Charles Clark

BasketballElite.com Fab40 2017
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Some scouting notes from the 2017 BasketballElite.com Fab 40 Eastern NC Regional, which invites 40 of the top unsigned players from a region to compete in front of college coaches. With over 20 college coaches in attendance and multiple media outlets, the event once again allowed those players a chance to be seen by schools who are looking to add to their rosters. With that said, here are some of my scouting notes from the event. I wasn’t able to fully scout every player since I was also involved with the game broadcasts, so I’ve only included the players I was able to make notes on in person. Video replay of the games and full rosters are also below. All schools listed by players are located in North Carolina.

Jarvez Ellis (G/F, 6’4, 2017)Village Christian – solid perimeter player with size who showed an ability to handle the ball and pass in traffic. Also showed solid deep release and good first step, able to beat defenders to the basket off of the dribble.

Emmanuel Izunabor (F/C, 6’9, 2019) Fayetteville Academy – really like the prospects of Izunabor, who has great timing on rebounds, putbacks and blocked shots. Great length and plays above the rim, and is a 2019 player who will no doubt add strength over the next two years. Izunabor is definitely a college prospect, so I’d say the next step for him is strength in order to establish rebounding position on the blocks as well as continue to improve his back-to-the-basket arsenal.

Omari Wilson (SG, 6’3, 2017) Village Christian – athletic slashing guard with an ability to play above the rim and has good timing. High level, active athlete. Showed some ability to hit from deep today as well.

China Jones (SG/SF, 6’5, 2017) Bull City Prep – big time scorer, deep shooter with high, quick, fluid release on the move. Great timing and definitely has college athleticism. Can play the 2 or 3 but looks to me to be a perfect big 2 for a college roster. Can blister teams from deep.

Liam Caswell (G, 6’4, 2018) Ocracoke HS – shifty scorer who showed an ability to finish inside repeatedly. Ability to move without the ball a plus but has good size at the guard position.

Eric Fox (F, 6’7, 2017) Apex HS – Great hands and control from Fox, who was playing at the 4 spot with Izanabor playing in the middle. Fox has good timing and can score effectively, and really took advantage of playing with another big in the lineup. Moves really well without the ball. Today looked like a stretch 4 but with continued work could fill in at the 5 and some 3 at the college level.

John Michael Wright (G, 6′, 2019) Fayetteville Academy – Quick guard who disrupted the passing lanes and showed great lateral quickness. Was able to score in transition or the halfcourt, but has a balanced game.

Samson Strickland (F, 6’6, 2017) Fike HS – Listed as a PF/C, where he would be undersized at the college level, but showed an ability to play facing the basket and really looks like he’s got the potential to be a 3. Decent footwork in the post led to several second chance points and moves well without the ball.

William Obeyni (F, 6’5, 2019) Fayetteville Academy – while I saw several forwards who showed an understanding of how to move without the ball, perhaps Obeyni was the player who I noticed the most. He did a good job of paying attention to the guards and moving to the righ spot to make himself a target and it paid off multiple times, scoring on dump offs and being in the right spot. Good hands and can finish above the rim.

Trevon Spencer (G/F, 6’3, 2019) Word of God – Despite being listed at only 6’3, Spencer had perhaps the most impressive rebounding game I saw during his first game. Extremely good timing and at times seemed to be everywhere. Athletic and active, with some good upside.

Josh Raiford (F/C 6’7, 2017) Smithfield-Selma HS – runs the pick and roll well and plays through contact in the post. Good strength.

Jimmy Sanders III (PG, 5’10, 2018) Wayne Country Day – solid ballhandler running the point and ability to get to the rim and finish against taller defenders in the lane. Puts a lot of pressure on the defense with the dribble and good end-to-end speed.

Trevor Thomas (PG, 5’10, 2019) Gray’s Creek HS – true point guard who plays heads-up and runs the offense. Good ballhandler and passer with some definite upside.

Game One Replay:

Game One Rosters:

Above The Rim (Blue)

#67 AJ Baldwin
#14 Montre Cash
#104 Jarvez Ellis
#112 Nassyr Daniels
#51 Omari Wilson
#52 Rashad Royster
#74 Shaiquan Moore
#94 Tavarus Peterson
#116 Josh Raiford
#97 China Jones

Born 2 Win (White)

#8 Devonte Petaway
#75 Cole Humphrey
#60 Liam Caswell
# 81 Deronquez Wynn
#98 John Bowen
#10 Jimmy Sanders
#92 Reggie Raynor
#80 Don Pigford
#38 Jahiri Guthrie
#89 Samson Strickland

Game Two Replay:

Game Two Rosters:

They Got Game (Blue)

#58 Jeremiah Pope
#82 D.J. Suggs
#76 Jahmari Harvey
#102 Tyree Wiggins
#103 Zaire Williams
#50 Justin Wright
#85 Xavier Boyd
#70 Jordan McNeil
#49 Messiah Barnes
#113 Marcus Richardson

Blue Chips (White)

#72 John Michael Wright
#66 Darius Spragley
#34 Malik Brooks
#64 Demetrius Jones
#115 Emmanuel Izunabor
#114 William Obeyni
#93 Eric Fox
#28 Trevor Thomas
#87 Johnathan Pearsall
#101 Trevon Spencer

Basketball Court
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This past weekend, Charles Clark of Basketball Elite put on the NC Eastern Regional FAB 40 camp at Fayetteville Academy in Fayetteville, NC. This was a great opportunity for kids at every level to get an opportunity to compete in front of college coaches, media outlets and against one another. Numerous college coaches were in attendance to observe these unsigned prospects as well as several media outlets such as Netcast Sports, BallIsLife, Next Level Assessments, Born2Win Academy and more. Players from every classification (1A, 2A, 3A, 4A) were in attendance on an invite only basis and competed on both ends until the final buzzer of each game. Several seniors came into this camp with something to prove and left a lasting impression on me and several college coaches in attendance. I have listed a few of them below and what I learned about them over the course of the camp.

