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NC Phenom 150 Scouting Reports: Spring 2015 Edition

Micah Smith, unsigned 2015 player, showed outstanding athleticism at the showcase

With over 200 players in attendance, the Spring NC Phenom 150 for 2015 organized by Phenom Hoop Report was a great way to kick off the Spring basketball season, although, technically, the Winter basketball season was actually not over until the same day.

Even though I set out with the goal of watching every single player in attendance, the reality is that I did not get a chance to see every team. However, here are my notes from the players I was able to catch. Some solid players on hand, although this year the one skill I saw missing was consistent outside shooting. I did not see a player today that was knocking down deep shots with regularity. The good news for players is that skill can be improved. There were, however, quite a few athletic slashing players on hand with explosive ability and a few really solid point guards as well.

Michal Seals (PG, 5’11”, 2016) High Point Christian Academy (NC) – I’ve seen Seals multiple times over the past 3 years and I really like his heads-up play and elusiveness under the basket. A true PG who has excellent handles, puts pressure on the defense with the dribble drive but also can finish in traffic. Being actively recruited by several colleges.

Phillip Roach (G, 6’2″, 2017) Cape Henry Collegiate (VA) – has an excellent crossover dribble both in transition and in the halfcourt and has an ability to create his own shot. Tends to fade a bit on his shots but was able to see weaknesses in spacing on the defense and exploit them.

Micah Smith (SG, 6’2″, 2015) Eastern Wayne HS (NC) – had one of the best performances of the camp, showed explosive first step and slashing ability, plays above the rim, has a high motor and plays both ends relentlessly. Seemingly involved on every play regardless of defense or offense. Good shot blocker from the guard position. Definitely a player colleges looking to shore up their 2015 class should be taking a look at.

Kody Shubert (PG, 5’11”, 2018) Lincoln Charter (NC) – one of the best point guards in attendance, quick feet, handles the ball extremely well, deadly passing vision. Great on ball defense even against the other solid guards in attendance today. Really enjoyed watching him matched up against DeShawn Patterson, another solid PG. Shubert has eyes-in-the-back-of-his-head passing and already has solid ballhandling. Would not be surprised to see him quickly become one of the most sought after guards in NC.

Definitely a college prospect with some upside. Colleges should be actively scouting him now.

Kody Shubert, PG, 2018 Class

Dujuan Waters (G, 5’9″, 2018) Wayne Country Day (NC) – heady player, athletic guard who looks like a ‘true combo’ right now, being able to run the point with his eyes up and working the offense, but also effective off of the ball.

Tyrik Ingram (G, 6’2″, 2019) Southern MS – coaches and scouts know that I rarely mention middle school players but I liked Ingram’s potential and his fluid play already. Definitely a player I will want to keep an eye on for the future.

Nicholas Tolbert (G, 5’9″, 2018) Asheville HS (NC) – solid handle with both left and right, understands how to run the offense while also looking for gaps in the defense.

Justin Myers (SF, 6’5″, 2016) North Iredell HS (NC) – immediately liked what I saw from Myers, plays hard and has great length from the small forward position. Was knocking down mid range shots and also putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim. Plays through contact, good awareness. Definitely see Myers as a college prospect and looking forward to seeing him in AAU and high school.

Logan Vosburg (PF, 6’6″, 2017) Orange HS (NC) – Shot was falling early and was forced to defend on the perimeter early, being matched up against SF Justin Myers. Closes on the shooter well and has some range, should be considered a stretch 4 at this point and is most effective in the half court but is mobile with good hands.

Omari Wilson (G, 6’3″, 2017) Fayetteville 71st (NC) – a lot of potential here and upside, excellent wing player who puts a ton of pressure on the defense, especially in transition. High motor, was paired with several athletic wings on his team and at times they ran the other teams off of the floor. Colleges should definitely be taking a look now.

Brian McElveen (SF) New Hope Christian (NC) – good shot blocker and solid passer. Pretty quick first step and has a good understanding of the game. Showed a decent handle slashing from the wing.

