Team 12
Coach: Colby Lewis
#18: 5’3 ’29 Shakeem Witherspoon (South Middle)
First up, Shakeem Witherspoon is a 5-foot-3 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a quick, scrappy, unselfish point guard who knows how to set the tone 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 Weatherspoon: “Witherspoon immediately stood out with his effort and intensity on the defensive end. Despite his height, he made up for it with his toughness, effort and activity level. His energy was contagious. On the offensive, he excelled in the open floor with the ball in his hands, creating paint touches and making quality decisions. One area that he could continue to improve on is his perimeter shooting ability. As a paint touch guard, becoming a more consistent thread from behind the arc will make it even easier to make plays off the bounce, whether he’s looking to create for himself or others.” Witherspoon did a lot of things well at camp and should continue to progress over the coming years.
#38: 5’6 ’29 Ja’son Turner (Uwharrie Charter)
Next, Ja’son Turner is a 5-foot-6 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s a tough, unselfish, fundamentally sound guard who can operate in various types of roles. The next step in his development process is working on becoming a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on Turner: “Ja’son is another point guard who was extremely coachable and looked to get others involved. Turner was a strong, physical, paint-touch creator. He used his body well to make plays off the bounce and keep defenders on his hip. Most importantly, he did a nice job of playing off two feet, which allowed him to make the right reads whether it was finding the open man or finishing with nice touch on his floaters. Turner can continue to improve his perimeter shooting ability. This will make it even easier for him to beat his opponents off the bounce as they’ll have to try to guard him more closely.” Turner made a quality impact during camp and will be a player to watch progress going forward.
#52: 5’7 ’29 Jamaad Featherston (Woodlawn)
Next, Jamaad Featherston is a 5-foot-7 prospect in the Class of 2029. Although he displayed impactful ability on both ends of the floor, he also made a lasting impression with his intangibles. The next step in his development process is working to refine his shot mechanics, as it would make him a more consistent shooter. Coach Lewis on Featherston: “Before we start talking about basketball, it’s worth noticing that Featherston was the first camper at the gym. He impressed our entire staff as he offered to help us finish setting up. This same attitude, willingness to help, and coachability carried over to the stations and to the games. On the court, Featherston is a quick, shifty guard with the ability to create for himself and others off the bounce. He showcased his ability to make shots from multiple levels. He shot the ball well from behind the arc, but he can improve his rotation as it is somewhat of a knuckleball. As he improves his release and backspin, it will make him a much more consistent shooter.” Featherston enjoyed a nice showing at camp and has the tools to be a difference-maker at the high school level.
#63: 5’8 ’29 Gee’onte McCain (South Middle)
Next, Gee’onte McCain is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2029. He made a lasting impression with his toughness, athleticism, and consistent two-way energy. The next step in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on McCain: “McCain is a high motor, athletic wing who made plays on both sides of the ball. Defensively, he was active on the ball, had quick hands, and created steals. He was able to turn defense into offense. On the offensive end, he is at his best attacking in transition and making plays in straight lines. As a lefty, he is much more confident finishing downhill with the left. He also showed the ability to make the perimeter shot when in rhythm. The next phases in his development will be developing a more consistent right hand, and improving his shooting mechanics. Right now, he brings the ball up on the right side of his body. As he tightens up his shooting mechanics, he will become more consistent from the perimeter.” McCain did a lot of things well during camp and should only continue to trend upward going forward.
#66: 5’8 ’29 Jake Rella (Rea Farms)
Next, Jake Rella is a 5-foot-8 prospect in the Class of 2029. He found success through his steady, reliable presence and consistent shooting prowess. The next step in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on Rella: “Jake is a fundamentally sound guard who made plays within the framework of the offense. He didn’t force things. He consistently looked to make the right read. There were even times when I had to encourage him to be more assertive, especially looking for his own shot. He is a good shooter with quality form. When he was shot-ready on the catch, he proved to be a consistent threat from three. Rella can continue to improve his ball-handling against pressure. This will allow him to be more of a threat off the bounce since defenders have to respect his perimeter shooting ability.” Rella enjoyed a quality showing at camp and will be a prospect to monitor over the foreseeable future.
