Team 5
Coach: Travis Holcomb-Faye
#5: 5’11 ’24 Makel Smith (Morehead)
Starting things off, we look at a player who simply knows how to provide a steady, adaptable presence to a team, Makel Smith. He’s a smart, skilled floor general with nice balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Smith plays with pace and understands how to control the tempo with the ball in his hands. He creates well for himself and others off the dribble, displaying quality vision and a polished scoring arsenal. Smith is a useful on-ball defender with solid instincts for playing the passing lanes. He also rebounds well and effectively pushes the break in transition. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more explosive penetrator. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Smith: “Makel is a scoring point guard who also has the ability to find his teammates, both in transition and in half-court sets. He really knows how to use his body around the basket and has a knack for rebounding the ball.” Smith enjoyed a productive showing at camp and should be a target for various college programs over the coming months.
#8: 6’0 ’24 Carson Daniel (Central Cabarrus)
Next, we look at a player who has rightfully earned his reputation as one of the best winners in the state, Carson Daniel. He’s an incredibly smart, rugged, unselfish floor general with the ability to dominate his assignment on both ends of the floor. Daniel utilizes his tight handle and quick first step to effortlessly break down opponents, touch the paint, and make correct reads with the ball in his hands. He finishes through contact, hits midrange jumpers at a strong rate, and is capable of hitting three-pointers as needed. Daniel is a brilliant playmaker who understands how to manipulate the defense to create openings and opportunities for others. He’s also a phenomenal all-around defender who suffocates opposing ball-handlers and forces turnovers at a seemingly nonstop rate. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him virtually unstoppable on offense. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Daniel: “Carson was a menace on defense. He provided on-ball pressure all day long. He also closed gaps in help defense that led to countless steals. Carson has the ability to get paint touches and finish with either hand, kick out to open shooters, or drop teammates off for dunks.” Daniel truly did everything at camp, securing the Playmaker Award, and should be poised for an exciting senior season with Central Cabarrus.
#12: 6’1 ’24 Chase Daniel (Central Cabarrus)
Moving onto a player who has also clearly established himself as one of the best winners in the state, Chase Daniel. He’s an extremely intelligent, high-motor guard prospect with an exceptional combination of skill, toughness, and defensive prowess. Daniel is a reliable three-level scorer who can create his own shot, play without the ball, or run the team as a point guard. He gets wherever he wants off the bounce and makes consistently smart decisions with the ball in his hands. Daniel is arguably at his best when getting downhill, but also knocks down jumpers at a quality percentage from midrange and beyond the arc. He’s a nightmarish defender who legitimately mirrors his assignment and forces turnovers at a constant rate. Daniel is terrific at generating charges and outworking opponents for rebounds or loose balls. He simply does everything on the court. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it will only help prepare him for the next level. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Daniel: “Chase was an ultimate competitor today. He took challenges to guard tough matchups on defense during every game. On the offensive end, he got paint touches at will and made sound decisions at a high rate. He can score with either hand around the basket and has very nice court vision.” Daniel stood out as a leader during camp, securing the Playmaker Award, and should be poised for a memorable senior season at Central Cabarrus.
#33: 6’3 ’24 Jordan Gonder (Northwest Cabarrus)
Continuing onto a player who highlighted an array of intriguing flashes on both ends of the floor, Jordan Gonder. He’s a steady, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with an active motor and willingness to make hustle plays whenever possible. Gonder displayed the ability to finish, knock down shots, and effectively operate within the flow of the action. He’s a solid creator with vision and ball-handling ability, but doesn’t necessarily require the ball in his hands. Gonder also rebounded the ball at a nice rate for his size/position. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better on-ball defender. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Gonder: “Jordan was able to get to the basket and convert from various angels with either hand. He is a good offensive rebounder and made several second-chance baskets.” Gonder enjoyed a solid showing at camp and should be an x-factor for Northwest Cabarrus during his upcoming senior season.
#37: 6’4 ’24 Brendan Bailey (Asheville Christian)
Next, we look at a player who simply knows how to produce alongside any collection of teammates, Brendan Bailey. He’s a smart, adaptable, high-motor wing/forward prospect with an unselfish approach on both ends of the floor. Bailey is a natural glue-guy who can lead or produce in a role, and affect all facets of the game. He’s a reliable three-level scorer who can finish, attack off the bounce, or hit jumpers from the perimeter. Bailey utilizes his body very well to absorb contact as a defender and rebounder. Bailey is willing to make hustle plays and adapt to whatever his team needs from him. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better defender when switched onto smaller guards. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Bailey: “Brendan showed the ability to score from all three levels. His motor was constantly running and he created extra possessions for his team all day.” Bailey did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be a target for various college coaches over these next few months.
