Team 9
Coach: Tim Respass
#40: 5’7 ’26 Ian Ramirez (East Mecklenburg)
Starting things off, we look at a player who made a solid impact despite being the smallest camper on this team, Ian Ramirez. He’s a smart, unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with a nice penetration sense and the ability to create for himself and others. Ramirez handles the ball effectively, sets up others, and scores from all levels. He’s a quality on-ball defender who provides consistent effort on that end of the floor. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more useful spot-up threat. Coach Respass on Ramirez: “Ian is a young, but good prospect at the guard position. He can score in multiple ways and is good when attacking downhill. He needs to have more effort when he doesn’t have the ball in his hands. Needs to command the ball at times and know when to look to screen or crash.” Ramirez enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be a prospect to watch progress over the coming years.
#48: 5’8 ’25 Calvin Dennis (South Garner)
Next, we look at a player who made a lasting impression through his motor and overall defensive presence, Calvin Dennis. He’s a tough, extremely active guard prospect with the combination of instincts, quickness, and anticipation to cause a lot of problems for opposing ball-handlers. Dennis displayed solid penetration ability, but doesn’t necessarily require a ton of offensive touches to make an impact. 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 Respass on Dennis: “Calvin is an extremely hard worker that can sit on any offensive player in the open court and do a good job of staying in front. He gives full effort all of the time. He needs to work on his overall offensive game, especially his ability to score it. He can work on becoming more comfortable when the ball comes to him.” Dennis did a lot of things well at camp and should be able to carve out a useful role for South Garner during the upcoming season.
#69: 5’11 ’26 Julian Hernandez (North Raleigh Christian)
Moving onto a player who consistently stood out through his perimeter shooting and spot-up ability, Julian Hernandez. He’s a wiry, unselfish guard prospect with terrific cutting instincts and a reliable jumper from midrange and beyond the arc. Hernandez showed flashes of being able to do a little bit of everything, but is clearly at his best when finding off-ball opportunities. 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 Respass on Hernandez: “Julian has a very smooth-looking jumper with a quick release. He has good preparation in getting to his spot for catch-and-shoot opportunities. Displays a very good shot fake. He needs to get stronger and be better at dealing with contact. Needs to have confidence in putting the ball on the floor.” Hernandez showed a variety of flashes at camp and will be one to watch grow for North Raleigh Christian over the foreseeable future.
#81: 6’0 ’26 Amare Jones (Lumberton)
Continuing onto a player who utilized his penetration ability to apply constant downhill pressure, Amare Jones. He’s a tough, active guard prospect with quickness and solid feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Jones thrives when getting downhill and attacking the basket, where he’s a reliable finisher—both with craftiness and through contact. Jones creates well for himself off the bounce, but can also play without the ball as needed. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Respass on Jones: “Amare has a very good ability in attacking the basket. He runs the floor well with the ball and is able to finish with both hands. He needs to work on retooling his jumper from a basic mechanics as well as his understanding of what he does well as a player.” Jones made a solid impact during his time at camp and should be able to emerge for Lumberton over the coming years.
#95: 6’1 ’24 Cameron Gales (Thomas Jefferson)
Next, we look at a player who possesses a very steady, balanced identity, Cameron Gales. He’s a smart, steady, well-rounded guard prospect who knows how to run a team and assert himself as a scorer form all levels. Gales is an unselfish decision-maker who understands how to toggle between getting others involved and applying scoring pressure. He defends his position, rebounds well for his size, and is capable of making an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Respass on Gales: “Cam is a strong guard with a good frame and good athletic ability. He can knock down a shot from the outside with good-looking form. He can work on his finishing ability and his ability to play through contact in the paint.” Gales enjoyed a strong showing at camp and should be a target for various college coaches entering his upcoming senior season.
