The Wake Forest elite camp held Saturday provided the coaching staff and everyone else in attendance a full day of action packed games. Everyone competed well, and a couple surprise players stole the show. Here are a few evaluations of the players that may be of interest.
Troy Holston 2013 SG
Holston was probably the standout of the camp. The Florida native can fill it up. He is a knock down shooter off the catch or off the dribble. His shooting ability, however, is only part of what makes him so dangerous offensively. Holston has a knack for creating his own shot that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the floor at any time. He can get off a shot whenever he wants it, and he does it with a variety of moves.
His step back is lethal and his pull-up off the dribble finds the net more often than not. Most of his shots are mostly uncontested, too, as he gets great elevation on every shot. Holston will need to improve other facets of the game and learn to become more than just a scorer, but would, nevertheless, help a Wake team that will lose leading scorer CJ Harris next season. Per his twitter, the 6’4 wing took an unofficial visit to Wake before the camp and has interest from Butler, South Florida, Umass, Wake and Boston College.
Josh Perkins 2014 PG/SG
Perkins is a playmaker. He creates for himself, and he creates for others. The 6’2 guard is lightning quick with the ball and gets into the lane at will. His crafty, creative finishing ability allows him to finish plays that most players couldn’t. Perkins is more of a slasher, but his range on his jumper extends out to the three point line. He does, however, have a somewhat low release, so that will most likely need to be corrected over time.
Defensively, Perkins can hound the ball handler, as his quickness allows him to slip ball screens and match his opponent’s speed. Right now, he is more of a combo guard that makes plays, so he will need to improve his point guard skills if he wants to play that position at the next level. Perkins is tracking as a mid-major plus recruit, who could definitely develop into a high-major player. He traveled to the elite camp from Regis High School all the way out in Colorado, so there is most likely mutual interest between him and Wake’s staff. Wyoming and Colorado have already offered the talented guard.
Gary Clark 2014 PF
I’ve seen Clark twice in the past two weeks and came away impressed each time. The Clayton High School product’s game is smooth in every way. He plays the game with an ease and efficiency that is rare among high school players. Clark almost even seems asleep out there at times, but then will explode to the basket and finish above the rim. With his ability to put it on the floor, defenses should prepare for Clark to go coast to coast off a defensive rebound.
What makes him even more special is that at 6’7, he is also a threat from the outside, as he shoots the long ball at a good percentage. He has great rotation on his jumper and shoots it with confidence. In the camp setting, he played more of a small forward and displayed this shooting stroke, knocking down multiple three-pointers. All these skills make for a very skilled offensive player. However, he does seem to disappear at times, and with his talent, there is no reason why this should happen. He also gets beat off the dribble quite often, which says that he either needs to improve his lateral movement or commit more on the defensive side of the ball.
Nevertheless, Clark is a great prospect, who will most likely play for a high major school when it’s all said and done. He has offers from VCU, Charlotte, ECU, and UNC-Wilmington, with interest from Wake Forest, South Carolina and NC State.
Harry Giles 2016 SF
Giles is known to be one of the best prospects in the entire 2016 class. And if you watch him on the court for five minutes, that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Already 6’7, Giles has a little Kevin Durant in him (not saying he will ever come close to the type of player Durant is). He is incredibly long and can handle the ball very well for his size. Giles can take his smaller defenders off the dribble and finish in the lane using his soft touch, or above the rim using his length.
One particular play stood out when he grabbed a defensive rebound, weaved his way down the court, and soared through the lane for a one-handed jam. Giles will definitely need to add strength and improve his perimeter jump shot, but right now he is tracking as a high major recruit.
Devonte Graham 2013 PG
Graham is a fun point guard to watch. He is a floor general in every sense of the term. The 6’1 lead man plays poised and under control. Playing with Garner Road’s nationally ranked 17U team, he can score and distribute, and does both in a variety of ways. And that is what makes him so hard to guard, his ability to mix it up. He scores with pull-up jumpers, floaters, and layups at the rim. In pick and roll situations, he is very tough to stop due to the combination of his change of pace, quickness, and patience.
