Carolina Crossover All Upside Team

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Every event presents us with a group of prospects whose best basketball is far ahead of them. In this article, we’ll discuss what caught my eye from high upside prospects and how they produce today. These guys are talented but just scratching the surface of what they can do.</p> <p>Myke Gunn | Auburn Raptors </p> <p>Gunn has a combination of size and physicality that will help any young prospect. The 6’3 wing is raw but gets the concept of moving without the ball and doing the dirty work. He sets hard screens, rebounds, and makes defensive plays. He finished several games with double digit points over the weekend without having a go to skill. Skill development and playing the game more will help the 2025 prospect maximize the tools he’s developed as a two-sport athlete.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8918-1-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-1447322 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8918-1-rotated-e1651775010592-150x150.jpg" alt="Shedrach Makanjuola | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>Shedrach Makanjuola | HSBA</p> <p>Makanjuola was arguably the best athlete in Spartanburg. With legitimate size between 6’6 and 6’7, the combo forward has the skills to produce at different spots on the court. Watching him move on the court, you wouldn’t know that he recovered from ACL surgery a few months ago. The 2023 prospect flashes shot creation in the midrange, gets downhill against wings and forwards, all while being a devastating transition threat. Makanjuola’s potential will be unlocked as he improves his handle and expands his range. With his college ready frame, he can affect games as a tough defender, rebounder, and high energy player.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8921-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignleft wp-image-1447325 size-thumbnail" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8921-rotated-e1651775091656-150x150.jpg" alt="Mikell Orelus | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>Mikell Orelus | HSBA</p> <p>Orelus needs to have 6’5 listing changed on rosters immediately. He’s looking his 6’7 teammates in the eye and walking around with an enormous wingspan. There aren’t many minutes for the 2024 prospect on a loaded 17U team, but his size and the way he moves on the court are promising. I’d put money on this young prospect developing into a mobile shot changing defensive prospect. </p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="650233" first="Jabari" last="Sumpter"] | Next Level Athletics SC<a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Jabari-Sumpter.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1446352" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/Jabari-Sumpter-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p>Sumpter is a long electric 6’7 wing that can do just about anything on the court. He’s already developed a strong dribble drive game thanks to his speed and handle. His length and athleticism allow him to be a menace as an on and off ball defender. Whoever receives Sumpter’s pledge in mid-May is getting a kid with a ton of two potential. He’s only been playing organized basketball since 2018.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8961-rotated.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1447330 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8961-150x150.jpg" alt="Demargo DJ Lewis | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>Demargo DJ Lewis | Georgia Havoc</p> <p>Lewis is a raw, long, athletic 6’5 forward. The flashes of athleticism present the 2025 prospect with a lot of room to grow. He plays hard, runs the floor, and rebounds. There was a moment in transition where he tracked a shot down, missed the block, but his head was at the rim. Lewis is a coachable 2025 prospect who will get his minutes based on size and athleticism. He has plenty of time to develop as a frontcourt prospect.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8948-rotated.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-1444105" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/05/IMG_8948-150x150.jpg" alt="[player_tooltip player_id="1225774" first="Brandon" last="Crawford"] | The Traveling Hoopers" width="150" height="150" /></a>[player_tooltip player_id="1225774" first="Brandon" last="Crawford"] | HYB Raps Extreme </p> <p>Crawford stands out with his 6’9 size and length. When you roll the ball out, his ability to run the floor, finish above the rim, and affect shots in the paint change the game. I talked to local scouts that have been monitoring him throughout high school and, by all accounts, this recent growth spurt has changed him as a player. He’s grown four inches over the year and now totes a promising frame. Crawford already has the rim running down but adding strength will make him more than a contributor at the next level.</p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG_6688.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-1418922 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/IMG_6688-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>Amari Willis | Metro Elite Baksetball</p> <p>Willis gets everything he wants around the rim as a 6’6 wing. His burst allows him to get downhill and his bounce allows him to finish above the rim. The unsigned senior creates shots in the midrange. He already has a chiseled physique with room to fill out. Willis competes on both ends of the floor, covering several positions and creating transition opportunities. Blessed with next level physical tools and athleticism, Willis needs to improve his shooting to be a three-level scorer that can make waves at the collegiate level.</p>