 

Plymouth HS, Marlik Brooks – 6’7” (Team Showtime)

Marlik Brooks came into the FAB 40 Camp as a relatively unknown, due to playing at small 1A Plymouth HS. However, he left a lasting impression. Brooks showed a really nice touch on his jump-shot, knocking down a plethora of 3 pointers and mid-range jumpers. Also showed a solid first step and leaping ability. Shows very good timing on blocking shots and uses his length well to grab rebounds in and out of position. Has very long arms and good instincts. Very raw overall, but possesses a ton of potential. Two seasons at a solid juco or a post-grad year will give a better understanding long term what he’ll be able to do at a higher level. I expect to hear his name more in the future.

Ocracoke HS, Evin Caswell – 6’4” (Phi Slamma Jama)

Looks can be very deceiving. Evin arrived into the FAB 40 camp as easily the least known prospect in the gym, hailing from Ocracoke Island. My first time watching him I was left in shock as he exploded for 32 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists versus a tough Plymouth HS team. He was later named Coastal 10 1A player of the year, averaging 18 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists for his Ocracoke HS team. Fast forward to FAB 40, Evin proved his game is no fluke, showing off a solid floater, playing tough defense, rebounding and throwing down monster dunks in every game. He also was consistent in grabbing boards and getting out in transition, finishing strong at the rim against bigger athletes. Already a strong student in the classroom, D2, D3 and NAIA schools will be all over him after his showing this past weekend.

Voyager Academy, China Jones – 6’6” (Phi Slamma Jama)

China Jones was one of the biggest surprises at this event. China didn’t register a single made 3 pointer this season as his Voyager HS went on to win the 1A State Championship. This past weekend he showed incredible accuracy from 3-point range in every game to go along with his high level athleticism and motor. Standing at 6’6”, he’s an explosive athlete and showing the ability to knock down shots from the perimeter the way he did is a great sign for schools that may have been concerned with his position. He is very capable of playing and knocking down shots on the wing and he is very active defensively, registering a ton of deflections and weak-side blocks.

Kinston HS, Dominic Williams – 5’9” (Phi Slamma Jama)

Dominic Williams came into the camp with a lot to prove. Due to his size a lot of people questioned his ability to produce and run a team while dealing with bigger and stronger guards, but all year he proved more than capable. He didn’t back down from anyone at FAB 40 and more than held his own on both ends of the floor. Showed a high IQ and a great ability to execute in pick and roll and sound decision making on fastbreaks. Was also able to show an improved jump-shot, knocking down 3’s and pull-up jumpers all over. Defensively, he met opposing ball-handlers early in possessions and pestered players into bad long passes. Should have several JC options to choose from over the next couple of weeks.

Weldon HS, Koraan Clemonts – 6’1” (Dream Team)

Clemonts is a very interesting point guard prospect. He led the state of North Carolina in assists per game for the 2nd season in a row, averaging 10 assists per game for Weldon HS to go along with 17 points per game. Also interesting to note, he is one of the few point guards from NC to be able to say he registered a quadruple-double in a game (points, rebounds, assists, steals). At FAB 40, Clemonts showed an adept ability to penetrate defenses off the dribble and seemingly always knows where his teammates will be, dropping off beautiful passes for easy scores consistently. Also showed a strong ability to finish with his off hand at the rim and exhibited a very good array of hesitation moves that kept defenders guessing all day. A year young for his graduating class, I’m interested to see how his recruitment goes. Has a very unique game and could be a diamond in the rough at the next level.

Weldon HS, Mel’Quan Ames – 6’5” (Dream Team)

Mel’Quan showed off impressive abilities for a prospect his size. Standing at 6’5”, he handled the ball well, created shots off the dribble and finished plays above the rim. His wingspan may have been the longest at the event. Has solid lateral movement that should enable him to become a menace defensively at the next level combined with his length. Stayed active on both ends throughout the camp. Has the potential to develop into a versatile all-around wing at the next level with his combination of high level athleticism, length and skill. Reportedly has already picked up interest from several colleges all over.

Jacksonville HS, Bobby Grubbs – 6’4” (Phi Slamma Jama)

This kid lit it up. Was knocking down shots at an impressive clip from all over the floor off the dribble and off the catch the entire camp. Showed a ton of toughness. Didn’t back down from anyone and showed a surprising ability to rebound the ball from the SG spot. Showed a great motor. Never stopped moving on either end on every possession. He has really good size at the shooting guard position and possesses a solid frame well equipped to put on some more muscle. A great student with over a 4.0 GPA, LM and D2’s should be making their pitches right now for his services over these next 4 years.

Wayne Christian, Tyrique McClain, 6’3” (Showtime)

McClain came into FAB 40 with an impressive resume. Once had a stretch during his high school career where he scored 60, 59 and 57 in consecutive games for his Wayne Christian School. At FAB 40, once he got into attack mode, defenders struggled to keep him out of the paint. He gets into the paint at will using his quickness and array of hesitation dribbles, resulting in tough finishes and pull-up jumpers. Very explosive with plenty of potential to improve on his point guard skills. A very hard worker, any LM D1 or D2 school that gets a commitment from him will get a player that will give them their all.

Northside Jacksonville, Robert Colon, 6’1” (Lob City)

Colon was arguably one of the best players at FAB 40. He set the camp record for assists in a game with 13 helpers while showing off a very tight handle and a consistent 3 point-shot. He is very hard to contain off the dribble due to his quick yet accurate pull-up jumper, tight handle and his great passing ability. With some added strength and some adjustments to the physicality, I would not be surprised to see him have a big impact in the next few seasons at the Division 1 level. I can’t say it enough, but he possesses a strong knockdown shooting ability, a tight handle and has a confidence about him that should help his transition to the next level be smoother than most.

