Charlotte’s Digital Magazine Focused On High School Athletes And The Local Community
NATIONAL PREP
SPOTLIGHT ESPN Top Rated Big Man Tyler Davis
COMMUNITY
The Rulers Providence Day GRANT WILLIAMS
Weddington High STEPHANIE WATTS
Reign Supreme On The Basketball Court March/April 2015
LEADERS
JEREMY ARDREY DERRICK GATES GIVE BACK
TOP ATHLETES
HIGHLIGHTS
TOP BOYS /GIRLS IN THE QC AREA
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about
US PREP US Prep Athletes are standout leaders on the field and/or court and they strive for excellence within the classroom. They often demonstrate a strong yearning and keen interest towards their favorite sport by practicing longer and working much harder on their game than their peers and competition. As an organization we have built many age-specific programs that will help promote and cultivate their unique sports and academic talents and skill sets. Several of these top athletes will be featured in US Prep Athletes The Magazine. US Prep Athletes The Magazine is your local area premier digital magazine that focuses on high school athletes that have unique stories and have risen to high levels within their playing abilities and inside the classroom. In addition, US Prep Athletes The Magazine covers local business and volunteers that make up the community and those that encourage and support our future leaders. We publish full content digital issues and special edition issues. Our digital products includes usprepathletes.com, email newsletter, online digital flip magazine, social media, The Prep Market and our latest product Prep-A-Gram.
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CONTRIBUTORS
Ambassador Interactive Media Publisher
Jemal Horton Sports Writer
Emmanuel Morgan Sports Writer
Dr. Johnathan Livinston Contributor
Janelle Billingsley Contributor
Drew Johnson Contributor
Justin Pearl Contributor
Tenessa Moore Graphics & Design
Zachary Friss Web Developer
Anthony Gordon Photography
Tony Pearl Editor
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Are You Having Major Troubles?
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Page 8
Collegiate Athlete In Changing Times
Page 12
Stephanie Watts: A Queen & Her Court
Page 14
Top Women’s Athletes
Page 25
Grant Williams: The General
Page 28 Top Men’s Athletes
Page 40
National Player Spotlight
Page 42 Volunteer Highlight
INSIDE
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Lecture Series Volume 1, Your Future Self; College Majors and Careers
By Tony Pearl, Publisher US Prep Athletes – The Magazine @usprepathletes
ARE YOU HAVING
MAJOR TROUBLES? For a number of you the process of selecting a college major that meshes well with your natural talents and abilities can be quite an ordeal. We recommend that you speak in-depth with all of your coaches, teachers and guidance counselors in addition to your parents about pursuing your college degree. Research and read books about various colleges and their curriculums and the job outlook of particular fields. There are many available resources that address this topic and one book I highly recommend is “What Color is your Parachute” by Richard Bolles which updates annually. This particular book contains some practical guides for you to follow that will help you identify the skills you possess and how those skills match up with certain career fields. To note throughout the remainder of this discussion we will use the process of painting a picture on a blank canvas as an example of the process of selecting a major in college and fulfilling your dreams. The two points noted below could represent your motivation to begin the painting process.
Do you see solutions while others see problems? Are you the kind of person who often think about business ideas or products that will benefit consumers? Do you constantly think of a service that will help someone in need or societal problems you’d like to solve? Are you drawn to the law making process or do you often think about ways you can improve communities, highways, structures? Maybe it’s something personal or a family situation that motivates you. These sorts of events plus many others trigger and help us realize what calls us to action and quite often become our career assignment.
What do you think about and like to do most of the time that relate to subjects you’d like to learn? 6
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When we take the time to think about those things we The Role of College Programs? already enjoy and that come natural, that interest and fascinates us it becomes less challenging to ponder the One of the many objectives of instructors and courses things that move us to greatness. within college programs is to teach you new ways on how to think about and approach a field of study. Put Your innate talents when applied allows you to perform another way in relation to our example you’ll learn skill a task each time and every time in a very proficient way sets on how you should hold the paint brush, blend in which the outcome is often unmatched by others. colors and apply the paint tip albeit and for the most part for someone else’s canvas. In a nutshell no one else around you can do it like you can, certain things It will be up to you to translate the that’s difficult for others come skills and knowledge you’ll natural to you. Leadership, learn in college and pair organizing, speaking, them with your innate humor, ideas, business, talents to help you reach writing, creating your ultimate goals and systems, tinkering with what you feel like you equipment, computers were put on this earth and the list goes on. to do. Now that you have some ideas of why you want to paint the pictures you’ll need some painting tools to get started. So let’s imagine for this exercise you remembered that inside your home you have some paint and paint brushes and by now floating around in your head are a few types of images (career choices) you’d like to draw. Recognizing and using the tools you have in house to paint your perfect picture is symbolic of the process of identifying the gifts and tools you already possess within yourself. For starters, identifying your innate talents and abilities can be as simple as consistently taking inventory of the things that come natural and easy to you when certain tasks are at hand and remembering when and how to apply those strengths at the appropriate times. “Be an idea’s person, be a problem solver. The bigger the idea and problem solved the greater personal and potential financial rewards.”
