Five 2019 NC Players on the rise this spring
This is an important time of the cycle for many hoopers around the state it’s the beginning of travel ball which provides a stage to perform and attract college suitors.
Talent is always of the essence in the Hoop State year end and year out they send prospects to colleges of all levels nationwide. April will be a time where the best will be matched up and tested only the strong will survive,
So far leading up to the first “Live Period” session multiple prospects in a talented 2019 class have really balled out and gained serious attention. We’ll examine five hoopers climbing the NC hoops rankings these sophomores are putting on for the hoop state!
Jae’Lyn Withers
School-North Mecklenburg
Club-Team Loaded
Withers ‘19 followed up a productive sophomore campaign in the Queen City with a tremendous start to the AAU season. He also played well at the Phenom Hoops showcase at 6’9 Withers is uber athletic on both ends of the floor, blessed with serious bunnies and long arms the big man is excellent finishing putbacks and blocking shots.
With Team Loaded of the Adidas Uprising league the 2019 forward has rebounded and run the floor exceptionally well. Some of the top programs in the nation have locked in on Withers (Virginia, VTech, NC State), he still has room to improve and add weight to a long frame. As of right now, he looks the part of a high-major prospect on the rise and the kid still has two more years to develop before college.
Jackson Gabriel
School- Lincoln Charter
Club- PSB Select
Gabriel just might be the best shooter in the state of North Carolina the dead eye helped lead his school team to their first ever state title this season. He’s gradually added more depth to his game this spring attacking the basket and flashing a polished pull up game.
PSB Select is off to a hot start they’ve already claimed some impressive wins in tournament play as an independent competing against big shoe company teams, and Gabriel is a huge reason why. The kid’s range is virtually limitless and he’s a coach's son with high basketball I.Q. On defense, the effort is there he’s a surprisingly solid shot blocker at the shooting guard position.
As a prospect in the ‘19 class he still has tons of time to get even better and schools like App State, Campbell, Georgia Southern, and Longwood University, among others are showing serious interest. Currently the 16-year-old boasts a 3.6 GPA as well his bandwagon will continue to expand as we get deeper into the spring and summer count on it.
Norcross, GA
Damian Dunn
School- Kinston
Club- Stackhouse Elite
Kinston High’s next big time prospect is the 6’5 two guard and Dunn is making some serious noise nationally. Playing for Kinston is a big deal in the Hoop State it’s no secret the pedigree of past studs there. Dunn is a long and athletic guard who is crafty around the rim he can also bury you with the jumper if the D is caught slacking. On the defensive side he’s got quick feet and can guard multiple positions. Overall he’s one of the more versatile players in the state and when used correctly the guy is a swiss army knife.
The youngster has impressed with the Stackhouse Elite on some big stages and attracted coaches far and wide. So far Arizona State and Xavier have inquired about his services and with a motor like Dunn’s the offers will pile in. Talent mixed with high effort is a scary combo and this is one hooper who doesn’t take any plays off. This travel season will be a prime time for Dunn to polish up his intangibles and continue to grow as a player.
Keyshaun Langley (Virginia Tech Commit/pictured above on right)
School- Southwest Guilford
Club- Team CP3
This kid is not only competing to be the best point guard in the state but also in his own household! Langley has an older brother Kam (‘17, NC A&T commit), and a twin Kobe (VTech commit), who are also very talented in their own right.
All that being said lil bro is a serious problem on the hardwood and in two short high school seasons the youngest Langley has already established himself among NC’s elite regardless of class. For Southwest Guilford this year he starred at point guard the Cowboys claimed 4A state champions and Keyshaun was named player of the game, also an All State Selection and Maxpreps sophomore All American honorable mention.
Not many opponents at this level can stay in front of the future ACC guard he’s got a nice first step and tends to leave defenders lost in the sauce with his crossover. As far as jumpers go Langley has a reliable one along with a tough floater game. This young star will be a force on the prep level for the next two years.
Chaz Gwyn (pictured above on left)
School- Winston Salem Prep
Club- Team CP3
Big time play on the travel scene helped Gwyn establish himself early in the 2019 class. While playing for a loaded 16U Team CP3 squad Gwyn still shined among some highly touted teammates. The 6’1 guard came into WSPA with tons of hype and after a slow transition period into high-level prep hoops freshman year he’s hit a stride in year two.
This season his squad came up short of another state title but the young playmaker improved steadily with more playing time. When you watch him one of the first things that sticks out is his change of pace with the basketball, we’re talking about a kid who can literally stop on a dime and switch directions in a blink of the eye. A scorer first Gwyn takes and makes tough shots but he can also feed a teammate with a sweet dime.
In his short career, Gwyn has for the most part been younger than the majority of his competition look for him to continue to sharpen his skills and play with more confidence heading into his junior year. On the travel scene this year Chaz will have a great chance to improve his stock even more on the EYBL circuit, he’s already off to a strong start after an excellent performance in the Phenom Hoops Top80 camp.
If you don’t know these five by now you definitely should hoops heads NC is loaded with underclassmen some are already household names and more are coming. Keep an eye out for these guys to do some serious damage on the AAU circuit and beyond over the next couple of years.
