Team 9
Coach: Antonio Jones
#108: 5’10 ’23 Amari Richardson (Pendleton)
Starting things off, we look at a player who showcased a pretty smooth, well-rounded skillset, Amari Richardson. He’s a smart, crafty guard prospect with a consistent jumper from midrange and beyond the arc, and the ability to penetrate and finish whenever necessary. Richardson is a capable passer and utilizes his blend of quickness and ball-handling to effectively break down opposing guards when attacking downhill. Next in his development process is working to get stronger, as it would only make him a more physical player on either side of the ball. Coach Jones on Richardson: “Amari displays good shot selection. He’s able to finish in traffic and understands when to pull-up for a floater, and is consistent with it. Amari runs the floor well without the ball. He displays a quick first step defensively. Offered a positive attitude and was willing to be coached. Fundamentally sound when handling the ball.” Richardson did a lot of things well during his time at camp and should have a very productive upcoming season at Pendleton.
#109: 5’11 ’24 Christian Andrews (Dorman)
Next, we look at a player who easily stood out as one of the top backcourt prospects on display, Christian Andrews. He’s a smart, rugged, heady point guard prospect with an incredibly balanced approach between playmaking and three-level scoring. Andrews is quick and crafty, which allows him to touch the paint whenever he desires—where he’s able to finish or set up his teammates with regularity. He scores the ball with efficiency from all levels, but still places a ton of emphasis on running the team with unselfishness. Andrews also utilizes his combination of motor, toughness, and quickness to suffocate opposing ball-handlers on defense. Next in his development process is working on his rebounding presence, as he has the necessary ability to grab boards and push in transition. Coach Jones on Andrews: “Christian is a fundamentally sound ball-handler. The kid knows how to create for others in transition and the half-court. Can create for himself as well. Shoots the three-pointer at a very high clip.” Andrews made a lasting impression at camp, securing the Mr. Playmaker award with relative ease, and should be poised for a breakout season at Dorman.
#126: 6’0 ’22 Xavier Moultrie (Ridge View)
Moving onto a player who made his presence felt through his dynamic scoring ability and unselfish approach, Xavier Moultrie. He’s a long, wiry, all-around guard prospect with three-level scoring prowess, craftiness as a creator, and a high IQ on both ends of the floor. Moultrie is adaptable enough to actively toggle between roles and expand his production as needed. He’s a strong penetrator and finisher, but also shoots the ball at a high percentage from midrange and beyond the arc. Moultrie is able to create for himself and others, and consistently looks to make the right play with the ball in his hands. He’s also a nice defender with quality positioning and an excellent motor, which leads to a lot of forced turnovers and transition play. Next in his development process is working to become more involved as a rebounder, as it would make him a more complete player. Coach Jones on Moultrie: “Xavier is a great finisher in traffic. He’s very crafty with the ball in his hands. He’s a team player who always makes the right play. Displayed a positive attitude.” Moultrie highlighted a ton of appeal at camp and should be someone for college coaches to pursue over the coming months.
#127: 6’0 ’24 Caleb Locks (Ridge View)
Continuing onto a player who consistently found opportunities through his complementary skillset, Caleb Locks. He’s a young, unselfish, high-motor guard prospect with an understanding of how to operate within the flow of the action on both ends of the floor. Locks is a reliable ball-handler and willing passer with a nice midrange pull-up and instincts as a cutter. He can also penetrate and finish or knock down the occasional three-pointer, but doesn’t try to do too much outside of the team concept. Locks is a strong defender with a high motor and a desire to make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better finisher around the basket. Coach Jones on Locks: “Caleb is calm with ball pressure and can definitely handle the ball. When he’s not active on offense, he makes up for it on defense. Good at moving without the ball.” Locks found various ways to make his presence felt at camp and will be a prospect to monitor over the coming years at Ridge View.