Graham doesn’t force things and waits for openings. He lets the game come to him. If he has a lane, he takes it, but if he spots an open man, he will usually make an on time, accurate pass. The Broughton High School product needs to gain strength but is a legit division one prospect. In my opinion, if Graham had another inch or two, he could be a high major prospect. His small size, however, is a factor and probably makes him a better fit for a mid-major program. Nevertheless, don’t ever count this kid out on the court.
A couple weeks ago at the Hoop Group Southern Invitational, Graham went toe to toe with Boo Williams’ highly touted point guard Anthony Barber, and Graham more than held his own, leading his team to a big win. Graham has recently received interest from Radford, Virginia Tech, Tennessee and the University of Richmond.
Kedrick Flomo 2014 PG
Flomo’s game fits his name perfectly. He has a great flow to his game. The 6’1 point guard has good point guard instincts with a killer crossover that allows him to get in the lane and finish with consistency. He is probably best described as a shot maker. A couple of possessions, he got in the lane and finished with an off balance floater off the glass. Then one game, Flomo showcased his long-range game when he caught fire from deep and went for twenty plus. Sometimes, however, over dribbling becomes a problem for him. He will need to learn to get rid of the ball quicker before the defense collapses in order to be more effective as a distributor.
Defensively, the North Forsyth product has long arms and quick hands, which allows him to get his hands in passing lanes and create steal opportunities. Right now, Flomo is probably more of a mid-major prospect but has the potential to improve that status in the future. Three weeks ago, he listed interest from Appalachian State, Murray State, Xavier, Wake Forest and Clemson.
Youssoupha Kane 2013 PF
Kane is a work in progress but talented, nonetheless. The 6’9 forward struggled at the beginning of the day but gained confidence and improved in the afternoon games. Defensively, he can make an impact as a shot blocker, using his length and jumping ability, but he struggles on the offensive end. He has to gain strength and improve his hands, as he struggled to hold onto the ball at times.
Kane has the ability to make jump hooks down low but also struggles to put himself in good position due to his lack of strength. I saw him play earlier this spring and at the time, I thought he could be a solid addition for Wake due to his potential. After seeing him a second time, though, his lack of strength would put him at a major disadvantage and probably makes him more of a mid-major recruit at this point. However, if he proves he can add strength and weight to his slight frame, then that could change because the potential and talent is there.
Ifeanyi Onyekaba 2013 PF
I thought I’d include Onyekaba in the write-up simply due to his motor. While he probably doesn’t have the skill to play at Wake, this kid goes hard in the paint. At 6’7 and a very thick, strong frame, they apparently call him the “Rim Rattler.” He had multiple dunks throughout the day and accepts contact. The Virginia Episcopal product is a good rebounder and never gives up on any possession. He will need to improve his footwork and finishing ability when he can’t dunk the ball, but his motor and strength make him a division one prospect.
Josh Level 2014 SF
Another one who really competes, Level got on the floor and attacked every chance he could. The 6’5 wing owns a smooth stroke and can knock down the long ball with consistency. He also follows his own shot, and it paid off on a couple possessions, as he either got his own rebound or kept the ball alive for his teammates to grab. Level does not own elite quickness but uses his strong frame to attack the basket when his outside shot is not there.
The next step for Level is to improve his ball handling, especially against pressure. Right now, he is a solid mid-major prospect, and is definitely one worth tracking, as he is showing the commitment to improving. According to his Rivals player page, Level holds offers from Charlotte, Cleveland State, and Oklahoma State. VCU, NC State and Virginia Tech are showing interest.
Overall, the three guys from the camp to really keep tabs on are Troy Holston, Josh Perkins, and Gary Clark. All three have interest from Wake’s staff and are legit prospects at this stage in the game. Look for all three of them to slowly make their way up their respective class rankings. A big thanks should be given out to the entire Wake staff for making it a successful day. They did a great job!