Dyshun Smith – 6’8” F – Northampton County (NC) – Class of 2020
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 steals (55% FG)
Being one of many siblings in a basketball family, it’s not surprising that Smith is also quite the player. At around 6’7”-6’8” he has really good length and tools that are waiting to be honed at that next level. He has a knack for getting to the basket from the mid-post area while finishing up and under defenders. On the glass, he gets off the ground quickly. Spending some time in a legitimate collegiate weight program will take his game further. Also has a nice touch of his jump-shot. His best days are ahead.
Gavion Taylor – 6’2” PG Western Alamance HS (NC) – Class of 2020
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals
Yet another sleeper from Western Alamance that had a strong senior season. Taylor is at his best when handling the ball and stepping into his jumpshot. Once he gets going, he can fill it up from the outside with the best of them. Does a solid job running the offense and getting his hands into the passing lanes. Colleges that are still looking for a shotmaker, ball-handler, defender and an overall good student-athlete, look no further.
Xavier Jones – 6’3” F – Purnell Swett HS (NC) – Class of 2020
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 23 points, 16 rebounds, 3 blocks, 1.5 steals
Absolutely outstanding rebounder. Was a monster on the glass averaging 16 rebounds per game in a tough 4A conference that had two teams play each other for a state championship berth. Best game of the year was a 31 points and 30 rebound game against Heide Trask. Despite being relatively undersized, Jones has yet to be out-muscled, has quick feet, quick hands and very long arms for a player of his height. He also is a matchup problem on the offensive end due to his unique length, quickness and ability to knock down face-up jump-shots.
Joseph Ferrante – 6’8” F – South Mecklenburg HS (NC) – Class of 2021
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
Everyone loves a mobile big. Ferrante fits that mold. He makes his mark on the block, shows a target and makes his moves quickly inside. Add the fact that he’s a lefty and he immediately becomes harder to defend due to the uncommonality of defending southpaws and true low post threats. He also can knock down the jumpshot if given too much room. This kid will be a stud for scholarship schools that trust their weight and conditioning program.
Jayquan Curry – 5’10” PG – Wayne Christian (NC) – Class of 2022
2019- 2020 Season Averages: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals
Since his freshman year, Curry has been primed to score the ball. As a sophomore, he took a step forward athletically that allowed him to become a much better finisher and more comfortable setting up others as well. When it comes to scoring the ball, he’s relentless and shows great explosion. Off the ball, he’s a threat to rise up quickly for lob dunks and draws a ton of attention. He also can create for his teammates as well and would fare well as a primary facilitator that can fill it up if you need him to. His future is very promising should he continue improving his body and ability to control the flow of games.
Isaiah Bromelle – 5’9” PG – Swansboro HS (NC) – Class of 2023
2019 -2020 Season Averages: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists
It seems as if every year there is a new “small” freshman guard that pops up in eastern North Carolina that fits in seamlessly at the varsity level. Bromelle is yet another one. He can finish around the basket and he can knock down shots at a high level. As with most young guards, the key to him taking the next step will be getting stronger and learning to pick his spots. He gets too deep into the paint often leading to turnovers. It’s good that he is hard to keep out of the paint however. Once his strength and decision making comes along, it will be big trouble.
Kaleb James – 6’3” G – Lakewood HS (NC) – Class of 2023
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 blk, 1 stl
Outstanding run and jump athlete! Kaleb has the potential to become an electric scorer with his leaping ability, length and skill. He can create his own shot and finishes really well with either hand above the rim. Surprisingly, he’s an adept ball-handler that could spell the point guard position in spurts while guarding multiple positions defensively. His jump-shot has room for growth and he does need to get stronger to offset defenders that have a low center gravity. However, he’s a really good looking prospect that will score a ton of points in high school.
Eric Lyons – 6’3” G/F – North Edgecombe HS (NC) – Class of 2023
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 8 points, 3 rebounds
For the majority of the high school season, Lyons played and at times outright dominated at the junior varsity level. At around 6’2”-6’3”, he displayed a consistent ability to get to the basket with minimal dribbles and showed promise as a catch and shoot player from three-point range. Once he was moved up to the varsity team, he fit in seamlessly and contributed 8 points per game for a sectional championship team that finished 27-2 overall. Don’t be surprised to see an uptick for Lyons as a sophomore for a young but athletic basketball team.
Tymaureon Outlaw – 6’6” F – Person HS (NC) – Class of 2023
2019 – 2020 Season Averages: 7 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
At a young age, this kid possesses a really good knack for the ball on both ends of the floor. He’s an absolute menace on the glass already and can only get better. As a freshman, he showed good poise offensively on the inside, defended really well and again, showed potential to be a dominant rebounding presence. On top of him already having solid height, he has much longer arms than your typical 6’5”-6’6” forward. He comes from an athletic family, so it wouldn’t shock me to see him take another step soon athletically. Quite a bit of promise is there for the young prospect out of Roxboro.