Ubong Okon (C, 6’10”, 2017) Prominance Academy (NC) – fantastic hands and runs the floor harder than most guards. Great build already and will continue to add strength and muscle. Soft touch and a good passer, and as much as I love a big man who knows how to pass out of a double team, Okon could probably have easily padded his point totals by just powering over his smaller defenders. A Division I big man prospect with some signficant upside. Probably a MM prospect now.

Javier Rogers (PG, 5’5″, 2017) Kestrel Heights (NC) – small but deadly PG, incredibly quick, star handles and gifted passer. Size is an issue but is a flat out baller.

Elijah Manley (G, 6’3″, 2017) Uwharrie Charter Academy (NC) – solid athlete who can play both the SG or SF spots. Still a bit raw in some areas but another player to keep an eye on.

Tyler Maye (G, 6’1″, 2017) Greenfield School (NC) – Excellent motor with a quick shot release and good form. Really gets it done in transition – saw him get 3 transition layups in a row just because of his awareness.

Blan Hodges (G, 5’11”, 2018) Alexander Central HS (NC) – Has gotten bigger, moves well without the ball and understands spacing. Really did a good job playing off of the ball in the guard-dominated transition play of the showcase.

Taveon Ross (PG, 5’6″, 2017) Graham HS (NC) – Undersized but skilled guard, good handle and really solid passing vision.

DeShawn Patterson (PG, 5’11”, 2016) Victory Christian (NC) – have seen Patterson multiple times over the past two years and he’s a really solid and flashy pure PG, can shoot from outside and often makes the game look easy. We broadcast two of his high school games in November at the Phenom National High School showcase. Full game replay of his game versus Kennedy Charter is below.

I have yet to see a game where Patterson turns the ball over much, a solid ball-control type of point guard who I’ve also watched go against Terrence Phillips of Oak Hill earlier this season.

College prospect who has several colleges interested.

DeShawn Patterson, PG, 2016 Class

DeShawn Patterson: Full Game Replay, Victory Christian vs. Kennedy Charter (2014-15 High School Season)

Michael Wade (PF/C, 6’7″, 2017) – Big bodies post player with soft hands and a good passing touch. Looks like he has some good upside and already possesses the toughness to play the post but never seems rattled and is a very even keeled player. Had a nice shot release and looks like he could really develop a good hook shot as well.

Ebon Jay (PF, 6’5″, 2017) Person HS (NC) – really strong build player who gets both hands on the ball in the post and will no doubt be a handful for smaller players. Plays through contact and seals really well. Should also be able to play taller players at the 4 and 5 spots.

Jacob Skidmore (PF/C, 6’7″, 2016) Kings Mountain HS (NC) – great length and hands. Still working on adding muscle to a slender frame but was more assertive and aggressive than I’ve ever seen him. Made excellent decisions with the ball when trapped and works hard in the post. Really looks like a stretch 4 who has some upside.

DJ Myers (SG, 6’5″, 2017) Neuse Christian Academy (NC) – high octane, rangy guard with collegiate quicks and size. Offensively one of the most athletic wings in the state and fantastic first step. Great transition game player, a full court killer. First saw him in the Fall League at Garner Road and he’s gotten taller since then. Definitely a college prospect and really one to keep an eye on.

Jude Akubeze (C, 6’8″, 2018) Prominance Academy (NC) – great size and seals well in the post. Good hands and still a somewhat raw post player but already has muscle for the paint and good wingspan. Was a lot to handle in the post even for older players and is only a freshman. Definitely a college prospect already.

Donaldson Fanord (C, 6’7″, 2017) Fort Mill HS (SC) A big man who can play both facing the basket and with his back to the basket. Mobile big man who effectively uses ball fakes and footwork to get off shots.

Brent Davis (G/F, 6’3″, 2015) Victory Christian (NC) Good slashing wing player with a nice quick release and square up on his shot. Good length from the wing and good handle from the SG/SF position.

Josh Nork (G, 6’0″, 2016) York Prep (SC) – hard working guard who moves with or without the ball. True combo guard who can run the point or play the 2 position. Always looking to move to position and good understanding of spacing. High energy player.

