Diamonds in the Rough in the 2021 Class, Part 2
The 2021 class is getting the short end of the stick with no spring/summer ball to look forward to. In either case, there are still some Diamonds in the Rough to look out for. Here’s a look at Part 2…
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Continue ReadingThe 2021 class is getting the short end of the stick with no spring/summer ball to look forward to. In either case, there are still some Diamonds in the Rough to look out for. Here’s a look at Part 2 now. Take a look at Part 1 if you missed it as well.
Kadyn Dawkins Kadyn Dawkins 5'9" | CG Eastern Guilford | 2021 State NC – Guard – Eastern Guilford
Dawkins is a quick and shifty 5-foot-8 combo guard at Eastern Guilford that did wonders for their squad in the rotation in 2019-20. He’s a prospect with unlimited range on the floor but he isn’t one to settle for 3-point shots as he will break down the defense and look to finish in the paint too. Defensively, he’s got an underrated ability to create steals that he’ll turn into easy fastbreak points. He’s a player due for a big senior high school season.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2DRrUM
Xavion Atkinson Xavion Atkinson 6'3" | SG Goldsboro | 2021 State NC – Guard/Wing – Goldsboro
Atkinson is an emerging 6-foot-3 wing prospect that isn’t afraid to get to the paint and finish through contact. He put up 16.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.7 spg and 1.2 bpg during his junior campaign for Goldsboro as they made it to the Elite Eight in the 2A State Playoffs. He plays big on offense and defense. As he learns to develop a winner’s mentality, he’s a prospect due to make a big jump over the next few months.
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMff2QFdcoY
Isaiah Ray Isaiah Ray 6'5" | CG Wesleyan Christian | 2021 State NC – Guard/Wing – Wesleyan Christian
Ray was an impressive addition to the Wesleyan Christian rotation in 2019-20. He brought a nice blend of defense and scoring on offense to the rotation with his size at 6-foot-5. He’s an athletic player that can defend with speed and get to the rim and finish with authority. As their second scoring option, he excelled on the perimeter and in the paint this season with Aisaiah Phillips Aisaiah Phillips 6'0" | PG Wesleyan Christian | 2021 State NC leading the way at point guard. He holds offers already from Mars Hill and Bluefield State.
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7E1pGCWsF4
Trae Benham Trae Benham 6'3" | CG Concord First Assembly | 2021 State NC – Guard/Wing – Concord First Assembly
Benham was the unsung leader for the Eagles this season as he led the way with 19.2 ppg along with 4.7 rpg, 2.0 apg and 1.7 spg. He’s a burly prospect at 6-foot-3, 200-pounds that isn’t an easy task to stay in front of or contain with his ability to score it on all three levels. He can put in on the floor and operate as well as make plays for others too. He’ll be one to watch during his senior year. He holds offers from Winthrop and North Florida.
Film: http://www.hudl.com/v/2DSr5P
Nasiar Blackston Nasiar Blackston 6'4" | CG Wilson Prep | 2021 State NC – Guard/Wing – Wilson Prep
Blackston is a firestarter that finds his offense on the defensive end with his ability to play the passing lanes and force the defense into traps. He’s a 6-foot-4 prospect that isn’t afraid to get on the floor and get the ball nor is he afraid to make big blocks or take charges. He’s an impressive prospect that makes his presence known when he’s on the floor. He was due to make a splash this spring/summer.
Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnHxCgv3oC4
Bryce Harris Bryce Harris 6'5" | SF Bull City Prep | 2021 State NC – Wing/Forward – Greensboro Day School
Harris is a versatile forward prospect at 6-foot-5 that has the ability to play the post and the perimeter. He has a nice feel for the floor on both ends that allows him to protect the rim and guard on the perimeter. He’s got a nice stroke on his jumpshot that allows him to extend the defense with his outside shot as well. He’s a player that programs are starting to take notice of. He holds offers from Siena, Howard, Elon, Bryant, Stony Brook and Lafayette.
Sam Perez Sam Perez 6'7" | PF Trinity Academy (Raleigh) | 2022 State NC – Wing/Forward – Middle Creek
Perez is an intriguing 6-foot-8 prospect that’s beginning to show flashes of his game as a three-level scoring threat. He put up 16.6 ppg, 8.6 rpg and 3.5 apg for the Mustangs in 2091-20 as they went 20-8 and made the 4A State Playoffs. He uses his length well to get to the rim and create space on the perimeter for his shot. He shot 35 percent from 3-point range as a junior. As he learns to be more aggressive with the ball in his hands, he’ll be one to keep eyes on in the Triangle area.
Zion Connor Zion Connor 6'0" | CG Page | 2021 State NC – Wing/Forward – GRACE Christian
Itejere is another 6-foot-6 prospect that’s learning to become more aggressive and as he has, he’s continued to develop as a two-way threat. He’s got an unstoppable motor on the defensive end full of blocks and rebounds. Offensively, he’s finding his first-step off the dribble and as he continues to do so, look for him to have a big junior campaign for the Eagles.