Team 3
Coach: Brett Queen
#4: 5’9 ’27 Zarion Hobbs (White Oak)
Starting off, Zarion Hobbs is a 5-foot-9 prospect in the Class of 2027. Despite his size, he consistently found ways to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. Hobbs displays a crafty handle and quality change of pace. He touches the paint at a nice rate, defends with toughness, and operates with a high motor. Hobbs is a capable shooting threat along the perimeter. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a spot-up threat, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Queen on Hobbs: “Zarion played better as the day went on. Decent ball-handler but needs to play with his head up more and see open guys. Took too many contested shots off the dribble. At his size, I would like to see Zarion be more of a facilitator.” Hobbs found several ways to make an impact during camp and should be poised for a big year at White Oak.
#9: 5’11 ’26 Ayden Johnson (Caldwell Academy)
Next, Ayden Johnson is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2026. The Merrimack commit has been nothing short of incredible over the recent months, and that only continued at camp. Johnson is a blindingly quick lead guard who can utilize his pace, crafty handle, and lethal perimeter shooting to make life difficult for opponents. He’s able to fill it up as a scorer, but also sees the floor well as a playmaker and is more than comfortable in spot-up situations. Johnson is a pesky defender who mirrors opponents at the point of attack. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him an even better spot-up threat. Coach Queen on Johnson: “Ayden possesses great quickness and ball-handling skills. Showed an ability to get to the rim but needs to be more of a willing passer initially and then use quickness and finishing ability once the defense breaks down.” Johnson did a lot of things well at camp and should be poised for a notable senior season.
#20: 6’1 ’27 Julian Hernandez (North Raleigh Christian)
Next, Julian Hernandez is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2027. In a setting where so many players attempt to do too much, he found a lot of success by simply producing within the flow of the action. Hernandez is a high-motor guard who displayed the ability to do a little bit of everything on the court. He handled the ball, set up others, and scored as needed. Hernandez battles on the glass and outworks opponents to make hustle plays on a regular basis. Next in his development process is working to improve his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Queen on Hernandez: “Julian played solid. Did not hunt shots, but needs to look for ways to impact the game on the defensive end and create some opportunities that way. Willing passer. Didn’t over penetrate when driving to the basket.” Hernandez made his presence felt at camp and should be a focal point for North Raleigh Christian.
#30: 6’3 ’27 Josiah Johnson-Freeman (Winston-Salem Christian)
Next, Josiah Johnson-Freeman is a 6-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2027. Some players simply know how to produce in every type of setting, and that rings especially true for him. Johnson-Freeman is a very well-rounded player with the size, skill, and athleticism to do a lot of different things on the court. He handled the ball and showed the ability to apply scoring pressure from all levels, both as a creator and off-ball threat. Johnson-Freeman is a scrappy, physical defender who anticipates well to force turnovers and attack in transition. He’s also a quality rebounder for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as it would make him a more compete player. Coach Queen on Johnson-Freeman: “Josiah had a solid day. Found ways to get some nice midrange shots and did a good job rebounding the ball. He needs to improve his shot consistency but played very hard all day.” Johnson-Freeman offered his usual level of production and involvement at camp, and will remain a key piece for Winston-Salem Christian.
#31: 6’3 ’26 Ryan Chen (Bull City Prep)
Next, Ryan Chen is a 6-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2026. Given the value of three-point shooting, he’s able to carve out a meaningful role with any collection of teammates. Chen is an incredibly lethal marksman who knows exactly how to maximize his strengths as a player. He’s able to attack closeouts and make the extra pass as needed, but is truly at his best when letting it fly from beyond the arc. Chen possesses deep range and a quick release, which forces opponents to stay attached at all times. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more imposing defender. Coach Queen on Chen: “Ryan is an excellent catch-and-shoot guy with very deep range. Good shot-fake ability allows him to get by defenders. Needs to improve his decision-making on his shot selection. Plays hard but needs to work on the defensive end.” Chen enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be poised for a strong senior season.
#43: 6’4 ’27 Caleb Nixon (Kings Mountain)
Next, Caleb Nixon is a 6-foot-4 prospect in the Class of 2027. Whether as a focal point or role player, he’s the type of guy who can carve out value with any team. Nixon is a reliable two-way piece who has an excellent combination of size, motor, skillset, and athleticism. He provides consistent perimeter shooting, useful ball skills, and the ability to find success with or without the ball. Nixon is a quality rebounder and defender across multiple positions. Next in his development process is working to improve his transition defense, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Queen on Nixon: “Caleb had a really strong finish to the day. Did a great job of creating some scoring opportunities on cuts and going to the offensive glass. Made some shots but needs to continue to work on his shooting consistency.” Nixon highlighted a lot of appeal during his time at camp and will be a definite leader for Kings Mountain over the next two seasons.
#52: 6’5 ’27 Dylan Bradley (Providence Day)
Next, Dylan Bradley is a 6-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2027. It doesn’t seem to matter the role, setting, or surrounding teammates, he always seems to find ways to stand out. Bradley is a strong, versatile guard with the size, skill, and motor to consistently impact the game on both ends of the floor. He’s a well-rounded offensive piece who can pass, dribble, and score from all levels. However, Bradley also outworked opponents through his rebounding and on-ball defense. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain off the bounce. Coach Queen on Bradley: “Dylan had a really good day. Did not score a ton but did a lot of good stuff on both ends. By far the most willing passer on this team. Displays a good understanding of making the right play. Needs to work on his shot consistency.” Bradley proved to be an asset during camp and should be a major addition to Providence Day going forward.
#64: 6’7 ’27 RJ Moore (Ambassador Christian)
Next, RJ Moore is a 6-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2027. Easily one of the most dominant performers on display (yet again), it’s difficult to be anything other than impressed by the effortless way he produces. Moore is an incredibly polished scorer with the size, athleticism, and creation skills to effortlessly apply pressure from all levels. He heats up quickly and mixes it up enough to keep defenses constantly on their heels. Moore is also a capable passer, quality rebounder, and physical defender. Next in his development process is working to improve his transition defense, as he has the tools to shut down fast breaks. Coach Queen on Moore: “RJ is extremely talented. Unlimited range, good ball-handling skills, and nice court vision. Did a good job going to the offensive glass when his perimeter shots weren’t falling. Responded well to moving the ball and defending better as a team.” Moore continues to solidify himself as an obvious target for high-major programs and should be poised for a noteworthy junior season at Ambassador Christian.
#74: 6’10 ’27 Tyson Thompson (Wesleyan Christian)
Finishing up, Tyson Thompson is a 6-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2027. There will always be value in low-maintenance big men who can impact the game on both ends of the floor, and that rings especially true for Thompson. He’s a strong, steady interior anchor who knows how to finish, control the glass, and protect the paint defensively. Thompson utilizes his blend of length and strength to reliably defend the post and blocks shots at a solid rate. He also fills the lane properly in transition. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better defender when switching onto smaller opponents. Coach Queen on Thompson: “Tyson is a good finisher when getting position in the post. Showed an ability to make the right pass out of the post. Rebounded well around the basket but needs to be able to rebound outside of his area better. Tyson can also improve his free-throw shooting.” Thompson proved to be an asset throughout camp and will be a major piece for Wesleyan Christian over the next two seasons.