Zavian Jackson (G, 6’2″, 2016) Burlington Cummings HS (NC) – Solid athletic perimeter player with a high motor and had no discernible drop off in full court play after multiple games. Nice two-handed monster dunk in transition.

DeVante Stevens (G/F, 6’4″, 2016) Neuse Charter School (NC) – good length and looks like he could play both the SG and SF positions, but has good timing inside for rebounding and putbacks and has better lane presence than most small forwards. Can play with contact in the paint and held his own even against larger post players.

Parker Julian (F, 6’7″, 2016) Charlotte Latin (NC) – showed some deep touch but his real asset is his length and hands. Can block shots both in the halfcourt and transition and has a high release, although I would like to see his release speed up. Does a lot of good things on both ends of the floor and swatted several transition shots on the move.

Charles Norman (PG, 6’3″, 2016) Prominance Academy (NC) – Explosive guard who I feel will be a steal for a college program. Great handle but is a nightmare to handle at full speed whether he has the ball or not. A high-octane player. Note: reigning champion of the Basketball Elite Southeast Summer Showcase Dunk Contest (awesome recap video below):

Drew Greene (PG, 5’11”, 2018) Chapel Hill HS (NC) – high basketball IQ and understands how to attack the defense with the drive or pass. Will need to add strength but a lot to like already and I really was impressed with his understanding of the game even in the pickup style of showcase basketball.

Jaylon Wray (G, 6’2″, 2016) Crest HS (NC) – another athletic guard who showed a high motor and played well above the rim as the day progressed. Had back-to-back dunks in one game was difficult for a lot of defenders to stay in front of him on the move.

Andreas Fuller (G, 6’5″, 2018) Village Christian Academy (NC) – a big time prospect with size and handles to play at the next level already, and a lot of upside. Can run the point even at 6’5″, makes great decisions on the break and already has savvy of an upperclassmen, combined with natural athleticism. Definitely a college prospect.

Hunter Ladler (G, 6’2″, 2016) Atlantic Shores (VA) – high motor guard with excellent passing skills and a great decision maker even at full speed.

Taylan Rowe (G, 6′, 2016) West Stanly HS (NC) – showed nice speed and an ability to create his own shot in a variety of ways, even in the halfcourt.

Johnathon Pearsall (G/F, 6’3″, 2017) North Raleigh Christian Academy (NC) – another high motor wing player who gets to the rim and gets buckets in transition, but understands fast break spacing. Was teamed up with other high motor wings like Omari Wilson and Justin Myers and they ran a couple of teams out of the gym with their relentless break.

China Jones (G/F, 6’5″, 2016) Voyager Academy (NC) – solid athlete who plays above the rim, had some monster slams in today’s action was active on both ends. Definitely one to watch.

Tre Doughty (PG, 5’11”, 2016) Neuse Christian Academy (NC) – big time bounce and athletic point guard who gets after it on both ends. Explosive but under control, very good first step but also played well off of the ball.

Temetrius Morant (G, 5’11”, 2017) Crestwood HS (SC) – solid guard play all day and was making solid decisions with the pass and the dribble all day.

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Want more scouting notes? You can follow Marcus Shockley on Twitter, right this second @M_Shockley

James Blackburn’s NC Phenom 150 Scouting Reports and Notes

Phenom 150 organizer and scout Rick Lewis speaks to the players prior to team play.

I was able to attend the NC Phenom 150 showcase this year held at Forsyth Country Day School. There were over 200 players in attendance with plenty of talent on display. The PG and posts positions were each deep with talent and athleticism. I did my best to scout all 3 courts that were being utilized and below are some writeups of the top players I saw.

Class of 2015

Micah Smith (Eastern Wayne, 6’2″, SF)

Micah was one of the most impressive players in attendance here today. The unsigned senior who also plays football was dominant all day, getting buckets almost at will. Smith has a high motor which he uses to rebound the ball and defend multiple positions. He plays much better then 6’2″ and is an incredible athlete. Has a quick 2nd jump. Showcased a the ability to post up smaller players and had some fancy post moves and footwork to show-off. He can slash to the rim and is a threat in transition. Smith needs to continue to improve his shooting consistency and get stronger but Smith is someone coaches from all 3 college divisions should check out.

