Carolina Cup: 17U Gamechangers

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The Carolina Cup produced a number of GameChangers from the state of North Carolina and surrounding areas. Take a look at the 17U Gamechangers from this past weekend's event on the PrepHoops Circuit stage. 

Mekhi Sherman - 5'9 Point Guard - Pistons Elite 2023

Sherman was quite the fast-starting game-changer for Pistons Elite 2023 squad as they played competitive games all weekend long at the Carolina Cup. He showed he could operate off the bounce and score in traffic while still managing his ability to get others involved at the floor general spot. He brought good energy and attitude to the floor that his teammates fed off of. 

Brian Kennedy Brian Kennedy 5'10" | PG South Lakes | 2024 State VA - 5'9 Point Guard - Man II Man Soldiers 2023 (2024)

Kennedy was the first of a few members of the 2024 class that played up on the 17U stage and still managed to show their ability to change the game as gamechangers. He showed he could run the show alongside another guard that needed the ball while maintaining a presence defensively as a stopper and enforcer. He's a name out of Virginia to keep track of out of Westfield High. 

Chase Nelson Chase Nelson 6'0" | PG Massanutten Military | 2023 VA - 5'10 Point Guard - Man II Man Soldiers 2023

Nelson was another name that stood out in the Man II Man Soldiers 2023 rotation with his ability. He starred in his role as a lead guard that could find openings downhill and knock down shots on the perimeter with efficiency. He's a prospect that should find a solid landing as a developmental name by the end of the summer. 

Patrick Malott Patrick Malott 6'1" | CG Apex | 2022 State NC - 6'0 Point Guard - No Guts No Glory 2023 (2022)

Malott is a gamechanging prospect that continues to turn heads with his budding athleticism and defensive prowess. He applies constant pressure on the ball and makes opponents uncomfortable on defense while constantly looking to get downhill and find openings to make plays on all three levels offensively. He's an unsigned senior prospect in the state that should find a solid landing very soon with a college program.

Xavion Roberson Xavion Roberson 6'0" | PG Meade Highschool ( MD ) | 2023 MD - 6'1 Point Guard - DMV Stags 2023

Roberson is an emerging name to know out of the state of Maryland with the DMV Stags 2023 squad. He's a vocal leader that looked to breathe energy into his squad on numerous occasions with his ability to force steals, get to the paint and make plays for himself and others with the ball in his hands. He was pivotal in a few of their victories on the weekend as they went 3-1 with him at the lead guard spot. He's a name to keep eyes on out of Meade High.

Noah Goldston Noah Goldston 6'1" | CG Southwest Guilford H | 2023 State NC - 6'1 Guard - Greensboro Warriors 2023

Goldston continues to show his growth in North Carolina's 2023 class with the Greensboro Warriors 2023 squad. He was a gamechanger this past weekend with his ability to keep things simple and get to his spots off the bounce and off the catch to make things happen. He's a three-level scorer with good upside over at Southwest Guilford High.

Javion Bostic - 6'1 Guard - Cincy Fire Elite 2023

Bostic was an impressive gamechanger in the Cincy Fire Elite 2023 backcourt with his ability to play a physical brand of basketball on both ends of the floor. He's a football prospect that had some of his strength on display as he showed he could get downhill and operate off the bounce to make things happen in traffic. He's also not shy about finding his shot on the perimeter with quite the confidence.

Braylhan Thomas Braylhan Thomas 6'5" | SF Gray Collegiate | 2024 State SC - 6'5 Guard/Wing - Team Charlotte 2023 (2024)

Thomas was quite the gamechanger in the Team Charlotte 2023 backcourt while still remaining a member of the 2024 class. He's a strong-framed prospect that certainly passes the eye test with his length and appearance and still exceeds expectations with his ability to play with and without the ball in his hands. He knocked down 3-pointers, defended multiple spots and showed his poise as a ballhandler this past weekend as well.

Nick Quick Nick Quick 6'5" | SF Quality Education Ac | 2023 NC - 6'4 Wing/Forward - No Guts No Glory 2023

Quick is an emerging name to know with No Guts No Glory 2023 that's slowly finding his way as a versatile threat given his shooting prowess and athleticism. He showed he could take over things at the Carolina Cup with his ability to finish above the rim and knock down shots on the perimeter with efficiency. As he turns the corner, look for his recruitment to grow in the state.

Antwan Gross - 6'5 Forward - 2023 ESF

Gross was another game-changing forward with some versatility to his game that starred in his role with 2023 ESF. He showed he could handle the ball and create out of the break and in the halfcourt with his length and frame. He had a big finish at the rim to close the weekend out and put his stamp on earning gamechanger honors at the Carolina Cup. He's a name to keep eyes on over at McKinley Tech High. 

Camren Daniels Camren Daniels 6'5" | SG Southern Durham | 2024 State NC - 6'5 Wing/Forward - NC Wildcats 2023 (2024)

Daniels is a new face in NC's 2024 class that turned heads as a gamechanger this past weekend with the NC Wildcats 2023. He's a versatile prospect that showed he could operate inside and out as an active threat that plays with a nose for the ball, whether as a rebounder, defender or scorer. As he shows off more what he can do, especially as a member of the 2024 class playing up, he'll be a stock riser in the state soon enough.

Shayah Goba - 6'5 Forward/Center - Pistons Elite 2023 (2024)

Goba was quite the gamechanger with Pistons Elite 2023 that showed he could hold his own down low and even move his game out to the perimeter when needed. He was another prospect that showed off what he could do on the interior while playing up on the 17U division. He's one to keep an eye on with his upside in the paint area out of Campbell High in the Atlanta area.

Matai Baptiste - 6'8 Power Forward/Center - Team Charlotte 2023

Baptiste is a gamechanging prospect who's presence alone set quite the tone all weekend long for Team Charlotte 's 2023 group. He uses his length in a variety of ways on both ends of the floor to make quite the impact. A lot of times, he's rarely looking for the ball offensively which is scary given what he can do on all three levels, as he's shown before.