Team 8
Coach: Gerroid Doughty
#17:'5'10 '21 Daniel Morton (South Granville)
Starting things off, we look at a player that made his presence felt quite well despite a lack of true size, Daniel Morton. He's an energetic guard prospect that battled through sickness during camp and still made a quality impact. Morton is a nice playmaker with the ability to create for himself or others quite well. He's an effective scorer that proved to be one of the better on-ball defenders on this team. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Doughty on Morton: 'Daniel was a little under the weather, despite that, he played today. He gave great effort. Daniel is a good defender but he has to work on his quickness. I like his heart for the game. He's battle-tested and it shows. Look for him to improve his game going forward. He has outstanding potential. I didn't see him play post a lot but I can see he has good footwork.' Morton will be even better at full strength and should carve out a nice role for South Granville during the upcoming season.
#18:'5'10 '22 Evan Ashe (Heritage)
Next, we look at a player that made quite the impression with his nonstop two-way motor, Evan Ashe. He's a calm, steady guard prospect that knows how to operate effectively within the team concept. Ashe does a little bit of everything, from handling the ball to setting up others to taking advantage of easy scoring opportunities. He doesn't necessarily require the ball to make an impact and utilized his quickness extremely well as an on-ball defender. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would allow him to become a better finisher around the rim. Coach Doughty on Ashe: 'Mr. Ashe was offensively aggressive today. He's very energetic and full of zeal. His shot has good mechanics and form. He got out and ran on the break. He rebounded well, but has to work more on positioning to help out his effort. Evan didn't post much but was able to score inside. He has a lot of opportunities to elevate his game in the defensive area.' Ashe enjoyed a great showing at camp and could emerge as a reliable contributor for Heritage sooner than later.
#35:'6'0 '22 Noah McKenzie (Thales Academy)
Moving onto a player that arguably stood out as the main glue-guy from this camp team, Noah McKenzie. He's an unselfish, fairly well-rounded guard prospect that simply made winning plays whenever he was on the court. McKenzie knocked down open jumpers, set up his teammates, and drove the ball with consistency. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him an even better penetrator. Coach Doughty on McKenzie: 'Noah has a strong body. He looks like a running back. He played team ball today. He moves without the ball very well. He had a slow start but made great strides throughout the day. He didn't take a lot of shots but was efficient whenever he did. Noah is a player to keep an eye out for. I know I will keep track of his progress.' McKenzie proved to be a two-way positive for his team during camp and could be poised for a breakout upcoming season at Thales Academy.
#36:'6'0 '23 Ryan Wooten (Grace Christian)
Continuing onto a player that was really able to assert himself as an excellent scorer during camp, Ryan Wooten. He's a young guard prospect has the ability to shoot from beyond the arc, but typically looks to attack the basket or midrange area. Wooten played with a strong motor and displayed a nice feel for the game, especially for his age. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as he could find more scoring opportunities as an off-ball cutter. Coach Doughty on Wooten: 'Ryan surprised me today. He had 14 of our first 16 points in the first game. Please don't be fooled by his stature, Ryan is a gamer. He needs to trust his outside shot more. He's deceptively quick with the ball. Ryan penetrated with ease but he needs to improve his handle in the open court.' Wooten is quite young and will be one to keep an eye on throughout his continued progression.
#51:'6'2 '20 Jay Hickman (Northwood Temple)
Next, we look at a player that already has a clearly-defined role as a next-level prospect, Jay Hickman. He's a long, smart, skilled guard prospect with the ability to dominate the game as a shooting threat. That being said, Hickman has made tremendous strides in expanding his game and now has the all-around offensive arsenal to truly control the action. He moves extremely well without the ball but also showed his ability to attack the basket and utilize his length to finish at the rim. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would take his already-polished game to a new level. Coach Doughty on Hickman: 'Mr. Big Game is what I call him, but you can call him Jay Hickman. He played post. He played on the perimeter. He played defense. I guess you can say, he played and played well. Jay is a matchup nightmare. He has a quick first step and an even quicker second and third jump. If you haven't heard of this guy before, you'll hear a lot more from him.' Hickman should have Division I schools excited for this upcoming season, as shooting translates and he's certainly one of the best around.
