Secret Weapons That Emerged at UNC Team Camp

Every good team has a few players that people on the outside might not talk about, but coaches absolutely know their value. UNC Team Camp had plenty of star power, but some of the most interesting evaluations came from the players who quietly impacted winning without needing the spotlight. You could feel their presence even if the box score didn't fully capture it. This group may not always be the first names mentioned after a game, but they are often the reason their teams function at a high level. After spending the weekend in Greeley, these were the players that felt like secret weapons waiting to take on even bigger roles this season.   Use code dev30 for 30% off and secure access as we're going through rankings and got you covered for the grassroots season. You don't want to miss any of our scouting.     Vervaet feels like he's been around for a very long time as a game-changing guard who the team trusts to get the guys going, push the tempo, and also make plays, and he's done that, but now without a true go-to scorer its even more on him to be assertive and look to score. He had two games where he looked to score. He had a couple of blow-by kiss the glass layups, he talks on defense, and stayed in front of his man. His attacking and getting into the teeth of the defense opened up the rest of the offense for teammates. He got in and finished, kicked it out to open teammates, and got to the FT line. He is also the team's primary ball handler, and he handled pressure well as opposing guards pressed onto him. He plays within the flow, doesn't get too sped up, and is very impactful. Stock boosting day for him for sure and a solid camp.     This was our first time seeing Rooney against other varsity talent, and it was great to see him in a faster-paced setting where he has to learn from mistakes, try and find ways to maneuver through the defense while they were pushing him around, and try and make plays. He did have some solid moments, especially early in games, where he would make a move and score. He looked confident handling the ball and also shot the 3-ball when he was open as well. Rooney is going to have to get some minutes and look ready, and at the camp, he was one of the few young players who caught my attention.     Billman was a big body forward with strength and size, who I did not know heading into the event, but was certainly intrigued leaving it. He checked off plenty of boxes for me as he was setting screens and sealing on the post for baskets. He was a workhorse on the glass, and he was going right back up for baskets. He did not have to have the ball to make his mark, and he does the small things like finding a man when a shot goes up, walling up on defense, and not fouling, and looked as if there's more to his game. I certainly want to watch more of his games and see if he can bring up his stock even more, but it was a solid outing from him.     Wasike has been on a run lately of just showing that he could dominate all Spring in club, and now he's brought it over to Cherokee Trail and gave them a dynamic paint beast who has to be game planned for. He's a monster in the paint as he's throwing around his size and trying to finish through defenders. If he has a smaller unsuspecting player in the post, they get scored on; he is grabbing boards and going through contact and backing guys down on the block. We certainly want to see the motor rise with it so that he's able to do that for a bit longer, but he takes over in games at times and will have to be an inside force for them this season.     Wolff has made his return and is getting back to himself, as he was one of the standouts that caught my eye at the UNC camp with his ability to shoot the ball from deep. He got hot in multiple games where he was hunting his shot, moving without the ball to find the perfect opportunity, and once he found it, he let it fly. I liked how he played against Eaglecrest. Wolff has good size and an inside-out game. He scores inside with a patient game, he shoots over defenders, and can back them down with spin-offs and reverses or step out and pop it. He plays off the ball a ton, but can make his move when he gets it, and should have a big season.

Every good team has a few players that people on the outside might not talk about, but coaches absolutely know their value. UNC Team Camp had plenty of star power, but some of the most interesting evaluations came from the players who quietly impacted winning without needing the spotlight. You could feel their presence even if the box score didn't fully capture it. This group may not always be the first names mentioned after a game, but they are often the reason their teams function at a high level. After spending the weekend in Greeley, these were the players that felt like secret weapons waiting to take on even bigger roles this season.