Team 8
Coach: Austin Collins
#22: 5’7 ’27 David Hicks (South Granville)
Starting off, we look at a player who stood out through his defense and playmaking sense, David Hicks. He’s a smart, unselfish guard prospect with reliable creation skills and a high motor. Hicks is a capable scorer from all levels, but is clearly at his best when getting downhill and attacking the basket. He looks to make the right read with the ball in his hands. Hicks is a quality all-around defender who contains his assignment and forces turnovers at a nice rate. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Collins on Hicks: “David has great ball control and understands how to effectively run a team. He can finish very well in the paint for his size. I love his hustle as well. David is a great teammate.” Hicks enjoyed a solid showing at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role sooner than later for South Granville.
#33: 5’9 ’27 Jayden Fitzgerald (Northside)
Next, we look at a player who reliably set the tone by example on both ends of the floor, Jayden Fitzgerald. He’s a smart, scrappy, well-rounded guard prospect with the ability to create for himself and others off the bounce. Fitzgerald scores at a solid rate from all levels and appears comfortable without the ball in his hands. He’s a great defender with the necessary quickness and anticipation to contain his assignment. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a shooter off the bounce, as it would make him a more lethal offensive threat. Coach Collins on Fitzgerald: “Jayden is a great floor general who listens and accepts coaching. He shoots the ball well and has good pace with the ball in his hands. I love how he takes accountability for his mistakes and makes up for it with his play.” Fitzgerald did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should emerge as a useful piece for Northside over these next few seasons.
#34: 5’9 ’28 Jyaer Gonzalez (Ambassador Christian)
Moving forward, we look at a player who showcased an appealing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Jyaer Gonzalez. He’s a wiry, skilled guard prospect with a high IQ and crafty handle. Gonzalez is comfortable applying scoring pressure in a variety of different ways, yet understands how to generate clean looks for others and make the necessary pass. He utilizes his quickness well to mirror opposing guards and force turnovers at a solid rate. Gonzalez is already above-average in all areas of the game, particularly for his size and age. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it will prepare him for the physicality of the high school game. Coach Collins on Gonzalez: “Jyaer has a great handle with the basketball. Displays the ability to shoot and drive to the basket on a frequent basis. Plays hard on both ends of the floor. Coachable player who talks to his teammates and encourages others. Great kid with a bright future if he stays in the gym.” Gonzalez proved to be an asset at camp and should emerge as a key piece sooner than later for Ambassador Christian.
#45: 5’11 ’28 Jazon Reynolds (Union Day)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who highlighted a variety of enticing flashes, Jazon Reynolds. He’s a steady, high-motor guard prospect with a strong penetration sense and excellent understanding of how to move without the ball. Reynolds is a quality ball-handler and willing passer who can score as needed. He provides great energy as a defender and knows how to outwork his assignment for extra possessions. Next in his development process is working on his timing as a passer in the open court, as it would make him a better floor general. Coach Collins on Reynolds: “Jazon is a good kid and overall teammate. I want him to work on looking up in fast-break situations. If he does, it’ll allow him to average at least 6-7 assists per game. Jazon needs to be more vocal as well. He could also benefit from being more aggressive in hunting his own shot.” Reynolds did a lot of things well at camp and has the tools to progress over the foreseeable future.
#55: 5’11 ’27 Omari Whiteside (Shelby)
Next, we look at a player who simply knows how to make an impact alongside any collection of teammates, Omari Whiteside. He’s a tough, skilled, high-motor guard prospect who consistently affects all facets of the game. Whiteside can assume creation duties and dictate the action as a floor general or place an increased emphasis on scoring the ball from all levels. He’s a rugged defender with the blend of quickness, instincts, and physicality to cause problems for opponents. Whiteside also rebounds the ball well for his size and understands how to properly push the break in transition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him an even more difficult matchup for opponents. Coach Collins on Whiteside: “Hustle, hustle, hustle is all I can say about Omari. Man, he plays great defense and excels at getting downhill on offense. Good scorer from anywhere on the floor. Very coachable young man who listens and encourages his teammates.” Whiteside made a strong impact at camp and should be a major difference-maker for Shelby throughout the coming years.
