This past weekend, Phenom Hoops got back into the swing of things with our Winter Nationals (and Prep Showcase) being held at Rise Indoor Sports. The field was littered with a ton of young, talented, up-and-coming prospects across all age groups. Add in the overall competition level and it made for a highly entertaining weekend of basketball. There were a ton of notable players on display, and this article will take a closer look at a handful of personal favorites from the event…
6'4 '27 King Gibson (Team United)
It's incredibly uncommon to see a middle-school prospect who could legitimately be a star in high school right now, but King Gibson is clearly a rare breed. The long, skilled, athletic 6-foot-4 wing already possesses all the necessary physical tools and foundational skills to effortlessly dominate a game. Gibson displays a high IQ, crafty handle, and the ability to reliably create clean looks for himself and others. He's an excellent penetrator that can get downhill with ease, make advanced moves in traffic, and finish or make the proper read as a playmaker. Gibson already highlights an amazing array of combos and counters, but also does a great job of doing the basics at a high level. He has a sharp first step, excellent open-floor speed, and consistently plays well above the rim. Gibson scores the ball at a healthy, efficient rate from all three levels and is equally comfortable at spotting up or converting shots off the bounce. His versatility is also evident defensively, where he's able to shut down opponents and force turnovers at a constant rate. Furthermore, he's a phenomenal leader who sets the tone on both ends of the floor with his blend of feel, motor, and intensity. Players of his caliber tend to have a sense of complacency (especially at this age), but Gibson just doesn't, which is part of what makes him such a special talent. Although it's early, he truly possesses all the makings of an elite, national-level prospect.
6'7 '27 Taj Saragba (Team CP3)
After previously watching his reign of dominance as a seventh-grader, very little has changed in regard to Taj Saragba and his on-court ability. He's grown, both in terms of height and strength, while still maintaining his polished, physically overwhelming identity. Saragba is a powerful athlete with the ability to finish with either hand or simply bulldoze weaker opponents into the basket. He carves out space well, both as a rebounder and when securing post position, and controls the glass effectively on either side of the ball. Saragba mainly operates within five feet but can step out and knock down jumpers from midrange when necessary. He's also able to attack opposing bigs within a few dribbles from the wing or elbow. Saragba finishes through contact, passes well out of the post, and runs the floor properly in transition. He's an active defender who understands how to utilize his body and alter shots around the basket. Saragba is already a force, but should only continue to progress over the foreseeable future. That being said, Division I programs would be wise to start monitoring immediately.
6'6 '28 Chase Smith (Team United)
There are a lot of factors in attempting to determine how these young prospects will develop, but it's already clear that Chase Smith is going to be a noteworthy player. Despite being a seventh-grader, Smith already possesses an exceptional combination of IQ, size, and polish. He sees the game differently than most kids at this age (especially big men), and that's apparent through his vision, advanced post arsenal, and ability to make the right play with unwavering consistency. Smith is strong, mobile, and very coordinated, which immediately vaults him above the vast majority of others at this stage. However, he also provides a unique sense of security and reliability on the court. Smith is a seemingly guaranteed finisher with either hand around the basket, spaces the floor at a nice percentage, and never looks to play outside of the team structure. He has soft hands and a great nose for the ball, allowing him to make a constant impact as a rebounder. He positions himself well defensively to alter/block shots around the basket. Though it might sound like lofty praise, Smith is as promising as any seventh-grader in recent memory and will eventually become a known name throughout the country.
6'4 '28 Donovan Bolton (Team Charlotte)
The Team Charlotte organization always seems to have a slew of notable young prospects, and it feels like Donovan Bolton could be next in line. He's a long, fluid forward with great size, athleticism, and a blossoming skillset. Bolton scores the ball well around the basket, moves well for his size, and doesn't necessarily require a ton of touches to be impactful. He's a quality rebounder who utilizes his body and high motor to outwork opponents for extra possessions. Bolton moves well without the ball, makes his presence felt defensively, and operates well within the flow of the action. Add in his feel and toughness, and it's easy to see the appeal of Bolton. He's definitely a prospect worth monitoring over the coming years.
5'9 '30 Cameron Dial (Team Rockout)
Despite being the youngest player listed, Cameron Dial definitely earned his spot in this grouping. He's obviously very young, but already has a highly advanced feel and skillset. Dial is a knockdown shooter with great creation skills and spot-up ability. He displayed the ability to score the ball from all levels, heat up quickly, and reliably make plays off the bounce for himself and others. Dial also possesses nice size and length at this stage in his development. He positions himself well defensively, forces turnovers, and pushes the break in transition whenever possible. Dial has ample time to harness his long-term abilities, but it's already quite easy to see the talent and foundational appeal.