Nash Central, Joshua Mullins, 6’2” (Phi Slamma Jama)

There is so much to like about Joshua Mullins. Showed versatility at FAB 40, playing some point guard and sliding over comfortably at the SG spot as well. Really got after it defensively and moved his feet well against quick guards and forced opponents into tough contested shots. Rarely was beat off the dribble. Offensively, he showed why he was a 23 point per game scorer for his Nash Central HS team, showing off a smooth isolation dribble game, deadeye marksmanship from 3 point range and the ability to drive and finish above the rim. Has some college interest, but could work his way into a few offers on the AAU circuit.

Bear Grass Charter, Jahziah Dyer, 6’1” (Lob City)

Dyer is a very compact, left-handed lead guard that has a strong handle. At FAB 40 he was able to consistently get in the paint and finish at the rim as well as driving and kicking out to shooters. Defensively, he gets low and communicated well against screen action plays and showed an overall solid ability to lead on both ends of the floor. Despite pressure and facing several guards with length and high level athleticism, he was never sped up and got to his spots. Very capable point guard that could run an offense at a D2/D3 or NAIA school.

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A quick roundup of some of our BasketballElite.com scouts Tweets this week!

Charles Clark

Charles is the point man for the Fab 40 Eastern NC Regional, which is coming up March 26!

Ian Taylor

Tony Bruton

James Blackburn

Marcus Shockley

Damani-Applewhite
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Damani Applewhite

Name: Damani Applewhite

Height: 6’6

Weight: 195

High School: Westover HS

AAU Team: Flight 22

GPA: 3.0

Position: Forward

Recruitment: Elizabeth City State (offered), UNC-P, Belmont Abbey, Fayetteville State University, The Citadel

Projected Level of Play: Low Major D1/D2

We first saw Damani prior to his Junior Season during the summer playing AAU basketball for the Raeford Hurricanes, he had a very old school flavor about his game and you could see the potential for him to be a special player. With much work, time and energy he has become a legit college prospect and we expect him to only get better as the year goes along. In the game we watched against EE Smith HS, he led his team to a win and finished with 18 Points, 12 Rebounds, 3 Assist and 2 Steals.

Strengths

  • Damani has become a versatile player which he has put on full display this season, not only can he step out and knock down the trey ball and midrange jump shot with high consistency but he also has the ability to play with his back to the basket as well as face up to the basket when hes in the post or short corner. He has a very soft touch around the basket and does not take unneccessary dribbles when making a move from the high post, his footwork on the offensive end is solid and you don’t see him getting called for traveling violations too often. His ballhandling ability is solid for a player his height and he has played some Point Forward for his squad this season, bringing the ball up the court and getting his squad into an offensive set.
  • His height and wingspan is definitely a positive on the defensive side of the ball, it allows him to make deflections easily as well as grabbing defensive rebounds at a high rate, Damani understands positioning and boxes out  well so that even if a player is stronger than him he can still set himself up well to secure the rebound.
  • In our opinion the ceiling on Damani’s potential as a player is very high, this is only his second year of playing varsity basketball and he has already took on more of a team leadership role this season, we truly believe that his ability to be coached and work ethic is something that coaches at the college level will love.

Areas for Improvement

  • At this point he has a very slender frame , even though he does spend time in the weightroom he will still need to add some more weight & muscle to be able to be fully comfortable playing inside at the college level. We honestly don’t see him having to much of an issue with this as he is a very hard working young man , in our eyes its not a matter of if he will gain the muscle and weight but when.
  • As stated earlier he is very versatile on the offensive end , however  he will need to improve his lateral quickness on the defensive end so he can have the ability to guard some shorter, quicker players at the next level. With that being said  he does a good job of closing out on wings but we would love to see him improve with his lateral quickness so that he could become a lock down defender against even more positions on the floor
  • Free Throw shooting is one aspect of his game that we would love to see him improve, he doesn’t shoot it great from the line at this point, he not a terrible free throw shooter by any means but he could become more consistent.

 

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Zach Hobbs

Name: Zach Hobbs

Height: 5’10

Weight: 167

High School: Northside (Jacksonville)

AAU Team: Express United

GPA: 4.2

Position: Shooting Guard

Projected Level of Play: D2/D3

Highlight video: Link

Zach had an outstanding Sophomore Season winning numerous awards in his conference and region of the state, this young man is a gifted player and although he is still under the radar we expect his recruitment to start heating up very soon. He had a very good showing at the East Region Fab 40 Camp and is off to a very good start this season averaging over 20 PPG

       Strengths

Shooting- Zach is an outstanding shooter especially from behind the three point line, over the summer and last season with his high school squad he’s had multiple games where he knocked down a high number of three point shots. He doesn’t need much space to get his shot off and is very efficient especially when catching and shooting, he has good form and good lift and is the type of player that is in his shooting range even if he’s a couple feet behind the three point line. To make it plain and simple this young man is a knock down shooter and will be one of those players at the college level that a coach will definitely want on his squad if he needs a shooter.

Frame & Athleticism- Although he is a Junior in High School you can tell that he definitely spends some time in the weight room, he has a solid muscular frame which allows him to absorb contact when hes driving to the basket and finishing plays. This can definitely allow his transition to the college level to be somewhat smoother because many times young players have an issue with adjusting to the physical nature of college basketball due to the fact that they don’t have a solid frame. Zach athleticism is another area that is impressive , he uses his athletic ability on his jump shot to shoot over opponets and finish at the rim , as well as when rebounding missed shots,  he also has quick hands which allows him to come up with steals and deflections at a high rate.

   Areas for Improvement

Consistent Defense- When he is fully locked in on the defensive end of the floor Zach can be an outstanding defender , he has good lateral quickness and quick hands so he has the tools to be an excellent defender. However on some occasions he makes some minor errors on the defensive end such as : a slow close out, not contesting a shot with maximum effort or reaching for a steal instead of playing honest defense, At the next level those mistake could be costly so we would love to see improve in those areas.