#104: 6’2 ’25 Haidyn Bell (Freedom Christian)
Moving onto a player who possesses a fairly intriguing array of tools, Haidyn Bell. He’s a long, strong-bodied wing prospect with a high motor and quality IQ on either side of the ball. Bell showed the ability to do a little bit of everything offensively, from hitting jumpers to attacking the basket to deferring to his teammates. He rebounds the ball at a solid rate and showed flashes of defensive instincts. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler. Coach Respass on Bell: “Haidyn attacks the basket well and has good ability in moving without the ball. He rebounds it well for his size. He needs to work on locating when getting back on defense and an overall ability to guard the ball.” Bell showed some nice flashes at camp and will be one to watch progress over the coming years.
#114: 6’3 ’24 Franklin Johnson (Chapel Hill)
Continuing onto a player who should appeal to college coaches over the coming months, Franklin Johnson. He’s a smart, skilled, well-rounded wing prospect with a polished offensive arsenal (both as a scorer and creator) and reliable defensive presence. Johnson scores from all levels, creates for himself and others, and finds opportunities without the ball in his hands. He shoots the ball very well from distance, which allows him to cause problems for opponents when operating in spot-up situations. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler. Coach Respass on Johnson: “Frank can be a special player. He has all of the tools to be that player. Very good jump shot and ability to see the floor. He needs to be more assertive and command the ball more offensively, as well as utilizing his athletic ability when defending.” Johnson did a variety of things well at camp and should be a useful contributor for Chapel Hill during his upcoming senior season.
#123: 6’4 ’26 Kadyn Turner-Scott (Walkertown)
Next, we look at a player who continues to showcase an appealing crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Kadyn Turner-Scott. He’s a long, athletic, fairly well-rounded wing prospect with the ability to score the ball in a variety of different ways. Turner-Scott is a useful creator, both for himself and others, and understands how to mix it up from all levels. He’s a willing rebounder and quality threat in transition. Next in his development process is working on his transition defense, as he has the necessary tools to shut down opposing fast-break opportunities. Coach Respass on Turner-Scott: “Kadyn is a strong player with a very good ability to score the ball as well as good court vision when running the break. He needs to work on his approach when playing defense. Needs more readiness and active hands guarding the ball, as well as awareness when guarding off the ball.” Turner-Scott proved to be an asset at camp and should be poised for a productive upcoming season at Walkertown.
#134: 6’5 ’24 Jalen Umstead (Westchester Country Day)
Moving onto a player who simply understands how to produce within his role, regardless of context or setting, Jalen Umstead. He’s a big, strong-bodied post prospect with a high motor and clear willingness to do whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. Umstead displays solid touch around the basket, but doesn’t necessarily require a ton of touches to make his presence felt. He works hard defensively, battles for rebounds on the glass, and runs the floor hard in transition. Umstead is also a capable floor-spacing option from midrange and beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better defender in closeouts and pick-and-roll situations. Coach Respass on Umstead: “Jalen is a smart player with good versatility on the offensive end. He has a very good jumper and can also post up opponents with good touch.” Umstead made a quality impact during his time at camp and should be a target for various college coaches over the coming months.
#151: 6’11 ’25 Abdulai Kabba Fanta (Victory Christian)
Finishing up, we look at a player who showcased a ton of appeal, both as a current piece and long-term prospect, Abdulai Kabba Fanta. He’s a long, mobile big man with touch, athleticism, and excellent instincts as a rim-protector. Fanta does a nice job of finishing, rebounding, and running the floor hard in transition. He understands how to play to his strengths.Next in his development process is working on his aggression inside the paint on both ends of the floor, as it will help prepare him for the next level. Coach Respass on Fanta: “Kabba is a high-potential type of player. Great size and length with a good understanding of how to play and impact the game. Rebounds and blocks shots very well. He needs to work on keeping the ball high when getting it in the paint as well as his touch outside of the paint. Kabba should work on improving as a free-throw shooter.” Fanta stood out as a top performer at camp, securing the MVP award, and will be a major target for college coaches over the next calendar year.