6’9 ’23 Asa White (NC GBB)
Although various guys have improved since joining this roster, arguably no one has progressed as much as White. He’s always been a talented player but his mentality has visibly shifted, and he now stands out as a very reliable, unselfish piece on both ends of the floor. White finishes, rebounds, alters shots, and runs the floor hard in transition. The difference in effort, communication, and willingness to do the little things should have the attention of college coaches. He has been very effective throughout the weekend.
6’1 ’23 Parker Hodgson (NRCA)
Despite somewhat of a lopsided contest, Hodgson did a nice job of finding ways to apply scoring pressure within the flow of the team. He’s a wiry guard with nice shooting abilities, both off the catch and bounce, and an active motor defensively. Hodgson moves well without the ball and battles for extra possessions whenever possible.
6’3 ’22 Elijah Jamison (Liberty Heights)
One would be hard-pressed to find many guys on this roster who are more consistently productive than Jamison. He’s a smart, strong, well-rounded floor general with a balanced offensive approach and the ability to make an impact in all facets of the game. Jamison scores from all levels, sets up others at a high volume, and contains his assignment well defensively. He’s a quality rebounder for his position and excels as a downhill penetrator in transition.
6’10 ’23 John Baldwin (Northwood Temple)
Though still developing, it’s easy to see the overall appeal with someone like Baldwin—who only continues to improve with each new viewing. He’s a big, strong, sturdy post prospect with a massive frame and the ability to physically overpower opponents on either end of the floor. Baldwin finishes effectively around the basket, secures rebounds at a solid rate, and altered shots on a regular basis. He will only continue to get better and better over time.
6’0 ’25 Devaughn Brown (Trinity Christian)
This Trinity Christian squad is definitely going to get better over the foreseeable future, and Brown should be a major part of their foundation. He’s smart, skilled, and unselfish with the necessary poise and polish to reliably operate as a primary creator for this group. Brown is a balanced floor general who looks to set up others, but can also score in a variety of ways. Expect him to only continue to trend upward.
6’0 ’23 Jordan Cooper (Wayne Country Day)
Although they’ve shown great balance throughout the weekend, Cooper certainly deserves credit for his steady, reliable production. He’s a wiry, skilled guard prospect with the necessary instincts to run a team or apply scoring pressure as an off-ball threat. Cooper is a lethal three-point shooter, but also attacks the basket and knocks down midrange jumpers at a high percentage. He’s much more athletic than he appears at first glance, and will meet opponents at the rim. Cooper is also a quality passer and useful defender.
6’0 ’25 Eli Ellis (Moravian Prep)
While numerous guys on this squad would be worthy of recognition, it’s just impossible to ignore everything Ellis does as a focal point. Not only does he knock down incredibly difficult jumpers on a regular basis, but he’s more than capable of operating as a primary creator and setting up others. Ellis comfortably creates for himself off the bounce, but can also pose a lethal threat as an off-ball threat. He’s a useful defender, rebounder, and displays craftiness when looking to attack the basket.
6’11 ’22 Mady Traore (Bull City Prep)
Despite some ups and downs throughout the course of this contest, Traore stood out as a definite bright spot for Bull City Prep. He’s extremely long and possesses a wiry frame, but understands how to utilize his body to outwork opponents—especially inside the paint. He’s a useful finisher, rebounder, and shot-blocking presence, but also shows the ability to knock down perimeter jumpers and effectively run the floor in transition.
5’8 ’24 Zamareya Jones (North Pitt)
It would be extremely difficult to watch this North Pitt squad and not acknowledge everything Jones does for this group. She’s the clear leader in all facets, whether it be scoring, playmaking, or setting the tone defensively, and does a terrific job of doing whatever possible to keep her team afloat. Jones is a quality rebounder, especially for her size, and displays a very high-level understanding of the game. She also possesses an unbelievably quick first step. It’s easy to see why she has such a notable reputation.
6’0 ’23 Miya Giles-Jones (Terry Sanford)
There were a lot of impressive prospects for Terry Sanford, but Giles-Jones arguably stood out as their most enticing long-term piece. She’s already very productive on both ends of the floor, but truly has even more attainable upside remaining. Between her size and versatility, Giles-Jones can dominate a game. She’s strong, physical, and possesses the fluidity of a guard despite having the frame of a forward/post. Giles-Jones has all the tools to be a coveted asset amongst various college coaches.
5’8 ’24 Darris Simmons (Pine Forest)
Though it was definitely a balanced effort by Pine Forest, one simply cannot ignore the impressive scoring display put forth by Simmons. He’s slightly undersized but possesses the ability to generate (and convert) any shot he wants. Simmons applied efficient pressure from all levels, and possesses the ability to mix it up based on what the opposition gives him. He highlighted a crafty handle, set up others, and made plays defensively. Simmons should be a major piece over the foreseeable future.
6’4 ’23 Isaac Holmes (Apex Friendship)
It’s easy to appreciate the unselfish brand of basketball Apex Friendship plays, and it certainly starts with the savvy, passer-friendly Holmes. Not only has he visibly improved his body, but he’s among the best setup artists in the entire state. Holmes showed the ability to score efficiently from all three levels, but primarily looked to create for others whenever possible. Add in his frame and understanding of how to utilize his body, and he has obvious next-level talent.
6’2 ’22 Amari Pearson (Fayetteville Academy)
The entire Fayetteville Academy squad put forth phenomenal effort, but it was certainly Pearson who shined as their undisputed star. He got downhill, attacked the basket, and finished or set up others with consistency. However, Pearson also hit perimeter jumpers, forced turnovers defensively, and made his presence felt as a rebounder. He’s such a great tone-setter for this group and should appeal to various college programs.
6’5 ’23 Truman Claytor (Word of God)
While Word of God is easily among the more balanced teams in the state, it was easy to single out the contributions from Claytor. Not only did he do the little things and consistently set the tone on the glass, but Claytor found ways to apply scoring pressure within the flow of the action. He’s an excellent shooting threat with IQ, size, and versatility on both ends of the floor. Claytor is the type of player that any type of team can utilize, given his adaptable, well-rounded identity.