Frustration can set in with college students and graduate’s overtime when they choose a career that’s drastically out of sync with their core career values and natural abilities. When this occurs many will find they become burned out more often than their counterparts and worse face the potential of the law of diminishing returns. The first thing you need to be aware that there is absolutely nothing wrong with working a mundane job to take care of everyday living expenses as long as you continue to work your plan towards fulfilling what’s inside you that you drew on your original canvas. Always remember in the pursuit of your aspirations and dreams the journey will not be necessarily easy however soon you’ll begin to notice something very amazing and that’s all things will work together for your good even minor set-backs, disappointments and small defeats all work for your good when you stay on the right track. Go to www.usprepathletes.com careers section to finish reading this article and see more about this topic.
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Collegiate Athlete in Changing Times:
What 21st Century Athletes Should Know All graduating high school athletes fit into one of two categories: those who will go on to play at the collegiate level, and those who will not. After years of training and dedication put into crafting the skills and abilities needed to master one’s sport of choice, many athletes find themselves with scholarship offers that allow them the opportunity to continue playing the game they love. As most competitive athletes know of key importance in any competition is practice, preparation, and essentially knowing where you stand. Therefore, it is critically important that most athletes know the GPA requirements and adjusted SAT/ACT scale so that they are able to take advantage of scholarship opportunities. This scale has been revised in 2015 which D1 athletes must acquire a 2.3GPA up from a 2.0GPA in years prior. It is important to make sure that you know which test to take, how the test is structured, and the score needed to be successful. Test prep programs, such as Princeton review and Kaplan, have assisted a number of athletes into getting into Division I schools.
negotiate class schedules, assignment workloads, and practice schedules all while dealing with the transition from adolescence to young adulthood can create anxiety in the athlete that is seldom mentioned. Maintaining balance and having a support system is critically important to the college athlete. Finding the time to relax can provide an athlete the getaway they need to reduce tension, and maintain sanity. Also, given the heightened attention among sports in our society, Division I athletes have the added burden of notoriety. As unfair as it may seem, the college athlete is not allowed the privilege to make the same mistakes their peers may experience. With attention comes responsibility, and it is important to remember that you as an athlete are always being watched, on and off the field. The old adage of being mindful of the shadows you cast is essential of one to live by. As a college athlete, there are key things to remember. First, as attractive as the offer may seem, do not accept anything free from anyoneit is illegal. This including gifts from alumnus, booster, or the common “hookups� from stores, classmates, friends and admirers. Secondly, given the heightened attention around intimate partner violence and sexual assault, athletes have to extremely cautious of their interactions. In order to avoid questionable situations, one should practice double-dating or with groups and being a vigilant advocate against intimate partner violence. What this means is that when witnessing IPV, or situations that could lead to sexual assault, male athletes have to intervene and make it their business. Leadership is shown in the moments that matter the most.
Most young athletes transition into collegiate level sports without having a full understanding of the world they have entered. With the increases in revenues garnered from ticket sales, television contracts, and team paraphernalia, the pressure to win has increased substantially. Moreover, with recent spotlights on incidences of impropriety, players being paid, and programs turning the other cheek to poor academic performance and illegal behavior, there is a need for the high school athlete to clearly understand the context of collegiate athletics, as well as the psychosocial challenges he or she will have to face in this highly competitive, high stakes context. The transition to college for As a young athlete entering college, it is important any student can be quite the challenge; but, for the to understand the nature of the relationship student athlete, it is even more difficult. Trying to between you and the coach may change from 8
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high school to college, and throughout the college career. The pressure to win, fill seats, and recruit athletes is fierce in collegiate sports. Having clear lines of communication between you and your coach at the onset, and expressing to him or her, your needs will enable you to have a better relationship throughout college. Understand clearly, not all coaches are players coaches. Like anyone, coaches can be peculiar, express anger, and display frustration. Maintaining clear lines of communication on and off the field are critical. Also, developing a relationship with assistant coaches may help reduce some of the stress encountered when trying to meet with the head coach. It is also important to understand where you stand in the coaches’ eyes. As a new recruit, every error made will be viewed with a spotlight, and will heighten the pressure to perform. Again, it is imperative to find outlets that will allow you to constructively manage the stresses of playing at the collegiate level. Maintaining your scholarship in Division I is the primary goal of most collegiate athletes. It is important to remember that you are a “STUDENT ATHLETE�. Like all other students, carefully think about a major, and what you want to do after athletics is over. There are a number of careers closely aligned to athletics that may be of interest to you. Growing fields associated with athletics include sports psychology, athletic administration, athletic training, sports agents, as well as coaching. While you are in college working on your degree, investigate these options, along with others. Once you have decided on a major, it is essential that you find an advisor early on who will aid you in navigating the curriculum. Establishing a clear path early on will help prevent you from falling behind. Utilizing resources such as study halls and tutors provided by the athletic department will help increase your academic performance and ensure that you will graduate from college. Being a collegiate athlete is an incredible experience that only few get to enjoy.. Maintaining balance, negotiating stress and anxiety, and completing the degree will help assure that you are successful on the playing field, as well as life.
