Phenom Hoops was able to visit four events between Christmas and New Years. In all, we saw 60 teams from 15 different states and DC. In this article we are going to go through unsigned seniors we saw, that college coaches need to start paying attention to.
Note that during the week, some of these players did pick up offers, however, more should be on the way as these guys are ready, in their own way, for the college game.
6'1' Justice Jackson of South Florence (Florence, SC)
Offers: Coker, Johnson C Smith, Limestone
Jackson is a bucket getting wing. He has a smooth shot and the ability to get open in the mid-range. Jackson has a great frame, with good length and showcased the ability to act as a secondary ball-handler. He showcased an innate feel for the game. Jackson averaged 19.3 points per game during the event as his team won 3rd place at the Pepsi Classic.
6'6' Justin Amadi of Dorman HS (Spartanburg, SC)
Offers: Gardner Webb, Presbyterian, USC-Upstate, North Texas, Charleston Southern
Amadi is a highly explosive player, able of scoring, rebounding, and defending multiple positions. Amadi averaged 17.5 points on 70% shooting from the field. That went along with 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 steals and blocks per game as his Dorman team won the Beach Ball Classic championship. His all-out hustle plays immediately, so does his ability to defend. Names such as Ed Polite and Jarrell Brantley have been thrown around as comps.
6'5' Brandon Murray of Baltimore Poly (Baltimore, MD)
Offers: North Texas
Murray is a bucket getting wing. He scored the ball at every level, on everyone in front of him. Over the last year, Murray dropped 25 pounds, he showcased lift at the rim (dunk on multiple guys in the event), deep range of the catch and the ability to create for himself off the bounce. For the week, Murray averaged 21.5 Points on 60.1% from the field, 57% from 3 with 4.8 Boards and 2.8 Assists per game.
6'8' Sangolay NIje of Whitney Young (Chicago, IL)
Offers: NA
Nije has a long frame, runs like a wing and is very explosive at the rim. He was active as a rebounder and very good in the passing lanes, quick feet. He played as an integral part of this Whitney Young team, he was also able to knock down some 18-foot jump shots with consistency. Not sure why he doesn't have offers, but he should, eager to see what happens here moving forward, no matter the path, he should end up at a high level. Throughout the event, Nije averaged 9.5 points, and shot 67% from the field. He also averaged 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals.
6'1' Semage Teel of Farmville Central (Farmville, NC)
Offers: Lander
In the public's eyes, Teel has played 3rd fiddle for the past year, to the Justin Wright and Terquavion Smith duo. However, during the John Wall Holiday Invitational, it was Samage Teel who led the way for the team who has won 43 of their last 45 games. Teel has a great feel for the game, he is a tough on the ball defender and he can score the ball or act as a secondary handler. The combo guard is a winner and has proven so for a while. For the entire John Wall he averaged 18 points. 4.3 boards, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game.
6'2' Brian Sparks of South Florence (Florence, SC)
Offers: Johnson C Smith
Sparks is an explosive wing guard who is able to score the ball from range, or finish high above the rim. He has quick-twitch anticipation on the defensive end, and on offense, he is a true shooting guard, able to create offense for himself or score off the catch. Good frame, with length and explosion, there is a lot here. For the Pepsi Classic, Sparks averaged 11.8 points per game.
6' Isaac Parson of Kinston (Kinston, NC)
Offers: Winston Salem St, Mt Olive
Parson is a true, consummate point guard. He has excellent vision, able to create and navigate angles off the bounce. He is also a good shooter, with a consistent 3-point range and the ability to touch the paint. What there is to like the most about him is his ability to lead. Naturally, everyone looks up to him. During the John Wall Holiday Invitational Parson averaged 10 Points. 4 Boards, 4 Assists and 2.7 Steals.
6'5' Jalen McCoy of Millbrook (Raleigh, NC)
Offers: NA
McCoy, a lefty, is the ultimate producer. He is able to defend multiple positions and he is able to score from multiple spots on the floor. The Millbrook team does a great job of getting McCoy into dangerous spots, on both ends, and he has done nothing but capitalize on that. McCoy did nothing but make winning plays. For the event, McCoy averaged 12.7 Points, 7.7 Boards, 2 Assists and 1.7 Steals per game.
6'7' Brandon Johnson of Rolesville (Rolesville, NC)
Offers: NA
Johnson is a big, who does big guy things. He has a great frame to go with soft hands and a great touch. He is one of the best outlet passers we have seen this season and a very good area rebounder. There is some bounce in there and even some ability to stretch out to 18 feet. Johnson is a former football guy and has only been playing basketball for two years now. For the entirety of the South Granville Holiday Tournament Johnson averaged 17.7 Points, 13.3 Boards and 3.7 Assists per game.
