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North Carolina Rankings: A Look at Ten Prospects To Watch in the 2022 Class

By Big Shots Nation, 06/08/20, 12:00PM EDT

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Here's a look at Ten prospects to Watch in North Carolina's 2022 class.

Jaden Bradley - 6’3 Point Guard - Cannon School

Jaden Bradley had quite the sophomore season with the Cannon School that concluded with winning the NCISAA 4A State Championship. He put up 27 points in their 71-69 victory over Charlotte Latin, winning Cannon’s first title since 2006. He’s a playmaking floor general that plays at a high level already averaging 23.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game. He’s the first sophomore to win the Gatorade Player of the Year since 2000 and already holds offers from Kansas and UNC among other high-major programs. He’ll be fun to watch over the next few seasons at The Cannon School.

MJ Rice - 6’5 Guard - Oak Hill Academy

M.J. Rice will make the move from Durham Academy to Oak Hill Academy (VA) in 2020-21 after his sophomore season. His season was cut a bit short due to a knee injury, but he was well on his way to a productive year, putting up 18.5 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest in 2019-20 while shooting 59 percent from the field. He’ll be a new face for the Warriors due for a huge boost in his recruitment with high-major interest already as a slasher and high-level scoring. For now, he’ll remain with North Carolina until the new season begins. 

Jalen Hood-Schifino - 6’5 Guard - Combine Academy

Jalen Hood-Schifino is a prototypical big guard with a nice skill set. He’s got a nice feel for creating at the mid-range area already given his solid wingspan and ball-handling. He possesses a nice blend of strength and IQ that allows him to operate at a high level already all over the floor. Entering the 2020-21 season, he’s already made his pledge to Pittsburgh as a member of their 2022 recruiting class. If Capel can hold onto him for the next two seasons, he’ll be a solid addition in their backcourt with tons of room for development.

Nate Brafford - 6’8 Forward/Center - Rabun Gap

Nate Brafford is another name that’ll be a new face at a new place in 2020-21, moving from Tuscola High to Rabun Gap and reclassifying into the Class of 2022. Brafford was a top performer in the state of North Carolina in 2019-20, putting up 33.6 points, 7.6 rebound, 2.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.9 steals per game at Tuscola. He’s a 6-foot-8 versatile prospect that can stretch it with his 3-point shot and attack the rim with his length. He’ll be one to watch at a new spot next season. 

D.J. Nix - 6’7 Forward/Wing - Cannon School

Derrick “D.J.” Nix is another growing name at The Cannon School alongside Jaden Bradley. He’s been on the receiving end of a number of clean passes from Bradley to make things happen on the hardwood on the wing and in the post. He’s an inside-out presence that’s a growing problem at 6-foot-7 on all three levels. Nix was an All-State selection and All-Conference first team selection and posts as big of a threat in the frontcourt as Bradley does in the backcourt. He holds offers from the likes of Washington State, Wichita State, Boston College, College of Charleston and Houston Baptist already.

Jeremy Gregory - 6’7 Forward - North Mecklenburg

Jeremy Gregory is a breakout prospect in the making at North Mecklenburg High School. He played a productive role in the frontcourt in 2019-20 while seniors Shamann Artis, Tristan Maxwell and Trayden Williams led the way to a co-4A State Title. He’s a big man that knows how to take command attacking the rim and defending the paint. With Gregory and senior Chris Ford returning in the frontcourt, they’ll still boast some talented pieces in their ranks in 2020-21. With Gregory’s upside in the paint as a rim-runner and rebounder though, it’s hard to foresee them not being a top team once again next season. 

 

Cam Oates - 5’10 Point Guard -Trinity Academy

Cam Oates is an underrated point guard coming up at Trinity Academy in Fayetteville. He’s got a junkyard dog mentality of defense which allows him to create easy offense from steals on the opposite end. He’s got a strong build as well which allows him to play a physical brand of basketball and set an early tone with his speed and quickness. He’s a young name for college coaches to get eyes on early.

Avion Pinner - 6’5 Forward - Riverside

Avion Pinner is a versatile forward in the making at Riverside High School. He was a double-double machine at Riverside this past season, posting 20 across 27 games in 2019-20. Pinner produced 20.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game as a sophomore for the Knights. He put up a season-high 38 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field against Southside back in February. It’s only a matter of time before he starts hearing from college programs.

Quava Propst - 6’0 Point Guard - Cox Mill

Quava Propst was a spark plug for a rebuilding Cox Mill squad in 2019-20 as they went 25-4 on the season and 9-1 in the South Piedmont Conference partly due to his play. He put up 15.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game as an all-around guard in their backcourt this past season. He was due to make waves with Team Curry on the Under Armour circuit as well before things were shut down due to Coronavirus. He’s a combo guard that can do a little bit of everything on both ends and is due to make a name for himself in the Charlotte area.

Aaron Murphy - 6’3 Forward - Greenfield School

Aaron Murphy is an emerging forward prospect with quite the game at J.H. Rose and will be a new face in Greenfield School's rotation. His team made a run in the 3A State Tournament. He led the way with 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game for the Rampants in 2019-20 as they went 23-4 on the year and 10-2 in the Eastern Carolina Conference. He’s an inside-out presence that’s a burden on both ends with his strength and length. He was due to make an impact this spring/summer with Garner Road’s grassroots program.