Jonathan Livingston, Ph.D. Jonathan Livingston, Ph.D. is Associate Professor and a graduate of Michigan State University. He received his doctorate in community psychology, and prior to attending Michigan State, he received training in African and African American psychology at Florida A & M University. Research interest include African American psychological well-being and the cumulative effects of racism and social inequalities on African American health, mental health and educational achievement.
Janelle T. Billingsley Janelle T. Billingsley is currently an undergraduate student in the Department of Psychology at North Carolina Central University. Her research interests are in the cognitive development and academic achievement of African American youth across the levels of education.
Drew Johnson Drew Johnson is a current graduate student in the psychology department at North Carolina Central University. His research interest include the psychological development of African American athletes as well all cultural cultural diversity in the African American community. Drew played college basketball for the VCU Rams from 2003 thru 2007.
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over vast nations around the globe with iron fists. And while thousands upon thousands of historical tyrants varied in many different areas of their rule, they had a few things in common. Most were swift to action, decisive with their intentions, and left their thrones with no regrets. In the realm of basketball around the Charlotte area, Weddington point guard Stephanie Watts fits the description of a tyrant on the hardwood.
A Queen and Her Court
STEPHANIE WATTS
Across the centuries, kings and queens reigned
Watts, a native to New York, has taken the NCHSAA by storm this season. Leading the area in scoring with 29 points a game while averaging 6 assists per night, the senior unquestionably has placed herself in elite company. Maya Moore, the face of the WNBA, only averaged 25 points per game during her senior season. ESPN gives Watts a 97 overall grade and also ranks her as the 24th overall player for the class of 2015. Too add to her resume, she has also received the nations highest high school basketball honor by being selected to play in the McDonalds All-American game in Chicago this coming spring. Without question, Watts has separated herself from the majority of her peers. “Her reputation preceded her, even in the seventh grade,” Weddington head coach Ryun Cook said. “Even back then we knew she was going to be something.” Cook stumbled across Weddington by accident. The 15-year basketball coach was originally from Indiana before he randomly migrated to the Charlotte for the warmer weather and greater opportunities for employment. After coaching JV and Varsity girls basketball at Sun Valley High School, Cook became head coach at Weddington, creating a strong relationship with Watts since his first day on campus. “I can always count on coach Cook, ”Watts said. “I love him and we are really close. I know he’ll do anything for me and I really appreciate him for that.” Since her freshman year, Watts developed into an incredible force. Once a skinny, unrefined girl, Watts transformed into a strong, well-conditioned machine due the time she invested in the weight room. Along with that came the long summer days and lonely nights of honing her skills with the basketball. While many of her friends were enjoying the freedom of adolescence, Watts was in the gym perfecting her game.
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“Growing up, I gave up on a lot of social events “If I prepare this summer like I have during my high and it was really tough,” Watts said. “But looking school career, I’ll definitely be able to transform back on it now, I feel like it was all worth it.” into a collegiate player,” Watts said. The results of her laborious attitude began The Charlotte Observer ranked Weddington No.2 in to blossom the summer after her freshman the area, while MaxPreps ranked the Warriors No. year when Watts participated in AAU for more 10 in the state. Weddington has more than 20 wins experience another testament to her devotion. this season, and their only debauchery After traveling across the Southeast to attend in the loss column came by way of tournament after tournament, Watts nationally ranked Myers Park. began to make a name for herself In the AAA classification, the nationally with her dribbling abilities Warriors are the favorite to and unmatched knack of scoring the win this year’s state title. basketball. Because of this, Cook’s If that is too happen, telephone was constantly ringing Watts will need to with collegiate coaches inquiring be the catalyst to scout her. something Cook is not fretting about. “It was crazy having coaches all the way from Maryland “Every game and West Virginia coming Stephanie to Weddington just to see approaches is her,” Cook said. “That’s just business to something we’re not used to her. She brings here. It was definitely a circus a mentality the fall of her sophomore that is truly year.” admirable,” Cook said. “I’m Out of all the colleges never worry pursing her, Watts ultimately about a game chose North Carolina. Being when I know I close to home and the legacy have the best of greatness intrigued her and player on the ultimately lured her in. floor.” “Whenever I went there, the coaches and players really welcomed me in and made it fell like home. They were really receptive towards me,” Watts said. This summer, in order to bridge the gap, Watts will devote more time to the weight room and towards the gym to prepare for collegiate competition. Her 5-9 frame gives her exceptional size for a woman’s guard. Her versatility also presents her the options of being an aggressive driver, or a perimeter, spotup shooter.
