Team 7
Coach: Khalil Shakir
#32: 5’6 ’23 Jaydyn Sowell (Central)
Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Jaydyn Sowell. He’s a strong, physical lead guard prospect with the ability to attack the basket, finish through contact, and play bigger than his size on either end of the floor. Sowell displayed a quick first step, shot the ball well off the catch, and controlled the pace of the team well. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him an even better penetrating threat. Coach Shakir on Sowell: “Jaydyn is a gritty guard who proved to be a great floor general. He was really good defensively and took pride in guarding the best player on the opposing team. He shoots the ball well off the catch. Jaydyn was also a phenomenal passer and set his teammates up all camp long. I loved coaching him!” Sowell enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be a prospect to monitor over the next few seasons at Central.
#76: 5’10 ’25 Tylor Gichaba (Concord)
Next, we look at a player that made a lot of valuable contributions, especially to be among the youngest campers on this team, Tylor Gichaba. He’s a long, wiry guard prospect in-between scoring ability and solid spot-up instincts from the perimeter. Gichaba plays hard at all times, offers an unselfish mentality, and sets up others whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more lethal off-ball threat. Coach Shakir on Gichaba: “Tylor is a young guard who does a good job of setting the offense. He is wiry and sets up teammates well off of penetration opportunities. His IQ is decent for his age and will continue to develop as he matures. Tylor also shoots the ball well when set. He showed a clear desire to get better.” Gichaba showed some excellent flashes, particularly for his age, and will be worth noting throughout his continued progression.
#77: 5’10 ’22 Tyler Gary (Riverdale Baptist)
Moving onto a player that consistently found ways to make an impact within the flow of the action, Tyler Gary. He’s a strong, unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with vision, rebounding prowess, and the ability to contain his assignment well defensively. Gary created well off the bounce, both for himself and others. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him an even more reliable penetrator. Coach Shakir on Gary: “Tyler is a smooth guard who does a great job of using his change of speed and body to get to his spots on the floor. He penetrates the lane well and has a great touch on his floor, which allows him to be effective in the paint. Defensively, he is a strong guard who defends with his chest. He does a great job of getting his hand on the ball.” Gary made his presence felt throughout camp and should be a useful piece for Riverdale Baptist during his upcoming senior season.
#89: 6’0 ’23 Jake Hart (Fuquay-Varina)
Continuing onto a player that showcased an understanding of how to make an impact on either side of the ball, Jake Hart. He’s a wiry, unselfish guard prospect with useful perimeter shooting, off-ball cutting, and the ability to defend his position quite effectively. Hart played hard on both ends of the floor and did an excellent job of making hustle plays. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler against pressure. Coach Shakir on Hart: “Jake is a gritty, fundamental guard who plays hard and with toughness. He can shoot the ball well off the catch. He has great awareness on both sides of the ball, which allows him to play holes. Jake does a great job of getting out in transition and making the right play.” Hart consistently found ways to make an impact at camp and could emerge as a useful contributor sooner than later for Fuquay-Varina.
#90: 6’0 ’22 Samuel Swinson (Woodberry Forest)
Next, we look at a player that consistently found ways to operate as a glue-guy for this squad, Samuel Swinson. He’s a smart, unselfish, well-rounded guard prospect with an extremely adaptable, balanced skillset and overall approach to the game. Swinson is a reliable defender, useful off-ball threat, and capable scorer from all levels. He also proved to be a steady rebounder for his size/position and played hard on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable penetrating threat. Coach Shakir on Swinson: “Sam is simply a leader and someone who can run a team effectively. He’s a pass-first guard who really looks to set up his teammates. He has a great shot, which allows him to shoot it well off the dribble and when set. Defensively, Sam has quick hands and utilizes them well to rack up on steals and easy points in transition.” Swinson enjoyed a nice showing at camp and could be poised for a productive senior season at Woodberry Forest.
