3-and-D in the 336: Best Wings in Central N.C.

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time to show some love to the 336, an overlooked, underrated region in North Carolina home to big-time programs and even bigger prospects. These boys play tough, physical, fundamental basketball, and you better believe they can compete with the best of N.C. Let's look at some of the best wings in the 336.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098355"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Coming off an NCISAA 2-A state championship and standout junior year with the Burlington School, [player_tooltip player_id='1098355' first='Zion' last='Walker'] is a name to get comfortable saying for 2023-2024. The 6'2u0022 combo guard is one of the most fierce players to match up with and shut down on any given night. He's got size, speed, and athleticism, and uses these to elevate his play on both ends of the floor. His frame sets him apart. His size attributes to great court vision. Does a nice job of anticipating plays and moving the ball quickly. Sees up and around the defense, and does a fine job distributing to guys open in the high post and on the block. Knows when to run the offense and when to attack. Real disciplined in being able to flip that switch on any given play. Gets to the paint with a sense of urgency, and has proven he can make big-time plays off the glass. Lock-down defender and can guard 1-5, using his size and speed to match up and compete against taller guys. Seen a constant improvement in his percentage from behind the arc since his freshman year. 2022-2023 saw Walker take a big leap in showcasing his ability to put points on the board averaging a little over 21 points per game. Expect this guy to hone in on being one of the active scorers this Burlington team needs come October. As the Burlington school looks to run it back in 2023-2024, expect [player_tooltip player_id='1098355' first='Zion' last='Walker'] to play a big role in making that happen.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["854889"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='854889' first='Jordan' last='Durham'] is a guy I've watched play a lot of basketball this season. And it never gets old. Simply put, Durham is a gifted scorer. Has a smooth stroke. Real athletic finisher at the rim. Knows how to get to his spots. Although 2022-2023 did not entirely reflect his ability to score, do not underestimate the weapons this guy has in his arsenal. The moment you do, he'll drop a smooth 20 and call it a day. Similarly to Walker, I've seen development with Durham's three-point shot. As he becomes more comfortable taking threes off the dribble, his game will immediately elevate to the next level. He uses his frame to his advantage on both sides of the floor, especially on defense. At 6'3u0022, he can put really solid ball pressure on the opposing team's guard. He's also not afraid to get down and dirty underneath the rim, which is not something you can teach. Some guys have it, some guys don't. Durham embodies what it means to be aggressive on the boards. With this Burlington School squad having to navigate 2023-2024 with a couple of key departures, expect Durham to have an even bigger impact this upcoming season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1892440"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"As the leading scorer on a rebuilding Williams High School squad in Burlington, N.C., sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='1892440' first='Cam'ron' last='Jones'] has shown his ability to step up, lead, and be that guy. Jones is one of the toughest all-around players I've seen all season. This guy gets after it on both ends of the floor. His size and athleticism are the key components of his game. One of the most fierce drivers in N.C. Attacks the basket with a purpose and can make big-time finishes. Real disciplined off the jump and uses his body to draw fouls. Has a respectable deep ball, and is consistent on the perimeter. On defense, Jones is up close and personal. His long wingspan and attention to detail account for a lot of well-timed blocks down low and steals in the lane. Great team player on defense. Does a nice job of moving his feet and staying straight on closeouts. Plays aggressively without fouling. Jones has proven he can put this Williams squad on his back and take over scoring duties. Luckily, he won't have to. This team is expecting some more guys to step up and lighten the load so that Jones can do what he does best, making big-time plays and being a vocal leader on defense. If 2022-2023 was any indication of the trajectory [player_tooltip player_id='1892440' first='Cam'ron' last='Jones'] is on, expect this guy to take it to another level next season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2382865' first='Ian' last='Bush']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Burlington Christian Academy","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"BBA Nets","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2382865' first='Ian' last='Bush'] is one of the more intriguing prospects in the class of 2024. He's got a ton of raw talent and even more untapped potential. What excites me about Bush is that he's peaking at the right time, right when he needs to be. And I'm sure that excites the coaching staff over at Burlington Christian Academy, too. At 6'5u0022, Bush's length is what gives him an edge on both sides of the floor. When he finds even a sliver of a lane to the basket he does not hesitate to drive. Really quick first step. Tough finisher at the rim. Has an aggressive but controlled style of play that really makes him a scoring threat in the paint. He averaged 9 points with BCA in 2022-2023, but expect that number to increase as he takes on more of a scoring role on this new-look Royals squad. Expect him to take some time to get his body right in the weight room this offseason. [player_tooltip player_id='2382865' first='Ian' last='Bush'] is a reliable big who can get you 10 and 10 each time he touches the court, and that's exactly what this BCA squad needs in 2023-2024. Expect him to have a big senior year and rise in the rankings this grassroots season.u003cbru003eu003cbru003eu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Milton Turner","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Williams High School","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Coming off a standout junior season, Williams High School small forward Milton Turner is a name to know. In 2022-2023, Turner had a big presence on the defensive side of the ball on a Williams team that struggled to defend underneath the rim. His commitment to protecting the paint makes him a standout prospect. He's vocal on screens, boxes out hard, and finishes plays. While there is room for improvement on the offensive side of the floor, expect him to take that next stop. He's got all the tools you look for in a big-time scorer. With a Williams squad that desperately needs a number two that can help ease the scoring load off of [player_tooltip player_id='1892440' first='Cam'ron' last='Jones'], expect Turner to take on that role and excel in it. Expect a strong senior year from Milton Turner.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6452a702b40c7"} /-->