Team 6
Coach: Dre Simmons
#6: 6’0 ’23 Chase Dawson (Cary Academy)
Starting things off, we look at a player who continues to embrace his identity as a quick, heady floor general, Chase Dawson. He’s a tough, scrappy, extremely fast lead guard prospect with solid vision and excellent penetration instincts, both in the half-court and open floor. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Dre on Dawson: “Chase is a lightning-quick guard who is a blur in transition. He makes great decisions with the ball in his hands. He plays at a great pace and, even though he is so fast, he is always under control. Chase is physically gifted and able to take contact for and-one finishes at the rack. Chase can get it done in a lot of ways. He can lead the team and facilitate or be a go-to get to get buckets. He plays with an edge and chip on his shoulder. I believe he is due for a breakout year.” Dawson enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a target for college coaches over the coming years at Cary Academy.
#11: 6’1 ’24 Chase Daniel (Central Cabarrus)
Next, we look at a player who showcases a very mature, adaptable skillset in every possible setting, Chase Daniel. He’s a smart, unselfish, well-rounded guard prospect with vision, toughness defensively, and an active motor on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get craftier as a ball-handler, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Dre on Daniel: “Chase is a high-IQ point guard who plays to win. He has a knack for getting to the ball and being in the right place at the right time. He’s a past-first point guard who knows how to break down the defense and make the right read. Chase is also a very capable shot-maker and is not to be left open, otherwise he will make the opposition pay. I also love his defensive mentality and on-ball pressure. He guards his man for the length of the floor and hits the defensive glass extremely well for a guy at his size. Overall, Chase is a winner and a great guy to have on any team.” Daniel continues to shine in every possible setting and should have another productive season as a leader for Central Cabarrus.
#22: 6’3 ’24 Austin Swartz (Cannon)
Moving onto a player who continues to steadily trend upward as one of the top prospects within his class, Austin Swartz. He’s a smart, skilled, athletic guard prospect with elite perimeter shooting and the necessary instincts to run a team as needed. Swartz is a crafty three-level scorer with creation skills and the ability to set up others with relative ease. Next in his development process is working his overall presence as a rebounder, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Dre on Swartz: “Austin is a microwave man! He can heat up very fast. This young man has the potential to reel off three or four three-pointers in a row and change the dynamics of a game in a heartbeat. He’s extremely confident and this translates to his game. He has a competitive edge, goes at opponents, and sets the tone. I also like his ability to get downhill and create for himself and others. I believe Austin is only going to get better and better, and I’m anxious to see his development.” Swartz highlighted the full arsenal at camp and should continue being a priority for various programs going forward.
#27: 6’3 ’22 Jackson Holt (Moravian Prep)
Continuing onto a player who is undoubtedly the best unsigned shooting threat in the state, Jackson Holt. He’s a steady, unselfish, team-first wing prospect with the ability to genuinely thrive without requiring the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it will make him a better defender against opposing guards. Coach Dre on Holt: “I am a huge Jackson fan! This young man was so impressive. By now, he is known throughout the state for being a marksman—and he definitely didn’t disappoint. Coaches need shooting at every level, and I believe this kid has ability as a shot-maker at the next level. As a coach, you are more surprised when he misses. I could go on and on about his shooting, but it’s his moxie, grit, and will to win that impressed me the most. Jackson is an ultimate team guy! “Yes sir” type of guy who does whatever is asked of him. This camp is for elite players and, whenever I needed a defensive stop, I had him guarding every position on the floor. When our big man got injured, I put Jackson on a 6-foot-10 kid and he contested every shot. I didn’t see him get scored on once throughout camp. He has great defensive instincts and timing. Given how he carries himself, I believe he has been under great coaching. This man will help any program at any level because the bottom line is: he will do whatever it takes to win. 100% stamped, Mr. Holt is that guy!” Holt proved to be an asset throughout camp and should be a priority for various scholarship-level programs.
#38: 6’5 ’23 Jordan Durham (Louisburg)
Next, we look at a player who continues to steadily trend upward among the top names in his class, Jordan Durham. He’s a long, skilled guard prospect with a blossoming skillset and clear upside on both ends of the floor. Durham is a capable shot-maker with useful creation skills, defensive ability, and off-ball instincts. He’s able to operate within a role or expand his production as needed. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Dre on Durham: “Jordan plays very hard and can get his opportunities within the flow of the game. He is a two-way threat that can guard multiple positions. He has good knowledge of the game and does anything asked of him. Jordan has a high motor and accepts any challenges given to him. He has a basketball body and isn’t afraid to mix it up amongst the trees. I’m looking forward to seeing how he does this upcoming season.” Durham continues to highlight a ton of ability and promise, and should be poised to have a breakout junior season at Louisburg.
