Team 11

Coach: Colby Lewis

#17: 5’3 ’29 Malakhi Blackmon (North Stanly)

First up, Malakhi Blackmon is a 5-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2029. He made a lasting impression with his unselfish, high-motor approach to the game on both ends of the floor. The next step in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing player. Coach Lewis on Blackmon: “First, we start off with a quick lead guard who set the tone with his activity level on the ball. Despite his size/frame, he did a nice job of picking up the point of attack on the defensive end and using his quickness to disrupt opposing ball handlers. Blackmon plays with his head up and did a good job of looking up the floor to advance the ball. He had quality shooting mechanics from the perimeter and looked comfortable off the catch. As he continues to develop physically and get stronger, this will help him playing through contact on drives and finishing at the basket versus bigger and stronger players.” Blackmon enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be one to watch progress going forward.

#39: 5’5 ’29 Parker Pozil (Westchester)

Next, Parker Pozil is a 5-foot-5 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a steady, team-oriented guard who understands how to produce within the flow of the action. The next step in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better penetrating threat. Coach Lewis on Pozil: “Parker showcased solid decision-making ability and understood how to play within the framework of a team. He constantly looked to make the right decisions and didn’t try to force things. He let the game come to him. He has solid shooting mechanics and knocked down shots off the catch. As he enters high school, he can continue to work on his speed and athleticism. At the next level, players will be faster and more athletic. Improving in this area will make the transition next year much easier as he already has a solid feel and IQ for the game.” Pozil did a lot of things well during camp and has the tools to progress over the coming years.

#49: 5’6 ’29 Zion Maske (Albemarle)

Next, Zion Maske is a 5-foot-6 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a strong, scrappy guard who knows how to reliably touch the paint and make plays for himself and others. The next step in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him even more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Lewis on Maske: “Zion was at his best utilizing his strong frame to attack downhill. He was aggressive looking to make plays off the bounce. He didn’t shy away from contact on drives. He can work on improving his decision-making and consistency shooting the ball from the perimeter. There were times when he would over-dribble and that would get him into trouble. But when he kept it simple and made decisive drives, that is when he found success.” Maske found success during his time at camp and will be a player to monitor over the foreseeable future.

#67: 5’8 ’29 James “JD” Williamson (Glenvar)

Next, James “JD” Williamson is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s smart, skilled, and able to outproduce opponents in several different ways. The next step in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a more physically imposing defender. Coach Lewis on Williamson: “JD is a skilled, high IQ guard who has the ability to create for himself and others. He showcased a well-rounded skillset and playmaking ability. Williamson did a good job of balancing looking for teammates with creating his own shot. He played under control, got into the paint, and made quality reads at the end of drives. He has good shooting mechanics, but can continue to become even more consistent as a shooter. This will open up all areas of his game. In addition, as he gets ready for high school, he can continue to get stronger as this will help him get to his spots more effectively by being able to embrace and play through the contact.” Williamson proved to be an asset at camp and has the tools to steadily progress over the coming years.

#82: 5’9 ’29 Avery Nidiffer (Tunstall)

Next, Avery Nidiffer is a 5-foot-9 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a highly unselfish, team-oriented guard who plays hard and is willing to do whatever necessary to give his team an edge. The next step in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable creator. Coach Lewis on Nidffer: “Avery is an extremely coachable guard who played with effort on every possession. He listened with his eyes and tried to execute what was being asked of him. On the offensive end, he was at his best in catch-and-shoot situations. He was able to utilize his shooting ability to attack in straight lines to the basket, where he did a good job of playing off two feet. He can continue to improve his handle as this will help him get by defenders when they are trying to pressure him out on the perimeter.” Nidffer stood out as a terrific teammate throughout camp and has the tools to be a difference-maker at the high school level.

#98: 5’10 ’29 Jaylen Austin (Northwood)

Next, Jaylen Austin is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2029. He displayed useful feel, creation skills, and ability to fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor. The next step in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Lewis on Austin: “Jaylen showcased flashes of playmaking ability with a solid handle and the ability to create off the bounce. At times, he was able to put pressure on opponents by being able to get into the paint where he finished with floaters and even through contact at times. Austin can continue to be more assertive at times. As a skilled guard, he has to make his presence felt more consistently throughout the game. In addition, he can continue to improve his perimeter shooting. This will open up opportunities for drives by becoming a more consistent shooter.” Austin made a solid impact during camp and will be a player to watch going forward.

#106: 5’11 ’29 Ryan Denny (Southwest Guilford)

Next, Ryan Denny is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s scrappy, unselfish, and works hard to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. The next step in his development process is working on becoming a craftier ball-handler, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on Denny: “Ryan is a good kid who is very coachable and listens well to instruction. It’s easy to see his constant effort and willingness to do whatever to help the team, he just seemed uncertain of what to do at times. However, he got more comfortable as the day went along. Ryan has good length on the wing and is a capable shooter with time and space. Hit a long catch-and-shoot midrange jumper. Considering he is still developing his overall skillset, Ryan has ample time to add to his game.” Denny highlighted some flashes during camp and should progress over the coming years.

#107: 5’11 ’29 Sincere Beloved (Allen)

Next, Sincere Beloved is a 5-foot-11 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s tough, unselfish, and showed flashes of versatility on either end of the floor. The next step in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him a better penetrating threat. Coach Lewis on Beloved: “Sincere is a forward with a decent foundational skillset. He wants to become a guard based on his play style, and will likely need to do so depending on his physical growth going forward. Solid shooting mechanics but could get quicker. Needs to improve his speed and quickness. This will help him when he gets to high school, whether it’s trying to beat opponents off the bounce or being able to guard on the perimeter against guards/wings. Coachable kid. Asked multiple times throughout the day what he could do better and work on in the next game.” Beloved highlighted a variety of positive traits at camp and has the tools to progress going forward.

#128: 6’1 ’29 Tyrus Shaffer Jr. (Immaculate Heart of Mary)

Next, Tyrus Shaffer Jr. is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2029. Although he has useful skill and a variety of intriguing physical tools, he made a lasting impression with his phenomenal energy. The next step in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on Shaffer: “Tyrus is a long, lanky post player with a high motor. Competed hard on both ends. Active around the rim and does well to create second-chance opportunities. Scored everything around the rim. Will need to continue to develop his overall skillset, as he is a little raw right now. Depending on how much he grows, he will eventually need to add more perimeter skills (ball-handling and shooting) to his game.” Shaffer enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be a player to monitor over the coming years.

#138: 6’2 ’29 Jayden Echenique (Northern Guilford)

Finishing up, Jayden Echenique is a 6-foot-2 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a scrappy, hard-working big man with a developing identity on both ends of the floor. The next step in his development process is working on getting stronger, as it would make him a better finisher through contact. Coach Lewis on Echenique: “Jayden is a raw, developing big man. I was really impressed with his natural instincts to keep the ball high on offensive rebounds. Although he struggled at times to finish through contact at the rim, he didn’t drop the ball so guards weren’t able to strip it from him. Uses his length well to contest shots defensively. Jayden can get quicker on the perimeter to defend switching situations.” Echenique highlighted some nice flashes during camp and will be a player to watch progress over the foreseeable future.

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