2022 Guards/Wings on the Rise: Week 9

<p>The North Carolina hoops season has arrived and the 2022 class is performing well. Here’s a look at some guards/wings in the 2022 class that are making waves on the hoops scene.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="848062" first="Jaquantae" last="Harris"] | 6’1 Guard | Northwood Temple</h5> <p>The Northwood Temple Eagles are playing strong and Harris is a big reason why, especially on the offensive end. He posted 21 points in their victory over Wayne Country Day, while also dishing out three assists and snagging two steals and two blocks on Friday night. He’s an explosive guard that uses his strength and quickness to his advantage on both ends and it’s been on display as the Eagles have won five games in a row. He holds offers from Tulsa, ECU, Iona, Hofstra and LSU. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="574440" first="Mike" last="Best"] | 6’0 Guard | Wayne Country Day School</h5> <p>Best has grown into his role of sharing the backcourt with [player_tooltip player_id="533552" first="Jaden" last="Cooper"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1050009" first="Carlos" last="Raven"] very well. He’s producing 17.9 ppg, 7.0 apg, 6.9 rpg and 2.3 spg in the Wayne Country Day rotation, showing he can do a lot more than score the ball. He’s got underrated athleticism to pair along with his quickness to get by defenders and create off the bounce. He’s also got a perimeter stroke to go with that, shooting 47 percent from behind the arc in 2020-21. He’s a member of the 2022 class worth tracking now.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1120799" first="Greg" last="Brockington"] | 5’10 Point Guard | Gaston Christian</h5> <p>Brockington is a point guard with a big, strong frame at 5-foot-10 that utilizes well on both ends for Gaston Christian. He does well operating off the bounce, making plays for himself and others around the rim. He’s putting up 12.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.6 spg am 2.3 rpg through 17 games in his junior season. He’s found his way as a facilitator and scorer in his squad’s rotation. He’s shooting 49 percent from the field and has shown he can run the show on the offensive end alongside [player_tooltip player_id="1120787" first="Will" last="Kelly"].</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="848063" first="Cam" last="Oates"] | 5’10 Point Guard | Trinity Christian</h5> <p>Oates is a point guard that gets after it on both ends. He’s averaging 11.1 ppg, 4.4 apg and 3.6 rpg in his junior season. He likes to push the tempo with the ball in his hands and looks to make plays for himself and others when under pressure. Defensively, he’ll pick up fullcourt and wreak havoc for opponents while looking to force turnovers.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="577860" first="Zaharee" last="Maddox"] | 6’0 Point Guard | Davie</h5> <p>Maddox is due to make waves for Davie County entering his junior season with offers from High Point, Penn State and DePaul. He opened conference action with 18 points, seven assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 74-72 victory over East Forsyth on Friday night. He can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry given his size and athleticism. As he continues to develop, look for his stock to grow some more. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1121048" first="Nigel" last="Okwakol"] | 6’4 Guard/Wing | South Garner</h5> <p>Okwakol has really come on strong to lead the way for the South Garner Titans in his junior season. He leads the way with 15.7 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 5.3 apg and 2.0 spg as one of their primary scorers and playmakers with the ball in his hands. He doesn’t settle for shots on the perimeter and looks to get to the paint whenever possible and pushes the envelope to get to the free throw line. He’s one to keep an eye given his length and athleticism. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1008880" first="Jayquan" last="Curry"] | 5’10 Guard | Wayne Christian</h5> <p>Curry is once again leading the 2022 class (according to MaxPreps) in scoring with 31.4 ppg to go along with 4.5 rpg, 3.4 apg and 1.5 spg in the Wayne Christian backcourt. He’s already put up 49 points to open the season and posted at least 30 points in seven of 10 games on the young season. He’s a prospect that can score from anywhere on the floor and has proven it time and time again. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1120787" first="Will" last="Kelly"] | 6’3 Guard/Wing | Gaston Christian</h5> <p>Kelly is another prospect at Gaston Christian that’s having a strong season in their backcourt. He’s been a familiar face alongside [player_tooltip player_id="1120799" first="Greg" last="Brockington"] given his ability to score and rebound the basketball. He’s averaging 19.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.9 apg and 1.1 spg, showing off his ability to get to the cup and make things happen getting rebounds out the net. He’s already put up a season-high 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting against Cannon School this season. He’s shooting 45.3 percent from behind the arc and 57 percent from the field as a junior as well. </p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1062097" first="Malachi" last="Travis"] | 6’1 Guard | New Life Christian Academy</h5> <p>Travis has been a leading force on both ends for New Life Christian Academy this season. He’s putting up 18.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg and 1.4 apg through their 10 games so far in 2020-21. He’s shooting 56.5 percent from behind the arc and 69 percent from the field as one of their primary scorers in the rotation in his junior season. As he shows he can be a defensive presence, look for his stock to grow in the 2022 class.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1120537" first="Blair" last="Crumbie"] | 6’2 Wing/Forward | Metrolina Christian Academy</h5> <p>Crumbie is a versatile prospect at 6-foot-2 that can rebound the ball and score it on all three levels. He doesn’t force the issue or settle often with shooting jumpshots, staying within himself to take efficient shots. He’s putting up 10.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.7 apg and 1.6 spg on the season including nine points in an upset victory over Charlotte Christian. He’s an emerging prospect to keep an eye on at Metrolina Christian Academy.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="1063201" first="Tyrone" last="Barbee"] | 6’5 Wing/Forward | Harrells Christian Academy</h5> <p>Barbee is having a productive season since transferring from Wallace-Rose Hill to Harrells Christian. He’s posting a double-double in 2020-21 with 23.1 ppg, 10.2 rpg along with 2.0 bpg, 1.8 spg and 1.5 apg. Through 13 games, he’s racked up eight double-doubles already while shooting 57 percent from the field and developing his outside shot. He put up 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting against Liberty Christian Academy in a big victory on Tuesday night. He’s a versatile wing with length that can do multiple things on the floor.</p> <h5>[player_tooltip player_id="944965" first="James" last="Wilkins III"] | 6’2 Guard | Calvary Day School</h5> <p>Wilkins has made a solid transition to the off-guard position with little fall off at Calvary Day School. He’s averaging 15.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.7 apg in their backcourt in 2020-21. He put up a season-high 26 points on 10-of-23 shooting against SouthLake Christian Academy, knocking down four 3-pointers as well (also a season-high). </p> <p>&nbsp;</p>