#43: 6’5 ’23 Truman Claytor (Word of God)
Moving onto a player who arguably stood out as the most versatile piece on this team, Truman Claytor. He’s a smart, skilled, very well-rounded wing prospect with a terrific combination of strength, toughness, and athleticism. Claytor displays no glaring weaknesses within his skillset, and is adaptable to various different roles on the court. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler against defensive pressure. Coach Dre on Claytor: “Tru is very crafty as an offensive threat. This young man can heat up quickly and give the opposition buckets in a lot of different ways. Getting downhill, he is a difficult cover and displays the ability to create open opportunities for his teammates. He has great size and can play three (maybe even four) positions comfortably. He also has good range and can knock down the three-pointer with confidence. Tru creates a lot of mismatches with his skillset, and has the potential to be a dominant presence on any team.” Claytor did a lot of things well at camp, and should have a ton of college coaches in pursuit over these next two seasons at Word of God.
#54: 6’6 ’22 Raphael Gay (Winston-Salem Christian)
Continuing onto a player who was easily among the top performers on display at camp, Raphael Gay. He’s a strong, explosive, physically imposing forward prospect with an excellent frame and the ability to utilize his body to overwhelm opponents in a variety of different ways. He plays hard at all times, defends his position well, and consistently sets the tone as a rebounder. Gay is nearly unstoppable from getting downhill and finishing in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Dre on Gay: “Raphael is a highlight provider. He is bouncy for real, and will take anyone up to the rim with him. He punishes the rim with force and has a balance of grace. In transition, he runs the floor hard and finishes anything thrown his way. He has great hands and nice footwork in the post. His physical presence is quite noticeable, as he has the frame of a grown man. He plays with great intensity and was a pleasure to coach. This young man has tremendous upside.” Gay was a definite standout during camp, securing the Mr. Hustle award with relative ease, and should be a priority for various types of programs over the coming months.
#59: 6’7 ’24 Dylan Deluca (Metrolina Christian)
Next, we look at a player who possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Dylan Deluca. He’s a wiry, skilled forward prospect with a very useful collection of abilities for his size/age. Deluca doesn’t force the action and understands how to seize opportunities within the flow of the team concept. He’s a reliable shooting threat from midrange and beyond the arc, but can also attack closeouts and finish or make passes to others. Deluca battles defensively and makes his presence consistently felt as a rebounder. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would only improve his overall rebounding presence. Coach Dre on Deluca: “Dylan is a very reliable shooter and can effectively stretch the defense. He has a nice frame and uses his body well to rebound and contest shots with great confidence. He works extremely hard on defense and can guard a few positions on that end of the floor. He is very coachable and a team first guy.” Deluca enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be a strong contributor for Metrolina Christian over the foreseeable future.
#70: 6’9 ’22 DeAnte Green (Asheville Christian)
Moving onto a player whose reputation and current commitment should speak for itself, DeAnte Green. He’s a sturdy, skilled forward/post prospect with a quality motor and the ability to play inside or out simply based on matchup. Green is a useful floor-spacer, but also possesses polish on the block and mid-post. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a better defender when operating in space. Coach Dre on Green: “Deante is the truth. Coming into camp, he was already committed to Florida State and deservingly so. At one point early on, he was relying on the three-pointer and I told him we needed his post play. He replied, “yes sir” and immediately went to work. Clearly no one was able to stop him in the paint and he consistently had his way with the opposition. That opened up his game and subsequently allowed the three-ball to fly with efficiency. Florida State has a good one in DeAnte! If he continues to work on his craft and trust his coaches at the next level, I believe he has a great shot at extending his career beyond the collegiate ranks.” Green proved to be an asset throughout camp, and should have a very productive senior season for Asheville Christian.
#75: 6’9 ’24 Bobby Cannon (Quality Education)
Finishing up, we look at a player who possesses a lot of favorable tools, both in terms of skill and physical upside, Bobby Cannon. He’s a long, wiry forward/post prospect with an intriguing skillset and the ability to cause mismatches with his perimeter instincts. Cannon blocks shots at an effective rate, runs the floor in transition, and can finish or knock down jumpers from distance. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player on either side of the ball. Coach Dre on Cannon: “Bobby is a prospect to keep an eye on. This young man has great length and knows how to use his body. He challenges everything at the rim and runs the floor well for his size. He has a clear love for the game and plays with freedom on the court. He rebounds well and makes great lead passes to start the break. He finishes at the rim with force and crashes the offensive glass. I’m excited to see what the future holds for him.” Cannon found a ton of opportunities at camp and should be a clear leader for Quality Education over the coming years.