NC Grassroots Recap – Breakout Candidates

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the AAU live period now finished for the summer, it's now a good time to start recapping the grassroots season as a whole. From some outstanding squads, to some serious stock risers, to some new names we need to get eyes on, there's a whole lot to cover. The great news is, with the drop in events, we're going to be starting a new series to discuss the season as a whole. To finish off the series, we'll be taking a look at some of the players we saw who are poised for breakout seasons at the high school level. They may not be the names everyone's talking about, but their play and skills suggest they're going to make serious noise this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Our PrepHoops </strong><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/850/register/north-carolina-top-250-expo"><strong>Top 250 Expo (2024-2026)</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://events.prephoops.com/e/884/register/carolinas-freshman-showcase"><strong>Freshman Showcase (2027)</strong></a><strong> are LIVE! Both are taking place in Concord in early September. Make sure to sign up using the code <em>VictorHoops2023 </em>for a discount!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>There's&nbsp;no&nbsp;better&nbsp;time&nbsp;to sign up for PrepHoopsNC! Get 30% OFF payment on your first billing cycle with offer code: <em>VICTORTAYLOR30</em>, sign up&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.prephoops.com%2Fsubscribe&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cvitaylor%40davidson.edu%7C75c17a0f131541251ff408db56237738%7C35d8763cd2b14213b629f5df0af9e3c3%7C1%7C1%7C638198482777534339%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=WLa4xG5C0zJMMgiDNX%2FklbM1lZLd5UKvsEUjLE0sp7Y%3D&amp;reserved=0"><strong>TODAY</strong></a><strong>!&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1280954"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eAfter seeing him excel with [program_tooltip program_id='2078500' first='Garner' last='Road'] 15U in July, there's no reason why Whitner can't become a dynamic piece for his Garner team given the opportunity. He's a thief and a dogged on ball defender, staying in front of everyone and disrupting his matchups rhythm all over the floor. He can shoot the ball as a spacing threat or even with the ball in his hands, but he does not require a lot of touches in order to be effective. These attributes, combined with his positive attitude and leadership, should make him a mandatory part of the Garner rotation this upcoming season.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1211774"],"_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":"u003cp class=u0022p1u0022u003eWith Christ School's frontcourt graduating, Ahart has the chance to become a vital post presence and affect games in many different ways for the Greenies. He's had an outstanding summer to back it up as well. At 6'8, he's got a projectable frame that should pencil him in as a Division 1 4 man or small ball 5, and does a lot on the defensive end to solidify that role. He protects the rim very well and is mobile enough to step out and guard multiple positions. His frame could use more weight, but he still rebounds and blocks shots at a high level. Offensively he runs the floor better than most at his size and continues to get better with his touch and abilities on that end as well. He should become a viable Division 1 player quickly, especially with his defensive skills.u003c/pu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2023923"],"_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":"With a lot of room to grow both figuratively and literally still at Willow Springs, Overman has set himself up to be the big man of the future next year. He's been really strong this summer as we highlighted in previous articles, but his skillset continues to develop in the same ways. Great in the interior, a rebounding and shot altering threat, and continuing to develop and become mobile all over the floor. His next steps would be to either become a passer out of the post or become a shooting threat on the perimeter, but those will come with time. As long as he continues to improve like he did this summer, he'll be a star at Willow Springs this upcoming year.","_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":"Brady Dunn","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Marvin Ridge","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Team HOPE Gripper","_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":"Dunn is a sniper from deep, but has continued to add variation and other skills to his game in order to become an even bigger piece of the Marvin Ridge rotation next year. Obviously he shoots the ball lights out consistently, whether its off the catch or created by himself. However, he's really grown as a defender and passer this summer when I've seen him. Defensively he is always willing to work hard to stop the opposing guard he's matched up and has quick feet to do it with. He's also heady and intelligent on offense to where he's constantly making the right read to feed his teammates. With some more development and growth he should be a big player in their rotation this year.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1306696"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"With the backcourt gone in Asheville and now [player_tooltip player_id='1426738' first='Ryan' last='Soulis'] headed to college early, [player_tooltip player_id='1306696' first='Cedric' last='Kenan'] should get a big chance to contribute and excel in his role. He's a big-bodied guard who plays bigger and stronger than his listed 6'2 frame. He uses that body to get downhill and to the rim and finish through contact. His perimeter game has come along in recent months, showcasing some more jumpers and pull-ups when his lanes are clogged as well. However, his dedication and passion for the game is what gets him noticed by everyone. He's intense, vocal, and a leader of men on the court, which is all mandatory for a point guard at the next level. I'm excited to see what he does next season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64c2e77c7f9d9"} /-->