Developing into a PG – At this point we would have to classify Zach as a Shooting Guard, at his height for the next level he will need to be able to play some Point Guard and know how to run a squad. We would love to see him improve in : his abilty to make plays off the dribble just well as he can off the catch, getting stronger with his off hand, being a vocal teammate in a positive way and becoming more of a floor general. Being at a smaller school with a roster full of shorter players may be one reason that he has spent so much time as the SG spot but if he improves on these areas he could become more of a combo guard and take his recruitment to another level.

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All-County Awards

Player of the Year: Trinity Christian Point Guard Dennis Smith Jr.

Rookie of the Year: Northwood Temple Point Guard Dakari Johnson

Hand Down Man Down Award (Best Shooter): Village Christian Michael Hueitt Jr. & Northwood Temple James Wilson

Hustle/High Motor Award: Westover HS Senior Forward Jozef Vanderhorst

Teams of the Year: Terry Sanford HS, congrats to the team, Coach Boyette and his staff on winning the 3A State championship.

First Team

Dennis Smith Jr basketball Dennis Smith Jr. (Trinity Christian, Junior, Point Guard)-(Player of the year Award Winner, Won the award last year as well) – Dennis had another outstanding year for his squad, was called on to take on more of a scoring role this season and did not disappoint, Holds offers from NC State, Duke, UNC, Kansas and numerous other top HM programs. Top PG in the Country for the Class of 2016, Averaged 23 Pts and 7 Ast per game
Mark Gilbert Basketball  Mark Gilbert (Terry Sanford HS, Junior, Shooting Guard)- is an outstanding scorer , once he gets it going he is a very difficult player to stop, plays with toughness and heart. Led Terry Sanford to the 3A state Championship and was named Cape Fear Valley Conference Player of the Year. Hold Numerous offers from BCS schools for football, Averaged 18.4 Points and 2.8 Assist Per game
Jatrious Smith basketball Jatrious Smith (EE Smith HS, Sophomore, Wing) – Last year’s Rookie of the Year Award winner, started off the year slowly but as the year progressed he returned to his form, has a very good mixture of strength, speed and athleticism and showed a much more consistent jump shot from the perimeter this season, current holds offers from Va Tech & Old Dominion and is receiving interest from numerous HM Schools. Averaged 19.4 Pts, 5.9 Rebs, and 3.8 Assist Per game
Kinton Hinson basketball Kwinton Hinson (Village Christian, Senior, Wing)- One of the top Unsigned Seniors left in the state, plays strong inside but can step outside and knock down the trey ball, had a very successful season for Village and currently holds offers from UNCW and App State, with interest from numerous other LM and JUCO schools. Averaged 22.2 Points and 8.1 Rebounds Per game
Isaiah Vinson basketball Isaiah Vinson (South View H.S, Senior, Guard)-Very High IQ player that can score at any time but is constantly looking to get other involved, has a calm demeanor on the court. Can shoot it from outside and midrange but also attacks the cup very well, is a Great students and will truly be an asset to whichever schools he chooses to attend next season. Currently holds offers from Garner Webb, Winthrop, High Point, Liberty, and Fayetteville State University. Averaged 17.0 Pts, 5.3 Rebs and 2.0 Ast per game
Marco Tomic basketball Marko Tomic (Freedom Christian, Senior, Forward) – Is a stretch Forward player that plays with intensity on a nightly basis, although he can knock down the trey ball consistently, he has no problem with going inside the paint and mixing it up with opponents. It is still a mystery as to why no LM schools have tried to snatch him up as of yet but he currently hold a D2 offer from Barry University and has received interest from various LM and D2 schools.
Josh Bryant basketball  Josh Bryant (71st H.S, Senior, Guard) – Has a knack for scoring the ball and has what I call sneaky athleticism, Josh is a very solid ball handler and knows how to score the ball with ease. Has improved on his perimeter shooting and had quite a few games this season where he was impressive on the defensive end. Is still unsigned at this point but has been receiving interest from numerous Division 2 and Juco Colleges. Averaged 14.1 Points, 3.5 Ast and 3.1 Rebs Per game

Second Team

Xavier Robinson basketball 2015 Xavier Robinson (South View H.S, Senior, Shooting Guard)- Knock down shooter from outside, has a very strong frame which allows him to embrace contact very well, led public schools in scoring for the second straight year. Is headed to Fayetteville State University in the fall, Averaged: 21.5 Pts, and 4.3 Rebs per Game
Dakari Johnson basketball Dakari Johnson (Northwood Temple, freshman, Point Guard) – (winner of the Rookie of the Year Award) this young man has a game that definitely exceeds his age, he’s very calm and under control and has all the tools that are need for an outstanding PG, has received interest from University of Virginia already. Averaged 16 Pts, 6 Ast Per game
Zo Tyson basketball Zo Tyson (Trinity Christian, Senior, Forward)-Zo is a player that has very good length and athleticism, he does a great job finishing plays above the rim and is now knocking down the midrange shot with more consistency, he has signed with High Point University, Averaged: 11.6 Points and 5 Rebs per game
Michael Hueitt Jr basketball 2015 Michael Hueitt Jr. (Village Christian, Sophomore, Shooting Guard) (Co-Winner of the Hand Down Man Down Award, won the award last year as well) – One of the best shooters in the state, showed some improvement as the season went along on the defensive end and has all the tools to be an outstanding player, currently hold offers from James Madison University and Liberty University. Averaged 15.5 Points per game
Christian Lathan basketball 2015 Christian Lathan (Westover HS, Senior, Point Guard) – A player that you can definitely classify as a true Point Guard and a floor general, he plays with intensity while at the same time always keeping his poise and making the right plays, he is till unsigned and will be great fit for a college that is looking for a true PG. Averaged 10 Pts and 4.1 Ast Per game
Juwan Wright basketball 2015 Juwuan Wright (Village Christian, Senior, Forward)- Was a double-double machine this season, can handle the ball very well for a guy his size and does not back down from any challenge or opponent, is still unsigned at this point but will be a steal for a program looking for a stretch four type of player. Averaged 14.5 Pts, and 8 Rebs per game
A.J. Baldwin basketball 2015 A.J Baldwin (Cape Fear H.S, sophomore, Point Guard) – this young man is one to definitely keep an eye on; he is an outstanding passer and playmaker and has only gotten better as the year went on. Led Public Schools in Assist per game, but also can score it when needed. Averaged 13.1 Points and 6.2 Ast per game

