Phenom Hoops is getting ready for the upcoming college basketball season, and we can’t wait to see all the talent on display once again. We can’t wait any longer, as we start previewing teams all around the country. Check out each preview below.
Charlotte 49ers
2022-2023 Record: 22-14
Conference Record: 9-11
Points Per Game: 66.9
Rebounds Per Game: 29.6
Assists Per Game: 13.1
Points Allowed: 62.6
We continue our previews around the country, especially here in North Carolina with the Charlotte 49ers. There have been some changes around the team and program over the last year, including with the coaching staff. They also will be entering the American Conference as well, so there is a lot of excitement with this program overall.
When you start with the 49ers, they lost their top two scorers from last year in Brice Williams and Aly Khalifa. But there are still players that will look to carry the load for this team, along with experience. Lu’Cye Patterson is the leading returner from last season, as he averaged 10.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He started 25 games last year and was third on the team in total minutes. Patterson will be a very key piece next year, but the 49ers are hoping that 6’6 Jackson Threadgill and 6’4 Isaiah Folkes can step up even more from last year. Threadgill has plenty of experience on the table after playing 36 games last year and averaging 6.6ppg. Folkes also has plenty of experience with over 50+ games under his belt, but it would be a big help for Folkes to take that next step in his game.
What could be key for the 49ers though at the guard position is what 6’2 Sterling Young can provide after averaging 16ppg at Pratt CC, as well as the development of Nik Graves and Daylen Berry, two in-state products that both played over 20 games last season.
When you talk about size and at the forward position, Igor Milicic Jr. will be a clear go-to prospect. He returns once again after averaging 7.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game for the 49ers. But Charlotte hopes to have Robert Braswell back on the court after only getting a chance to play 10 games last year, and they also added Rutgers transfer Dean Reiber, a 6’10 prospect from Greensboro (NC). Those two alone should help and provide key minutes along with size down low. Charlotte was also able to secure and keep 6’10 Dishon Jackson, a transfer from Washington State.
New names that you may want to keep an eye on is redshirt freshman Rich Rolf, who is a 6’7 wing prospect that can really help knock down shots with range along with his size. He showed that consistently at Centerville HS where he averaged 17.5ppg and shot nearly 50 percent from behind the arc. And Nick Richart is a 6’10 freshman that could help as well.