Seems like it’s been forever since we were hooping, but the wait is over! Phenom took over the Rock Hill Sportsplex for 3 days of high-level hoops. We will be bringing you the ballers to know from each game throughout the event. Players to know from Court 5&6 are as follows.
Juice All Stars
#9 Oliver Roberts, 6’3 2024 G – Good looking young guard. Has good length, good feel for the game, and is just starting to make his mark as a prospect. Super kid as well so makes it easy to root for him out on the floor. Has frame you look for in a young guard that suggests will add size/strength easily as he matures. Highlight reel block off backboard early hints at athleticism to come. Nice shooter as well. Will need to finish stronger as he continues to move up. Will be a name coaches know soon enough.
#22 Unique Lynch, 6’4 2023 G – Powerfully built young athlete on the wing. Can be a bit ball-dominant at times and could look to lose some of the extra dribbling in his game but has the skills to develop nicely moving forward. Game needs refinement but tools are here.
#2 Dylan Purnell, 6’3 2023 W – Scorer from the word go. Does not look to do anything but score with the ball in his hands. Put up 20 points in a half versus solid team. Long arms suggest still has room to grow. Good bounce for his age and can get to the basket with ease. Will force stuff a bit too much at times, often going 1 on 2 or 3 on the way to the basket. Could gain efficiency in his offensive game by picking his spots better.
Raising Young Men
#23 Conner Leitch, 6’4 2023 W – Has the look of a tweener to me at this point. Has the stroke and length to be a nice catch and shoot weapon but does not really show the handles and acumen to play on wing with the ball. Has the size to play inside at this level but isn’t really a post player. What he is though is a solid piece for this squad and one that still has time to develop into a more natural role. See him as a game in transition at this time.
Few360 15u
#23 Chandler Rush, 6’2 2023 W – Looks the part. Good body for his age and can use it to advantage. Strong and will go hard at you in the lane and on the boards. Work in progress as far as development but has the athletic tools to work with. Right now more athlete than anything. Will need to work on all aspects of his game (handles, hands, shot, etc) but has the type of gifts that should lead to a solid floor with which to build from
#1 Jeremiah McClain, 6′ 2024 W – Wired to score. Can shoot it and from deep but at times will fall in love with the jumper too much for comfort. Needs to learn to compliment the jumper with the drive and even mix in a pull up now and then. Another young gun that needs to work on his craft but also one that can go get you 20 at any time when locked in.
Garner Road 15u
#4 Dequavion Short, 6’4 2023 G – Really enjoyed his performance today. Within a span of 4-5 minutes had a nice easy 3, forced issues on D, and then got out on a break and threw one home. Last bucket did not count as whistle blew early but the hops, power and athleticism was there to be had. Garner Road always has talent out on the floor and this kid looks like he will follow in that mold. Nothing here to suggest kid wont be a scholarship level player by time he is done with HS ball.
#1 Shamarjah Davis, 6’2 2023 G – Very quick and shifty lead guard. Solid with the ball in his hands can shake and bake his opponents as needed. Can step out and hit the 3 as well so can’t just sit back and wait on the drive (though the drive is stronger part of his game at this point). Showed a nasty spin move going down the lane in this one. Talent and athleticism is here and you know the Garner Road has a way of developing kids like this and sending them into the next level.
Team Charlotte
#1 Marcus Brown, 6’5 2023 W – Long and slender guard can hurt you in several ways on the floor. Ability is there to step into and rise over a defender with a 3 but also has the ability to beat his man off the dribble and get to the lane as well. Long arms gives him an advantage out on the floor.
#2 Darius Abraham, 6’2 2023 G – High motor kid that gives you what he has on the floor. That type of kid always ends up with a nice looking box score in an event like this. Solid build allows him to bang and defend against bigger. Might not always wow you as a fan but will always appreciate him as a coach.
Garner Road 15u
#1 CJ Alston, 6′ 2023 G – Been in love with this kids game all weekend long. Not much not to like here in still developing PG.
#21 Anthony Thorpe, 6’5 2023 G – Has had several nice games here this weekend. Long and lanky wing scorer will only get better as his body matures.
#3 Dashaun Grant, 5’11 2023 G – Tough kid with a high motor. Really looks to get out and run when possible. Loves to drive it to the hole but shows the jumper as needed. Strong for size and is a plus defender when he wants to be. Showed out well all weekend long.
Strong Center
#5 Xavier DeBerry, 6’1 2023 W – Love him more and more each time I see him go. Big body guard that can bully his man to the basket. Also has the jumper if you need it. And add it all together with a high end motor…Only thing he’s missing is size and some refinement. Really enjoyed watching him work this week.
#3 Micah Jones, 6′ 2023 G – Very quick guard is a nice compliment to the power of DeBerry. Easy with the rock in his hand on the bounce. Will look up but has times when tunnel vision locks in. Can hit the jumper and has a good first step when he takes off to the basket. Will make plays for others as he attacks but mostly is wired to score.
Team Giles
#14 Jordan Moody, 5’10 2023 G – Runs the offense for his team. Quick enough up and down the floor to get where he wants to go and generally gets team into sets quickly. Will be the one they look to when they need offense. Did not have best showing while we were court side in this one but is one we have seen have nice moments this weekend. He is the motor that makes this team go.