The month of July is finally concluding, which should provide these young players with an opportunity to take a well-deserved break from days of nonstop basketball. Given the significance of the actual month, we decided to take a closer look at some of the breakout performers from the last few weeks. Obviously, we can only speak on what we have seen, so the names listed will be based on their performances at Phenom Hoops’ events. Let’s take a look…
6’4 Anthony Breland (Team Eat)
Seeing Breland’s name first on this list shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who has been at Phenom Hoops throughout July. The crafty guard has always been extremely talented, but it seems like everything is starting to pay off. Breland is a potent three-level scorer with the blend of IQ, creativity, and creation skills to get whatever he wants offensively. Whether pull-ups, three-pointers, or smooth finishes around the basket, he knows how to overwhelm opponents with a healthy variety of nonstop pressure. Breland possesses great vision and can reliably create for others. He also displays defensive instincts and an understanding of how to produce alongside another primary ball-handler. His recruitment should continue to expand.
5’11 Micah Jones (Strong Center)
College coaches were legitimately lined up for every single Strong Center showing, and Jones clearly harnessed the opportunity. He earned his first (Mount Olive) and second (Navy) offer during July, and should only continue to be pursued throughout the high school season. Jones is slightly undersized, but offers the necessary blend of IQ, poise, and quickness to set the tone on both ends of the floor. Jones is a reliable playmaker with sharp vision, an unselfish nature, and a clear willingness to make the right play with the ball in his hands. His blindingly quick first step allows him to touch the paint seemingly whenever he wants, where he’s able to make quality passes or highlight his great body control as a finisher. Various types of scholarship-level schools should be involved.
6’8 Patrick Tivnan (Team Hope)
There were a lot of big men who separated themselves from the pack during July, and Tivnan generated as much buzz as any interior prospect. He stood out as the clear leader and focal point of Team Hope, controlling the glass, protecting the paint, and conducting himself as a primary option offensively. Tivnan is a polished inside-out scorer who can consistently dictate the offense from the block, work the two-man game, and force opposing big men to stay attached along the perimeter. His overall skillset and abilities have been appreciated for quite a while, yet his motor and toughness are what seemed to entice coaches over the recent weeks. Tivnan earned two offers in June and another in July, so it’ll be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds going forward.
6’2 Kobe Parker (NLPB 336)
Arguably no player on this list has actually progressed their game as much as Parker, who looked poised for a huge senior season at Ragsdale. Though he’s maintained his foundation as a knockdown shooter, Parker has become far more than just a lethal spot-up threat. For starters, he’s actually become more accurate from beyond the arc. Over the last few months, Parker has been shooting an exponentially higher percentage from the perimeter. However, he’s also shown clear improvements as a defender, ball-handler, shot creator, and overall playmaker. Parker can now comfortably burden an offensive load for extended stretches while actively toggling between playing with or without the ball in his hands. Parker earned his second next-level opportunity (Lynchburg) during July, and should only continue to collect offers over the coming months.
6’5 Walker Woodall (Wildcats Elite)
After undergoing as much roster turnover as any program in the state, Wildcats Elite still stand strong behind their main guy in Woodall. He’s a big, strong-bodied wing who initially built a reputation for his perimeter shooting but has since expanded his game. Woodall has shown the ability to conduct the offensive action with the ball in his hands, displaying patience as an initiator while constantly finding ways to apply scoring pressure. He’s able to create his own shot and assert himself from all levels, but is still at his best when picking his spots as an off-ball threat. Woodall is a useful defender and rebounder who utilizes his body decently well on both ends of the floor. Expect schools to continue getting involved during his upcoming season at Jordan High School.