Third Team

Chris Thomas basketball 2015 Chris Thomas (71st H.S, Senior, Point Guard)- Very quick PG that knows how to get to the basket as well as knock down the outside shot, is still unsigned but is receiving interest from D3 schools. Averaged: 15.5 Pts, 3.3 Ast Per game
Cam May basketball 2015 Cam May (Pine Forest H.S, Senior, Wing)- High Motor player that can really score it once he gets going, plays with a toughness that you don’t see from a lot of players his age, receiving interest from Sandhills CC and Averett University. Averaged: 13.8 Pts, 8.1 Rebs Per game
T.J. McAllister T.J. McAllister (Jack Britt H.S, Senior, Point Guard)- Floor general, very unselfish player but can score when called upon, plays with a ton of heart and really gets after it on the defensive end, he’s receiving interest from: Sandhills CC, Davidson CCC, and multiple NCAA D3 schools. Averaged: 8.2 Pts, 2.5 Ast Per game
Thank God Avar basketball 2015 Thank God Avar (Freedom Christian, Junior, Forward) – very strong player that can jump out of the gym!! Does a very affective job of protecting the paint on the defensive end, as well as finishing plays inside, is still somewhat raw but has a good amount of potential and will be one to watch over the summer, currently receiving interest from: Rice, Elon & Georgia Southern.
Nassyr Daniels basketball 2015 Nassyr Daniels (Grays Creek H.S, Sophomore, Forward/Center)- is a younger player with a lot of potential, blocks shots at a very high rate and rebounds the ball well, also is getting better each day at finishing thru contact. Averaged: 13.4 Pts, 7.1 Rebs and 4.8 Blks Per game
Telligence Johnson basketball 2015 Telligence Johnson ( Terry Sanford H.S, Sophomore, Wing)- Athletic player that is now showing a much improved midrange and perimeter game, is much better this season at creating off the dribble and defends on and off the ball very well. Averaged: 9.6 Pts, 6.3 Rebs per game
James Wilson basketball 2015 James Wilson (Northwood Temple, Senior, Wing)- (Co-Winner of the Hand Down Man Down Award) A three point specialist that put on numerous outstanding shooting displays throughout the season, plays with a ton of hear and intensity, provided much need Senior leadership to a young squad. Is receiving interest from various NCAA D3 and NAIA Schools, Averaged 15 Points Per game.
Damani Applewhite basketball 2015 Damani Appelwhite (Westover H.S, Junior, Forward)- is a player that has an old school flavor to his game, can step out and knock down the midrange shot but also has a nice face up game when he plays in the post, very good length and height. Averaged: 7.9 Pts, 4.9 Rebs per Game

Honorable Mention

Tre Hales-Jack Britt

Mike Melvin- Freedom Christian

Gunnar Hardarson-Freedom Christian

Isaiah Stalling-Terry Sanford

Deonte Harris- Douglas Byrd

Shawn Barnes- EE Smith

Jozef Vanderhorst- Westover

Malik Johnson-Terry Sanford

Justin King- Terry Sanford

Dane Davis- 71st

Martaye Sembley- Fayetteville Christian

Leon Williams- Westover

Todd Smith- Freedom Christian

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By Charles Clark

Well by now I’m sure that you have already heard about the Trinity vs. Village matchup Tuesday night, the environment was absolutely insane with fans being turned away at the door due to overcrowding inside. Fans sat on bleachers, chairs, stood in corners and some even sat on the floor just to see this matchup, As one coach mentioned to me ‘‘ this is what high school basketball is all about!!’’ The game was a great matchup with Village and Trinity going back and forth up until the 3rd quarter where Village would make a run to stretch the leads to 11 points, But Trinity would make a comeback and cut the lead to 4 at the end of the 3 rd quarter. In the 4th Quarter the two teams would go back and forth up until the final minute when Trinity would come up with multiple steals and Scores to take the win at Village Christian. It was very impressive to see the amount of talent that was on the floor, so with out further ado let’s take a look at some of the prospects that stood out to me:

Trinity Christian:

Zo Tyson, 6’9, 2015 Center (High Point Commit)- To see the progression that Zo has made over the past few years has to make you smile, this young man has worked hard and will be an asset to the High Point Program. Zo was very active on both ends of the floor, on the defensive end he challenged and blocked shots at high rate as well cleaning up the glass for rebounds. He’s one of those players that does the dirty work and the small things that may not get a ton of publicity but at the end of the night you love him if he’s on your squad. What may have impressed me most was how well he played on the offensive end, Zo has become comfortable playing with his back to the basket, he has used a short jump hook shot for a while now that goes in with regularity. Zo was also outstanding on the offensive glass getting rebounds and put back dunks for Trinity. However there was one move in particular that impressed me, in the 2nd half he was guarded on the baseline and looked as if he had no where to go, instead of forcing a bad pass he took one dribble and knocked a beautiful fade away jumper. Very impressive performance for this young man in the win for Trinity

Dennis Smith Jr. 6’2, 2016, Point Guard- As most people know, Dennis Smith Jr. has gone from being an unranked PG to being ranked the #1 PG in the class of 2016 by ESPN.com and numerous other scouting services. Smith has very good height for a PG and uses that height along with his IQ and outstanding athletic ability to help his team. Smith Struggled shooting the ball through three quarters but still made plays and passes that would help his team stay in the game and eventually take the lead. Smith has a very competitive nature, you can see that he absolutely hates losing and will do anything possible to help his squad win. The 4th quarter is when Smith really put his stamp on the game, he got to the paint time after time, finishing layups and drawing fouls to get to the line. Smith has the potential to be an outstanding player at the next level if he continues to progress, I would love to see Smith improve his shooting so that he’s knocking down the perimeter shot with consistency.

