Team 9
Coach: Ryan Bernardi
#6: 5'9 '23 Montraivis White (Gray Collegiate)
Starting things off, we look at a player that was simply incredible, especially for his age and size, Montraivis White. He's a smart, lightning quick point guard prospect with vision, a tight handle, and the ability to pile on points from all three levels. White is very crafty with the ball in his hands, able to consistently get wherever he desires on the court to create for himself and others. He's a strong rebounder for his size and has the ability to truly overwhelm the opposition in transition. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would likely make him a more consistent finisher through contact. Coach Bernardi on White: 'Montraivis used his quickness and scrappiness to be all over the court today. He got many loose balls and guard rebounds. He made plays out of the ball screens, made three-pointers, and utilized his quickness to split defenders to get paint touches. He has a nice hesitation pull-up jumper. He needs to improve his finishing package, especially when being contested by big men. I'm excited to see his development moving forward.' White was undeniably impressive at camp, especially for his age/size, and should be a major contributor for the foreseeable future.
#12: 5'10 '20 Justin Alexander (Goose Creek)
Next, we look at a player that made a lasting impression with his phenomenal two-way motor, Justin Alexander. He's smart, team-first guard prospect with excellent quickness and the ability to apply great pressure as a downhill scorer. Alexander possesses a tight, crafty handle, which allows him to get by defenders and attack the basket, set up others, or stop and pull-up from midrange. He works extremely hard on defense and forced multiple on-ball turnovers during camp. Next in his development process is working on his craftiness as a passer, as it would make him a more complete offensive threat. Coach Bernardi on Alexander: 'Justin plays incredibly hard and is team-oriented. He made plays for others all day. He is a strong righty driver that moved well without the ball, especially when cutting to the basket. He needs to work on his scoring, especially from outside of the paint. He can become more consistent from midrange and beyond the arc. Justin can also work on being more controlled when going left, both as a ball-handler and finisher. He could stick his nose in more for guard rebounds.' Alexander does a lot of things well during camp and should have a productive upcoming season at Goose Creek.
#32: 6'0 '20 Myles Tate (Dorman)
Moving onto a player that continues to impress in a variety of different ways, regardless of his surrounding teammates, Myles Tate. He's a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with a tight handle, silky-smooth jumper, and a phenomenal blend between playmaking and three-level scoring. Tate is an engaged defender with quick hands, quick feet, and sharp positioning, which allows him to force turnovers at a nonstop rate. Next in his development process is simply working to add strength, as it'll help prepare him for the physicality of the college game. Coach Bernardi on Tate: 'Myles is a stud on the court, everyone knows that. However, I was so impressed by his character and people skills. He built up his teammates and admitted his wrongs. He has a great presence about himself and a positive disposition. On the court, he is an elite jump shooter. He is so good in the ball screens because you can't go under and he has elite court vision and is a willing passer. He defends the ball well and gets his hands on passes and loose balls. He is an awesome guard rebounder that sticks his nose in often.' Tate was incredible throughout camp, securing the MVP award in dominant fashion, and should be a phenomenal building block for Butler going forward.
#47: 6'1 '20 Brian Sparks (South Florence)
Continuing onto a player that was arguably the main glue-guy of this team during camp, Brian Sparks. He's an unselfish, well-rounded guard prospect that is capable of making a strong impact from either backcourt position. Sparks is able to apply scoring pressure from all three levels, but is definitely at his best when getting downhill and finishing through contact at the rim. He's a steady creator for himself and others with the ability to lock up his on-ball assignment quite regularly. Next in his development process is working on his awareness as an off-ball defender, as it would allow him to force more turnovers by jumping into passing lanes. Coach Bernardi on Sparks: 'Brian is a good penetrator. He touches the paint at will and plays off of two feet often, pivoting and being patient with the ball. He has sneaky athleticism, as he played above the rim when he had the opportunity. He needs to be more efficient from midrange and beyond, however is a great finisher at the rim with his strong hand. His weak hand can improve but he has a solid base.' Sparks enjoyed a great showing at camp and should emerge as a primary leader during the upcoming season at South Florence.
#62: 6'2 '20 Zachary Laird (Brashier Middle College)
Next, we look at a player that made a strong impression as the most reliable perimeter shooter on this team, Zachary Laird. He's a wiry, high-motor guard prospect with an absolutely knockdown three-point stroke. Laird is a solid ball-handler and creator, but typically operates as a spot-up threat and off-ball cutter. He's a quality defensive player with the ability to force turnovers by jumping into passing lanes. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him even tougher to contain off the bounce. Coach Bernardi on Laird: 'Zach is a knockdown shooter. He has a short memory and will shoot it with confidence every time. He knows how to move without the ball in order to find his three-pointer. He is a team-first guy that has a great attitude and wanted our team to win. Zach has to defend the ball better to continue to take his game to the next level. His lead step when guarding the ball is very important. He also needs to take care of the ball and hit singles rather than try to make a homerun every time he handles it.' Laird maximized his presence during camp and should be poised for a very productive upcoming season at Brashier Middle College.
