The Upward Stars Combine was a sensational event, and we at Phenom Hoops want to certainly thank all the staff there for allowing us to come check out the talent. Many players from North and South Carolina were on deck, as we got a great refreshing view of players as well as learned about a few new names as well.
Here are some names that are new on our radar that you could be hearing a lot more about.
2027 Bryce Ward (Cathedral Academy): Ward was a player that I didn’t know anything about, but after watching him multiple times, he is a young guard that quickly grabbed my attention. He is a 5’10 guard who is extremely quick, scrappy defensively, creates with quick handles, is bouncy, and has a little flash in his game. Really liked his overall impact on the court on both ends, and is one that I’m eager to watch develop more.
2028 RJ Davis (Clear Dot Charter): A young rising prospect to really look out for is 6’5 RJ Davis, as he clearly looks the part as a prospect that you could be hearing a lot more about. He is a long, bouncy wing who showed flashes of his ability to operate along the perimeter, make plays off the bounce, finish at the rim in transition, and has really good positional size already.
2028 CJ Moore (Kelly Mill Middle): Another eighth grader that really impressed was CJ Moore, who is a 6’4 long prospect from Kelly Mill MS. Moore plays with a strong feel for the game at his age, and quickly grabs your attention with his lengthy frame and what he could ultimately be. Moore though was able to excel out in the open floor, made good reads and passes, and brings a lot of versatility to the court. Really liked his motor and overall play on the court, as he has a chance to be special in the next wave of talent.
2027 Kaleb Broadwater (Foxcreek): Broadwater was one that looks the part when you first watch him, as he has a 6’3 frame, can be valuable in several positions on the court, and is one that has potential in his game. He wasn’t flashy but was really productive, bringing valuable minutes in several positions, guarding inside and out, being active on the glass, battling inside as well as making plays off the dribble. He was a player that played with a high IQ as a young prospect.
2027 Ryan Stack (Easley): Stack is a 6’4 prospect who had a strong showing all throughout the combine. He was consistent, a good finisher at the rim, has good early size, and brought production to the table. Really liked his ability to run the floor and get out in transition, get downhill and finish at the rim with touch, and shows the ability to impact the game in a variety of ways at several positions. Again, still young and developing, Stack will be a player to really monitor how he fully develops along with where he starts flourishing more positionally.