Eric Hampford:
Future150 GM / Senior National Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball.
Charlotte, NC (Future150) -- In the 17U Championship game at the 2014 Future150 Charlotte Main Event, the Queen City Thunder dominated from start to finish in a 77-53 win over the Tucker Runnin' Rebels. The Thunder breezed through the tournament field, showing little mercy against their opponents. Junior point guard and tournament MVP Matt Morgan had an excellent weekend, showing our staff exactly why he is such a coveted low major prospect, showing off his blazing speed and crafty finishing ability.
Here are some of the top performers from the event....
Manzi Hill, 2015 SF, Queen City Thunder: The 6-foot-5 Hill was one of the more athletic prospects we saw in Charlotte. He is an active body on the interior but is also capable of stretching the defense with a perimeter jump shot. If he develops his ball skills, he has the chance to compete at the low major level.
Joshua Bryant, 2015 PG, Another Level: Another potential low major prospect who impressed us last weekend was the 6-foot-1 lead guard. Hailing from Seventy First High School (NC) in Fayetteville, he is a blur in the open floor and can get into the lane against anyone. He also has good strength and plays physical on-ball defense.
Louis Rivers, 2015 PG, Charleston Playmakers: Our first time seeing the Cane Bay (SC) guard, we came away extremely impressed by the 5-foot-10 speedster. Displaying a high basketball IQ and excellent court vision, Rivers is a true set-up man with good instincts. He also uses explosive speed in the open floor, causing havoc for the opposition.
Emeka Nwankwo, 2016 SF, Charlotte Jets: The bouncy 6-foot-5 small forward showed excellent rebounding instincts last weekend and used a high motor to create opportunities for himself on the offensive end. He also shows an ability to face-up from the high post, where he can attack the defense and get to the foul line.
Brian Edge, 2015 PG, Tucker Runnin’ Rebels: A smooth combo guard at 5-foot-10, the Parkview (GA) product has a consistent outside jump shot with excellent mechanics. He also has a high IQ on the floor and doesn’t turn the ball over often. He is also a scrappy defender.
Dane Davis, 2015 PG, Another Level: A strong and sturdy 6-footer, Davis used a physical brand of basketball in order to be a standout. He has excellent speed in the open floor and embraces contact around the rim. He also is always able to get a piece of the paint on offense and plays physical on-ball defense.
Marshall Lange, 2015 PG, NC Raptors: Lange was one of the most impressive point guards in the entire tournament. The 6-foot-2 guard showed off his smart, crafty nature with his ability to get into the lane against more athletic players. He has a high IQ and runs his team very well. His signature move from the weekend was a quick spin in the lane that allowed him to protect his shot from getting blocked.
Jaquan Horne, 2015 C, CIC Warriors: Players that impact the game without the ball in their hands is hard to come by, but Horne did the majority of his damage without the ball. The 6-foot-6 big man has great length, and it made an impact on the court. He constantly blocked shots and altered players’ shots at the rim. He was also productive on the offensive glass, where he did most of his damage on offense.
Jarlen McDonald, 2015 SF, Charlotte Jets Prep: McDonald doesn’t have much skill in his game right now, but he definitely has athleticism. The 6-foot-4 forward played above the rim throughout the weekend and was a monster offensive rebounding. His high motor helped he be a productive player.
Mike Wright, 2017 SF, Low Country Elite: Wright did an outstanding job of being a productive combo forward over the weekend. The 6-foot-4 forward had a variety of inside and outside game. Around the basket, he showed a great touch and ability to play with his back to basket. On the perimeter, he showed he could knock down shots. He has also has a knack for finding the basketball, whether it is rebounds or loose balls. He is a ball-magnet.
Jake Morris, 2015 CG, Charleston Playmakers: Morris proved to be one of the more high volume shooters from the tournament. He consistently shot the ball well. He also played with a level-head and picked his spots to drive and kick or help run the offense. He will be a lower-level player that will have an opportunity at the next level.
Warren Craft, 2015 SG, Virginia Warriors: Craft was a bully with his physical nature on the perimeter. The 6-foot-2 guard was effective at getting to the rim with his strength and athleticism. He proved he could get to the rim and finish with contact. Craft claims an offer from Prairie View A&M, while others are still monitoring his play. He will find a home as a low-major guard.
Leron Carn, 2015 SF, Tri-County Impact: Another bruising wing player to stick out was South Carolina native Leron Carn. The 6-foot-3 forward used all of his 200-pound frame to out-muscle the opponent. He did a great job of finishing at the rim with contact, and he was also active as a rebounder. He has a hard-nose for the ball and has toughness.
Evan Simmons, 2015 PG, Tri-County Impact: Simmons was one the point guards that thrived best in transition over the course of the tournament. With his speed and agility, it was difficult for defenders to stay in front of him, especially in transition. He used his speed and quickness to attack the rim and finish or dish to teammates for an easy bucket.
Brent Davis, 2015 SG, MB1: Davis is a sweet shooting guard who has good size and quickness. His ability to stretch defenses makes him a dangerous weapon and he was one of the best shooters throughout the event. He will be a nice option at the low-major level given his size and ability to put the ball in the hoop.
Tymeer Pierce, 2015 CG, Tucker Running Rebels: Pierce again did what he did at the Future150 Atlanta Main Event; lead his team on a deep run through the tournament. He is a cat-quick guard who gets into the lane and finishes or is equally likely to pull-up and hit a mid-range jumper, and like Davis, he could be a solid option at the low division one level.
Trevone Pettigrew, 2015 SG, Richmond Prep: Pettigrew is an athletic wing prospect who excelled at getting to the rim and putting the ball into the basket. He uses his length and athleticism well and is an above average defender thanks to it. He is one to keep an eye on this spring and into the summer.
Tamario Rodgers, 2015 PG, VA Warriors: Rodgers spent a majority of the weekend running the point for his team and getting into the lane. He is bigger for a point guard but he has a good amount of elusiveness to his game. He also has decent vision.
Carlos Scotton, 2015 PF, Charleston Playmakers: At 6-foot-4 he is undersized for his position but more than makes up for it with his effort on both ends of the floor. He rebounds the ball well and finishes through contact with ease. He is capable of hitting the mid-range jumper and should solidly be on division two programs’ radar.
Sullivan Skinner, 2015 PG, South Carolina Knights: Skinner is a heady point guard who did a good job of balancing scoring and distributing throughout the main event. He has decent foot speed and a high basketball IQ which he uses to cause havoc for opposing defenses.
Luke Moore, 2015 SF, Queen City Thunder: Moore is a long and active forward that is capable of scoring from the perimeter and guarding bigger forwards. He has good length and can put the ball on the floor a little bit. He was one of the reasons the Queen City Thunder took home the 17U title.
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