This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina to kick-off the loaded month of July. The two-day event featured various teams preparing for the upcoming LIVE periods, which naturally made for some exciting competition and noteworthy standouts. Let's take a closer look at some personal favorites…
6'5 '22 Brayden Baker (Atlanta Timberwolves)
The Atlanta Timberwolves should've easily been a fan-favorite given their unselfish, methodical approach. Although other guys on this balanced roster might receive more attention from the masses, Brayden Baker continually seemed to stand out with his well-rounded skillset and mentality. He regularly operated as a glue-guy for this group, defending multiple positions, making his presence felt on the glass, and consistently filling in the gaps offensively. Baker moves very well without the ball to put himself in scoring positions, where he's proven to be an efficient option from all levels. He's a capable creator with the necessary vision and ball-handling to generate looks for himself or others. Above all else, Baker's extremely fundamentally sound identity is what allows him to be so naturally productive, regardless of opponent. He should be an asset wherever he ultimately decides to further his playing career.
6'7 '22 Jeremy Gregory (Team Charlotte)
Some players simply know how to produce, and it would be legitimately impossible to ignore Jeremy Gregory's sheer consistency throughout the weekend. The two things that really seem to contribute to his on-court success are the way he embraces his identity paired with Team Charlotte's willingness to supply him with touches. Gregory utilizes his body exceptionally well to seal off defenders, set up deep in the paint, and finish around the basket. He possesses great hands, footwork, and strength, which allows him to dominate various types of interior opponents. As effectively as he scored the ball, Gregory's rebounding was arguably even more impressive'specifically on the offensive end. He consistently secured second and third-chance opportunities, and frequently capitalized with points. Gregory runs the floor well in transition, produces within the flow of the action, and never wavers from his straightforward approach. It's easy to see why programs continue getting involved.
5'10 '22 Elijah White (Team Push)
Anyone who has followed Phenom Hoops over the last few years should already know about Elijah White and what he brings from the point guard position. He's always been slightly undersized and smaller than his competitors, but it's never really seemed to matter. White's IQ and playmaking ability allows him to rip apart opposing defenses with consistency. He's heady and unselfish, but also possesses the ability to score in a variety of different ways'which makes him even more difficult for opponents to contain. White makes decisive moves with the ball to deliberately set up his teammates, and probably generated more points for his team than anyone else in attendance. He sees angles and makes passes that other players simply cannot. Additionally, White shot the ball well from distance, got downhill at a quality rate, and made multiple defensive plays at the point of attack. Scholarship-level programs should continue getting involved.
5'10 '23 Trey Green (Team Charlotte)
Of everyone listed, Trey Green definitely has the most attention from national outlets'and rightfully so. Not only has he consistently played on a big stage, but he's performed extremely well and regularly stood out as the most reliable option for Lake Norman Christian. However, Green appears much more relaxed and comfortable with this Team Charlotte squad. While his shooting and overall scoring was evident throughout the high school season, it seems as if folks have forgotten his capabilities as a point guard. That being said, Green runs the show in a seamless, intelligent manner for this squad. He's terrific at pushing the break in the open floor and making unselfish decisions with the ball in his hands, but also finds success in the half-court. Green is crafty enough to generate clean looks for himself and others with relative ease. Even when focused on setting up others, he applies strong scoring pressure from the perimeter. Green makes his presence felt defensively and is capable of playing alongside another ball-handler as needed.
6'1 '25 Jacari Brim (Team CP3)
Though quite young, there's already a lot worth getting excited about regarding Jacari Brim and his potential development as a prospect. Given Team CP3's short-handed roster over the weekend, it allowed Brim to expand his production and showcase his full arsenal. He possesses nice physical tools in terms of length and overall athleticism, and already highlights the necessary skillset to dominate various types of opponents. Brim can operate without the ball or create for himself and others, simply based on team need. He's a reliable shooting threat with useful penetration ability and cutting instincts as an off-ball threat. Brim forces turnovers with regularity and knows how to apply pressure in transition. He already understands how to properly fulfill a role within a potent offensive attack, and should only get better over time. Folks should expect Brim to be among the more impactful freshman in North Carolina upon starting his high school career for Atkins.