Cameron Campbell, 6’2, 2016, Guard- An impressive showing for this young man, he showed outstanding ball handling and decision making throughout the game. What impressed me the most was his perimeter shooting, although he didn’t knock down a high amount of threes you can tell that he absolutely is a shooter. Has good elevation on his shot and good form, knocked a huge three pointer in the 4th quarter to help Trinity gain more momentum
Joey Baker, 6’6, 8th Grade, Forward- The key word with Joey Baker is POTENTIAL; he’s only in 8th grade but is logging solid mins on a varsity squad that is a target for its opponents on a nightly basis. Although he didn’t have a big scoring night, he competes and It’s easy to see that he has a natural feel for the game and will be a player that coaches around the country will come to see in a few years if he continues to progress. Can already shoot it from outside and with added strength will be able to play inside the paint as well.

Village Christian:

Michael Hueitt Jr. 6’2, 2017, Guard- If you have known me the past few years then you know that I’ve been a believer of the young man Michael Hueitt Jr. He has the potential to be an even better player than he already is now if he continues to work and progress in a few areas. To make it plain and simple he’s is one of the best shooters in the state this year and is averaging close to 20 PPG.This young man brings a ton of intensity on a nightly basis and is a fan favorite, All Hueitt needs is just a small amount of space to get his shot off and he knocks it down on a regular basis. On Tuesday he showed that not only can he knock down the trey ball with regularity but also the midrange shot and even can throw it down when he gets in transition. One area that I would love to must see more from Hueitt is on the defensive end, he has a very long wingspan and can develop into a defensive specialist, If you haven’t added Michael Hueitt Jr.to your ‘Players to Watch’’ list , you definitely should because he’s worth the price of admission without a doubt. It also should be noted that Michael Hueitt Jr. was my ‘‘Hand Down, Man Down’’ award winner last season.

Kwinton Hinson 6’4, 2015, Wing- I saw Kwinton two years ago at the Eastern Regional Championship at Crown Arena, you could see that he was a talented player but was young and his body would still need some work. Well lets forward to Tuesday night, Kwinton has a college body already and was very impressive, especially in the first half. He knocked down shots from the Perimeter and Midrange as well as getting to the basket when he wanted; although he scored 16 Points I was more impressed with the 12 Rebounds that he pulled down. With his height and frame he’s definitely an asset to a program, he is the type of player that can pull down a rebound, push the ball the full length of the court and make a play. Kwinton has a very mature game but I would love to see him get him a little better handling the ball; however he definitely was impressive and looks like he will have an outstanding senior season.

David Strother 6’2, 2016 Guard- David played a solid game , he handled pressure very well throughout the night, This young man knows how to keep defenders guessing by using a variety of moves and fakes , especially when bringing the ball up the court. On the defensive end he read the opposition very well and came up with numerous steals, offensively he has a nice floater that he uses once he gets into the paint and his jump shot is improving as well. David is one of those players that may not jump out at you but he knows how the Point Guard position is supposed to be ran.

Juwuan Wright, 6’5, 2015, Forward- Village was definitely undersized in their matchup with Trinity so a big night from Juwuan was needed. Although he didn’t have his best night offensively, he was very active throughout the night, especially on the glass,
He finished the game with 10 Rebounds and 8 Points. One attribute that I def like about Juwuan is the intensity and enthusiasm he brings to his team on a nightly basis. No matter how big the opponent he’s def not backing down for anyone, is progressing on the offensive end and will be very dangerous if he’s add more midrange/perimeter shooting to his game.

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Want more scouting notes and player details? Be sure to follow Charles Clark on Twitter @CHC3, right this second!

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Phenom 150 Session I
By Charles Clark

Jimmie Sanders (Neuse Charter School, 5’6, Point Guard, 2017)- Jimmie is a very good pass first guard that can score when he needs too, quite frankly he was one of the few players his age at that Point Guard position that really showed that they know how to play properly. He constantly is talking to teammates and always has his head on a swivel looking for teammates that are moving, has a nice smooth shooting stroke and knocks down shots from outside with good consistency.

Gerald Vaughn III (Gray Academy, 5’6, Point Guard 2016) – Gerald is a High Motor/High energy type player; I loved how enthusiastic he was to play the game. Was very successful penetrating defense and kicking it out to teammates when I saw him play, as well as knocking down the outside shot when it came back to him. Personally would love to see use less dribbles to get where he wants to go but I can’t mention how impressed I was with how vocal of a teammate he was and the excitement he brought to the game.

Austen Greene (Voyager Academy, 5’9, Point Guard, 2016) – Austen has a nice smooth game, although he has a small frame he makes up for it with a good IQ. Can really shoot it from outside and moves very well without the ball, he also knows how to play the game without over dribbling.

Andrew Ejiofor (Ravenscroft, 5’11, Guard, 2016) – Andrew is a very strong player and had a fearless attitude on the court; I loved how aggressive he was getting to the paint and how well he absorbed contact. On the defensive end he put forth a lot of effort and came up with numerous hustle plays.

Blake Harris (Carlisle School, 6’3, Point Guard, 2017) – Was one of the best player at camp in my opinion, has good length and ball handling skills which he uses to keep defenders off balance. The attribute that stood out the most to me was his passing ability, although some passes were a little dangerous he definitely looks like he enjoys sharing the ball and has a gift of putting the ball right on target for teammates especially in transition.

Darriel Brown (Forsyth Country Day, 6’0, Point Guard, 2017) – Darriel is a very strong player; he got to the basket at will throughout camp and created opportunities for teammate by his ability to penetrate the defense. There were a lot of player that had strong bodies at camp but the difference is that Darriel knows how to use his physique properly to get to where he wants on the court.

