guard prospect with a great frame and an impeccable sense for his teammates. Dantzler is at his best when getting by opponents and making plays within the paint, both as a scorer and passer. He was a productive all-around defender that utilized his length well to disrupt opponents. Next in his development process is working on his ability as a spot-up threat, as it would open his game to an entirely new dimension. Coach Bernardi on Dantzler: “Christian is a great leader that talked more than anyone on his team. He worked very hard on both sides of the ball and was extremely coachable at camp. Christian must improve his three-point shooting if he wants to advance his game to another level. He’s very quick and has good footwork, but needs to improve as a shooter to keep defenses honest.” Dantzler has a terrific foundation and possesses great intangibles, so it’ll be interesting to see how he progresses over the next few seasons.
#89:6’2 ’22 Jerrod Meltzer (Chapel Hill, NC)
Continuing onto a player that did a great job of making his presence felt on both ends of the floor, Jerrod Meltzer. He’s a big man with a strong frame and blossoming offensive skillset. Meltzer is a great two-way rebounder that was able to secure and convert numerous second-chance opportunities. He’s pretty mobile for his size and showed the ability to alter shots pretty regularly around the basket. Next in his development process is working to become a more polished ball-handler, as it would make him a more reliable creator and penetrator. Coach Bernardi on Meltzer: “Jerrod does not possesses great skill, but he is solid for a low post player that sets screens and is a team-first guy. Jerrod is a great rebounder and alters many shots. He has a very high motor and will do anything the coach asked of him.” Meltzer is still very young and already displays a strong foundation, which should only making him more intriguing as he continues to expand his skillset.
#106:6’3 ’21 Blane St. Clair (Boone, NC)
Next, we look at a player that was able to highlight his skillset pretty often throughout camp, Blane St. Clair. He’s a wing prospect with quality size and the ability to consistently contribute to both ends of the floor. St. Clair possesses a great feel for the game and did an excellent job of playing within the team concept. He’s an extremely reliable three-point shooter that showed the ability to put the ball on the floor when necessary. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better penetrator. Coach Bernardi on St. Clair: “Blane was a knockdown shooter and above average penetrator for our team today. He played extremely hard and had a great attitude all day. He’s truly a team-first guy, but needs to get laterally quicker to take his game to the next level. Blane was also a great drive-and-kick option, understanding when to pass and when to score.” St. Clair enjoyed a productive showing at camp and could be a prospect worth monitoring over the coming years.
#112:6’3 ’20 Christopher Johnson (Cherokee, NC)
Moving onto a player that made an exceptional impact with his energy and two-way motor, Christopher Johnson. He’s a wing/forward prospect that simply knows how to outwork his assignment in a wide variety of ways. Johnson moves extremely well without the ball and was able to score numerous times on off-ball cuts. He shot the ball pretty well and showed his ability to force turnovers by intercepting passing lanes throughout the day. Next in his development process is working to tighten his handle, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Bernardi on Johnson: “Chris was a glue-guy for us all day because of his attitude and effort. He ran the floor very hard and has decent skill with the ball in his hands. He’s an effective player due to his motor. Chris rebounds really well and is a good defender. I loved coaching him.” Johnson worked exceptionally hard at camp and was able to enjoy a quality two-way showing as a result.
#116: 6’3 ’21 Jacob Hukins Jr. (Raleigh, NC)
Continuing onto a player that brought a lot of intrigue to both sides of the ball throughout camp, Jacob Hukins Jr. He’s a long-bodied wing prospect that handled the ball, created consistent offense, and showed the ability to shoot efficiently from beyond the arc. Hukins plays with a lot of energy and understands how to make his presence felt within the team concept. Next in his development process is working on improving his transition defense, as he possesses all the necessary tools to be an impact player in that area. Coach Bernardi on Hukins: “Jacob was a high-effort player with a great attitude all day today. He created offense for himself and others by using his skill and footwork. Jacob’s three-point stroke looked very good, with more repetitions will come more consistency. He could be a better defender by getting lower in his stance.” Hukins displayed a lot of useful skills at camp and should be able to continue steadily progressing over the coming years.
#119:6’3 ’21 Justin Taylor (Charlotte, NC)
Next, we look at a player that showed numerous quality flashes during his time at camp, Justin Taylor. He’s a wiry wing prospect with strong ball-handling ability, able to break down his matchup and easily get into the paint. Taylor shot the ball well from all levels and scored multiple times in transition. Next in his development process is working on his ability to utilize his teammates on offense, as it would allow him to score with more efficiency and resistance from defenders. Coach Bernardi on Taylor: “Justin struggled to play within the team concept, shooting the ball whenever he touched it. He’s a gifted scorer, but would help himself if he didn’t force things. Justin can beat his initial defender with relative ease and could be a great playmaker. He also needs to take more pride in his defense if he wants to take his game to the next level.” Taylor is an intriguing offensive prospect that should be able to round out his skillset and become an impactful two-way player in time.
#167:6’7 ’20 Tavis Bridges (Boonville, NC)
Finishing up, we look at a player that has a chance to become really unique and special, Tavis Bridges. He’s a long big man prospect that understands how to impact the game on both ends of the floor while controlling the paint. Bridges moves pretty well for his size and runs the floor purposefully in transition, often securing the defensive rebound, passing ahead, and eventually finishing the play himself. He has nice timing and instincts on rebounds or when protecting the rim. Next in his development process is continuing to add strength, as it would make him a more impactful rebounder on both sides of the ball. Coach Bernardi on Bridges: “Tavis is a big man with a great attitude and a clear willingness to get better. He has a great low post package and developing jumper with good mechanics. He alters shots at the rim very well and is always in a stance. He needs to improve his quickness on the perimeter and shot-selection. He can be a good player if he continues to develop perimeter abilities.” Bridges possesses a lot of useful tools and should be able to continue expanding his skillset over these next two years.