Team 7
Coach: Curtis Patton
#52: 5’5 ’30 Jayvien Rowe (Newton)
Starting off, Jayvien Rowe is a 5-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2030. Given his IQ, creation skills, and defensive prowess, he does a great job of running a team. Rowe is a sharp penetrator and playmaker with the ability to consistently get downhill and put pressure on the basket. He finishes well for his size, but can also space the floor effectively from beyond the arc. Rowe also knows how to properly move without the ball to find open opportunities. He contains his assignment well defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Patton on Rowe: “Jay impacted the game on both offense and defense. He is shifty with the ball and reliable from beyond the arc. He’s also a great defender. Jay has good IQ and recognizes mismatches on the floor. I would like to see him become a more vocal leader while continuing to work on his game.” Rowe enjoyed a quality showing at camp and has the tools to blossom into a nice floor general going forward.
#71: 5’7 ’30 Wesley Masencup (Rural Hall)
Next, Wesley Masencup is a 5-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2030. Due to his highly unselfish approach and natural understanding of how to run a team, there’s a lot to like about his game. Masencup is a very smart, smooth floor general with a high motor and balanced offensive approach. He’s a lethal shooting threat and terrific playmaker who consistently finds ways to set up others in scoring positions. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing defender. Coach Patton on Masencup: “Wesley is a true pass-first point guard. While his focus was to create for teammates, he showed that he is also a scoring threat from the perimeter. He thinks the game and looks to execute on both ends of the floor. He also wanted the challenge of guarding the other team’s best player. Next, I would like to see him add to his penetration game and ability to finish at the rim.” Masencup did a lot of things well during camp and clearly has the foundation to emerge as a notable player over the foreseeable future.
#90: 5’7 ’30 Nylan Patterson (Lenoir)
Next, Nylan Patterson is a 5-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2030. Between his high motor, playmaking instincts, and scoring ability, he does a lot of things well. Patterson is an unselfish floor general who consistently gets others involved and picks his spots within the flow of the action. He’s a strong penetrator and finisher with either hand, but can also knock down jumpers at a quality rate from beyond the arc. Patterson regularly outworks others to make hustle plays and utilizes his quickness to effectively keep opposing guards in front defensively. He also does a solid job of dictating transition play. 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 Patton on Patterson: “Nylan is a true basketball player. You can tell right away that he loves the game. Very coachable. He’s a pass-first point guard with deep range and a great knack for the ball.” Patterson made a quality impact throughout camp and should only continue to trend upward over the coming years.
#93: 5’9 ’31 Spalding Gray (Charlotte)
Next, Spalding Gray is a 5-foot-9 prospect in the Class of 2031. Playing up an age group, it was easy to be enticed by his consistent flashes on both ends of the floor. Gray is a smart, athletic guard with natural feel with and without the ball in his hands. Whether touching the paint at a high volume, knocking down jumpers, or being in the right position as a cutter, he found consistent involvement in the offense. Gray utilizes his quickness well to contain opponents defensively. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it will make him a more physically imposing player on both ends of the floor. Coach Patton on Gray: “Spalding was the silent assassin. He didn’t say much but kept finding ways to make plays. He has a quick first step and is shifty in his attack. His penetration ability often created mismatches for the defense, which created opportunities for assists. Next, I would like to see Spalding continue to grow as a vocal leader while getting stronger and becoming more consistent from distance. I can see him having a very good high school career.” Gray highlighted a lot of intrigue throughout camp and should only continue to blossom over the foreseeable future.