By: Emmanuel Morgan US Prep Student Intern
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2014 – 2015 TOP WOMEN’S ATHLETES
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Aliyah Mazyck c/o 2015
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Ranked 18th in the Nation (PG’s) by ESPN
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4A Player of Year (2014)
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4A State Champions (2014)
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University of Southern Cal Commit
Aliyah Mazyck 14 | US PREP ATHLETES
D.D. Rogers è
DD Rogers c/o 2015
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All Observer Player of Year (2013-14)
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Southwestern 4A Player of Year (2012-13)
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4A State Champions (2014)
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NC State Commit
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2014 – 2015 TOP WOMEN’S ATHLETES
1
ASSISTS
18
POINTS
8
REBOUNDS
Janelle Bailey ~
Providence Day
2
ASSISTS
20
POINTS
14
REBOUNDS
Eleah Parker ~
16 | US PREP ATHLETES
Northside Christian
JaYon Leak ~
Northside Christian
5
ASSISTS
10
POINTS
2
REBOUNDS
Erin Whalen ~
Providence Day
2
ASSISTS
17
POINTS
6
REBOUNDS 17
2014 – 2015 TOP WOMEN’S ATHLETES
2
ASSISTS
7
POINTS
6
REBOUNDS
Deja McCain ~
Ardrey Kell
4
ASSISTS
12
POINTS
2
REBOUNDS
Kayla Brown ~ 18 | US PREP ATHLETES
Mallard Creek
Whitney Walker ~
Mallard Creek
3
ASSISTS
10
POINTS
4
REBOUNDS
Rashika White ~ Berry Academy
1
ASSISTS
20
POINTS
11
REBOUNDS 19
2014 – 2015 TOP WOMEN’S ATHLETES
3
ASSISTS
13
POINTS
5
REBOUNDS
Camille Small ~
Independence High School
1
ASSISTS
7
POINTS
2
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Lyric Mitchell ~ 20 | US PREP ATHLETES
Myers Park
Ariyanna Brown ~
Myers Park
2
ASSISTS
6
POINTS
1
REBOUNDS
Kennedy Boyd ~
Providence Day
4
ASSISTS
7
POINTS
2
REBOUNDS 21
2014 – 2015 TOP WOMEN’S ATHLETES
2
ASSISTS
17
POINTS
2
REBOUNDS
Ariana Nance ~
Rocky River High School
3
ASSISTS
14
POINTS
4
REBOUNDS
Ali Fitch ~ 22 | US PREP ATHLETES
South Meck High School
Ahlana Smith ~
Vance High School
3
ASSISTS
20
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
A’lea Gilbert ~ South Meck High School
1
ASSISTS
5
POINTS
7
REBOUNDS 23
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The General
Providence Day’s Williams lives up to his name in more ways than one By C. JEMAL HORTON
The extremely long infant was nearly three days old, and he still didn’t have a name on his birth certificate. Gilbert Williams and Teresa Johnson had spent hours upon hours trying to come up with something to name the child, but they came up with nothing. Hospital officials were getting antsy to have all the paperwork completed, and the couple was starting to feel the pressure. Finally, the eldest of the couple’s three boys, also named Gilbert, walked into the hospital room and saved the day. “Mom, I think we should name my littlest brother Grant,” the precocious 6-year-old scribbled on a whiteboard. Mom was delighted and relieved. “Grant just resonated with me,” Johnson recalled. “To me, Grant brought power, strength and courage. It fell right in line, because I wanted each one of (my sons) to have a name of power and leadership.” And that is how Grant Williams got his name. He got his nickname a few days later. “I began to say to him, ‘Good morning, General Grant! Hey General Grant,’” Johnson recalled. “He would just start talking back to me like he knew exactly what his name was. He just came into the world with this understanding, this command and presence. So I called him General.” The nickname has stuck. And 16 years later, Grant Williams is still living up to the standards of his moniker. Williams is a 6-foot-8 junior forward for Providence Day. At 240 pounds, he is powerful, and Chargers’ coach Brian Field said Williams is one of the leaders of the team, which also is one of the best squads in North Carolina. The Chargers begin their pursuit of a state championship on February 26, and Williams knows it won’t be an easy task, even though Providence Day was ranked third in NCPrep.com’s private-school poll with a 24-4 record at the time US Preps went to press. “I believed this was going to be a good year, and it has been,” Williams said. “I just had a feeling. I know it will be tough – definitely tough. But with my teammates all around me, helping me out, I think we can play well.”
