The 22 Days of Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational
By Jamie Shaw
Why We Are Thankful For Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational
From December 27-30, Wilmington, North Carolina will play host a national basketball tournament as Phenom Hoops brings the 1st Annual Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational. The historic Brogden Hall at New Hanover High School, which holds 3,500 fans will have 16 Top 150 ranked prospects, 3 nationally ranked teams, and players who are committed to schools like UNC, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Washington.
As we countdown to the start of Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational, each day we will give another reason why we are thankful for the Joe Miller Invitational.
Reason #21
18 Prospects Ranked in the Top 150
The old adage says that rankings don’t matter once the lights come up, and to some degree that is very true. However, when looking through the rankings – there is no denying that the highest ranked players go to the most powerful and prestigious schools.
Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational is deep with nationally ranked prospects, from up and down the Eastern Seaboard. In all 16 players are ranked among the nation’s best. This does two things for the event (well it does a lot of things including puts national eyes on it, builds the media outlook, etc…but we’ll focus on two here…) it allows for some incredible competition on the floor and it provides an unbelievable platform which showcases the top ranked guys as well as the under the radar guys in attendance.
The highest ranked player in this year’s Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational is Oldsmar Christian’s Elijah Weaver. The 6’4” junior point guard is, by all accounts, playing at a McDonald’s All American type level right now. The lefty is currently being recruited by school’s all over the country, with multiple offers from the ACC, SEC, Big East, Big 12, Pac-12, Big 10, and other conferences.
Raleigh’s Word of God will bring three Top 150 ranked players to the event. Seniors Blake Harris and Brandon Huffman, along with freshman Evan Johnson all carry the lofty honors. The 6’3” Blake Harris is committed to Washington and wizard with the ball and the 6’10” tough guy Brandon Huffman is committed to North Carolina. Only a freshman, Johnson already carries and offer from Iowa State.
Hamilton Heights, out of Chattanooga, Tennessee, carry two Top 50 ranked seniors. Point guard Shai Alexander, who is still a little under the radar as he spent most of his summer playing for Canada, is signed to Kentucky. Combo guard Nickiel Alexander Walker, who is long and smooth, had a real breakout summer this year and has signed with Virginia Tech. Hamilton Heights also has a slew of talented sophomore prospects, a couple of which are sure to jump into Top 100 rankings as the season goes on.
Trinity Christian also carries a pair of Top 75 prospects with sophomores Josh Nickelberry and Joey Baker. JoshNickelberry, a 6’5” scoring guard comes in at #58 in 247Sports most recent 2019 rankings. He carries offers across the ACC and SEC and is currently Phenom Hoops’ #2 player in his class. Joey Baker is ranked #28 nationally by 247Sports. He is a 6’7” small forward with length, explosion, and a high IQ and also carries offers across the ACC and SEC landscape. Each of these guys will continue to rise in those rankings as they are both better than what their current number is.
Saint James, out of Maryland, has a recent tradition of major success with Obi Enechionyia (Temple) and Justin Robinson (Virginia Tech) playing out of their minds in college right now. Well, they have a new batch of studs on the way, and their 2018 class is loaded. ESPN ranks 6’8” Isaiah Mucius #30 overall in the class. He is a long and athletic forward who can get downhill and defend multiple positions. His offer list carries a Big East feel with Penn State, Minnesota, Oregon, and Wake Forest also involved. 6’8” Bryce Golden is skilled and athletic big, with a game similar to former NC State forward Brandon Costner. Scout ranks Golden at #65 in his class.
6’8” 2017 Ibrahim Doumbia of Miami Country Day, may well be the most exciting player in the event. He is a run and jump athlete to the extreme and the South Carolina singee will have numerous athletic plays where everyone in attendance will drop their jaws. Union City’s Parker Stewart, a 6’4” shooting guard, is a high scoring wing player. The Ole Miss signee will be sure ring up massive numbers, as he is able to score at each level on the floor.
Other Players Ranked Among the Nation’s Best
Greenfield
6’4” Junior Coby White (UNC commit)
ESPN #28
Virginia Academy
6’10” Senior Ejike Obinna (Vanderbilt signee)
Rivals #125
6’11” Sophomore Qudus Wahab
247Sports #31
Blue Ridge
6’8” Senior Aamir Simms (Clemson signee)
Rivals #90
Kinston
6’5” Sophomore Damian Dunn
247Sports #72
Miller School
6’6” Sophomore Aundre Hyatt
247Sports #30
In all, there are currently 18 players competing in Phenom’s Joe Miller Invitational who are nationally ranked in the Top 150. That is an astounding amount of talent under one roof. It will make for an incredible 4 days of basketball!!