Team 9
Coach: Jay Lawson
#37: 5’4 ’30 Kayden Bryant (Rocky Mount)
Staring off, Kayden Bryant is a 5-foot-4 prospect in the Class of 2030. Despite being the smallest camper on this team, he found consistent production through his steady, well-rounded identity. Bryant is a smart, unselfish guard with a high motor, scrappy approach, and polished skillset, which allows him to make a quality impact on both ends of the floor. He handles the ball with poise, creates for himself and others, and knows how to score with efficiency from all levels. Bryant is a malleable offensive piece who understands team basketball. Additionally, he’s a terrific defender with the quickness and instincts to reliably contain his assignment at the point of attack. 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 Lawson on Bryant: “Kayden is a good player off the bounce. Spaces the floor well. Gives the same amount of energy on both sides of the floor, which makes him an easy player to coach and trust.” Bryant did a lot of things well during camp and has the tools to grow into a very nice player going forward.
#49: 5’5 ’30 Kenneth Grooms (Winston-Salem)
Next, Kenneth Grooms is a 5-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2030. He regularly stood out through his smooth scoring ability and overall feel for the game. He’s a smart, scrappy guard with a nice skillset and pesky defensive presence. Grooms is a lethal spot-up threat and shooter off the bounce, which forces opponents to respect him along the perimeter at all times. He does a nice job of attacking off the bounce and finishing or seeing the floor as a passer. Grooms contains opposing guards well defensively, showing a strong blend of energy, toughness, and anticipation to force turnovers. He knows how to find openings and get to his spots in transition. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Lawson on Grooms: “Kenny is a high-IQ player who can impact winning on both sides of the floor. Always looking for the open man or mismatch in transition. Knockdown perimeter shooter with great form.” Grooms found success throughout camp and has all the tools to continue progressing over the foreseeable future.
#59: 6’1 ’30 Nick Kendalls (Iron Station)
Next, Nick Kendalls is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2030. In addition to his useful skillset, he already possesses an array of enticing physical tools. Kendalls is a phenomenal penetrator who excels at getting downhill and putting pressure on the rim. He utilizes his pace, quickness, and crafty handle to get wherever he wants off the bounce. Kendalls finishes very well at the basket, but can also knock down midrange jumpers at a strong rate. He moves well without the ball to find open seams within the defense. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would complement his penetration game nicely. Coach Lawson on Kendalls: “Nick has great size for a guard. Gets to the paint going left at will. He has really good footwork attacking the rim. Solid base and frame that helps him operate in traffic. Nick needs to keep working on his three-point shot, as it will help his game evolve.” Kendalls highlighted a lot of appeal throughout camp and should only continue to trend upward over the coming years.
#73: 5’7 ’30 Kayden Richardson (Green Level)
Next, Kayden Richardson is a 5-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2030. Given everything he showcased, there’s a lot to like about his overall game. Richardson is a highly polished guard with an all-around skillset, strong defensive presence, and long list of intangibles. He’s a quality three-level scorer with the ability to create his own shot, set up others, or play without the ball. Richardson mixes it up well to keep defenses guessing, but knows how to take advantage of what the defense gives him. He’s a strong defender with great anticipation and the ability to play through contact on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on establishing his rebounding presence, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lawson on Richardson: “Kayden is an extremely smooth hooper. Plays the game with great pace. Can get to his spots on the floor at will with tons of counters. Brings the energy on defense and understands rotations well.” Richardson proved to be an asset during camp and should only continue to blossom over the foreseeable future.
#78: 5’8 ’30 Austin Cuda (Hickory)
Next, Austin Cuda is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2030. It didn’t take long to recognize all the ways he reliably fills in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Cuda is a smart, malleable guard with a high IQ and strong understanding of how to operate in various roles. Although he found ways to stand out as an efficient scoring option from all levels, he’s a very unselfish player who operates well within the team structure. Cuda is a quality finisher and shooter with the ability to get downhill, spot up along the perimeter, or set up others. He also plays with terrific energy on both ends of the floor. Next in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing defender. Coach Lawson on Cuda: “Austin gets downhill whenever he wants. Understands how to attack and read the defense. He’s an above-average shooter from deep and does a great job of spacing the floor.” Cuda found nice success throughout camp and has the tools to steadily progress going forward.
#108: 5’11 ’30 Tannyr Carrier (Advance)
Next, Tannyr Carrier is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2030. Due to his ability to consistently impact all facets of the game, it’s easy to appreciate everything he brings to a team. Carrier is smart, unselfish, and stands out as a quality teammate on both ends of the floor. Although he displayed the ability to score the ball at a quality rate from all levels, he clearly prioritized making the right play and doing the little things whenever possible. Carrier made hustle plays, defended with toughness, and scored as needed. He reliably fills in the gaps however possible. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Lawson on Carrier: “Tannyr possesses an amazing feel for the game. Rebounds the ball extremely well. Displays effective moves to get paint touches and finish well around the rim. Uses his body really well on both ends of the floor.” Carrier highlighted a lot of ability during camp and certainly has the foundation to be a noteworthy player with continued work.
#122: 5’11 ’30 Nolan Nelson (High Point)
Next, Nolan Nelson is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2030. Given all the ways he consistently made an impact, he clearly stood out as a leader for this group. Nelson possesses a complete identity with legitimate ability in every facet of the game. He’s a smart, skilled, adaptable guard with the ability to do a lot of different things on the court. Nelson is a terrific shooter, both from midrange and beyond the arc, who can hit jumpers off the catch or bounce and attack closeouts at a consistent rate. He’s a dynamic creator who is comfortable running the team as an initiator or operating as an off-ball threat. Nelson has useful creation skills with vision and craftiness. He’s a reliable defender, both on and off-ball, who can force turnovers and push transition play with ease. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lawson on Nelson: “Nolan is a really good all-around basketball player. Shoots the cover off the ball. A downhill demon that can get any shot he wants at any given time. Spaces the floor really well. Communicates on both ends of the floor. Has a complete game. I look forward to seeing him develop.” Nelson proved to be an asset during camp and should be a player to monitor closely going forward.
#150: 6’2 ’30 Rasheem Smith (Willard)
Finishing up, Rasheem Smith is a 6-foot-2 prospect in the Class of 2030. Given his blossoming skillset, advanced array of physical tools, and overall instincts on both ends of the floor, he clearly has the ability to impact the game in various ways. Smith is a smart, physical forward with excellent size, soft touch, and the ability to overwhelm opponents on either side of the ball. He carves out space extremely well around the basket and finishes with both hands, but can also attack effectively off the bounce. Smith blocks shots, maintains a strong presence on the glass, and runs the floor effectively in transition. Next in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better defender when switching onto smaller guards. Coach Lawson on Smith: “Rasheem was one of the better overall players in the eighth-grade division at camp. Knows how to use his body extremely well. Rebounds the ball at a high level. Quality help-side defender. If he can increase his consistency from beyond the arc, he’ll be an extremely difficult person to defend.” Smith highlighted a lot of appealing qualities during camp and has the tools to grow into a notable prospect over the foreseeable future.