The CP3 Elite Guard Camp is a no-nonsense chance for some of the best guards in high school and college to work on their games with one of the best point guards in the NBA. Every year, Chris works directly with the players in attendance to share some of his NBA All-Star knowledge in his hometown of Winston-Salem, NC. While the purpose of the event is not specifically game play or evaluation, it is beneficial to see some of the best guards in the country go against each other and see how well they do in the overall guard drill work. Here are some of our notes from this year’s event.
Tyus Jones (PG, 6’1″, 2014) Apple Valley HS (MN) Jones is the top high school point guard in the country and it’s easy to see why. He does so many things well, from absorbing contact, finding open teammates with elite precision passing and a deadly shooting touch, that the only real knocks stem from the fact that the game looks so easy for him, he always looks like he is going half speed.
Tyler Ulis (PG, 5’9″, 2014)
One of the top guards here all week. Brought ton of energy. Terrific on-ball defender- probably the best in HS group. Quick player. Excellent ball handler- went through the ball handling drills w/ quickness and precision. Tough to stop in 1 on 1.
Xavier Mills (G, 6′, 2014) Greenfield (NC) Mills is a high motor guard with great length and an excellent first step. Makes an impact.
Seventh Woods (SG, 6’2″, 2016) Woods is a pure scorer with elite athleticism and serious bounce. Right now he’s a 2 guard who is deadly with the change of speed, even against elite guards.
Kwe Parker (SG, 6’2, 2016) Explosive and active, Parker has great bounce off of the floor and plays above the rim.
Jalen Sanders (G, 6′, 2016) Sanders has a great build and is already a strong guard; he plays under control and has the poise of a player with much more experience. He needs to improve his outside shot to make defenders play him closer, where he can use his strength to bully them.
Gabe Devoe (G, 6’3″, 2014) Recent Clemson commit Devoe is physically stronger than most guards at the high school level, and he uses it effectively. He also has continued to develop his point guard skills and he can either score or make something happen with the pass.
College Players
Quinn Cook (6’2”, Junior, Duke)
Shot the ball very well from 3-point line. One of the better shooters here. Did the best out of any college guard I saw in 2-ball dribbling drills. Really competed and got after it in contact drills w/ partner. Shifty scorer- good mid-range shot in addition to his 3.
Briante Weber (6’3”, Junior, VCU)
Loved his competitiveness, energy, and motor. Took full advantage of his time here at camp. Really got after it in contact ball handling drills w/ partner. Did better than anyone in ball handling drills. Handed the ball like a pro- good quickness, tight handle. Love his demeanor and leadership. Vocal. Went off of 2-feet in the finishing drills. Needs to improve his 3-point shooting. Its a 2-hand flick shot w/ a low release. Excellent on-ball defender (best at camp). Active hands. Needs to get stronger- vulnerable to post-ups by stronger guards. Had a tough time scoring the ball in days 1 and 2, but did a much better job scoring the ball outside the perimeter in day 3 during the 5 on 5 games. Even hit a 3 pointer. Scored in the post w/ mismatch b/c of his good length. Quick flick of a release. Scoring on drives- took the bumps and scored w/ his right hand floater. Needs to improve PG screen and roll offense and passing- but I love his motor. Averaged 2.7 steals per game in 20 minutes a game. More of a combo guard than PG.
Treveon Graham (6’5”, Junior, VCU)
Great build. Needs to improve ball handling and shooting. Not very quick in 2-ball drills. Did decent for his size. Slow.
Keith Appling (6’2”, Senior, Michigan State)
Can shoot the ball above average. Attacks the rim. Great court vision. Impressed with Keith all weekend- from the drills to 1 on 1 to 5 on 5. Loved the fact that he really battled and went after Chris Paul in the games. Tough kid. Good looking stroke. Moved well w/ out the ball. Created his own offense. You can tell he knows how to play and has been here before.
Jerian Grant (6’5”, Senior, Notre Dame)
Shacky in 2-ball drills. Needs a tighter handle. Quick release. Excellent pull-up jump shot.
