Team 7
Coach: Antonio Threadgill
#27: 5’8 ’22 Quentin Rice (Freedom)
Starting things off, we look at a player that already knows how to run a team with poise and maturity, Quentin Rice. He’s a smart, quick point guard prospect with toughness, sharp vision, and the ability to play bigger than his size would imply on both ends of the floor. Rice offers a strong balance between defense, playmaking, and three-level scoring. Next in his development process working on his consistency as a midrange shooter, as it would make him an even better scoring option. Coach Threadgill on Rice: “Quentin knows how to run a team. He did a great job of getting his teammates the ball when they needed. I love his IQ and how he sees the floor. He doesn’t over-dribble the basketball and always keeps his head up when pushing the ball down the floor. Definitely a guy you want running your team. Quentin can continue to work on his perimeter shot to keep teams honest.” Rice is one of the more underrated floor generals in the state, so it’ll be exciting to see how he does as a leader for Freedom during the upcoming season.
#32: 5’9 ’22 Derrion Hicklen (Northern Durham)
Next, we look at a player that really stood out with his nonstop motor and blue-collar approach, Derrion Hicklen. He’s an unselfish guard prospect that showed a clear willingness to do anything possible to provide his team with an edge. Hicklen plays bigger than his size would imply on both ends of the floor and simply makes a great impact without necessarily requiring offensive touches. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler with relative ease. Coach Threadgill on Hicklen: “Derrion is a team player that plays hard on both ends of the floor. He did a great job of rebounding the ball and getting loose balls, giving the team extra possessions. He shoots the ball very well from beyond the arc. Derrion does a good job of finishing in transition.” Hicklen enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could carve out a nice role sooner than later for Northern Durham.
#53: 6’0 ’21 Brock Bowen (Weddington)
Moving onto a player that was easily among the most impressive three-point shooters in attendance, Brock Bowen. He’s a smart, unselfish guard prospect that makes a major impact as a spot-up threat. Bowen moves extremely well without the ball and possesses a quick trigger with deep shooting range, which forces opponents to give him a ton of attention without the ball in his hands. He can really get going from distance and really only requires a glimmer of daylight to get off a clean look. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would allow him to become a better penetrating threat. Coach Threadgill on Bowen: “This kid can flat-out play. Brock is an excellent shooter. In our first game, he hit eight three-pointers. I love how competitive he is, never backing down from anybody. He is a team player that likes getting his teammates involved. I love that Brock is very coachable and can be a coach on the floor.” Bowen had another terrific showing at camp and should be an excellent piece for Weddington throughout the upcoming season.
#59: 6’0 ’22 Marcus Morgan (Cox Mill)
Continuing onto a player that possesses an excellent crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Marcus Morgan. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect with a strong motor and the ability to score in a variety of different ways. Morgan handles the ball effectively and knows how to create for himself and others while outworking his assignment on the other end. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Threadgill on Morgan: “Marcus is a very athletic guard that plays hard on both ends of the floor. He’s really good in transition and shoots the ball fairly well from the three-point line. Marcus also defends well on and off the ball. I would like to see him continue to work on his ball-handling and his pull-up jumper to more weapons to his game. Overall, he had a very solid day.” Morgan did a lot of things well during camp and will be one to watch over the coming years at Cox Mill.
#78: 6’2 ’21 Azzam Osman (Piedmont Classical)
Next, we look at a player that showed his ability to make his presence felt within the flow of the team, Azzam Osman. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing prospect that can attack the rim, knock down open shots, and make plays on the defensive end of the floor. Osman plays hard and moves well without the ball to find scoring opportunities as a cutter or spot-up threat. Next in his development process working to become a more consistent finisher, as it would complement his perimeter shooting nicely. Coach Threadgill on Osman: “Azzam is a good team player that hit a couple of three-pointers throughout the day. He plays really hard on both ends of the floor. I would like to see him work on his ball-handling and learn how to use his off-hand.” Osman worked hard throughout camp and could carve out a useful role over the next few years at Piedmont Classical.
#96: 6’4 ’20 Austin Manley (Homeschool)
Moving onto a player that was arguably the main glue-guy of this team throughout camp, Austin Manley. He’s a big, strong-bodied forward prospect that can fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Manley finishes well with either hand and through contact around the basket. He’s a useful two-way rebounder that runs the floor hard in transition and fights for extra possessions whenever available. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him more difficult for opposing forwards/posts to contain on the perimeter. Coach Threadgill on Manley: “Austin is a good player with a high IQ. He plays hard on both ends of the floor. He handles the ball really well. He’s very unselfish, very coachable, understands ball movement, and can play with anyone. I would like to see him get stronger to be able to finish a little better through contact.” Manley enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the tools to be a useful contributor at the high school level.
#108: 6’5 ’20 Jacari Outlaw (Wayne Country Day)
Continuing onto a player that continues to standout as one of the more consistent, well-rounded prospects in the state, Jacari Outlaw. He’s a long, smart wing prospect with great three-level scoring prowess and the ability to apply pressure with or without the ball in his hands. Outlaw doesn’t force the action but can reliably create for himself and others off the bounce. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would simply make him a more physical presence on both ends of the floor. Coach Threadgill on Outlaw: “Jacari is a good basketball player that can play three positions on the floor. He’s a three-level scorer that is really good in transition. He has a really strong body and is a really good defender. Jacari does a great job of playing on-ball defense. I would like to see him play more without the ball in his hands. He’s a great athlete with a good IQ. He’s very coachable.” Outlaw continues to be excellent at camp and should have the attention of his college coaches throughout his senior campaign at Wayne Country Day.
#113: 6’8 ’21 Julian Williams (Wayne Country Day)
Next, we look at a player that showcased a terrific amount of versatility during his time at camp, Julian Williams. He’s a long, smart, fairly skilled forward/post prospect that can score the ball efficiently and in a variety of different ways. Williams is a great finisher with either hand and shoots the ball at an impressive clip from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him tougher for opponents to contain off the dribble. Coach Threadgill on Williams: “Julian is a strong physical player that plays inside or out. He’s very strong on the block and can play above the rim. He can also shoot the three-pointer consistently. I would like to see him become a little better passer once he gets doubled in the post. He needs to learn how to play without the basketball. Julian has the tools to be a really good basketball player.” Williams did a lot of things well at camp and should be a prospect for college coaches to monitor going forward.
#115: 6’10 ’21 Jonathan Kurtas (Southlake Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player that was easily among the most dominant two-way prospects on display, Jonathan Kurtas. He’s a long, athletic big man prospect with a strong body and the ability to control the paint on both ends of the floor. Kurtas is smart, decisive, and knows how to score the ball in a variety of different ways. He highlighted a lot of next-level tools and instincts during his time at camp. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him an even tougher matchup for opposing big men. Coach Threadgill on Kurtas: “Jonathan was the best big man in camp, in my opinion. He is a nightmare for teams when he catches the ball around the basket. He is very skilled with either hand. Jonathan is a game-changer. He’s a rim-protector on the defensive end of the floor. He’s very unselfish and plays the game the right way. He needs to work on making his shot a little more consistent, but he is a big-time talent.” Kurtas showed flashes of dominance throughout camp and should have a phenomenal upcoming season at Southlake Christian.