AGAINST THE ODDS
Williams is accustomed to the odds being stacked against him, though. Despite his stellar play during his time at Providence Day, Williams has faced numerous questions about his size and ability. Some recruiting experts have dubbed him a “tweener.”
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On one hand, they wonder if Williams is big enough to play inside at the major college level. Other times, there are questions about whether he’s quick enough to play on the perimeter. The queries don’t dissuade Williams. “I actually enjoy it,” he said of people questioning him as a player. “When people say that, it makes me work harder. People say I’m too small or not big enough to play in college, but I look at it as I’m very versatile. But whenever people say that, I just go out and prove them wrong.” And, boy, has he proven the doubters wrong many times. This season, Williams has gone head-to-head with some of the biggest names in high school basketball and proven his worth. In the first week of the season, he faced Huntington (West Virginia) Prep’s 6-10 center Thomas Bryant, a McDonald’s AllAmerican selection who has scholarship offers from the likes of Kentucky, Syracuse and Indiana. Williams put up 18 points against Bryant.
tier as them, in my opinion.” Williams said his competitive nature also inspires him to be at his best when he is facing all competition, especially the socalled bigger-name players who have college scouts drooling. “I just won’t give up,” Williams said. “I have to do my best. It drives me. If I have a bad first half, then I know that I can come out in the second half and put up 20 points, if I need to. I see myself as versatile. I’m good with my footwork and back to the basket. I can take somebody to the wing and be effective, and I can go inside against smaller guys. “I just play my game. I want to be a leader on my team. But with my team, I have a lot of good people around me, like (seniors) Chaz (Raye) and Matthew (Lee). That helps me a lot and inspires me.”
RENAISSANCE MAN
When Williams becomes inspired, amazing things tend to happen. In elementary school, he began playing chess. One day, he got to opportunity to take on the No. 1 player in the United States.
Next up was High Point Wesleyan Christian’s 6-10 Harry Giles, whose suitors include these four schools: Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky. Enough said.
Williams’ competitive spirits emboldened him, and he took down the young chess master.
Williams gave Giles 23 points.
“That was the highlight of elementary school for me,” Williams said proudly.
Finally, there was Hamilton Heights (Tennessee) highly touted junior Abdul Hakim Ado, who, like the aforementioned recruits, has big-time schools knocking on his door. Williams went to work against the 7-footer, finishing with 25 points and nine rebounds. Is that the work of a “tweener”? “It was fun -- we competed,” Williams said. “I’ve known most of those guys for a long time. I think they knew that I competed against them when I was a freshman, and now I’m on the same
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Williams’ parents always preached well-roundedness for their sons, and it certainly has served him well. To this day, he can play seven instruments, thanks to his maternal grandfather, Otto Johnson. Under his grandfather’s tutelage, Williams learned how to play violin, piano, drums, guitar, clarinet, saxophone and the flute. It could be argued that the arts were Williams’ first love. He went to elementary school at University Park Creative Arts
School before moving on to Northwest School of the Arts, where he majored in piano and chorus. Williams knew he would have a decision to make, though. Would he stay at Northwest School of the Arts? Or would he move on to his home school, West Charlotte High, where his brother, Gabon, played? “I’ve been around (West Charlotte) my whole life. My brother played there with Kennedy Meeks, who’s now at (North) Carolina. I talked to Kennedy and my brother all the time. I learned a lot from all them, just practicing with them sometimes. I still have good friends there, like Isiah (Blackmon) and Kobie Williams.” But as Williams prepared for ninth grade, the opportunity to transfer to Providence Day presented itself. After careful thought and discussion with his family, Williams decided to become a Charger. “I love it here,” Williams said. “Coach Field does a great job with all of us, and I’ve made so many friends. Plus, our basketball program is growing. It’s been great.” Meanwhile, his passion for things beyond basketball continues. It is nothing to see Williams sitting in the bleachers between basketball games reading a biographer or a book of fiction. He still plays music when he can, and as his 4.0 weighted GPA attests, he puts studies at the forefront. “Being well-rounded has helped me a lot growing up,” Williams said. “My old AAU coach used to call me a Renaissance Man. I really liked that. I was going to change my nickname from The General to The Mayor, but I realized how significant the General was to my family and me, so I kept it.”
SALUTING A YOUNG LEADER
What’s in a nickname? For Teresa Johnson, it’s everything. She chose specific nicknames for her three boys, based on traits she saw in them and things to which she wanted them to aspire. Teresa’s nickname for Gilbert, her oldest son, is “King.” Gilbert stands 6-11 and attends UNC Charlotte, although he is not on the basketball team. Gabon, who is a 6-4 freshman member of Johnson C. Smith’s basketball team, is nicknamed “Chief.” “I wanted them to all have names of leaders,” Johnson said. “That was important for me.”
