On Wednesday afternoon, Phenom Hoops went to downtown Charlotte to check in on Team EAT 2025 and EAT Academy, giving us a glimpse of the future of not only what this program has to offer but several young prospects that will be quickly making their names in the Class of 2025 in North Carolina.
About Team EAT and EAT Academy:
EAT Academy and Team EAT: EAT Academy is deploying a unique model for developing elite players for high school, spring/summer tournaments, and eventually, a D1 environment. The program comprises an intense combination of top-level competition, routine practice, skills-development, cardio and strength conditioning, and diet/nutritional programs. EAT Academy Co-Founders, Karlyn “KD” Dixon and Coach Erik Whaley (also Assistant Coach at Westminster Catawba Christian School) are calling this innovative program an “accelerator” — the idea is to “accelerate” a player’s skill-sets so they have a D1 skill-set package, three years before their freshman year in college (that’s the target objective for all players). Each player receives a customized performance plan (EAT Academy) which is integrated into the overall team concept (Team EAT). Team EAT 2025 is helmed by Coach Floyd Banks, a former player at Wingate University.
Roster Breakdown:
Isaiah Henry, #1 (6’2”)
Henry, the younger brother of KJ Henry at Clemson, has a chance to be a BIG name on the basketball scene. You can see that he has the early tools to make a name for himself as one of the premier prospects in NC for his class. Already fluid, skilled, and versatile, Henry brings a unique game to the court to go along with his strong physical frame. He is GOING to be a name you hear much more about.
Coach Banks’ Breakdown: “Isaiah averaged 15ppg/12rpg at Concord Academy as an 8th grader playing JV, before being promoted to varsity. Isaiah is a highly skilled-finisher and powerful a7acker at the rim, with tremendous basketball IQ and court vision. He has elite perimeter skills and is a lockdown defender and dominant rebounder.”
Brent Banks, #24 (5’6”)
Banks excels as a true ball-handler on the court. He has enough shake and wiggle into his game to keep the defense guessing, can change directions quickly, and plays with nice pace. Banks also is a perimeter threat with tremendous range.
Coach Bank’s Breakdown: “Brent’s an excellent ball-handler, passer, and decision-maker: a floor-general on the court. Offensively, Brent is a knock-down shooter with collegiate range and a fearless a7acker often resulting in power layups, lobs to bigs, or skips to perimeter players for the 3-ball. On defense, he’s lockdown.”
Jonah Lawrence, #23 (6’1”)
Lawrence is a smooth guard with great size for an eighth grader. He brings crafty handles as a ballhandler but shows a smooth release and confident shooting stroke from multiple spots on the court.
Coach Banks’ Breakdown: “Jonah is a premier spot-up threat, a defensive specialist, and reliable ballhandler. Jonah is fluid and versatile and can get to the rim with ease and finish with both hands. His high-level experience in elite circles makes him a leader for Team EAT 2025.”
Anderson Collins, #4 (5’6”)
One of the smaller guards, Collins is an effective ball-handler that makes solid decisions on the court. He makes his presence known by getting to his perimeter spots to either knock down shots or create off a few dribbles.
Coach Bank’s Breakdown: “Anderson is very skilled at catch-and-shoots, 1-dribble pullups, 2-dribble pullups, and floaters. His shooting ability requires respect from the defense, which creates space for his teammates to a7ack the rim. Anderson is a solid ball-handler and passer, and an improving defensive player.”
Drew Dinkin, #12 (6’1”)
Coach Banks’ Breakdown: “Drew is one of the strongest rim-a7ackers in North Carolina with a knack for offensive rebounding. His quick release makes it difficult to block his shot. Drew also has a solid midrange game, an emerging “3-Ball”, and his strength and speed make him a powerful force in transition.”
Caden Edmond, #35 (6’2”)
Edmond has the size to really be a productive wing, as he can be a threat from outside with his shot but also with his ability to a7ack off the dribble and finish at the rim. He has a good IQ on the floor and doesn’t force much, while also playing hard and smart on the defensive side. Edmond does a nice job as well on the boards; always active.
Coach Bank’s Breakdown: “Caden played on Central High School’s varsity team (Pageland, SC) as an 8th grader. A legitimate triple-threat, Caden is dangerous with the shot, pass, or rim a7ack. Caden is very good in transition and solid on the defensive side of the ball and boards. His emerging “3-Ball” can make him elite.”
Kaegan Chambers, #2 (6’0”)
Chambers isn’t one that needs the spotlight to be effective. He makes his presence known in several areas and really is a prospect that can help a team in many areas; wherever you may need him on offense or defense. Plays smart and within the offense, while also making smart decisions on the floor.
Coach Banks’ Breakdown: “Perhaps the most athletic player on the team, Kaegan is a dominant defensive stopper and dangerous in transition with his speed, a7acking style and playmaking abilities. Kaegan is versatile, a skilled ball-handler and passer, and because of his exceptional speed, gets to the rim with ease and authority.”
Quinton “Q” Burgess, #31 (6’4”)
Burgess is another big for Team EAT but brings more versatility and can operate on several levels of the court. He uses his length well and finishes at the rim but also shows a more advanced skillset to work off the dribble as a big. He can create mismatches with his size and is a force as a rim-protector.
Coach Banks’ Breakdown: “Q is long, athletic, and dominant at times. On offense, he consistently a7acks the rim, has a capable mid-range game, and emerging perimeter skills. On defense, his quick leaping ability allows him to compete for most rebounds and he’s one of the top shot blockers in North Carolina.”
Amare Adams, #11 (6’4”)
Adams brings the toughness and physicality down in the paint, especially with his size. His blend of power and strength can help him carve out any spot he wants around the rim, as well as help him be an effective rebounder.
Coach Banks’ Breakdown: “Amare is a strong, skilled mid-range and inside prospect with a big frame, strong athleticism, and nice versatility on both the offensive and defensive ends. His combination of size, strength, and mobility, make him a quality finisher offensively, an aggressive rebounder, and a powerful force defensively.”