UNC Camp's Most Valuable Connectors

Not every standout leaves the gym with 20 points, and the thing is, that's okay. Some of the best evaluations from UNC Team Camp came from players whose impact showed up between the highlights. The extra rebound that extended a possession. The rotation that erased a layup. The screen that created an open shot two passes later. These are the types of players that coaches trust and teammates love playing with because they consistently make the game easier for everyone around them. As I worked through games over the weekend, this group kept finding its way into my notebook. They weren't always the loudest performers, but they were often the reason their teams were successful. Here are the prospects who proved that winning basketball goes well beyond the box score.   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.     Jayden has always been a player who plays with intense energy, and when used correctly, could be a weapon for his team. In his game against Liberty, that was an example of him being a useful player because he was able to be a defensive menace, he was active defensively and disciplined, and that also ended up being his best offensive game as well because it came within the flow. He was attacking, getting to the rim and finishing, and creating organized chaos because he was a defensive pest. His calling is going to be on that end of the floor due to his physicality, his defensive versatility, and his ability to make plays with his effort. We want to see more of that as it unlocks a better version of Regis Groff and allows the game to come easily for him. He's a player whose game is above the boxscore. He just has to accept that and BE that to get the most out of his game.      What stood out about Jordan's game was how naturally he stood out in the game without needing the offense built around him, and his ability to find ways to make his mark in games. He's a versatile piece who keeps the ball moving, makes the extra pass, and consistently finds ways to create advantages for Severance within the flow of the offense. He set screens, rolled to the open spot, attacked the glass, and was a playmaker for the team. He did a bit of everything and was involved in almost everything Severance did well. In their matchup against Green Mountain, there was a stretch where he grabbed a defensive rebound, pushed the break himself, delivered a dime in transition, then came down the next possession and scored through contact. That sequence pretty much summed up the weekend. He wasn't hunting stats, but he kept being the difference maker. The scoring was there when they needed it, but what impressed me most was the versatility and feel. Severance is going to need him to take on a much larger role this season, and based on what I saw at camp, he's more than capable of being one of the players who helps the team the most besides Powell.      Franklin is going to step into a much bigger role this season for Denver South, and it was evident by the plays that he made at the camp that they're going to trust him more this season. He hit some big-time 3-pointers in multiple games and showed that he can open up the floor for South. He was rotating the ball quickly and relocating. He had a couple of mid-range pull-ups in both games that we saw and was one of the standouts on the team. South won the top bracket with him being a spark and consistent two-way option, and I am curious to see if he's able to not only duplicate that performance but keep doing it throughout the year. Solid weekend for him as he had his moments.     Chaparral looked completely different from how they typically do, with so many injuries to the team, which gave them a deeper look at the younger group and see what they could bring to the table. Dalton is a young standout for Chaparral who showed up and impacted the game in more ways than just scoring, and that is how he will make his way onto the team moving forward. He was defending, switching onto multiple positions, rebounding, and starting the break as the boarder and guard at times. Dalton was a release for guards, and while he certainly has some areas to work on, being so young and getting used to varsity speed, he also had moments where he flourished. It was great to see Levi get his feet wet, score a bit, and show that he could be a player who could adjust to the physicality in big games. He's a player I want to see more of as he fills it up in ways other than just scoring. Like what I saw from him.      Robinson appeared in only a few games for Rangeview this past season and has now looked as if he's catapulted into a spot where they're going to need him every single night this upcoming season. He looked ready for the bigger task and had his moments at the camp. He's the epitome of a glue guy and a player that every coach wants. He was grabbing every board that came his way; he was not being moved on the block, switching onto guards, and also defending the bigger players. Rangeview was outmatched in size in a couple of their games, and he's who answered the call. Robinson had a few finishes at the basket where he went through defenders, used his body, and looked like a real varsity player. What he brings goes beyond the boxscore and he had some solid games as well to go along with it.

Not every standout leaves the gym with 20 points, and the thing is, that's okay. Some of the best evaluations from UNC Team Camp came from players whose impact showed up between the highlights. The extra rebound that extended a possession. The rotation that erased a layup. The screen that created an open shot two passes later. These are the types of players that coaches trust and teammates love playing with because they consistently make the game easier for everyone around them. As I worked through games over the weekend, this group kept finding its way into my notebook. They weren't always the loudest performers, but they were often the reason their teams were successful. Here are the prospects who proved that winning basketball goes well beyond the box score.