Class of 2016

DeShawn Patterson (Victory Christian, 5’11”, PG)

Easily a top 3 PG in attendance today, Patterson simply got wherever he wanted to on the offensive end of the floor. He is shifty and changes speeds well. He can re-create for himself and others and draws fouls at a high rate. He is a tremendous passer and has great court vision. Has great body control and is a D1 talent. Can hit the 3 but needs to improve range.

Hunter Ladler (Atlantic Shores, 6’2″, G)

Athletic and strong player who can play either guard position. High motor player.

Zavian Jackson (Burlington Cummings, 6’2″, G)

Big time athlete who can finish above the rim and bring energy to a team.

Charles Norman (Prominance Academy, 6’3″, G)

One of the best dunkers and most explosive players in attendance. Strong and a Westbrook type player. Needs to tighten up his handle.

Kevin Schmitt (Trinity Christian, 6’7″, C)

True back to the basket big. Has a great hook shot. Good hands and is efficient. A little slow.

Michal Seals (High Point Christian, 5’11”, PG)

Can play the P/R and has tremendous vision. High motor PG. Sees the floor well and is unselfish.

Class of 2017

Ubong Okon (Prominance Academy, 6’10”, F/C)

One of the top bigs in attendance today. Runs the floor well and has ton of potential. Has good hands and is efficient inside. Can finish in P/R above the rim. Needs to improve back to basket game but is a MM prospect.

Omari Wilson (Fayetteville 71st, 6’3″, G)

Can finish with contact and is tough. Great slasher who can get to rim in minimum dribbles. Good athlete who can hit the 3.

Justin Rhode (Christ School, 5’11”, G)

One of the best pure scorers I saw today. Good footwork and utilizes ball fakes.

Donaldson Fanord (Ft Mill, 6’7″, F)

Big guy with potential who can face the basket. Mobile. Has a solid back to the basket game.

Mason Hawks (North Surry, 5’11”, PG)

True PG who was consistent throughout the day. Unselfish player who gets teammates good shots. Solid ball handler.

Class of 2018

Cody Shubert (Lincoln Charter, 5’11”, PG)

I had never seen Cody before today and I left a big fan. He was arguably the top PG in attendance today and was able to make his teammates better throughout the day. He reminded me of Jason Williams in many ways and was fun to watch. He has the ball on a string and an excellent crossover dribble. Has a high IQ and is unselfish. Highlight reel with the ball.

Drew Greene (Chapel Hill HS, 5’11”, PG)

High IQ player who defends and plays hard. Has good length. Shooting needs improvement but definitely stood out today.

Andreas Fuller (Village Christian Academy, 6’5″, SF)

Versatile wing who can lead the break, pass the ball, and shoot from the outside. Has good potential. Needs to improve consistency and motor.

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James Blackburn Scouts the Phenom 150 Second Session

By James Blackburn

I was able to scout session 2 of the NC Phenom Camp held once again at Proehlific Park in Greensboro, NC. Tons of talent was on display including numerous D1 prospects. Here are my scouting notes on some of the players who stood out today broken down by class.

2015

Aiden Richard

Aidan Richard (Gaston Day, 6’10″, C) Long player who showed good patience in the post. Caught a big dunk off the backboard in the 2nd game of the day. Needs to get stronger with the ball, but has D1 potential.

Landon Yarbrough (North Lincoln, 6’3″, F) Strong undersized big who finishes in traffic. Willing to set screens and bang in the post. Physical and tough. More athletic than one would think. Solid rebounder who is a lefty. D3 schools should give him a look.

Cheikh Diallo (Cape Fear Christian, 6’4″, PG)
Quick guard who showcased an excellent handle. Terrific crossover move he used repeatedly to get into the paint. Excellent runner. Needs to improve shooting consistency but showed he could create his own shot.

