Team 7
Coach: Rodney Gore
#67: 5’6 ’23 Mario Williams Jr. (Highland Springs)
Starting things off, we look at a player that impacted the game well despite being among the smaller prospects at camp, Mario Williams Jr. He’s a young, wiry point guard prospect that knows how to get downhill and make plays for himself and others around the basket. Williams has a tight handle and displays quality vision when looking to set up others. He’s also a reliable perimeter shooter with the ability to play alongside another primary ball-handler, given his excellent spot-up instincts. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it’ll likely make him a better two-way rebounder. Coach Gore on Williams: “Mario is a hard worker with a high basketball IQ. He has a pretty well-rounded skillset and knows how to move without the ball. He can continue to work defensively and on becoming craftier with the ball. He shot the ball very well.” Williams enjoyed a nice showing at camp and will be one to watch progress over these next few years.
#77: 5’8 ’24 Razi Walters (Suffolk)
Next, we look at a player that consistently stood out with his extremely well-rounded offensive skillset, Razi Walters. He’s a young, skilled, team-first guard prospect with the ability to score in a variety of different ways from all three levels. Walters handles the ball nicely, never forcing the action, and knows how to create for himself or others quite effectively. He attacks the basket with regularity and knows how to make smart passes to open teammates whenever available. Walters can operate with or without the ball in his hands, given his ability to move without the ball and knock down jumpers as a spot-up threat. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him even tougher for opponents to contain off the dribble. Coach Gore on Walters: “Razi plays with great effort, especially on defense. He can work on his ball-handling and keeping his on-ball assignment in front. Razi finishes with both hands and can set up others nicely.” Walters did a ton of things well, especially for his age, and should be monitored closely through his continued progression.
#85: 5’9 ’23 Malcolm Velmar (Tabb)
Moving onto a player that provided his team with an extremely well-rounded skillset throughout camp, Malcolm Velmar. He’s a young, scrappy point guard prospect with sharp vision and creation skills, able to set up others with ease and regularity. Velmar is terrific at getting downhill, attacking the basket, and finishing through contact, but also has a very efficeint three-point stroke. He never forces the action and operates effectively in a variety of different roles. Velmar shows a willingness to get back on defense in transition and make hustle plays whenever possible. Next in his development process is working to add strength, as it would likely make him an even better two-way rebounder. Coach Gore on Velmar: “Malcolm is a very useful two-way player with nice IQ and a high motor. He knows how to impact the game on offense and defense. He plays hard but needs to be more vocal on both ends of the floor.” Velmar simply knows how to make a difference and should be able to carve out a quality role during the upcoming season for Tabb.
#102: 6’1 ’23 John St. Germain (Hampton)
Continuing onto a player that stood out with his incredibly advanced skillset and two-way feel for the game, John St. Germain. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect that offers a tremendous blend between playmaking and three-level scoring. St. Germain can effortlessly create for himself and others from anywhere on the floor, which makes him an absolute matchup problem—especially against opponents of his age level. He is crafty and possesses a tight handle, which allows him to truly navigate the floor and dictate the offensive action whenever he desires. St. Germain is deceptively quick and it’s quite evident on defense, where he’s able to mirror his assignment and force turnovers at a strong rate. Next in his development process is working on being a more vocal leader, as it would make him even more coveted by college coaches. Coach Gore on St. Germain: “John was the best floor general in attendance along with Jason Nelson. He has a well-rounded skillset and can overwhelm the opposition in a variety of ways. John can take over on offense, especially once he heats up.” St. Germain showed flashes of dominance, securing the Mr. Station award with relative ease, and will be a prospect for Division I coaches to watch closely going forward.
#105: 6’3 ’22 Taron Harris (Varina)
Next, we look at a player that is truly just beginning to harness his long-term abilities, Taron Harris. He’s a young, fairly skilled, high-motor forward prospect with a strong body and ability to space the floor quite effectively. Harris is a team-first player that looks to do whatever possible to make hustle plays and secure extra possessions. He displays nice touch and finishes quite well with either hand. Harris was able to work on the block or step out and knock down three-pointers at a solid rate. Next in his development process is working on his penetration skills, as it would allow him to take advantage of slower big men along the perimeter. Coach Gore on Harris: “Taron plays hard and was a great teammate throughout camp. He needs to work on his quickness and overall lateral movement in order to maximize his presence.” Harris has a lot of tools to work with and could be a prospect to watch progress over the coming years.
#119: 6’7 ’22 Tyler Nickel (East Rockingham)
Moving onto a player that was easily the most dominating all-around performer on display, Tyler Nickel. He’s a long, athletic, skilled forward prospect with the ability to truly affect all facets of the game on either end of the floor. Nickel handles and passes the ball extremely well, especially for his size, and can genuinely operate as the primary creator with any group of teammates. He gets downhill, attacks the basket, spots-up, and can apply incredibly efficient three-level scoring pressure at will. As versatile as Nickel is offensively, he’s arguably even more useful on defense. He’s genuinely able to switch across three to four positions at this level while protecting the rim and being the leading rebounder on either end of the floor. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would only make him tougher to contain off the dribble. Coach Gore on Nickel: “Tyler is a high-major player. He was basically unstoppable throughout the day, but was unselfish and placed a strong emphasis on doing the little things.” Nickel was absolutely phenomenal during camp, leading everyone in scoring, securing the MVP award with relative ease, and should be a priority amongst Division I coaches going forward.
#123: 5’11 ’22 Joel Davis (Varina)
Finishing up, we look at a player that possesses a nice crossroads between productivity and long-term upside, Joel Davis. He’s a team-first guard prospect with a solid offensive array of skills and the ability to stand out with his transition defense. Davis is an effective ball-handler and distributor with nice penetration skills and quality touch with either hand. He also highlighted a pretty reliable midrange jumper, both off the catch and bounce. Next in his development process is working to become quicker, as it would make him a better on-ball defender. Coach Gore on Davis: “Joel plays with a high motor and gave our team great effort throughout the day. He can score the ball in multiple different ways and looks to make the extra pass whenever available. He needs to work on his lateral movement.” Davis enjoyed a solid two-way showing at camp and could be a prospect to keep an eye on over the coming years, especially if he continues to work.