#52:'6'2 '20 Anthony Davis (Lincoln Charter)
Moving onto a player that offered his team with a conservative, fairly well-rounded skillset, Anthony Davis. He's a wiry guard prospect that can make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Davis is a capable shooter, both off the catch and bounce, but typically prefers to get downhill and attack the basket. He gave consistent effort throughout the day and worked to find open teammates whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to position himself better as a rebounder, as he has all the tools to be a useful two-way threat on the glass. Coach Doughty on Davis: 'Not 'the Brow' but you should still pay attention to this guy. I challenged him defensively and he stepped up. He seems to be a quiet person. That's okay, because his game is loud enough. He shot a lot of midrange jumpers and finished at the basket well today. He could be one to look out for one day.' Davis enjoyed a nice showing at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role during the upcoming season at Lincoln Charter.
#67:'6'3 '21 Jacob McMillan (South Granville)
Continuing onto a player that highlighted his ability to consistently affect all facets of the game, Jacob McMillan. He's a strong-bodied wing/forward prospect that can reliably pass, handle, and score the ball while defending and rebounding at a quality level. McMillan has a nice feel for the game and is capable of operating in a ton of different roles on the court. He also played with an unselfish, team-first mentality and looked to make the smart play whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would allow him to apply even more scoring pressure as a cutter. Coach Doughty on McMillan: 'I had a few questions about Jacob. Is he a big, wing, or guard' I quickly found out that it doesn't matter because he filled all those slots today. He posted when necessary and slashed whenever he got the chance. Jacob set up teammates when called upon to do so. This kid is versatile.' McMillan made a major impact during camp and could be poised for a breakout upcoming season, especially if he continues to work.
#68:'6'3 '22 Sintavious Richards (Webb)
Next, we look at a player that proved to be impactful and effective with any group of teammates, Sintavious Richards. He's a long, wiry wing/forward prospect with a nice two-way feel and the ability to affect all facets of the game quite regularly. Richards does a great job of operating without the ball, but also showed his ability to get downhill and attack the basket while knocking down the occasional jumper. Next in his development process is working to become a better transition defender, as he has all the tools to shut down opposing fast breaks. Coach Doughty on Richards: 'Sintavious is a smart player with nice length. He has an awkward game but it works for him. He has range on his shot. He also has the ability to post whenever necessary. Sintavious can penetrate and finish at the rim. Be careful, because he may flush one down on the defender. Keep a watch for him, as he's on the rise.' Richards is young and will be one to monitor, as he could become a breakout type of player sooner than later.
#84:'6'6 '21 Sam Perez (Middle Creek)
Moving onto a player that possesses an incredible crossroads between productivity and long-term potential, Sam Perez. He's a fluid, skilled forward/post prospect that can immediately cause matchup problems with his size, feel, athleticism, and two-way versatility. Perez scores on all three levels and has the capability of operating in a variety of different roles at a high level. Next in his development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him even tougher for the opposition to contain. Coach Doughty on Perez: 'Sam is a multi-faceted player. He does so many things well that it's hard to write about him. I know that sounds funny, but that's how I feel. He can play inside or outside very effectively. He has college range on his shot and rebounds like a man possessed. He has a quick second jump and dunks with either hand. He's a talent on the court, field, as well as on the diamond. Keep him on the top of your list.' Perez simply has the chance to be special with continued work, so it'll be exciting to see his continued progression going forward.
#91:'6'8 '22 Landon Nall (Homeschooled)
Finishing up, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to scratch the surface of his long-term upside, Landon Nall. He's a big, strong-bodied big man that plays hard and within himself at all times. Nall possesses touch with both hands and displayed fundamentally-sound tendencies as a rebounder and defensive anchor. He moves well for his size and showed his ability to effectively stretch the floor from midrange and beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working on his ability to put the ball on the floor, as it would allow him to penetrate against slower big men. Coach Doughty on Nall: 'Landon is a big dude, a real big dude. I call him 'the Duke' like John Wayne. He runs the floor. He rebounds and passes very well. Look for him to improve his quickness as he learns to play more on the perimeter. He impressed me, stepping out to knock down a few threes. Landon is on the rise.' Nall has all the tools to become a really enticing prospect and should only get better with continued playing experience.