Team 18
Coach: Wesley Tubbs
#0: 5’9 ’24 Kai Logan (Roanoke)
Starting things off, we look at a player that stood out nicely despite being the smallest camper on this team, Kai Logan. He’s a big, strong-bodied guard prospect with great energy and a team-first approach on both ends of the floor. Logan is fairly well-rounded and capable of scoring from all levels or setting up others as a playmaker. He defends well at the point of attack and utilizes his quickness effectively to force turnovers and push transition play. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable finisher around the basket. Coach Tubbs on Logan: “Kai has a great attitude with a nice motor. He will hit the open jumper if left open. Kai is a great teammate and understands how to compete hard on both ends of the floor.” Logan did a lot of things well during camp, especially for his age, and will be one to watch throughout his continued progression.
#1: 6’0 ’21 Alex Ezeani (Cary)
Next, we look at a player that simply found ways to contribute within the flow of the team, Alex Ezeani. He’s a sturdy, fairly high-motor guard prospect that understands how to effectively move and find open seams as an off-ball cutter. Ezeani provides nice defensive effort at the point of attack and is capable of forcing turnovers at a decent rate. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable finisher. Coach Tubbs on Ezeani: “Alex is a great teammate and gave maximium effort throughout the day. He played well in transition and made the pitch-ahead pass or extra pass whenever available. Alex maintained a positive attitude and accepted coaching well.” Ezeani enjoyed a solid showing at camp and could carve out a useful role for Green Hope during his upcoming senior season.
#2: 6’0 ’22 Carson Cooke (Concord)
Moving onto a player that offered a steady, unselfish, productive presence on both ends of the floor, Carson Cooke. He’s a wiry, well-rounded guard prospect IQ, passing vision, and a reliable shooting stroke from beyond the arc. Cooke handles the ball well and understands how to mix up his offensive approach. He defends the point of attack with intensity and was able to force multiple turnovers on the day. Next in his development process is working to get more involved as a rebounder, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Tubbs on Cooke: “Carson plays quality on-ball defense at the point of attack. He shoots and passes the ball well, and doesn’t force the action. Carson is vocal on the court and looks to make plays for others whenever possible.” Cooke did a lot of things well during camp and should be able to emerge as an impact player over these next few seasons.
#3: 6’1 ’24 Ghaleb Wilson (Heath Springs)
Continuing onto a player that made a pretty solid impact despite being the youngest camper on this team, Ghaleb Wilson. He’s a big, strong, sturdy wing prospect with a nonstop motor and the ability to outwork his assignment on both ends of the floor. Wilson is very quick and utilizes his combination of energy and quickness to shine defensively and force on-ball turnovers at a quality rate. He’s a useful all-around offensive threat that prefers to attack the basket but more than capable of knocking down perimeter jumpers. 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 an off-ball cutter. Coach Tubbs on Wilson: “Ghaleb was our energizer bunny. He has a lot of energy and uses it well on the court. He’s a great teammate, hit some big shots, and defended the ball well.” Wilson proved to be a definite asset during camp and will be one to keep an eye on going forward.
#4: 6’1 ’22 Valerian Bruce (Florence)
Next, we look at a player that naturally seems to carve out his role as glue-guy with any collection of teammates, Valerian Bruce. He’s a big, sturdy, well-rounded guard prospect with the ability to get downhill and make plays for himself and others. Bruce finishes very well around the basket and is capable of thriving in transition, but also looks to make the unselfish play whenever possible. He displays a high IQ and rebounds at a consistent rate 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 Tubbs on Bruce: “Valerian plays well in transition. He’s strong and gets to the basket with ease. Valerian has the ability to make plays for his teammates, both in the half-court and open floor. He plays hard and proved to be a good teammate.” Bruce enjoyed a productive showing at camp and should be a strong contributor for West Florence during the upcoming season.