#144: 6’2 ’22 LeBron Thomas (Trinity Byrnes)
Next, we look at a player who was easily among the most dominant standout performers at camp, LeBron Thomas. He’s a long, tough, smart point guard prospect with an excellent blend of size, skill, and athleticism. Thomas is a dynamic creator with quickness, craftiness, and incredible vision, which allows him to effortlessly control the action as an offensive leader. He touches the paint at a high volume, looks to get others involved, and knocks down perimeter jumpers at a consistent rate. Thomas is excellent from midrange and more than respectable from distance, but can also finish through contact or above the rim. He also sets the tone defensively between shutting down his assignment and forcing an abundance of turnovers. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him a better spot-up threat when needed. Coach Jones on Thomas: “LeBron is great at making plays for himself and others. He plays with 1000% effort on both ends, and plays with a high motor no matter the score. Communicates well with his teammates.” Thomas enjoyed another high-level showing at camp, securing the Mr. Defense award with relative ease, and should be an obvious target for various types of programs over the coming months.
#145: 6’2 ’24 Patrick Penosky (Legion Collegiate)
Moving onto a player who made his presence felt as arguably the top shooting threat on this team, Patrick Penosky. He’s a smart, sturdy, strong-bodied guard prospect with a high IQ and active motor on both ends of the floor. Penosky is a knockdown spot-up threat from midrange and beyond the arc, but can also reliably create for himself or others off the dribble. He moves well without the ball, penetrates effectively, and finishes nicely whenever attacking the basket. Penosky is also an unselfish passer, capable defender, and simply a valuable player to utilize within a low-maintenance role on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a better defender at the point of attack. Coach Jones on Penosky: “Patrick was fundamentally sound during drills and throughout the game portion. He can score the ball from all three levels. Shoots it at a high clip. Displayed a positive attitude throughout the day.” Penosky proved to be an asset to his team during camp and should be a nice contributor for Legion Collegiate over the foreseeable future.
#163: 6’4 ’24 Dylan Riddlespurger (Gaffney)
Next, we look at a player who made a lasting impression with his motor and overall willingness to do the dirty work, Dylan Riddlespurger. He’s a smart, wiry, long-bodied wing/forward prospect with a clear desire to make hustle plays and understanding of how to properly fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Riddlespurger is an excellent midrange shooter and finishes well around the basket through moving nicely without the ball. He’s a capable midrange shooter with the necessary creation skills to handle the ball as needed. Riddlespurger is a solid all-around defender and works hard to make his presence consistently felt on the glass. Next in his development process is working on the use of his off-hand, as it would make him a better ball-handler against pressure. Coach Jones on Riddlespurger: “Dylan is a team player who has a passion for the game. Plays the right way. Very fundamentally sound during drills and game play. Communicates well with his teammates.” Riddlespurger did a lot of things well at camp and has all the tools to emerge as a major contributor for Gaffney going forward.
#180: 6’6 ’24 Grant Beaton (The King’s Academy)
Moving onto a player with a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Grant Beaton. He’s a wiry, high-motor forward/post prospect with an unselfish approach and ability to make hustle plays on either side of the ball. Beaton is a quality all-around defender with useful instincts and the tools to alter shots around the basket. He’s an excellent rebounder with an understanding of how to advance the ball in transition. Beaton runs the floor well, moves properly without the ball, and knocks down midrange jumpers at a strong consistency. Next in his development process is working to become a more consistent three-point shooter, as it would take his game to another level. Coach Jones on Beaton: “Grant is solid at setting screens and playing the game with a very high motor on both ends of the floor. He makes hustle plays. Grant offered a positive attitude throughout the day.” Beaton found a ton of opportunities to make an impact during his time at camp, and should be a useful contributor for The King’s Academy over the foreseeable future.
#182: 6’1 ’24 Terrance Moore (Florence)
Finishing up, we look at a player who found no issue asserting himself within the flow of the action on both ends of the floor, Terrence Moore. He’s a wiry, fairly well-rounded wing prospect with an excellent scoring arsenal from all levels and the ability to produce with or without the ball in his hands. Moore is a lethal spot-up threat from midrange and beyond the arc, but can also attack closeouts and finish strong through contact. He handles the ball well and can effectively create for himself and others. Moore plays with a high motor and rebounds the ball very well for his size and position. He’s an unselfish teammate who looks to do whatever possible to provide his team with an edge. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would open up even more scoring opportunities. Coach Jones on Moore: “Terrence showed the ability to play on the wing and with his back to the basket. He shoots the ball at a high clip off the catch. Terrence worked well with his teammates and battled hard on both ends of the floor.” Moore made a nice impact during camp and will be one to watch progress over the coming years at Florence.