2024 Stock Risers

5’9” Guard - Tye Cain (Green Level/Strong Center Cary)

Cain was the catalyst for the Green Level offense this winter. He averaged 11.1p, 3.4r, 3.1a, and 2s per game with shooting splits of 49/36/68. Cain is a strong-bodied lead guard that can hit tough shots and play tough defense. He really came on as a creator during this past high school season. He simply knows how to run an offense, excelling at getting his teammates in the right spots and making primary and secondary reads off the bounce. He knows when to get his own shot as well, getting to a variety of pull-up jumpers with confidence and consistency. Cain is running with Strong Center 2024 Cary/Holly Springs this offseason so look for his on-court leadership and presence on the ball to continue to improve.

6’3” Guard - Viktor Alao (Willow Spring/GRBC Select)

Alao saw a large stock boost over the second half of the season and all signs point towards that continuing into the spring and summer. He averaged 13p, 5.2r, 2.8a, and 2s per game this past season while leading Willow Spring to eight wins, double their total from last year. He has good wiggle when getting downhill and he’s an underrated shot-maker as well. He’s started to consistently control everything that happens on the court, dictating how the action unfolds and forcing the defense to revolve around him. Another reason his stock has improved is that he’s added some explosiveness to his downhill attacks, making him a lethal transition and in-traffic finisher. He should draw a ton of interest from a variety of D2 and D3 programs up and down the region this summer.

6’2” Wing - Khaim Taylor (Knightdale/All Carolina)

Taylor is a highly intriguing two-way guard that excels at getting downhill. He averaged 11p, 4.1r, 1.6a, 1.6s, and 1.5b per game this season. He’s a dynamic athlete who doesn’t have much trouble getting to the rim against HS-level defenders. He finishes at and around the rim with excellent body control and touch. That athleticism and natural advantage creation ability is a great floor for a college prospect. Taylor’s a fantastic defender that causes havoc all over the court. He’s a rare guard that acts as a secondary rim protector and was one of the county leaders in blocks per game. On top of that, he’s outstanding at jumping passing lanes and stripping ball handlers. He has plenty of room to continue developing and his natural two-way ability makes him a desirable prospect.

6’6” Wing/Forward - Trey Manhertz (Green Level/GRBC Select)

Manhertz is a fun prospect to keep up with as he’s shown us a ton of promising flashes in the past and it seems that he’s slowly starting to piece it all together. He plays the 5 role for Green Level but has shown a much more perimeter-based skillset with Garner Road so far this Spring. He has a strong and projectable frame he’s great at using his strength to his advantage. Manhertz has been hitting shots from outside and off the dribble with more volume and consistency this summer, something that bodes well for him as a prospect. The biggest thing to watch with Manhertz is his transition from forward to wing. If he can solidify himself this Summer as a threat knocking down tough shots and attacking closeouts then college coaches should come running. Regardless of the role he plays for Green Level next Winter, these flashes should be taken seriously and project well at a high level in the college game.

6’2” Wing - Arnav Shah (Leesville Road/Grassroots NC)

Shah is a personal favorite of ours thanks to his positional size and ability to shoot the cover off the ball. He’s a legit 6’2” and has good length for the off-guard position. This Spring, he’s shown growth as a handler and has been able to get to his spots without wasting dribbles and without disrupting the offensive flow. His development from an off-ball catch-and-shoot guy into a shooter that can score on the move, catch, or off 1-2 dribbles is incredibly promising and should make him one of the top candidates for Breakout Player of the Year next year in the CAP-6. While we’re not entirely sure when his recruitment will start, expect that when it does a slew of D3 programs from throughout the region will express interest in Shah.

Other Names To Watch

6’3” Wing - Grayson Cuffe (Green Hope)

6’7” Forward - Logan Ware (Panther Creek/Strong Center Cary)

6’3” Wing - Alan Webster (Willow Spring/Juice All-Stars)

6’2” Wing - Cameron Hunter (Panther Creek/Strong Center Durham)

6’3” Forward - Khalel Sanders (Knightdale/All Carolina)

5’9” Guard - Simon Eyob (Cary)