Team 12
Coach: James Black
#0: 5’7 ’23 Darren Lloyd (Florence)
Starting things off, we look at a player that understands how to make an impact through his tough, heady approach, Darren Lloyd. He’s a smart, quick point guard prospect with sharp instincts and the ability to play bigger than his size would imply defensively. Lloyd is an effective floor general in the half-court but genuinely thrives when getting out and making plays in transition. He’s an efficient three-level scorer with a reliable perimeter jumper and quality change-of-pace to his game. Next in his development process is working on moving without the ball, as it would allow him to play alongside another primary ball-handler with relative ease. Coach Black on Lloyd: “Darren has a great basketball IQ and makes players around him better on a consistent basis. He also defends well for his position and forced numerous turnovers against opposing guards.” Lloyd proved to be a definite asset during camp and should have a productive upcoming season for West Florence.
#1: 5’10 ’23 Elijah Green (Charlotte)
Next, we look at a player that offers an exceptional combination of scoring and playmaking, Elijah Green. He’s a smart, wiry point guard prospect with an impressive all-around feel for the game. Green displays vision, patience, and asserts himself very well as a scorer within the flow of the team structure. He’s a knockdown shooter with great craftiness off the bounce, which allows him to mix it up with regularity. Green is also a phenomenal defender with near-perfect positioning, instincts, and understanding of angles. He forces turnovers at a constant rate and makes the best possible decision with the ball in transition. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it will only make him tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Black on Green: “It was a joy coaching Elijah. He has a great attitude, takes criticism well, and plays hard on both ends of the floor.” Green really shined as a leader during his time at camp and should be poised for a productive upcoming season at Ardrey Kell.
#2: 6’0 ’21 Cam Leake (Greensboro)
Moving onto a player that consistently found ways to produce and fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor, Cam Leake. He’s a smart, sturdy, unselfish guard prospect with a reliable perimeter stroke and the ability to effectively contain his assignment defensively. Leake offers a fundamental, team-first approach and shows a willingness to do whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. He’s a capable ball-handler and passer, but also found various opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Next in his development process is working to become a more active rebounder, as it would allow him to grab boards and immediately push the break in transition. Coach Black on Leake: “Cam moves well without the ball and offers good defense. He has good shooting mechanics and was able to hit multiple shots off the catch. Cam maintained a positive attitude and takes criticism well.” Leake found various ways to contribute during camp and should be able to carve out a nice role during the upcoming season for Greensboro Day.
#3: 6’0 ’21 Yousef Abdurahman (Matthews)
Continuing onto a player that showcased a fairly steady, reliable two-way presence, Yousef Abdurahman. He’s a long, smart, well-rounded wing prospect with a great penetration sense and ability as a finisher, both through contact and above the rim. Abdurahman is very quick and understands how to overwhelm his assignment defensively. He displays quality anticipation instincts and is capable of forcing turnovers at a pretty consistent rate. Abdurahman handles the ball well for his size and makes unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands, showing the necessary tools to set up others whenever possible in transition. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring opportunities within the flow of the offense. Coach Black on Abdurahman: “Yousef has a great attitude, acceptance of criticism, and a high basketball IQ. He plays hard on both ends of the floor and finishes well with his off-hand.” Abdurahman enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be poised for a productive senior campaign at Porter Ridge.
#4: 6’1 ’22 John Gebhard (Columbia)
Next, we look at a player that was able to highlight a skilled, crafty presence with the ball in his hands, John Gebhard. He’s a sharp, well-rounded point guard prospect with the ability to assert himself as an efficient scorer from all levels. Gebhard is great in the open floor and shows the ability to make some extremely flashy passes to set up his teammates. He broke down defenders off the dribble, touched the paint at a consistent rate, and finished effectively when attacking the basket. Next in his development process is working to set up others with more frequency, as it would make him a better floor general. Coach Black on Gebhard: “John can put the ball in the basket. He can create well and can score in a variety of ways. He has ability but needs to work on criticism and playing team ball.” Gebhard did numerous things well during camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on over these next few seasons.
