ESPN.com - D-I prospects on display in North Carolina

ESPN.com: Dave Telep Blog

Monday, February 25, 2013
D-I prospects on display in North Carolina

By Dave Telep

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NCISAA, North Carolina’s independent schools association, handed out titles in three divisions this past weekend. At least 31 Division I prospects were on display during Friday and Saturday’s action, including an ESPN 60 recruit and arguably the nation’s top freshman.

Here’s a look at some of the top players who stood out from the NCISAA state championships.


	Only a rising sophomore, Harry Giles is already one of the best prospects in the country regardless of class.

Best Prospect

Harry Giles (Winston-Salem, N.C./Wesleyan Christian)
2016, PF, 6-9, 210
Status: Early interest from Duke, North Carolina, NC State, Kentucky and elite teams with championship aspirations
On April 22, Giles turns 15. Think about that for a second. Already an all-state player, Giles is one of the best young prospects to come through North Carolina in a decade. After struggling to finish in the semifinals, Giles rose to the moment in the championship game. Blessed with an uncanny natural feel, he’s a threat as a post scorer, face-and-drive forward and passer. His four-minute stretch of buckets, assists and blocked shots salted the title game away for Wesleyan. If he isn’t already, Giles will be a primary contender for No. 1 overall prospect in 2016.

Best Senior

Josh Newkirk (Raleigh, N.C./Word of God)
2013, PG, 6-2, 175
Status: Signed with Pittsburgh
In his final high school game, Newkirk scored 20 points and handed out five assists. He’s difficult to guard, and Pittsburgh hasn’t had a backcourt player with his speed in quite some time. Newkirk is confident in his driving and mid-range jump shot. He’ll complement James Robinson and give the Panthers a guy who can step on the gas as needed. Adjusting speeds in the half court and valuing the ball are areas for improvement.

Best Junior

Theo Pinson (Greensboro, N.C./Wesleyan Christian)
2014, SF, 6-6, 185
Status: Offers from Indiana, Duke, North Carolina, Memphis, NC State and Georgetown
The No. 13 junior helped deliver a state championship to Wesleyan. Following a dominating 28-point, six-rebound performance in the semis, Pinson went cold in the title game, shooting 2-for-13. However, his eight second-half rebounds were big. We talk about guys digging down when things aren’t going their way, and that’s what he did in the second half of the title game. Pinson also has the ability to be a lock-down defensive player.

Biggest Motor

Keyshawn Woods (Gastonia, N.C./Northside Christian)
2014, SF, 6-3, 175
Status: Davidson and Charlotte are strong with traction from Appalachian State, Niagara and Radford
Pressing, up-tempo teams will place a high value on Woods, who excels in transition, will hawk the basketball and makes good decisions on the break. He’s a consummate energy giver and athleticism is not a problem. He’s only 6-foot-3 but rangy. There’s something to be said for guys who are constantly involved in the action.


	Junior guard James Demery used his scoring skills to lead Northside Christian to a state title.

Top Scorer

James Demery (Wilson, N.C./Northside Christian)
2014, SG, 6-4, 175
Status: East Carolina and Virginia Tech have offered
In two games, Demery averaged 21.5 points and shot 18 free throws. He’s wired to score with a preference for driving. His perimeter shot during the semis and finals wasn’t locked in, so he took to driving the ball. He has a burst and knack for finishing. The next step in his evolution is steadying the perimeter shot with a splash of mid-range game. Demery’s team cruised to the 2-A state title.

Best Shooter

Camden Scott (Raleigh, N.C./Word of God)
2013, SG, 6-1, 170
Status: Undecided (likely needs junior college)
This young man stood behind the arc, waited for Josh Newkirk to pitch it to him and then buried 3-pointers. In the 1-A state semifinals, Scott made nine 3-pointers. In the championship game he followed with an 8-for-11 performance from beyond the arc in the first half. That’s 17 3-pointers in the final two games of his high school career. His academics are shaky, so junior college may be in order.

Most Improved

Jackson Kent (Greensboro, N.C./High Point Christian)
2013, SF, 6-5, 175
Status: Signed with James Madison
Two years ago Kent was not a Division I player. This weekend he put his team on his back and nearly sprung an upset in the semifinals. Known as a shooter, his game has expanded to the point where he is a threat as a creator as well. He needs a weight program, but expect to see him making contributions to the Dukes as a sophomore.

Five to watch for:

• Freshman point guard Junior Smith (Fayetteville, N.C./Trinity Christian) is a high-major prospect. He’s 6-2 with a solid frame, passing ability and a jump shot. In a state title game against a senior headed to the ACC, he didn’t flinch.

• Smith’s 2016 teammate is Kwe Parker, a 6-1 athlete who can also play the point. Twice he was on the receiving end of alley-oops from Smith. Two freshmen in the title game tossing alley-oops to each other gives Trinity Christian the most promising young backcourt in North Carolina.

• Greensboro Day featured five seniors, each a Division I prospect. Guards Reed Lucas (Army prep school), Reggie Dillard (Presbyterian), Montrel Goldston (undecided) and Jonathan Terry (Navy) joined forward Christian Hairston (Furman).

• Wesleyan junior Donovan Gilmore is an undersized 4-man who will receive heavy attention from Southern Conference programs.

• Christ School, the program that produced all three Plumlee brothers, started an eighth-grader, wing man D.J. Harvey. The 6-4 athlete played with zero fear.