She also has signals, denoting their nicknames, to communicate with them when words are not possible. Early in Williams’ career, she started putting two fingers over her eyebrow and saluting him in the way that an Army general would be recognized. “You know boys don’t want their moms to walk in saying, ‘Hey, baby! How you doing?’” Johnson said with a laugh. “I give Grant that salute, and he’ll do it back to me so we know we’re talking to each other.” The meaning? “It evolved,” she said. “Originally, it was ‘I’m here. We see each other. I’m here for you.’ Then, at one game, he was getting a little bit frustrated. Then, the salute became a signal of ‘Let it go’ or ‘Move on’ or ‘That was a good play.’ I use it however it’s needed.” Johnson doesn’t get to salute her son as much as she would like these days. An engineer for NASA, Johnson is based in Houston, Texas. However, she got to see Williams play several times in December when she was home for the holiday break, and she vows she will be there when the Chargers head to Asheville to try to win that coveted state championship. “By me being here, he is able to pursue his dreams and desires there,” said Johnson, a graduate of North Carolina A&T. “I am appreciative of my mom and all the people there that are helping this respectful young man grow. My dream is for him to achieve whatever he wants to achieve.” For now, it’s about receiving a scholarship offer to a college that will fulfill him academically as well as athletically. The offers are starting to roll in. Several ACC school are starting to show interest, and Stanford recently came to town to visit him. The tweener stuff is starting to matter less and less. “It should be fun to see how everything turns out,” Williams said. “I don’t know where I’ll end up going, but I think I’ll make the right choice.” And wherever he goes, at some point, he’ll be able to look up into the crowd and see at least one person saluting the General.
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2014 – 2015 TOP MEN’S ATHLETES
4.5 ASSISTS
18.8 POINTS
4.6
REBOUNDS
Lavar Batts Jr. ~
JM Robinson
5
ASSISTS
21
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Raequan Scott ~ 28 | US PREP ATHLETES
Butler
Lysander Bracey ~
Northside Christian
6
ASSISTS
19.5 POINTS
5
REBOUNDS
Devin Cooper ~
Ardrey Kell
5
ASSISTS
10
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS 29
2014 – 2015 TOP MEN’S ATHLETES
3
ASSISTS
16
POINTS
15
REBOUNDS
Malik Constantine ~ Olympic High School
6
ASSISTS
13
POINTS
5
REBOUNDS
Derek McKnight ~ 30 | US PREP ATHLETES
Gaston Day
Kenny Hairston Jr. ~
Davidson Day
5
ASSISTS
21
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
ZaQuan Matthews ~ Myers Park
2
ASSISTS
18
POINTS
7
REBOUNDS 31
2014 – 2015 TOP MEN’S ATHLETES
5
ASSISTS
18
POINTS
4
REBOUNDS
Myles McGregor ~
Davidson Day
4
ASSISTS
17
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Orlando Robinson ~ 32 | US PREP ATHLETES
Butler High School
Tyrik Dawson ~
Cuthbertson High School
2
ASSISTS
10
POINTS
6
REBOUNDS
Keyon Wesley ~
Rocky River
2.2 ASSISTS
15.6 POINTS
5
REBOUNDS 33
2014 – 2015 TOP MEN’S ATHLETES
5
ASSISTS
12
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Josh Brodowicz ~ Catholic High School
3
ASSISTS
6
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Kendall Coles ~ 34 | US PREP ATHLETES
North Mecklenburg
Damari Parris ~
Olympic
5
ASSISTS
15
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Eddricco Brown ~
Harding
4
ASSISTS
10
POINTS
5
REBOUNDS 35
2014 – 2015 TOP MEN’S ATHLETES
4
ASSISTS
9
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Jalen Knight ~
West Charlotte High School
4
ASSISTS
7
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Marcus Talley ~ 36 | US PREP ATHLETES
Harding
Jaylan McGill ~
Olympic High School
3
ASSISTS
12
POINTS
3
REBOUNDS
Qon Murphy ~
Hough High
3
ASSISTS
9
POINTS
4
REBOUNDS 37
2014 – 2015 TOP MEN’S ATHLETES
3
ASSISTS
14
POINTS
12
REBOUNDS
Jaylen Thompson ~
Grace Academy
3
ASSISTS
18
POINTS
4
REBOUNDS
Hughston Finklea ~ 38 | US PREP ATHLETES
Sunvalley High School
Devon Dotson ~
Providence High School
3
ASSISTS
15
POINTS
5
REBOUNDS
Trey Wertz ~
Providence Day High School
2
ASSISTS
6
POINTS
1
REBOUNDS 39
Ch ar Ty lot ler te, D M av ee is t
National Playe By: Justin A. @J.Pearll
7 Questions For Tyler Davis
When did you know that basketball was your sport? Around my eighth grade year when I moved from California to Texas. I hadn’t had much basketball experience and I was always so big I played football but going into my ninth grade year that’s when I figured out basketball was the sport I loved.
