NCISAA Team Camp: Triad Standouts
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Team Camp in North Carolina peaked in June, with some of the best prospects and programs showcasing who and what they’re all about. Teams all over the Tar Heel state took the hardwood to compete with the best. Among them were teams from the NCISAA representing the Triad, an overlooked, underrated region home to some big-time prospects and programs. Let’s look at the standout prospects in NCISAA team camp play from the Triad.
The Burlington School, one of the most respected programs in the Triad, took the NCISAA 2A state championship back to the 336 in 2022-2023. Despite an uncharacteristic 19-15 regular season record, the Spartans took care of business in the playoffs and capitalized on the clutch moments of the postseason. With the return of class of 2024 phenom point guard Zion Walker Zion Walker 6’2″ | PG The Burlington School | 2024 State NC and other core pieces, the Burlington School looks to run it back in 2023-2024. Class of 2025 center Kaden Hammond Kaden Hammond 6’8″ | PF The Burlington School | 2025 State NC will help them get there.
Standing at a true 6’8″, Kaden Hammond Kaden Hammond 6’8″ | PF The Burlington School | 2025 State NC is a force to be reckoned with in the paint. Hammond’s got length and size and uses it to enhance every facet of his game. He is an efficient ball player who shows up every time he touches the floor. Hammond is a consistent creature of habit, excelling in his role and elevating the play of his teammates. As the season progressed, Hammond showcased his ability to play the stretch 4 when sharing the frontcourt with 6’7″ running mate Ty Outlaw who is more of a traditional big. Hammond moves exceptionally well for a prospect his size, underneath the basket and in the open court. He runs the floor with purpose and executes fast-break offense to perfection. While there is more work to be done to polish his offensive game around the perimeter, I have seen improvement already from Hammond. Mastering a consistent jump shot is something I know he is working to get down this summer. With the reps he is getting this summer, I am confident he can get there. Kaden Hammond Kaden Hammond 6’8″ | PF The Burlington School | 2025 State NC is an efficient scorer and a good team player. He is a prospect that can average a quiet 10 and 10 while simultaneously elevating the play of others.
Hammond provides a steady, disruptive presence on defense which is a nuisance to navigate. His unorthodox wing span results in consistent rim protection. It’s not often that you see a guy get a good-quality shot off against Hammond without the ball flying in the opposite direction. Hammond is your classic rim protector on steroids. His unique defensive presence causes unforced turnovers that get him in a fast-break situation where he thrives. Hammond is a tough, physical defender who plays with poise.
With a Burlington School team returning most of its championship roster, expect Kaden Hammond Kaden Hammond 6’8″ | PF The Burlington School | 2025 State NC to have a breakout year for the Spartans.
Staying with the Burlington School, another standout prospect is class of 2024 small forward Savion Taylor Savion Taylor 6’4″ | SF The Burlington School | 2024 State NC . Taylor played an instrumental role in the Spartan’s success last season and took his game to another level in the playoffs. He provided a steady defensive presence and a consistent three-ball, shooting 38 percent from behind the arc. Taylor was the glue that held this Burlington School squad together through thick and thin.
Savion Taylor Savion Taylor 6’4″ | SF The Burlington School | 2024 State NC is one of the best three-and-d prospects in his class. At 6’4″, Taylor has an obvious physical presence that makes him hard to match up with on either side of the floor. He is a gifted scorer and an elite three-point shooter. Taylor is a lethal off-the-ball scorer who can stay invisible on the wing until the time is right. He is an elite athlete who can make sharp back-door cuts to the basket or create something for himself. Taylor is crafty with the ball in his hands and has a knack for making big-time plays. He is a prospect with an elite basketball IQ and decision-making skills. Taylor’s high release allows him to get open looks around the perimeter and knock down contested shots off balance. His three-point shooting is at the center of his game, but there is a lot more this guy has in his arsenal than he might care to tell us. Savion Taylor Savion Taylor 6’4″ | SF The Burlington School | 2024 State NC is a dynamic scoring threat each time he touches the ball.
Taylor is a naturally gifted defender who is motivated by his dog mentality on that side of the floor. He is a scrappy, committed defender who uses his body to his advantage. His stamina allows him to lock in and execute during long, gritty defense possessions. Taylor is a smart defender who keeps his hands straight on closeouts and resists giving unnecessary fouls. His defensive presence has come up huge for the Spartans in clutch moments.
Defense has been a staple of Burlington School basketball forever. Savion Taylor Savion Taylor 6’4″ | SF The Burlington School | 2024 State NC is the standard.
Class of 2025 combo guard Lishawn Speller Lishawn Speller 6’2″ | CG Southwest Guilford | 2025 State NC has made a name for himself in the Triad in his two years with Southwest Guilford. Speller enters his junior season with an elevated game, heightened self-confidence, and a lot more to prove. As a less hyped prospect slowly starting to see his stock rise, let’s take an in-depth look at what makes his game stand out.
At 6’2″, Lishawn Speller Lishawn Speller 6’2″ | CG Southwest Guilford | 2025 State NC is a physical guard who can get after it on both ends of the floor. Speller has an elite basketball IQ and is effective with and without the ball in his hands. He is a dynamic scorer who can get it done on all three levels. Speller has that IT factor about him where he can take over games by capitalizing on big-time moments in the clutch. He’s a prospect who is lethal from the wing when he finds his rhythm. Speller is an elite athlete who can run the floor exceptionally well in transition. He’s a tough downhill driver who can finish through contact. Lishawn Speller Lishawn Speller 6’2″ | CG Southwest Guilford | 2025 State NC is an elite scoring threat from the wing.
I like what I’ve seen on defense from Speller this past season. He’s not afraid to compete down low and make the extra play. Speller is a team player who wants to win. He takes pride in matching up with and locking down opposing teams’ number-one scoring options. He’s a strong kid with the right mentality.
With a Southwest Guilford squad looking to cash in on the development of some young pieces that took place last season, expect Lishawn Speller Lishawn Speller 6’2″ | CG Southwest Guilford | 2025 State NC to show up and show out in 2023-2024.
Class of 2025 true point guard Nathaniel Q Williams Nathaniel Q Williams 5’10” | PG Forsyth Country Day | 2026 State NC has been a hidden gem up until now for Forsyth Country Day. As a smaller guard, Williams has not gotten the attention he deserves. That is already changing. Williams is a big-time prospect who is taking the Triad region by storm.
Nathaniel Q Williams Nathaniel Q Williams 5’10” | PG Forsyth Country Day | 2026 State NC is first and foremost a floor general. He is one of the most elite true point guards in his class. Williams has an elite basketball IQ and feel for the game that makes up for his shorter build. He is an excellent distributor and knows how to get his playmakers involved in the offense. He is a selfless leader who just wants to win. Williams can step up and score the rock when need be. He is an efficient scorer, shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from behind the arc this past grassroots season. Nathaniel Q Williams Nathaniel Q Williams 5’10” | PG Forsyth Country Day | 2026 State NC is an elite point guard who takes command of offenses.
Despite a smaller build, Williams gets after it on the defensive end of the floor. It’s all because of his attitude. Williams plays aggressive, in-your-face defense that opposing guards can’t stand. He has lighting-fast feet, springs for legs, and a stocky build that make it challenging to get past. Williams is a beast on defense, his smaller frame having little effect on his play.
With a Forsyth Country Day team looking to make some serious noise in the NCISAA 3A this season, expect Nathaniel Q Williams Nathaniel Q Williams 5’10” | PG Forsyth Country Day | 2026 State NC to hold it down in the backcourt for the Furies.