#74: 6'3 '21 Donavon Fitzgerald (Clover)
Moving onto a player that offered his team with a poised, well-rounded presence on both ends of the floor, Donovan Fitzgerald. He's a smart, team-first wing prospect with a high motor, excellent vision, and the ability to apply efficient scoring pressure on all three levels. Fitzgerald offers nice versatility on both ends of the floor, able to actively switch between multiple different roles and positions with relative ease. He's very quick, aggressive, and knows how to consistently fight for rebounds. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a more reliable finisher around the basket. Coach Bernardi on Fitzgerald: 'Donavon's ability to take coaching was very apparent throughout the day. He made a few excellent adjustments and was an awesome teammate. Donovan can guard multiple positions and has an awesome lead step when defending the ball. He is a good passer and makes plays for others. Donovan has genuine excitement when his teammates make plays. He's a straight line-driver that finishes well at the rim.' Fitzgerald was a clear asset to his team during camp and has the necessary ability to emerge as a quality leader sooner than later for Clover.
#89: 6'4 '21 Silas Christie (Cardinal Newman)
Continuing onto a player that showcased his ability to make a strong two-way impact within the team concept, Silas Christie. He's a long, strong-bodied forward prospect with a steady demeanor and a nice feel for the game on both ends of the floor. Christie handles the ball well for his size, able to frequently blow by slower defenders and get inside the paint with relative ease. He's an excellent defender and rebounder that knows how to quickly push transition play. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him tougher for opponents to contain off the bounce. Coach Bernardi on Christie: 'Silas was a calming presence and great team player throughout the day. He led by example in the way he carries himself and played the right way. Silas is a high-level defender, both on and off the ball. He touched the paint well and made the right decision often. He needs to shoot more consistently to take the next step in his development. He has the quickness and athleticism to be able to get to his spots, now he just needs to improve his shot-making.' Christie enjoyed a quality two-way showing during camp and should have a very productive upcoming season at Cardinal Newman.
#103: 6'5 '20 Chanze Timmons (South Florence)
Next, we look at a player that really stood out with his motor and terrific blue-collar approach, Chanze Timmons. He's a long, athletic, high-motor forward/post prospect with phenomenal two-way rebounding instincts and game-changing defensive prowess. Timmons scores the ball with efficiency from anywhere inside the arc, but is also capable of making some very sharp passes to set up his teammates. He's quick, especially for his size, and is able to mirror his assignment quite nicely on defense, which leads to a strong amount of forced turnovers. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would make him extremely difficult to contain for opposing forwards. Coach Bernardi on Timmons: 'Chanze is an all-out hustle guy that rebounds and defends at a high level. He has an awesome attitude and will do anything to help his teammates. He is a good ball-screener, rolls hard and can finish through contact. Chanze needs to shoot and handle it better in the next phase of his development. Chanze will be successful wherever he does due to his hustle and aggressiveness.' Timmons did a ton of things well during camp and could be a prospect for college coaches to monitor at South Florence throughout the upcoming season.
#109: 6'7 '20 Justin Amadi (Dorman)
Moving onto a player that was easily among the top breakout performers in attendance, Justin Amadi. He's a big, strong-bodied forward prospect with effortless explosion and the ability to finish anything at the rim, regardless of defensive pressure. Amadi handles and passes the ball nicely for his size/position, but typically works as an off-ball cutter. He constantly poses a threat to put opponents on a poster, whether by attacking or alley-oops, but can also knock down the open jumper at a respectable rate. Next in his development process is working on his consistency as a three-point shooter, as it would vault him into completely new territory as a prospect. Coach Bernardi on Amadi: 'Justin is an elite athlete that plays above the rim with ease. He utilizes his athleticism really well on straight lines, as he consistently got to his spots in one dribble. He had multiple putback dunks, including one over a defender. Justin protected the rim and guarded the ball at a high level. At the next level, he could be a smooth operate out of the elbow for teams who utilize that style of play.' Amadi showed flashes of dominance during camp and should collect another handful of offers during his upcoming season at Dorman.
#116: 6'7 '22 Julian Phillips (Blythewood)
Finishing up, we look at a player that is already the most highly-coveted prospect in South Carolina, Julian Phillips. He's a long, wiry forward prospect with a high motor and the ability to score in a variety of different ways from inside the arc. Phillips handles the ball very well for his size and displays phenomenal touch with either hand around the basket. He's very difficult for opponents to contain out of the post, as he already possesses a variety of counters and secondary moves. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would make him even more dominant on either side of the ball. Coach Bernardi on Phillips: 'Julian is a skilled young big man that operated both inside the paint and along the perimeter. Julian can finish with both hands when he is driving or when he catches it in the post. He has a nice jumper out to the midrange area but struggled from beyond that range. Julian's ball-handling and ball security will determine how good of a prospect he'll turn into. If he can be an elite straight line-driver and decision-maker, the sky is the limit for him. Julian plays hard and is naturally unselfish. With these qualities, expect him to be a good prospect moving forward.' Phillips is already a big-time prospect with a national reputation and massive upside, so it'll be exciting to monitor his progression going forward.