Who do you model your game after?
There were a few people I watched growing up like Lamarcus Aldridge, Kevin Love and old school guys like Shaq you know just watching him finish over his right shoulder with his right hand... that’s just tough to do so I just take notes and learn from the greats and the guys that’s paving the way right now.
What are your team goals for this year?
Win states that’s definitely the goal... we’re hoping on winning out but definitely the main goal is to win State Championship this year.
How have you enjoyed playing on this team?
Its been a blessing really with not being able to play last year and being able to play with some of the guys I played with over the summer and just building a good relationship with all my coaches and every single one of my teammates and not just the guys who are tight. Its just has made it so much easier and so much fun and road games are fun you just come in with your boys and you have a good relationship with your coaches you can just talk about anything with them it just makes it so much easier and better.
What are some of the standout moments from this season 40 | US PREP ATHLETES
er Spotlight Pearl
PLAYER CARD From: Plano Texas School: Plano West C/o - 2015 Height: 6’10 ESPN Rank: 18
And for the season probably the tournament at the beginning of the year because every game I had I was over 25pts for me and that was one of the standout moments. I mean the whole season has been a stand out moment for me its just been a blessing to be able to play this year realizing when I didn’t play last year, you just never know when you’re not going to be able to play again, so its been a blessing.
What will you miss most about High School basketball?
Uh, so many things... oh that’s a tough one, so many things. Probably just competing and working in practice just getting better and building that bond with your teammates. I mean I love the rivalry games I love the crowd but just practice for me is the thing I’ll miss the most.
Why did Texas A&M stand out more than the other colleges?
I really had a good relationship with Coach Kennedy, Coach Keller the whole coaching staff... they came to every single one of my games they showed me a lot of love, there’s a lot of colleges who do that too but I just felt really comfortable with these guys, I can really trust these guys. You know I need people I can trust and who is going to take care of me, so that was probably the biggest thing for me and also I just know they are going to depend on me as a freshman and they are going to work me and make me get better and help take my game to another level so that probably was the biggest thing.
Are you hoping to go pro?
Definitely that’s a dream that I’m chasing right now and its an everyday process you know its one day at a time you can’t make it happen in just one day but its one day at a time for sure. So hopefully if I keep working I can make that dream come true. Justin is a 12year old middle school student at Schimelpfenig Middle School in Plano Texas where he plays basketball for the middle school team and baseball for PSAA.
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Vol • Un
n. A person who freely offers to take part. One who ent
1sTouch Inc., founded in 2010, is a grassroots; non-profit organization (501c3) devoted to youth development, using soccer and lacrosse as a tool to foster inclusion within the greater Charlotte community.
Based in the Charlotte metro area, 1sTouch strives to offer a unique and fun soccer experience. Our aim at 1sTouch is to develop our player’s technical abilities on and off the field so that when they move to the next level they have no basic weaknesses. 1sTouch offers three levels of Soccer programming. Team, Academy & Recreational. 1sTouch strives to offer a unique and fun lacrosse experience. Our aim at 1sTouch is to develop our players’ skills on and off the field so that when they move to the next level they have no basic weaknesses. 1sTouch offers
three levels of lacrosse skills development. They include Sticks & Stones, Academy & Pre-Elite. Our mentoring program is to give young males social and academic skills necessary for success while promoting self-awareness. We believe that helping to shape their values and principles today will better prepare them to become our community leaders tomorrow. Our Soccer & Lacrosse programs start at 5 years old and up.
Contact For Soccer Interest Derrick Gates 704.614.3522
Contact For Lacrosse Interest Jeremy Ardrey 704.231.0823
1sTouch, Inc.
42 | US PREP ATHLETES
n • Teer
ters into or offers himself for a service of his/her free will.
Thank You!
1st Touch founders Derrick Gates and Jeremy Ardrey focus their efforts on youth soccer and lacrosse.
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Showcase Camp Overview We had the opportunity to speak with several Showcase Camp organizers that came through Charlotte NC to get their insight on recruitment and helping athletes. Joe Davis has arguably become the guru of organizing Showcase Camps on a national scale since he first started Scouts Focus in March 2009. He credits his propensity for “scouting” and the help of friends that rocket launched Scouts Focus to national appeal. “We also had Andrew Wiggins in the 7th grade” says Davis, and that video got over 3 million views.” When asked what is the proudest moment of Scouts Focus? Joe simply states “We’ve been able to help thousands of kids in their recruitment process.” Brad Estes the camps founder has been running Maximum Exposure for over 10 years. We spoke with Brian Miller the Camp Director (Charlotte) who has been coaching for over 20 years. Brian mentions that “Coaches start to get series about you around your junior year” and that’s “its ok to reach out to programs if you think it’s a good fit for you - but keep it brief ” he also states that “you’ll know a program is series about you when they start inviting you onto their campus” vs. simply sending letters. “Letters is only telling you they know who you are but a paid visit…oh yeah their interested.”
