Team 4
Coach: Austin Collins
Game Film:
Team 3 vs Team 4
Team 2 vs Team 4
Team 1 vs Team 4
NC Top 80 Semi-Final (1/4 vs 5/8)
#13: 6’1 ’25 Johnniyus Sharpe (Reidsville)
Starting things off, we look at a player who stood out as one of the most dynamic performers on display, Johnniyus Sharpe. He’s a smart, athletic guard prospect with quickness, toughness, and polish as a creator. Offensively, Sharpe applied consistent downhill pressure, finished through contact, and hit jumpers from midrange and beyond the arc. He effortlessly broke down opponents and set up others at a nice rate. Sharpe is a scrappy on-ball defender with the necessary anticipation to force turnovers and get out in transition. He also rebounds well for his size/position. Next in his development process is working to keep raising his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Collins on Sharpe: “Johnniyus is very talented and plays the guard position very well. He can score with ease and plays good defense against opposing ball-handlers. He’s also very vocal and leads his team in many ways. Overall, Johnniyus is a great kid who can really hoop.” Sharpe enjoyed a noteworthy showing at camp and should be poised for a productive junior season with Reidsville.
#20: 6’2 ’25 Carson Evans (North Mecklenburg)
Next, we look at a player who simply found ways to make his presence felt within the flow of the action, Carson Evans. He’s a smart, tough, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with scoring polish and open-floor ability. Evans can score from all levels, create for himself and others, and find opportunities without the ball. He’s a quality defender and wiling rebounder who naturally makes hustle plays and does the dirty work. Evans is capable of filling in the gaps or asserting himself as a leader based on team need. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find more scoring chances as a cutter. Coach Collins on Evans: “Carson is a speedy guard with good pace and feel. He can drive and finish or kick out to the open man. He’s able to do the little things to make his presence felt. Carson offered a great attitude and was very coachable.” Evans did a lot of things well during his time at camp and will certainly be an x-factor for North Mecklenburg over these next two seasons.
#29: 6’3 ’24 Dominic Payne (Trinity)
Moving onto a player who is capable of causing matchup problems for various types of opponents, Dominic Payne. He’s a smart, skilled, strong-bodied guard prospect with a nice blend of size, athleticism, and creation instincts. Payne is a versatile piece with the skillset of a perimeter player and the physical tools to go against bigger opponents. He rebounds well, defends multiple positions, and is capable of doing a healthy amount of everything offensively. Payne can find ways to score with or without requiring the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him an even better defender at the point of attack. Coach Collins on Payne: “Dominic plays good defense and talks when needed. However, I would like to see him maintain his vocal presence for the whole entire game. Dominic needs to work on his consistency as a three-point shooter and having confidence in his shot.” Payne made a quality impact at camp and should be a target for various college coaches heading into his upcoming senior season with Trinity.
#36: 6’3 ’25 William James Jr. (Holly Springs)
Continuing onto a player whose stock has only continued to rise over the recent months, William James Jr. He’s a skilled, athletic guard prospect with a great combination of IQ, size, and two-way instincts. James is arguably at his best when getting downhill and attacking the basket, but also knocks down jumpers at a nice percentage and is willing to set up others whenever possible. He handles the ball well and displays quality vision off the bounce. James utilizes his high motor and physical nature to overwhelm opponents as a defender and rebounder. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Collins on James: “Will is a very quiet kid. I need him to become more vocal on both ends of the floor. He plays good defense and rebounds pretty well for his size. Will needs to be confident in the shots that he takes. Great attitude and listener.” James consistently found ways to contribute at camp and should be poised for a breakout junior season as the clear focal point for Holly Springs.
#45: 6’5 ’24 Desmond Kent Jr. (Central Cabarrus)
Next, we look at a player who has shown rapid improvements over the last calendar year, Desmond Kent Jr. He’s a skilled, athletic forward prospect with incredible length and ability in the midrange. Kent finishes really well around the basket, out of the post, and above the rim, but is a lethal threat from anywhere within fifteen feet. He’s a highly active defender and rebounder who makes his presence consistently felt on the glass. Kent forces turnovers at a nice rate and runs the floor properly in transition. He can also knock down three-pointers, move without the ball, and guard multiple positions defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it will help prepare him for the increased physicality of the college game. Coach Collins on Kent: “Desmond is a very long, athletic player at 6-foot-5. He plays defense and talks on both ends of the floor. I would like to see him take care of the ball a little better and apply scoring pressure with a more consistent effort.” Kent did a lot of things well at camp and should be poised for a highly productive senior campaign with Central Cabarrus.
#52: 6’5 ’25 Tre McKinnon (Lake Norman)
Moving onto a player who has arguably trended up as much as anyone over the recent months, Tre McKinnon. He’s an incredibly long, rangy wing prospect with powerful athleticism and a lethal shooting stroke from the perimeter. McKinnon is a useful creator, both for himself and others, but arguably finds most of his opportunities within the flow of the action. He hits jumpers at a high percentage but can also attack closeouts and finish around the basket. McKinnon is a willing passer and hustle player. He defends multiple positions and rebounds well on both ends. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Collins on McKinnon: “Tre can shoot the ball but can get in his own head at times. He needs to play with more freedom and don’t overthink things on the court. Have a next-play mentality and everything will be fine. Great kid with skill and athleticism.” McKinnon enjoyed an excellent showing at camp and will certainly maintain his status as a leader for Lake Norman over these next two seasons.
#67: 6’8 ’25 Isaac Ericksen (Green Level)
Continuing onto a player who knows how to cause matchup problems with his blend of size and skill, Isaac Ericksen. He’s a long, wiry forward prospect with a high IQ and polished offensive arsenal. Ericksen is a quality finisher, post-up threat, and perimeter shooter with the ability to apply pressure off the catch or bounce. He handles the ball well for his size and does a nice job of attacking bigger opponents from the wing. Ericksen is a solid two-way rebounder who plays with consistent energy on both ends of the floor. He also contains his assignment well defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physically imposing player on both ends of the floor. Coach Collins on Ericksen: “Isaac is a wonderful teammate and a really good basketball player. He can shoot the three-pointer, secure rebounds, play defense, and make nice passes. Even though he is somewhat quiet, Isaac still gets his point across. Very coachable kid.” Ericksen proved to be an asset during his time at camp and looks likely to have a noteworthy junior season for Green Level.
#77: 6’10 ’24 Derrick Green (Fayetteville Academy)
Finishing up, we look at a player who is able to naturally overwhelm opponents on both ends of the floor, Derrick Green. He’s a big, strong, physical post prospect with soft hands, quality feet, and a massive frame. Green clears out space extremely well around the basket and scores with relative ease out of the post. He displays the ability to finish over either shoulder or step out and space the floor from the perimeter. Green is a great two-way rebounder who plays really well through contact. He also defends his position effectively and knows how to reliably wall-up to alter shots without fouling. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it will only make him a better defender on switches. Coach Collins on Green: “At 6-foot-10, Derrick is a good big man to have. He rebounds and talks on both ends of the floor. He has a great attitude and is a great kid. Very coachable! He knocks down free-throws and utilizes his body well.” Green made his presence felt throughout camp and should be a target for various scholarship-level coaches over the coming months.