Hunter Dotson (Trinity Academy, 6’1″, G)Aggressive player who is a good slasher. Good use of the glass on bank shots. Loves contact and is strong. High motor. Needs to improve left hand and take better angles on the defensive end. Schools at both the D2/D3 level should watch him this season.

Justin Reid (Cardinal Gibbons, 6’4″, F) Athletic wing who has a good basketball IQ. Really played well here today. Underrated passer who can shoot the ball from the perimeter with consistency. Definitely a college prospect.

2016

Emmanuel Ugboh

Emmanuel Ugboh (Elite Prep, 6’10″, C) – Was one of the top players overall in attendance today and top big in my opinion. Solid big man who takes up space inside. Solid athlete who had numerous 2 hand rim-rattling finishes on the day. Can score with his back to the basket but needs to continue to improve in this area. Footwork is a little raw but he does a good job of keeping the ball high. Strong and solid build. Good rebounder on both ends. Influences shots on defense. Does a lot with 2 hands- finishes and rebounds w/ 2 hands. HM prospect who will only continue to improve.

Ray Kowalski (Northside Christian, 6’3″, G) – Underrated athlete who can hit the set 3. Solid scorer. Needs to improve first step quickness and his left hand.

Quentin Jackson Jr (Carlisle School, 6’4″, G) Bouncy player who can catch and finish lobs. Can rebound the ball and push it transition. Good handle for size.

Malcolm Evans (Elite Prep, 6’7″, SF) Malcolm is an athletic player with a good wingspan. Is still raw in a few areas, but showed he can put the ball on floor for a dribble or two and finish above the rim. Needs to improve defensive intensity and shot selection. Showed good form on his jumper. Could develop into a MM+ prospect- has a high ceiling.

Josh Handy (North Rowan, 6’4″, G/F) Handy has a solid wingspan and is a good one on one scorer. One of the best looking one-dribble pull-ups I saw today.

Malcolm Evans

Michael Melvin (Freedom Christian, 5’11″, PG) Unselfish player who runs the offense and controls tempo. True PG’s are tough to find, and Melvin is a PG who can play P/R and score the ball when needed as well. Did a good job of feeding the bigs on his team- unselfish. Schools at all three divisions should track.

Trejon Jacob (Millbrook HS, 6’4″, G) Long player who has the ability to handle the ball and made good decisions. Had a couple of nice bounce passes to the roll man coming off the ball screen. Has nice arc on his 3 ball and good footwork. Plays hard and understands the game.

Thank God Msughter

Thank God Msughter (Freedom Christian, 6’6″, F) Loved his game today. Explosive player who has a high motor and defends/blocks shots. Loves the spin move in the post. Rebounds and shows a ton of emotion on the court. D1 prospect.

Colin Molden (Apex, 6’0″, PG) Smart and poised player who is patient and waits for the ball screen before he puts the ball down. Excellent passer and ball handler. Best set 3 point shooter I saw today- great looking form. Does the little things- fundamental.

Eli Lake (Blythewood, 6’5″, F) Smooth and fluid. Good looking stroke from 3. Solid defender who uses his length.

David Caraher

David Caraher (Chapel Hill, 6’6″, SF) (Chapel Hill, 6’6″, SF) David was a top 3 performer on the day, regardless of position or class. He is an extremely versatile player who scores the ball, defends, and can handle the ball. Defends the ball well by moving his feet and he also had numerous blocks inside. Runs the floor and finishes in traffic with either hand. Unselfish player who understands the game. High basketball IQ. Good ball handler. Is a MM+ prospect in my eyes.

Kristopher Monroe (South Granville, 6’5″, F) Provided the best dunk of the day- a big poster in the afternoon segment.

Rashad Dixon (Southern Durham, 6’3″, G) Athletic slasher who moves well with-out the ball. Scrappy. Great frame. Needs to improve jump shot, has a little hitch in it.

Franklin Ugochukwu (Cape Fear Christian, 6’10″, C) Talks on the floor- most vocal player I saw/heard today. Big bodied player who rebounds. Unselfish. Needs to improve mobility and offensive skills, but is a college prospect.