#5: 6’3 ’23 Markquan Gilbert (Greensboro)
Moving onto a player that possesses a quality crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Markquan Gilbert. He’s a skilled, athletic wing prospect with a well-rounded skillset and solid feel on both ends of the floor. Gilbert is an efficient three-level scorer with the necessary tools to attack closeouts, make passes to his teammates, or get going from midrange or beyond the arc. He’s a great defender with quickness, positioning, and the ability to force turnovers as an on or off-ball pest. Gilbert looks to get out in the open floor whenever possible and makes smart decisions in transition. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Tubbs on Gilbert: “Markquan is a great athlete that knows how get downhill and attack the basket quite well. He’s a useful playmaker with the understanding of how to make the right play.” Gilbert made a strong impact during camp and will be one throughout his continued progression.
#6: 6’3 ’22 Trevor Button (Chapel Hill)
Continuing onto a player that was certainly one of the most productive performers on this team, Trevor Button. He’s a wiry, long-bodied wing/forward prospect with an absolute flamethrower from the perimeter. Button has a reliable spot-up presence and was able to really overwhelm opposing defenses with his consistency, especially from beyond the arc. He moves extremely well without the ball and genuinely understands how to easily find seams within the opposition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would allow him to become a more physical defender. Coach Tubbs on Button: “Trevor is a great teammate. He defended the ball well and shot the cover off of the ball from all over the court. He hit shots with efficiency and within the flow of the offense. He also rebounded the ball at a strong rate. Trevor was a reliable contributor for us throughout the day.” Button proved to be a major asset during his time at camp and should emerge as a quality piece going forward for Emerson Waldorf.
#7: 6’5 ’23 Philip Drake (Franklin)
Next, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term abilities, Philip Drake. He’s a big, wiry forward prospect with a quality midrange stroke and knockdown jumper from beyond the arc. Drake operates very well within the team concept and looks to make the best possible play on every possession. He plays with nice energy and works hard to secure rebounds within the paint. Drake defends with purpose and is capable of altering shots around the basket. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more lethal finisher around the basket. Coach Tubbs on Drake: “Philip is a great teammate on both ends of the floor. He has a great attitude and accepts coaching well. Philip shot the ball very well throughout the day.” Drake highlighted some quality tools and could be a prospect to watch going forward, especially if he continues to work.
#8: 6’6 ’25 Zymicah Wilkins (Rutherfordton)
Moving onto a player that arguably stood out as the most impressive long-term prospect on display, Zymicah Wilkins. He’s a big, smart, skilled post prospect with incredible IQ and abilities, especially for his age. Wilkins possesses touch, footwork, and craftiness out of the post; he handles the ball well and makes quality passes with the ball in his hands. He’s very mobile for his size and wreaks a ton of havoc defensively, altering shots and accumulating a ton of deflections through his sharp instincts. Wilkins also rebounds the ball at a consistent rate on both ends of the floor and has the necessary skill to push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a shooter, as it would make him virtually unstoppable. Coach Tubbs on Wilkins: “Zymicah is a solid scorer from all three levels. He plays hard, rebounds well, can use his post-up game well and will hit the open jumper.” Wilkins showcased a ton of ability and upside at camp, and will be one to monitor closely going forward—as he could be special.
#9: 6’9 ’22 Chinedum Okpukpara (Durham)
Finishing up, we look at a player that operated quite effectively as a main interior presence for this team, Chinedum Okpukpara. He’s a long, sturdy, fairly athletic post prospect with fluidity and great two-way rebounding instincts. Okpukpara utilizes his length well defensively to alter and block shots around the basket, and runs the floor effectively in transition. He is capable of finishing with either hand or above the rim at a solid rate. Okpukpara moves well without the ball and looks to secure second-chance opportunities whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better defender when hedging and recovering. Coach Tubbs on Okpukpara: “Chinedum rebounds really well and displays great feel with his back to the basket. He possesses nice touch and runs the floor well. Chinedum finishes effectively around the basket, plays hard, and maintained a positive attitude throughout the day.” Okpukpara enjoyed a quality showing at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role during the upcoming season for Bull City Prep.