#6: 6’2 ’23 Parker Cabe (Franklin)
Moving onto a player that seemed to make quite a lasting impression with his shooting abilities, Parker Cabe. He’s a sturdy, smart, team-first guard prospect with a complementary skillset and the understanding of how to make an impact without requiring a ton of offensive touches. Cabe is a quality shooter from midrange and beyond the arc, but also looks to attack closeouts and set up others whenever possible. He handles the ball effectively and doesn’t look to force the action on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to find even more scoring opportunities as a cutter. Coach Black on Cabe: “Parker is a great team player with a great attitude, basketball IQ, and acceptance of criticism. It was a good day for Parker.” Cabe made a nice impact during his time at camp and could be one to keep an eye on over the coming years at Franklin.
#7: 6’3 ’24 Langston “LA” Boyd (Charlotte)
Continuing onto a player that arguably stood out as the most impressive young camper on display, Langston “LA” Boyd. He’s a smart, strong, well-rounded guard prospect with great size, athleticism, and fluidity for his age. Boyd creates with relative ease off the dribble, both for himself and others, and can assert himself from all levels as a scorer. He moves very well without the ball and understands how to exploit open seams and gaps within the opposing defense. Boyd also defends and rebounds well for his position. Next in his development process is working to get more assertive within mismatches, as he has the tools to overwhelm others. Coach Black on Boyd: “LA is a good shooter off the dribble. He has good shooting mechanics and displays the ability to finish well around contact. He also has a great attitude.” Boyd showed some excellent flashes during camp and will certainly be a prospect to watch going forward.
#8: 6’5 ’22 Matthew Knafelz (Charlotte)
Next, we look at a player that stood out quite regularly through his blue-collar approach, Matthew Knafelz. He’s a long, wiry forward/post prospect with a very high motor and the ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Kanfelz is a useful perimeter shooter and penetrator with strong finishing capabilities with either hand. He wreaked havoc with his defensive presence, forcing turnovers, securing rebounds, and containing his assignment with relative ease. Knafelz moves well for his size and doesn’t force the action on either side of the ball. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him even better at hedging and recovering on screens. Coach Black on Knafelz: “Matthew has a good feel for the game and plays hard on both ends of the floor. He also has nice moves with his back to the basket and applies them within the flow of the team.” Knafelz did a lot of things well during camp and should be a useful contributor for Providence during the upcoming season.
#9: 6’7 ’22 Tyree Bracey (Charlotte)
Moving onto a player that highlighted a pretty appealing amount of skill, especially for his size, Tyree Bracey. He’s a long, wiry, team-first forward prospect with a high IQ and the ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Bracey operates with an active motor and utilizes it to consistently secure rebounds and force turnovers as a defender. He moves well to get open and proved to be an exceptional perimeter shooter from midrange and beyond the arc. Bracey finishes well around the basket and is capable of using either hand out of the post. 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 Black on Bracey: “Tyree is really skilled. He has the ability to finish and handle the ball quite well. He’s a capable passer with nice vision and strong rebounding instincts for his position.” Bracey enjoyed a productive showing at camp and could carve out a useful role for North Mecklenburg over the next few years.
#10: 6’2 ’21 Christian Pounds (Rocky Mount)
Finishing up, we look at a player that continues to showcase a fairly intriguing skillset and approach, Christian Pounds. He’s a big, strong-bodied guard with solid skill and the ability to assert himself in various different ways on the court. Pounds utilizes his body effectively to stand out as a quality rebounder and has the necessary ability to push the break in transition. He handles and passes the ball well, but can also take advantage of scoring opportunities from multiple levels. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Black on Pounds: “Christian was my MVP. He has a great attitude, acceptance of criticism, and solid basketball IQ. He showed solid range on his shot from midrange and beyond the arc. Christian displayed good vision and court sense throughout the day.” Pounds enjoyed a quality showing at camp and could be poised for a productive senior season at Rocky Mount.