Top Line Events has been organizing basketball tournaments over the past five years and recently started organizing Showcase Camps last year. Devon Seaford one of the partners states that in their 18 city tour campers can expect to receive good instruction from HS and College level coaching and the recruitment do’s & don’ts. “They can see how their game matches up against other athletes in their age group not from their city” says Seaford, “This is a great measurement to where they stand.”
Elite 75 is one of the most established organizers of Showcase Camps in the Charlotte area and recently celebrated their 10th year putting on the event. They have hosted hundreds of athletes who have went on to play college ball and quite a number of these athletes have turned pro. Elite 75 came on the heels of when two AAU rival coaches Ced Canty of the (Charlotte Monarchs) and Jacoby Davis (Charlotte Stars) combined forces and became an extension - under the umbrella of United Celtics out of Atlanta. After separating from UC, Team United was born under the Nike brand. Expect high level and intense competition at their showcase camps. 44 | US PREP ATHLETES
US Prep Elite Exposure Camps On Saturday October 25 2014, sixty-seven athletes converged in Charlotte NC to participate in skills and drills, recruiting informational sessions and played in game “like” situations to showcase their unique basketball skills and talents. Out of the sixty-seven participants, twenty two were chosen to play in the US Prep Elite Exposure end of camp Varsity Elite All-Star game. The White Squad beat the Blue Squad in a 48-47 nail biter that came down to the last play of the game. Point Guard Jalen Bynum (Cox Mill) led the White squad with 8pts and Olympic’s Malik Brevard, Jaquan Bagwell & Southlake Christian Academy Freshman Josh Barnette added 7pts a piece while Bessemer City Sophomore Ja’Hari Guthrie chipped in 5pts. The Blue squad was led by Jaylan McGill with 10pts, Quante Hearn 8pts, and East Mecklenburg Senior Guard Omar Tobias and Hughston Finklea (Sunvalley High School) had 7 and 6 pts respectively. 6’6 Tyrik Dawson (Blue Squad) and 6’6 Malik Brevard (White Squad) led all rebounders with 5 a piece.
US Prep Elite Allstars (Blue) #51 Tristan Maxwell
Bradley Middle School, Charlotte NC - c/o 2020
#24 Jaylan McGill
Olympic High School, Charlotte NC - c/0 2017
#78 Tyrik Dawson
Cuthbertson High School, Waxhaw NC - c/o 2016
#15 Obray Rufus
Olympic High School, Charlotte NC - c/o 2015
#17 Cameron Corey
Sunvalley High School, Monroe NC - c/0 2015
#25 Quante Hearn
Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte NC - c/o 2016
#79 Omar Tobias
East Mecklenburg High School, Charlotte NC - c/o 2015
#22 Carlton McClure
Indian Land High School, Ft Mill SC - c/o 2017
#46 Chase Berry
Phillip O Berry, Charlotte NC - c/0 2017
#54 Hughston Finklea
Sunvalley High School, Monroe NC - c/o 2017
#82 Anthony Brown
Sunvalley High School, Monroe NC - c/o 2017
US Prep Elite Allstars (White) #13 Jalen Bynum
Cox Mill, Concord NC - c/o 2018
#81 Julius Felder
Providence Day, Charlotte NC - c/o 2017
#92 Josh Barnette
Southlake Christian Academy, Huntersville NC - c/0 2018
#48 Malik Brevard
Olympic High School, Charlotte NC - c/0 2016
#88 JaQuan Bagwell
Olympic High School. Charlotte NC - c/o 2015
#34 Devon Busby
Westminster Catawba, Rock Hill SC - c/0 2018
#20 Ja’Hari Guthrie
Bessemer City High School, Bessemer City NC - c/0 2017
#36 Ricky Council III
Northern Durham, Durham NC - c/0 2018
#38 Zane Haglan
Brawley Middle School, Mooresville NC - c/o 2018
#54 Arlo Washington
Phillip O. Berry, Charlotte NC - c/o 2018
#77 Jalen Harris
Olympic High School, Charlotte NC - c/o 2018
This year’s post camp feedback from the players solidified what resonated with them most was the knowledge and information shared by former college and professional athletes about the recruiting process and college life career professionals shared ideas on how to make a smooth transition once competitive basketball is done. This year’s campers have especially motivated us to ensure we continue to make these topics a staple of all of our future camps.
Check for updates of our future camp offerings usprepathletes.com/camps 45