DeVontae Shuler (Irmo, 6’2″, PG) Shuler is excellent in transition thanks his explosion and quickness. Athletic guard who can finish above the rim and also had a huge block off the backboard. Needs to improve shot selection some.

Morgan McKay (Christ School, 6’8″, C) Big man who showed good touch from midrange with a high release. Solid defender who can guard other bigs 1 on 1 in the post without the need to have guards or anyone double.

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James Blackburn scouts players at the high school, college and pro level. For more scouting notes and insight, follow James on Twitter @jamesjunior21

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Charles Clark Scouts the Phenom 150

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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Phenom 150 Fall 2013 (Session 1) Scouting Notes

By Marcus Shockley

Notes from the Fall Phenom 150, Session 1, held in Winston-Salem, NC on October 6, 2013. With approximately 180 players in attendance, it’s extremely hard to see every good player, but here are some players who stood out to me and my notes on them from this event. I did note that a few teams were playing extremely hard, getting after it in a way that I normally would see in high profile elite AAU.

Emmett Tilley (G, 6’2″, 2016) Northern Durham HS (NC) I started tracking Tilley last year, and I liked his basic skill set. However, he’s become a serious collegiate prospect since then, adding weight and quickness. He often just looked a step ahead of the other players on the floor. His look ahead passing is elite, he has a very quick first step, can finish with contact or hit the mid range jumper. He has a good build and will continue to add strength over the next 3 years. Division I colleges should actively getting involved with him now. We had added Tilley to our scouting database and subscribing colleges can read our full scouting reports on his progress here. Tilley plays AAU with the Garner Road Bulldogs.

C.J. Bryce (SF, 6’5, 2015) One of, if not the most explosive athlete in the gym today. Putback timing is his calling card, and timing is something that translates to every level of basketball. Easily gets above the rim, great touch on the ball, can finesse the ball over players on the move without even hinting at a charge. Great bounce and agility. Colleges should be actively recruiting him.

Clay Mounce (SG/SF, 6’4, 2016) Mt. Airy HS (NC) Solid athlete with good bounce and quick hands. I really liked what I saw from Mounce and I think he has solid potential as a collegiate prospect. Has good size and length – will need to continue to add strength but is active off of the ball and really makes an impact. I will need to see more during the high school season but I already see him as a player that colleges should be definitely watching and scouting.

Derek McKnight (PG, 6’2″, 2015) Gaston Day (NC) One of the quickest crossovers I’ve seen all summer. What I like about McKnight’s game is how confidently he understands what he wants to do when he gets the ball. He never looks like he has to ponder over what move to make – his attacks look almost choreographed. One thing I rarely see from young players is the understanding that in basketball, there is a chess match at work – if your defender sags, you shoot over him. If he plays you close, you put the ball on the floor and try to push past him. McKnight always looks like he sees what the defense does and instantly reacts with the counter punch.

James Tillman (SF, 6’4, 2014) Kings Mountain HS (NC) Tillman is a high motor, explosive player who showed he’s been working on his outside shot as well. Tillman has already proven during his high school career that he is a banger who can finish with contact, but over the past year he’s shown a serious first step and and ability to finish above the rim. Makes excellent passes into the post as well. Add in the aforementioned shooting and motor and you can see why more and more colleges are making the trip to the his school on the NC/SC border to check him out.

Christian Adams (G, 6’4, ’15) Calvary Baptist (NC) One of the more underrated workers in the region, Adams goes full speed and has great patience, great size for his position. Strong, can handle the ball at the point, play off the ball at the 2-guard and even can can slide down to the 3 if needed. His strengths are his work ethic, decision making, ballhandling, passing, shooting touch and quick hands.

Zach Boggs (SG, 6’1″, 2016) Boggs has bulked up quite a bit and plays hard, non-stop. One of the complaints about showcase events that I always hear is how ‘nobody will pass the ball’, but then I see guys like Boggs, who are playing off of the ball, and yet find ways to be involved on almost every play. His play shows that conditioning, motor and awareness matter. Plays tough but under control. Can finish with contact.