Robert Colon (Northside HS (Jacksonville, 6’0, Guard, 2016)- Robert Started off the 1st half of his 1st game of camp pretty slow but once he settled down he showed what type of player he truly is. This young man can score in bunches in a blink of eye, in the 4th quarter he of his 1st game he scored 8 straight points on 3 consecutive possessions. Scoring is not all that he can do though; he has great court vision and is an outstanding passer. Robert also has good footwork and showed that on the defensive end, he is a under the radar prospect that is on track to have a breakout year this season.

Cameron Corey (Sun Valley HS, 6’1, Point Guard, 2015) – Cameron Has a Euro Style Point Guard flavor about his game; he has good length and looks to get teammates involved. He’s a very talented passer that has good vision and a good understanding of how the game is supposed to be played. No matter the circumstances he played the game at the pace that he was comfortable playing at and did not allow anything to speed him up. Good Teammate!

Osinachi Smart (New Garden Friends, 6’8, Forward/Center, 2016)- Osinachi was One of the more intriguing prospects that I saw at camp, he doesn’t say much on the court and has a very business like demeanor but understand how to play the game. What caught my attention first and foremost was his college ready body, he already the physique of a player that has spent plenty of time in the weight room on a college campus. Although he was matched up with taller player he used his strength and IQ to rebound the ball at a very high rate. The defensive end of the floor was where he really shined; there was not one single time that a shot went up that I did not see him find an opponent to set a hard box out on. On the offensive side of the floor he scored on put-back dunks and layups mostly as well as a few plays where he simply ‘‘ went into the chest of the defender’’ his play reminds me somewhat of Dejaun Blair when he was at Pitt , maybe undersized in the Post but makes up for it with strength.

Rob Whitfield (Wake Christian, 6’1, Guard, 2016)- The last time I saw Rob Whitfield was NC Top 80 Camp, he played decent but I wasn’t overly impressed. Well that definitely changed when I saw him at Phenom 150 Camp, He scored at will against just about any player that guarded him. He knocked down shots all day and showed that he knows how to finish in multiple ways when he gets to the basket. Has good length and Athleticism for a player his size and he used both of those attributes to get rebounds on both ends of the floor. Out of all the players at camp he had some of the best scoring performances of the day; simply put Rob Whitfield is a scoring machine.

Jalen Morgan (New Hope Christian, 6’4, Guard, 2018) – Jalen was one of the younger players at camp but I was very impressed with his talent level, his passing ability and natural feel for the game definitely caught my attention. Although his jumpshot could be more consistent he still impacted the game in so many ways by using his length to get to the basket or by forcing turnovers with very soli defense. Jalen has very good footwork and seems to take pride on the defensive end of the floor; I believe with continued progress he has a chance to be a very special player

Kendrick Baird (Jacksonville HS, 6’6, Forward, 2016) – Kendrick basically came into camp as an unknown player but turned numerous heads with his performance on Sunday. He gets up and down the floor very well and does the dirty work that gets overlooked. Kendrick contested and blocked shots, grabbed rebounds and was very active on the offensive glass and finished well when catching the ball in the paint.

Aaron Cash (North Raleigh Christian, 6’7, Forward, 2017) – Aaron was one of the most versatile player at camp that I saw; he looked very comfortable playing inside and knows how to finish around the basket. Aaron knows to use the rim to protect his shot from defenders using the reserving layup throughout camp. On the perimeter he was very efficient knocking down numerous catch and shoot threes, I would love to see to continue to improve his ball handing but overall has a very versatile player that has a chance to be really good.

Josh Helton (Kings Mountain H.S, 6’8, Forward/Center, 2017) – Josh had a very productive day at camp; he kept the game simple and finished well inside using his size to score easy points. His ability to rebound the ball was very impressive as he was able to provide his team with extra scoring opportunities by cleaning up the offensive glass. One attribute that I really liked about Josh was his unselfishness; he moved without the ball, set screens for teammates and didn’t force anything.

Walker Miller (Greensboro Day, 6’8, Forward/Center, 2016) – Walker has a very tall but slender frame; he’s still somewhat raw but definitely has potential to be a very good prospect with continued work and development. He has good hands and showed that can finish with the right and the left, once he adds more muscle to his frame he will be even tougher to stop inside the paint and will cause problems for defenders. On the defensive end he contested and blocked shots, did a good job of not leaving his feet before the shot is taken or before the offensive player leaves the ground.

Matt Kalaf (Neuse Christian Academy, 6’7, Wing, 2016) – Matt is an excellent Three point shooter, he shot a very high percentage from deep range especially when catching and shooting. Also was solid on the defensive end as well, he plays the game on his toes and reacted quickly to whatever was going at the end of the floor. Although I didn’t see him put the ball on the floor much I was very impressed with his overall performance. Matt has good size for a wing at the next level and is one to keep an eye on

Connor Funderburk (South Mecklenburg ,6’4, Shooting Guard, 2016)- Started off camp knocking down shots from all over the court , when he gets hot this young man can really shoot it.

Hugh Harvin (Indian Land HS, 5’5, Point Guard, 2016) – Fearless Guard that made some good plays for his squad, although he is small in stature he mixed it up inside with the big guys. Scored the ball well and knows how to run a team

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Southeast Summer Showcase 2014

By Charles Clark

Scout Charles Clark provides us with the first set of scout’s notes from the camp. We will be posting more over the next few days, and you should also check out the coverage on Phenom Hoop Report.

There was a lot of talent that stepped onto the Campus of Forsyth Country Day School on Sunday, June 15th, these are some of the players that really stood out to me.

Brandon Childress (Wesleyan Christian, Karolina Diamonds, Point Guard, 6’0, 2016) – Simply put, Brandon had one of the best showings out of any player at the showcase, he showed his beautiful shooting stroke throughout the entire camp. Although he provided the majority of the scoring for his team he also did a very good job of getting the ball to his post players in the right spots. What really impressed me about Brandon besides his outstanding scoring was how good of an IQ he has when using the Pick and roll. He knew when to pass, when to shoot and made the passes right on target for easy buckets. This was not my first time seeing him play but his performances On Sunday impressed me more than any other time I have seen him play.