#101: 5’10 ’30 Terence “TJ” Hicks (Charlotte)
Next, Terence “TJ” Hicks is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2030. Already possessing excellent polish and intangibles, it’s easy to see his overall appeal. Hicks is a smart, unselfish, high-motor guard with great size, ball skills, and scoring ability. He’s a strong penetrator and quality finisher who shoots the ball extremely well from beyond the arc Hicks is a useful midrange threat and willing passer. Additionally, his ability to make defensive plays, do the dirty work, and fill in the gaps makes him a massive difference-maker. Next in his development process is working to improve his rebounding presence, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Patton on Hicks: “TJ was a joy to coach. Not only did he affect both ends of the floor, but he also did the little things whenever possible. Won hustle plays, blocked shots, talked on defense, etc. I believe TJ will have a good high school basketball career if he keeps working and getting stronger.” Hicks made a terrific impact at camp and should only continue to steadily progress over the coming years.
#103: 5’10 ’30 Meyer Upchurch (Chapel Hill)
Next, Meyer Upchurch is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2030. Between his consistent production and ability to impact all facets of the game, it was easy to recognize all the things he brought to the team. Upchurch is a natural glue-guy who can do a healthy amount of everything on the court. He can initiate the offense, create for himself and others, and score the ball in a variety of ways. Upchurch is also a solid all-around defender. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would lead to even easier scoring opportunities. Coach Patton on Upchurch: “Meyer is very skillful and has good knowledge of the game. He’s good at finding his spots on offense while having good court vision to find the open teammate. He is also a crafty defender who is quick enough to guard the quick guards and strong enough in the post. Next for Meyer would be to establish his presence as a vocal leader while improving his ball-handling.” Upchurch proved to be an asset during camp and has all the tools to emerge as a valuable high school piece.
#124: 5’11 ’30 Michai Sutton (Winston-Salem)
Next, Michai Sutton is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2030. Between his length, size, and athleticism, he’s able to outproduce opponents in various ways. Sutton excels at getting downhill and putting pressure on the rim, but can also knock down jumpers as needed. He’s a strong rebounder who carves out space well and capitalizes on second-chance opportunities with regularity. Sutton moves well without the ball to position himself for easy scoring chances. Next in his development process is working to sharpen his passing instincts, as it would make him an even more dynamic offensive player. Coach Patton on Sutton: “Michai reminds me of a young Giannis. When he gets the ball and attacks, he’s going to score. He plays aggressively on both ends of the floor. He can also score from all three levels. I would like to see him make the extra pass when he draws a crowd and continue to work on his overall game. I love his energy.” Sutton found consistent production during his time at camp and will be a prospect to monitor going forward.
#144: 6’1 ’30 Javion Massenburg (Garner)
Next, Javion Massenburg is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2030. He’s already capable of wreaking havoc and setting the tone as a scrappy, team-oriented piece on both ends of the floor. Massenburg possesses a terrific combination of size and skill, which makes him a matchup problem for opponents at this stage. He gets to the basket, finishes through contact, and creates effectively for himself and others. Massenburg is a quick defender who hustles back in transition. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Patton on Massenburg: “Javion is a great team player. He runs the floor well and always looks to make the extra pass, but has the ability to create his own shot. He has a smooth touch on his jumper and finishes well around the rim. I would like to see Javion continue to work on his defensive footwork as well as his vocal presence on defense.” Massenburg proved to be an asset during camp and has the tools to blossom into a quality prospect over the coming years.
#152: 6’3 ’30 Elijah Foster (High Point)
Finishing up, Elijah Foster is a 6-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2030. Already possessing legitimate size and a blossoming array of skills, it’s easy to see his long-term potential. Foster does a phenomenal job of finishing, rebounding, and anchoring the paint defensively. He utilizes his length to alter or block shots on a regular basis. Foster outworks opponents on the glass and runs the floor properly in transition. In addition to his interior ability, he can step out and space the floor quite well for his size. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better defender when switching onto smaller guards. Coach Patton on Foster: “Eli used his size and mobility well. He was consistently on the glass and blocking shots. I was surprised by his perimeter shooting. He understands when he has an advantage. I would like to see Eli continue to add to his post pack and develop his ball-handling.” Foster highlighted a lot of intrigue throughout camp and should only continue to trend upward going forward.