Cory Hanes (SF, 6’5″, 2015) Hanes is incredibly strong, has great hands and loves to dunk on the move, especially if he can get both hands on the ball. He’s a banger but really suited to play the 3/4 at the college level. Plays through and absorbs contact like a football player, but plays under control. Runs the floor at full speed. Colleges who like hard nosed players (and who doesn’t) should be actively recruiting.

Bryan Rouse (G, 6′, 2014) Rouse finishes with contact extremely well, blasts up and down the floor and always seems to have his hands on the ball. Rouse finishes his plays in the paint with a move similar to one that I’ve seen Tyus Jones do so well- taking the contact, bouncing off of the defender, keeping his shoulders square and finishing the shot as the foul is called. Rouse is a solid athlete with good court vision. Recently committed to Wingate.

Brandon Roddy (PG, 6′, 2014) Monroe HS (NC) Roddy continues to improve, and I’ve been tracking him for about two years. What first caught my eye was his awareness – he’s got that great poise and patience, and he’s always sizing up what the defense is doing. He’s got point guard skills and at his height that’s where colleges will be looking to put him; however, it should be mentioned that he has combo guard ability in that he can play off of the ball, create his own shot on the move and understands defending different positions.

Spencer Scott (SG, 6’2, 2014) Charlotte Christian – Scott is the kind of player that coaches need on their team. You know the players you see who understand team ball, who will set a pick when it matters, who can knock down the jumper but also know when to pass it up, the kind of player who will be rock solid even if their name isn’t on the ranking lists. Scott is one of those guys. The biggest issues for guys like Scott is that in our world of mix tapes and prep-to-pros hype, college coaches need guys like him but ‘rock solid’, ‘reliable’, and ‘consistent’ don’t make headlines. Some smart college is going to get a smart solid player.

Lachlan Caple (G, 6’3″, 2016) First time seeing Caple, and I saw some flashes of passing wizardry and ballhandling that were impressive. Looks to attack with the pass into the defense with excellent vision.

Zach Hartle (SF, 6’4, 2015) Hartle has added bulk to make himself more of a presence in the paint. With a lot of 6’7″ and 6’8″ players on the courts, Hartle seemed to grab every loose rebound at times. I already know that he’s an adept passer and can shoot from deep, but the added strength make him more versatile in the paint.

Carson Mounce (C, 6’10”, 2015) Mounce looks like he’s gotten stronger and is still working on his post arsenal at this point. I would really like to see him develop more of a drop step and power, with a focus on footwork. He has good hands and a quick release, and with his size he should be able to develop his release into a reliable hook shot.

Sacha Killeya-Jones (C, 6’8″, 2016) Slender big man who has good length and is a developing shot blocker – does not go for fakes and makes it hard for smaller players to score in the paint. Needs to add strength but would love to see him work on developing his offensive post moves as well.

Jeff McIlwain (C, 6’9, 2015) Asheville Christian Academy – McIlwain is a half court post player with a solid frame and good hands. He works to establish position in the paint, seals well and asks for the ball. He does tend to put the ball on the floor too often – partly because he is a better ballhandler than most of the big men he’s going against, but I’d like to see him work on getting the ball to the rim with better footwork. Does not shy away from contact. Definitely a college big man, where he ends up will depend on his work ethic and how much strength he can add – his solid frame looks like he could continue to add quite a bit of muscle.

Harrison Burton (SG, 6’3″, 2015) The Rock Hill, SC player impressed me with his deliberate play on both ends. Really digs in on defense and plays with purpose on offense. Has good size for the guard spot. One of the few wings I saw who knew to run to the deep corners on the halfcourt.

Hawk Swearingen (G, 6’1″, 2015) Sedalia (MO) – I would call him a scorer but that really wouldn’t accurately explain his game. Swearingen is an assassin, yes, who shoots the ball like it’s a weapon, and he can do it in a variety of ways – from deep or going to the bucket in traffic. But he’s not the type of player who is bent on getting the ball and chucking it up – he works within the offense, throwing zip passes to open teammates, moving without the ball and passing up bad shots. So you might watch him for a few minutes and just see a guy content to defer to others, then the defense will sag and bang – he’ll scorch you. Don’t sleep – this kid’s a baller.