Devin Cooper (Ardrey Kell H.S, Team Charlotte, PG/SG, 6’0, 2015) – As soon as the station drills started I went over and watched the Point Guard station where players had to: Run through an agility drill and then come off a screen and knock down a shot off the dribble. Out of all the players at the station Devin was one of the only players who went through the drill with ease. Two attributes really impressed me about Devin, first was his outstanding body control that he has when attacking the basket, it didn’t matter if he was fouled, undercut or anything else, he still finished plays. His ball handling skills were some of the best of any player at the showcase, and to top it off he has quickness mixed with a lot of moves in his arsenal that makes him a very tough player to guard. He Shot the ball with consistency, has nice form and lift on his shot, and knows how to always get squared up before he shoots. Lastly I must point out that he showed a lot of leadership for his squad, I loved how he decided to switch with one of his teammates on defense so that he could guard Brandon Childress.

Jahlil Rawley (Prominence Academy, 2016 Guard, 6’3) – Jahlil has a very smooth game, for a Point Guard he has good height and also has a nice long wingspan. He showed throughout the day that he can be a very unselfish player and that he is a talented passer. The ball handling of this young man was very impressive as well as the amount of defensive pressure he applied to the opposing teams guards. Even though he showed he scored the ball in various ways it seemed as if he decided to display more of an old school Point Guard game throughout the showcase, getting teammates involved first and looking for his shot later. Overall this young man has a very good feel for the game and has potential to be a very good player

Robert Colon (Northside H.S, Dream Team, Point Guard, 5’11, 2016)- Robert was a player at the showcase that I really feel helped his stock, he did not get much playing time for his high school this past season because of numerous Seniors that played the Guard positions. With that being said I can guarantee that he will definitely play a solid role for his squad next year as he showed many attributes that coaches’ at the high school and college level love. Robert showed very good ball handling skills but did not over dribble; he also displayed outstanding court vision, dropping beautiful passes to teammates. Robert is a very good shooter and knows how to score, he knocked down numerous perimeter shots and finished well in transition, also has a decent frame for a PG his age that he uses to embrace contact.

Josh Handy (North Rowan H.S, RoCo Elite, Shooting Guard/Small Forward, 6’4, 2016)- Josh had a very productive day scoring and rebounding , he is a player that has very good length and knows to use his wingspan to help him score. In both games I watched him play he was dominant when attacking the basket, and provided the majority of scoring for his team. From the start of these games he showed a very high motor and enthusiasm, it’s almost as if he simply loves to play the game while at the same time he wants to play hard every single possession. On defense Josh was solid, although his lateral quickness could use a little improvement; he was very solid guarding smaller players in the open court. This young man has potential to be a very good prospect and is also a player that helped his stock due to his performance at the showcase.

Ian Boyd (Apex H.S, CP3, Shooting Guard, 6’3, 2016) – Ian also had a productive day at the showcase; he displayed some smooth ball handling as well as a very nice shooting stroke. Ian did not have any issue getting his shot off and knocking it down with consistency but one attribute that really stood out to me about Ian was how unselfish of a player he is. He made sure that all his teammates got numerous touches in very good scoring positions even if he was having a hot shooting game. Last but not least I was impressed with the “old school toughness” that Ian has , he doesn’t mind contact and played through a lot of physical contact.

Jamaruis Hairston (Carson H.S, Carolina Phenoms, Small Forward, 6’2, 2018) – One of the younger players that attended the event, Jamaruis turned a lot of heads with how much energy he played with. Although he will still need to improve his perimeter shooting he knocked down shots from the elbow range and was very good finishing at the basket. Also brought very good defensive intensity, and was very active on the defensive glass for his team.

Daquan Lilly (Knightdale H.S, Forward, 6’6, 2015) – Daquan is an athletic player; for a player his height he is very comfortable handling the ball in the open court. He caught the ball and Finished inside the paint well, throughout the day that I watched him I didn’t see him drop too many passes. Seems to be a very good teammate and was awarded the Coaches Award for the showcase.

Malcolm Herron, (Jesse C Caron H.S, Team Fly, 2017, Point Guard 5’6) – Malcolm was another young player that showed some flashes of how good he can possibly be. Malcolm has very good ball handling skills and has nice quickness that he uses to try and keep his defender off balance. Throughout the day he handled the defensive pressure from older players very well and showed that he is a good passer, this young man knows how to get the ball up the floor in a hurry.

Xavier Smith, (Oak Hill Academy, 2015, Guard, 6’3) – Xavier is a nice Shooting Guard prospect, knocked down shots all day especially from midrange. He is a talented finisher that knows how to make whatever move that is necessary to finish after he leaves the ground. Xavier is the type of player that Point Guards love to play with because once you give him a lead pass to the basket he will find a way to score it.

Malik Constantine, (Olympic H.S, Team Charlotte, 2015, Forward, 6’4) – Malik was a rebounding machine throughout the event, when watching him play it seemed as if he has the attitude that every shot that is missed belongs to him. He also showed some athleticism with put back dunks and blocking/contesting shots in the paint on the defensive end of the court. Malik was also a very good teammate and took the attitude of doing whatever it takes to help his team get the win.

Charles Norman (Prominence Academy, Guard, 6’2)- Charles is a very athletic player and he displayed that throughout the showcase , what sets him apart from many other athletic players is that he uses his athleticism correctly in the flow of the game. On the offensive side he attacks the rim and uses his leaping ability to get his jump shot off over taller opponents. On the defensive side he showed quickness by coming up with numerous and deflections, but my favorite play of the day that he had was a chance down block that he came up with in one of the final games of the day.

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Charles Clark scouts for multiple outlets including Basketball Elite and Phenom Hoop Report. For more scouting notes, follow Charles on Twitter, right now!