WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- New Orleans Hornets PG Chris Paul invited some of the best PGs and SGs in the country, looking to improve their PG skills, to his CP3 Elite Point Guard Camp. The NBA All-Star was very active in his camp, constantly correcting and teaching. The camp participants were able to work on weak-hand development, proper footwork, creating their own shot in one-on-one play and team concepts.
Best all-around players
James Robinson (Hyattsville, Md./ Dematha Catholic)
2012, PG, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds
The battle-tested point guard is a winner who can make any team better. He is not overly athletic and knows to beat defenders he must change pace with and without the ball and hone in his footwork to have an edge. He possesses a strong body and uses it well finishing, rebounding and defending. His basketball IQ is one of the best in the class, and he excels because of it. Virginia, Miami, Georgetown, Notre Dame, NC State and UCLA are in the mix for his services.
Ryan Arcidiacono (Langhorne, Pa./ Neshaminy)
2012, PG, 6-3, 185 pounds
College: Villanova
The future Wildcats PG showed why he is clearly one of the better point guards and players in this class. His handle is strong, and he understands when to use his speed and how to keep a defender off balance by changing his pace and direction with the ball. He has a crafty way of creating contact to score by lifting defenders off their feet with a shot fake. He also believes in himself, and it shows every possession.
Best passers
Tyler Lewis (Statesville, N.C./ Forsyth Country Day)
2012, PG, 5-11, 160 pounds
College: NC State
Simply put, Lewis is someone everyone wants to play with. The young Kendall Marshall-type passer will deliver the rock on time and on target. He plays the game one or two plays ahead of everyone else and can score at a moment's notice. Lewis makes open jumpers with confidence and range beyond the college 3-point line and executes pick-and-rolls with great instincts. He has gotten noticeably stronger, which has helped his on-ball defense, but he needs to lift defenders with a shot fake and move them with a jab step to help set up his drives while finishing better at the rim.
L.J. Rose (Houston/ Westbury Christian)
2012, PG, 6-3, 180 pounds
Rose is a setup point guard who is always ready to give up the rock. He possesses very good length and a strong basketball IQ to lead a team, but what makes him special is his ability to play off the ball. Rose is great moving without the ball because he understands spacing, cutting and screening. However, he needs to make defenders pay when they don't check him and communicate more on the floor with his teammates and coach. Overall, he's a special player who values winning more than his individual stats. UCLA, Texas, Kentucky, Kansas, Baylor, Georgetown, Florida State, Virginia and Memphis are in the mix right now.
Best one-on-one players
Rodney Purvis (Raleigh, N.C./ Upper Room Christian Academy)
2012, SG, 6-4, 185 pounds
He is lightning quick with a powerful burst driving to the basket. Purvis stands out as a slasher and is almost impossible to keep out of the paint. He gets wherever he wants on the court, thanks to his strong body and quick first step, and he's a highlight waiting to happen in transition. With his body, he should rebound at a more consistent pace, but if he can develop a jumper from deep, he becomes a guy who needs to be double-teamed.
Gary Harris (Indianapolis/ Hamilton Southeastern)
2012, SG, 6-4, 195 pounds
He is a scoring guard who plays the game with the kind of power, intensity and physicality that is unmatched in this class. Harris competes on every possession and is an impressive defender. Whenever he drives the basketball, he's looking to dunk but needs to develop a jumper that defenses respect and improve his point guard acumen. He is excited about Michigan State, Indiana, Purdue, Louisville, Notre Dame and Illinois.
Best drivers
Jevon Thomas (Queens, N.Y./ Our Savior New American)
2012, PG, 5-11, 170 pounds
College: St. John's
He possesses never-ending speed, blow-by quickness, a tight handle and the vision to see the play. Thomas is hard to stay in front of because he uses all his physical tools and skill to distribute the ball or score. A must-have shot for all little guards is a floater, which he has displayed. He keeps attacking defenses and puts them on notice quickly. His jumper is solid but needs work, and more importantly, he needs to listen and learn to continue his overall development.
Josh Newkirk (Raleigh, N.C./ Word of God Christian Academy)
2013, PG, 6-1, 170 pounds
He has the speed and quickness with the ball in his hands to blow past opponents. Throughout the course of a game he can be a playmaker or a scorer. He can make a difference on the floor with his penetration and ability to find his teammate or score. His jumper is steady, but he needs to add range as well as communicate more on the floor.
Best shooters
Patrick Rooks (Charlotte, N.C./ Charlotte Christian)
2013, SG, 6-3, 170 pounds
College: Clemson
The lefty has good size and a consistent 3-point shot. Rooks moves to free himself and understands that time and space are his best friends when attempting to get his shot off. He shows good shot preparation, elevation, release and rotation -- all qualities that make up a dependable shooter. The Tigers have themselves a keeper.
Bronson Koenig (La Crosse, Wis./ Aquinas)
2013, PG, 6-2, 175 pounds
Koenig is a solid ball handler with an excellent feel for the game who shoots from midrange and long range at a high percentage. He has good body control on his jumper as his feet, hips and shoulders are squared to the basket. He needs to improve his ability to drive to the basket and finish through contact. His top schools at this time are North Carolina, Wisconsin, Kansas, Virginia and UCLA. He said the Bruins have not offered yet, but he expects them to after the summer.
Players to watch
Andrew White (Chester, Va./ The Miller School)
2012, SF, 6-6, 180 pounds
White has the ability to catch and shoot with range from behind the arc. His size allows him to see over the defense, and he understands how to move off the ball by cutting and screening. He has a thirst to improve and is very coachable. As a SF, he needs to be more comfortable handing the ball and develop the ability to score off the bounce and defend at the 3-point line. Utah, BYU, South Florida, George Mason, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Missouri and UConn are in the mix for White.
Codi Miller-McIntyre (Concord, N.C./ First Assembly Christian)
2012, PG, 6-2, 170 pounds
College: Wake Forest
He understands how to get open and use his touch to score by cutting off screens. Miller-McIntyre has the 3-point shot to stretch a defense, but his strength is finishing at the rim. He is more of a scorer than a point guard now but is comfortable with the ball in his hands and has an improved basketball IQ to convert to PG. He can also defend both guard spots well.
Notes
• Montay Brandon (Greensboro, N.C./ Kestrel Heights) is a big, athletic PG who drives to the rim and nails open 3s. He could also be a great defender with size and length, but he must keep working on his decisions and overall point guard IQ.
• Terry Henderson (Raleigh, N.C./ Neuse Baptist Christian) has a great frame at 6-4, 170 pounds with the ability to score with the jumper or off the bounce. He doesn't have much wasted movement in his game. Over the last month, schools such as Tennessee, Stanford, Providence and Rutgers have become interested in Henderson.
• Reggie Dillard (Greensboro, N.C./ Dudley Senior) is someone who always gives his all. He also won the one-on-one competition on the last day. He says VCU and Charlotte lead for him, but Vanderbilt and Clemson are calling.
• Wake Forest commit Aaron Rountree (Wilson, N.C./ Greenfield School) is a willing passer and good ball handler for his size. However, he needs to get stronger and work on his jumper.
• College players were also brought in to develop their skills and compete as they did the same drills as the high school kids. Will Barton won the college one-on-one competition on Sunday. Paul played him and Dillard in one-on-one battles, guess who won?
Paul Biancardi, who has been a head coach and assistant on NCAA tournament teams, is the national director of basketball recruiting. He is also one the voters for the McDonald's All-American Game and Gatorade Player of the Year. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter.