This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Sports Indoor Facility for our annual Stay Positive Classic. The two-day event featured a variety of entertaining teams and players, and allowed for numerous takeaways. Rosters are starting to get more solidified, players are finding their individual comfort zone, and teams appear to be (generally) improving each week. The month of May should be interesting, especially as we creep up on the NCHSAA/NCISAA June Live Period. Regardless, plenty of prospects made a lasting impression—so let’s look at some personal favorites…
6’3 ’25 Bryce Baker (Team Bond)
Given Team Bond’s collection of talent over the last few years, no one should be surprised to see Bryce Baker emerging as another noteworthy name within the program. Whenever this group needed someone to step up, Baker was the guy. He’s a smart, all-around guard who highlighted leadership and a complete skillset throughout the weekend. Baker reliably controlled the offensive action as the primary creator, offering a healthy mix of creating for others and applying scoring pressure from all levels. He’s a quality athlete with IQ, toughness, and a great frame. Baker creates well, operates effectively without the ball, and looks to access the best available shot at every opportunity. He’s also a strong finisher, smooth perimeter shooter, and polished decision-maker who comfortably dictates the action with the ball in his hands. Despite carrying an immense offensive load, Baker still made his presence felt as a defender and rebounder. Defensively, he does a nice job of erasing space, containing his assignment, and forcing turnovers. Given his status as a two-sport athlete, folks should definitely expect Baker to continue turning heads on the hardwood.
6’9 ’23 Max Frazier (Durham Hurricanes)
The Durham Hurricanes have churned out a ton of talent throughout the years, and Max Frazier could be next in line to blow up and see drastic movement within his recruitment. At a wiry 6-foot-9, the appeal is pretty clear upon first glance. Frazier possesses incredible length and the long, rangy frame to pair with it. While there are plenty of guys who are tall, few can match his level of fluidity. Frazier moves extremely well for his size, which allows him to secure rebounds, protect the rim, and just be an absolute problem defensively. He’s a quality all-around athlete who can play above the rim, defend in space, and beat smaller opponents down the floor in transition. Frazier finishes with touch, power, and understands how to create opportunities from the low block as needed. While more than capable of expanding his production, his main value lies within finishing, rebounding, and blocking shots. He has special upside upon continuing to develop his body, yet has come quite far in terms of physique over the last few years. Various types of scholarship-level programs should be monitoring, as Frazier should definitely warrant attention from Division I schools sooner than later.
6’6 ’24 Cooper Jackson (Team Bond)
There was no shortage of excitement during Team Bond’s journey to the championship, which featured an incredibly productive weekend from Cooper Jackson. As their primary interior piece, he was a double-double machine in basically every showing. Jackson is a strong, athletic post prospect with a sturdy frame and the ability to play through contact on both ends of the floor. He displayed solid touch around the basket, but also genuinely looked to dunk everything. Jackson’s high motor paired with his tough, blue-collar approach made him undeniably valuable to the success of this group. He plays so hard and is clearly willing to make hustle plays whenever possible. Jackson is a great two-way rebounder who utilizes positioning, his body, and nose for the ball to consistently outwork opponents. He understands and embraces his identity as well as anyone in the gym, and doesn’t need a ton of touches to make an impact. Jackson maximizes his role, consistently produces, and will be a prospect for various schools to monitor going forward.
5’10 ’23 Micah Jones (Strong Center)
While we could spend a lot of time gushing about all the enticing pieces from this roster, we’ll try to keep it brief by looking at their floor general, Micah Jones. He’s a smart, quick, heady point guard prospect who excels at properly running a team on both ends of the floor. Jones is a true point guard who primarily looks to touch the paint, force the defense to collapse, and make the subsequent pass to an open teammate. He’s a capable scorer, but doesn’t need to hunt for shots to make his presence felt. Jones attacks the basket and finishes with ease, but also knocks down perimeter jumpers at a quality clip. His poise and patience definitely separate him from other lead guards, as he will comfortably pull the ball out and reset (as opposed to forcing an errant shot or decision). Furthermore, Jones is a pest defensively. He provides the necessary blend of quickness, physicality, and anticipation to overwhelm opposing ball-handlers. Jones probably doesn’t receive as much attention as he should, but various types of college coaches should definitely be looking to lay groundwork with the two-way guard.
6’5 ’26 Cole Cloer (Team CP3)
The weekend featured a healthy variety of intriguing prospects, but Cole Cloer might truly end up as one of the top players from the event. As a 6-foot-5 wing/forward with size, skill, athleticism, and no glaring weaknesses, folks should be very enticed. Cloer legitimately showcased a complete game. He’s a smart passer and well-rounded scorer who can create for himself or others with relative ease. Cloer made brilliant passes, looked to dunk on anyone in his path, and scored the ball at an efficient rate from all three levels. He’s able to attack off the bounce very well, and knows how to make proper reads with the ball in his hands. Cloer also altered shots, rebounded the ball, and looked to push transition play whenever possible. He showcased an advanced game from start to finish. The entire team really shined, but it’s easy to see a path where Cloer becomes a high-level prospect over the coming years.