#53: 6’5 ’24 Xavier Johnson (Fayetteville Academy)
Moving onto a player who is becoming one of the more under-recruited prospects in the state, Xavier Johnson. He’s a tough, explosive wing prospect with excellent size and a nonstop motor on both ends of the floor. Johnson excels at getting downhill, where he’s able to apply relentless pressure as a finisher—both above and below the rim. That being said, Johnson is a reliable perimeter shooter who can pull up from midrange or hit jumpers from beyond the arc. He’s comfortable dictating the action with the ball in his hands, displaying a nice blend of IQ, vision, and ball-handling ability. Johnson offers a useful defensive presence and rebounds the ball very well for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Johnson: “Xavier can get downhill and score above the rim. He can catch and shoot or hit jumpers off the dribble. Xavier is able to guard multiple positions on the court. His versatility is a big part of his overall game.” Johnson proved to be an asset during camp and should see an uptick in his recruitment over the coming months at Fayetteville Academy.
#60: 6’7 ’25 Chase Williams (West Bladen)
Continuing onto a player who understands how to consistently play to his strengths, Chase Williams. He’s a long, sturdy forward prospect with a high motor, unselfish approach, and excellent floor-spacing ability. Williams finished well around the basket and displayed solid moves out of the post, but was arguably at his best when asserting his presence from beyond the arc. He moved well without the ball to find open seams within the defense, both as a cutter and spot-up option. Williams provides nice activity on defense and looks to make hustle plays whenever possible. He also rebounds at a solid rate on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better defender on switches. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Williams: “Chase is a stretch 4. He was able to score inside/out today. He rebounds well for his size and is a capable shot-blocker around the basket. Chase also has fairly good athleticism.” Williams enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should be a key piece for West Bladen over the foreseeable future.
#73: 6’8 ’25 Zymicah Wilkins (Christ School)
Next, we look at a player who continues to solidify himself as one of the most talented guys in his class, Zymicah Wilkins. He’s a highly skilled, intelligent post prospect with an extremely polished skillset and the ability to cause a variety of different problems for opponents. Wilkins scores from the block, midrange area, beyond the arc, and off the bounce. He possesses soft touch, elite footwork, and a smooth jumper. His overall skillset makes him a legitimate matchup problem for opponents. Wilkins passes and handles the ball at a high level for his size/position and has no issue creating opportunities for himself or others. He can initiate the offense or pick his spots with relative ease. Wilkins is a phenomenal two-way rebounder with the necessary skill to make excellent outlet passes or push the break himself. He contains his assignment well and knows how to properly position himself defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it’ll make him a better defender when switching onto smaller guards. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Wilkins: “Zymicah was dominant all day. He was able to score at will with crafty post moves, transition points, pull-up threes, and putbacks. He also manned the defensive glass, collected steals, and blocked shots all day.” Wilkins was undeniably impressive during camp, securing the Offense Award, and should be poised for a productive junior season at Christ School.
#76: 6’8 ’24 Kaleb Spencer (First Flight)
Finishing up, we look at a player who possesses a ton of appeal, both as a current piece and long-term prospect, Kaleb Spencer. He’s a long, mobile forward prospect with an excellent combination of size, skill, and athleticism. Spencer is a nice floor-spacer with the ability to knock down shots at a high clip from midrange and beyond the arc. However, he does a great job of mixing it up with finishes, post-ups, and attacks off the bounce. Spencer handles and passes the ball well for his size, but understands how to make plays without requiring a ton of touches. He’s a quality defender and reliable two-way rebounder who runs the floor properly in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him an even better finisher around the basket. Coach Holcomb-Faye on Spencer: “Kaleb had a great day scoring around the basket with drop off dunks, putbacks, and lob finishes. He was also able to step out and knock down several three-pointers. Kaleb showed the ability to defend on the perimeter and also be a shot-blocker around the basket.” Spencer did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should be a target for various types of college coaches over the coming months.