#67: 6’0 ’27 Dennis “Tre” Williams (EE Smith)
Moving forward, we look at a player who easily stood out as one of the most competitive campers on display, Dennis “Tre” Williams. He’s a tough, unselfish, high-motor guard prospect who consistently impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Williams is a terrific penetrator with the ability to read defenses, finish through contact, and set up others. He’s a reliable midrange shooter and capable threat from beyond the arc. Williams utilizes his quickness very well to contain opposing guards as an on-ball defender but also displays nice anticipation in the passing lanes. He’s a strong rebounder for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on his consistency from beyond the arc, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Collins on Williams: “Tre plays hard on every single possession. Very passionate about defense and winning. He can finish everything he attempts as a downhill threat and displays great strength and speed as well. Great kid who has the potential to be a very good ball player. He works hard!” Williams proved to be an asset at camp, earning the Playmaker Award, and should be a useful piece for EE Smith going forward.
#68: 6’0 ’28 Wyatt Harwood (Davie County)
Continuing forward, we look at a player who quietly stood out as one of the most productive campers on display, Wyatt Harwood. He’s a smart, skilled guard prospect with a high motor and unselfish approach to the game. Harwood is a reliable spot-up threat who can fill it up from beyond the arc. He’s a great midrange shooter and finisher around the basket. Harwood is a willing passer who looks to set up others whenever possible. He also provides a steady presence as a defender and rebounder. Next in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more reliable creator. Coach Collins on Harwood: “Wyatt can shoot the lights and really score the ball. He plays hard on both ends of the floor. Very coachable player who provides 100% effort at all times. He can rebound and push the ball up the court in transition. Willing to do whatever it takes to win.” Harwood enjoyed a strong showing at camp, finishing fifth in scoring at 12.0 PPG, and should emerge as a contributor sooner than later for Davie County.
#80: 6’1 ’28 Julius Hurley (Wesleyan Christian)
Next, we look at a player who showcased a variety of appealing qualities, Julius Hurley. He’s a young, smart guard prospect with a high motor and clear understanding of how to impact the game on both ends of the floor. Hurley is a well-rounded offensive threat who can handle the ball, set up others, and score at an efficient rate from all levels. He plays with terrific energy and is capable of shutting down his assignment defensively. Hurley also rebounds very well for his size/position. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a better spot-up threat. Coach Collins on Hurley: “Julius is a very quiet kid but plays extremely hard. I need him to become more vocal on the court and demand the ball when he’s open. He can rebound very well and stands out as a good defender in the paint. I’d also like to see Julius shoot the ball more often.” Hurley displayed a lot of positive flashes at camp and will be a prospect to monitor closely over the foreseeable future.
#92: 6’2 ’27 Jeremiah Harper (Berean Baptist)
Moving forward, we look at a player who consistently stood out through his energy and athleticism, Jeremiah Harper. He’s a long, smart, physically overwhelming wing prospect with a terrific motor and nose for the ball. Harper mixed up his scoring approach well from all levels, displaying efficiency and reliable creation instincts. He’s a willing passer who makes smart decisions with the ball. Harper regularly outworked opponents as a defender and rebounder. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open him up to even more scoring chances. Coach Collins on Harper: “Jeremiah is very, very athletic and has a nonstop motor. He showed the ability to score at will and get whatever he wanted from anywhere on the floor. He can score, defend, and is willing to accept coaching. Listens very well and has a positive attitude at all times, which I love. Needs to work on taking his time on difficult layups.” Harper shined as a difference-maker at camp, finishing seventh in scoring at 10.3 PPG, and should be a key piece for Berean Baptist going forward.
#106: 6’3 ’27 Ayden Padgett (Liberty)
Finishing up, we look at a player who quietly stood out as one of the more productive performers in this division, Ayden Padgett. He’s a long, wiry wing prospect who excels at doing the dirty work and filling in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Padgett finishes really well around the basket and consistently capitalizes on second-chance opportunities as a rebounder. He makes passes to open teammates, defends with energy, and runs the floor well in transition. Next in his development process is working on having a more vocal presence on the court, as it would make him a better teammate. Coach Collins on Padgett: “Ayden is a quiet kid but good ball player. He rebounds extremely well and doesn’t seem to be rushed by anyone or anything. Good finisher around the rim. Displays a nice blend of touch, footwork, and ability to pass out of the post. I would like him to find a jumper and use it when necessary.” Padgett produced well during his time at camp and has the tools to emerge as a focal point for Liberty over the next few years.