#102: 6’1 ’25 Kendrick Johnson (Guilford Prep)
Moving onto a player that highlighted a nice crossroads between production and long-term upside, Kendrick Johnson. He’s a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with quality defensive tools and the ability to assert himself as a useful spot-up threat from beyond the arc. Johnson plays hard, rebounds effectively, and shows the ability to score from all levels within the flow of the action. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more dynamic offensive threat. Coach Shakir on Johnson: “Kendrick is a young guard with craftiness and the ability to shoot the ball with range. He penetrates the gaps and hits open teammates whenever possible. He’s very unselfish and plays hard. Kendrick is super-coachable and wants to learn and improve.” Johnson did a lot of things well during his time at camp and will be one to monitor throughout his progression over the coming years at Guilford Prep.
#103: 6’1 ’24 Shark Baynard (Homeschool Gathering Place)
Continuing onto a player that made a constant impact with his nonstop two-way motor, Shark Baynard. He’s a wiry, team-first guard prospect with perimeter shooting ability and a willingness to make the extra pass or set up others whenever possible. Baynard defended with purpose and jumped into the passing lanes very well to force steals. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Shakir on Baynard: “Shark is a fundamental player who is passionate about the game. He is a great teammate who brings energy to the team on either side of the ball. He’s a crafty player that keeps even his coach guessing what he will do next. Shark rebounds the ball well and plays his heart out.” Baynard made a quality impact during his time at camp and will be worth watching over the foreseeable future.
#114: 6’2 ’22 Joshua Durham (Atkins)
Next, we look at a player that made a lasting impression with his energy and team-first mentality, Joshua Durham. He’s a wiry, well-rounded wing prospect with quickness and a willingness to make hustle plays. Durham showcased a high motor, nice on-ball instincts, and finished well around the basket. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more reliable penetrating threat. Coach Shakir on Durham: “Josh was our darkhorse, as he came in and brough immediate defense and energy to the table. His ability to come in and bring production on defense was exactly what we needed. He also rebounded the ball well for his size. He was a super-coachable player who played hard on every single possession.” Durham did a lot of things well at camp and has the tools to carve out a useful role for Atkins during his upcoming senior season.
#115: 6’3 ’24 Austin Swartz (Cannon)
Moving onto a player that easily stood out amongst the top young performers on display, Austin Swartz. He’s a long, young, fairly well-rounded wing prospect with the natural instincts and versatility to make his presence consistently felt on either end of the floor. Swartz does a quality amount of everything, especially on offense, and displays an excellent team-first approach on both ends 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 an off-ball threat. Coach Shakir on Swartz: “Austin is a long, wiry guard who can flat-out score the basketball. He scores from all three levels on the floor with ease. He is also super-unselfish and looks to lead his team in assists. He was by far one of, if not the best, player in the entire camp. Austin will be a player for college coaches to begin looking at.” Swartz proved to be a clear asset throughout camp and should emerge sooner than later as a strong contributor for Cannon.
#250: 6’8 ’21 Julian Williams (Northwood Temple)
Finishing up, we look at a player that showcased flashes of pure dominance throughout camp, Julian Williams. He’s a smart, fundamental post prospect with great balance between facing-up and playing with his back to the basket. Williams possesses nice touch with either hand and over either shoulder, but also highlights a variety of crafty moves and counters from the block. He utilized his body well to assert himself as a two-way rebounder and finish second-chance opportunities with regularity. Williams plays hard, alters shots at a strong rate, and runs the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as extending his range would make him even tougher for opponents to contain. Coach Shakir on Williams: “Julian was absolutely unstoppable in the paint. He utilized his strength and footwork to dominate inside. He was a tremendous rebounder and paint protector. Julian also showed the ability to shoot it from the midrange and from three-point territory when open.” Williams was phenomenal at camp, securing the MVP award with relative ease, and should have a variety of scholarship-level programs continuing to get involved over the next few months.