#83: 5’9 ’29 Bryce Hunter (North Garner)
Next, Bryce Hutner is a 5-foot-9 prospect in the Class of 2029. He consistently shined through his nonstop motor and willingness to do whatever was necessary to provide his team with 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 Hunter: “Hunter stood out as an athletic wing who brought energy every single possession. He was willing to do all the dirty work on the defensive end. Good things happened when he was on the floor. It seemed like he won the majority of 50/50 balls which gave his team added possessions. Offensively, Hunter is at his best getting downhill and finishing at the end of drives. Hunter is capable from the perimeter when in rhythm off the catch. He can continue to improve his consistency as a shooter and he can tighten up his handle versus pressure.” Hunter made a nice impact during camp and has the tools to be a difference-maker at the high school level.
#97: 5’10 ’29 Jacub Jayma (Jay M. Robinson)
Next, Jacub Jayma is a 5-foot-10 prospect in the Class of 2029. He did an excellent job of actively filling in the gaps on both ends of the floor. The next step in his development process is working on getting quicker, as it would make him more difficult for opponents to contain. Coach Lewis on Jayma: “Jacub proved to be a reliable utility piece for this team. He played hard and within the framework of the offense. Most of his points came from within the flow of the offense and around the rim on drop-offs and second-chance opportunities. He constantly worked to create extra possessions and opportunities. He has a nose for the ball as he rebounded well and won 50/50 balls. The next phase in his development is working on his speed/quickness and developing his handle and perimeter game. At his size, he will most likely be a guard at the next level, so having the ability to make plays off the bounce from the perimeter and becoming a more consistent shooter will help him make the transition at the high school level easier.” Jayma worked hard during camp and will be a player to monitor going forward.
#127: 6’1 ’29 Nolan Allen (North Davie)
Next, Noah Allen is a 6-foot-1 prospect in the Class of 2029. He did a terrific job of finding ways to make an impact within the flow of the action. The next step in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Lewis on Allen: “Nolan is a high IQ forward with a willingness to do whatever is asked of him. He has the ability to knock down shots from behind the arc. He has a good release and when he is ready and looking to shoot, he knocks them down with consistency. There are times where Allen could have been more assertive and looking for his shot. The times when he played with more aggressiveness, good things happened. He makes good reads and is a threat from behind the arc. As he enters high school, he can continue to get stronger and improve his playmaking ability off the bounce. This will go hand in hand with that assertiveness mentioned earlier to make him more ready to make that transition at the next level.” Allen enjoyed a solid showing at camp and has the tools to continue progressing over the coming years.
#139: 6’2 ’29 Jayden Velez (CPLA)
Next, Jayden Velez is a 6-foot-2 prospect in the Class of 2029. In addition to his productive on-court identity, it’s easy to see his potential as a long-term piece. 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 Velez: “Jayden earned a top performer award for the 2029 class at camp, as he had one of the more productive performances of all campers. Velez is a long, skilled wing with a lot of potential, especially if he keeps growing. He showcased his ability to score the ball from inside and out. Velez was able to use his length to finish over opponents at the rim and also knocked down multiple catch-and-shoot threes. As he continues to develop, understanding shot selection and keeping the game simple will help him find more success. He can continue to get stronger and improve his ballhandling vs pressure. This will allow him to embrace contact, get to his spots more efficiently, and become a productive player earlier in his high school career.” Velez did a variety of things well at camp and should be an immediate contributor as a freshman.
#151: 5’9 ’29 Brady Rivera (Homeschool)
Next, Brady Rivera is a 5-foot-9 prospect in the Class of 2029. He’s crafty, skilled, and offers quality balance between scoring and playmaking. The next step in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him a more imposing defender. Coach Lewis on Rivera: “Brady is a savvy, playmaking guard. Rivera had the ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. He is effective at either guard position. Rivera has a solid handle, gets to his spots effectively, and makes quality reads once he gets into the paint. By playing off two feet, this allows him to find the open teammate or finish with touch in the paint. Rivera also showcased the ability to knock down multiple shots from behind the arc. From a shooting perspective, although he made multiple threes, he can continue to improve his shooting mechanics by bringing the ball up more on the right side of his face as he currently has a tendency of bringing the ball up on the left side of his face. This will allow him to become a more consistence as a perimeter threat. Defensively, Rivera is a scrappy on ball defender and understands team defensive principles.” Rivera proved to be an asset during camp and will be a player to watch going forward.