Spencer Wilson (PG, 6’1″, 2015) Bishop McGuiness (NC) Wilson is deadly going to his left and has a smooth ability to shake the defender, freeing up an open shot – which he can nail consistently. Crafty and poised, Wilson has great awareness of what the defense is doing and has a plethora of moves to get that deadly shot open. His passing is solid and he’s going to be the player driving the offense for Bishop McGuinness this season. Good length.

Hunter Seacat (C, 6’9″, 2015) Already has the build to play in college and looks like he will continue to get stronger. Runs the floor and plays back to the basket, good hands. Good offensive footwork and will continue to add to his low post arsenal. Bodies up on defense and plays through contact. Has a few college offers and will no doubt add several more this high school season.

James West IV (PG, 5’11”, 2017) Over the past couple of years, West has shown an ability to play with older players because of his quick release and solid shooting, both from mid range and from deep. Now he shows extremely quick hands and more movement without the ball. I’ve said this before, but some players have a knack for getting the ball and getting some shots up, even when they are not running the point, and West is one of those players. West is the player who will snatch the ball from a big man when he puts the ball on the floor, but his quick release is his calling card.

Ruben Arroyo (F, 6’8″, 2015) Deep Run HS (VA) Solid athlete with some upside. Needs to add weight but has great quick bounce off of the floor, finesse touch and has the hang time to finish after contact. Gets his shots off after the catch in the post without bringing the ball down.

Timmy Walker, Jr. (PG, 6’1, 2016) Christ School (NC) – Excellent first step and great court vision. Quick, beats his man off the dribble to get inside the paint.

Will Tibbs (SF, 6’5″, 2014) Winston-Salem Prep (NC) Tibbs is a wing player with great length and can shoot the deep ball. But he’s active, not just a spot up shooter – he runs the floor extremely well on the break and has great hands. He continues to work and has been overlooked after having a really solid season last year for Prep. Tibbs is a player who should have more college interest than he does but if enough colleges give him looks this year, there is little doubt someone can use a high motor wing with collegiate range and length.

Gerald Peacock (G, 6’1″, 2015) Very quick transition player who wants to run. Aggressive, likes to push the ball right to the rim and looks for breaking players. A great fit for coaches who want to get up and down the floor, has the fast break mindset and will burn defenders who trot back on defense.

Spencer Osborne (G, 6’3″, 2014) Solid guard with good size and build, pushes the ball hard and keeps the defender on his heels. Strong and deliberate with the ball, high motor. Hard nosed and makes an impact with the dribble or the pass. Colleges looking to snatch up a solid 2014 player should be actively looking at him.

Austin Collins (G, 6’2″, 2014) Winston-Salem Prep (NC) – Collins has a good hesitation dribble and should have a breakout year at Prep – he was always a vital part of their title runs but will likely take over more of the point guard duties this season. Excellent passer, fast, gets into the teeth of the defense consistently. Another 2014 guard that colleges should be actively watching and in contact with.

Matt Kalaf (SF, 6’7″, 2016) Nuese Christian Academy (NC) – Great length and plays on the wing, quick hands and good passing from the wing. Sharp shooter who is a match up problem for smaller wings, has a lot of upside and definitely a collegiate prospect.

Cameron Gottfried (SG, 6’3″, 2014) Broughton HS (NC) Gottfried is a smart, high motor player with a good deep shot, high release and excellent athleticism. Likes to get out on the break and can finish above the rim.

Players added to the watch list for the upcoming season:

Tucker Thompson (C, 6’10”, 2014) Huntersville, NC

Bryant Vucich (C, 6’8″, 2015) Morrisville, NC – actually the second time I’ve seen Vucich and his high release and hook caught my eye both times.

Marshall Macheledt (C, 6’8″, 2014) Greensboro, NC

Kenny Bunton (PF, 6’5″, 2016) Chattanooga, TN

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