Andre Hollins (6’2”, Junior, Minnesota)
High release on shot. Liked his work/performance in dribbling drills. Can dunk a ball with 1 hand under the basket w/ no step-straight vert- impressive.
PJ Hairston (6’5”, Junior, North Carolina)
Looked a bit lazy in 2-ball drills. Looked tired all week. Not sure if off-the-court issues from this summer have taken a toll. First to sit down and get a break/water out of group. Looked a bit rough, appearance wise all week. Did not look comfortable in floater drills/other PG drills. Did play decently in 5 on 5 games.
Jordan Clarkson (6’5”, Junior, Missouri)
One of the top players in days 1 and 2. Didn’t stand out as much in day 3 in 5 on 5 drills. Has a nice floater. Good build/length. Can go either direction. Smooth. His team won 2 on 2 three times in a row. Loves to attack going to his right. Quick 1st step. Athletic. Could become very good defender. Good body control. Inconsistent shooter from 3- good elevation. Shooting form is out in front of body a bit.
Joe Jackson (6’0”, Senior, Memphis)
Played well all-week. Hustled and really competed. Love his defensive intensity- a top 3 on-ball defender here. Won his group in day 3 of 1 on 1 drills- won his basket in day 2 as well. Shoots a straight ball- a little flat- but it went in. Doesn’t seem to be the quickest. Is unselfish. Attacks the basket well. One of my favorites here. Might be best 3-pt shooter here- def top 3.
Davon Saddler (6’1”, Senior, Delaware)
Competitor and winner. Not very big- is small as a guard, but makes up for it w/ strenght. Very strong finisher- can take bumps and keep line on drives and finish w/ contact. Can hit the perimeter shot including 3’s- shoots out in front of face.
Ryan Boatright (6’0”, Junior, Uconn)
Kept doing the little things well. Looked down multiple times to find his number on the sheet and I kept coming back to him.
Codi Miller-McIntyre (6’2”, Sophomore, Wake Forest)
Great combination of size, strength, and athleticism. Won 1 on 1 drills and was able to score from 15’ and in easily b/c of strength and size advantage over other guards. Shot release has gotten higher since the last time scene- but is still not very good- little hitch and is inconsistent- misses short too much. Played well in 3 on 3 drills. Nifty ball handling moves/finishing moves. Quick laterally on defense. Blended in at times this weekend however- needs to be more vocal.
Shabazz Napier (6’1”, Senior,Uconn)
Smooth player who is a solid shooter. Low motor.
Tyler Lewis (5’11”, Sophomore, NC State)
Moved very well w/ out the ball in 5 on 5. Smart player who doesn’t force the issue. Struggles to create his own shot. Doesn’t have the speed/quickness to get around any one on perimeter. Needs to work to change speeds better. Finishes lay-ups near rim off of cuts by using the rim as protection and he does a lot of reverse lay-ups, puts spin on the ball, and puts ball high on back board. Shot the ball well from 3 pt line this week- made players pay for giving him space- needs a good amount space however- b/c release is not the quickest.
Kevin Pangos (6’1”, Junior, Gonzaga)
Works hard- is in excellent shape. Good form on 3 pt shot. One of the best shooters here.
Top 5 HS Guards (No order)
Jalen Brunson (2015, 6’2”, Vernon Hills, IL)
Tyus Jones (2014, 6’2”, Apple Valley, MN)
Nate Mason (2015, 6’1”, Atlanta, GA)
Tyler Ulis (2014, 5’9”, Matteson, IL)
Gabe Devoe (2014, 6’3”, Shelby, NC) *Clemson Commit
Top 5 College Guards (No order)
*Note- it was a lot harder only picking 5 guards in college group- many of the guards played well to be in top 5
Keith Appling (6’2”, Senior, Michigan State)
Jordan Clarkson (6’5”, Junior, Missouri)
Joe Jackson (6’0”, Senior, Memphis)
Briante Weber (6’3”, Junior, VCU)
Quinn Cook (6’2”, Junior, Duke)
