Last year, the Phenom Hoop Report hosted its first ever High School Jamboree. At the time, head coach Tony Bennett was in attendance and watched the competitive match up between Sacha Killeya-Jones and a virtual unknown 6’10 Jay Huff of Voyager. To make a long story short; it wasn’t long before Jay Huff received an offer from Virginia and shortly accepted. The platform was established and the rest is history.
The second annual Phenom Jamboree took place Saturday, November 7th at Proehlific Park in Greensboro, NC. 32 of the top private/public school teams participated in the three game scrimmage. Each game was an 18-minute half with a running clock. The clock only stopped within the final two minutes provided the score was within five points.
The games started promptly at 8am and the teams showed tremendous intensity and excitement as a new basketball season took place. More importantly, the players and coaches didn’t treat these games as “scrimmage games.” They completed and played with passion while the games had the atmosphere of state playoff action. It was intense throughout the day.
Now let’s take a look at some of the event’s storylines
The NC 2019 Class (A Special Class)
The talent level in the North Carolina 2019 class will go down as one of the best and deepest classes to come along. Wendell Moore, BJ Mack, Marcus Watson, Kobe and Keyshawn Langley will all be in the conversation as top 100 players nationally as well as the top players in the state.
6’6 Wendell Moore (Cox Mill)
Without question, Moore is simply advanced beyond his years. He has an advanced skill set and is blessed with excellent athleticism. Coming into high school, he sports a perfect 4.0 GPA and his work ethic on and off the court is remarkable. At 6’6, Moore is a tremendous playmaker and carries a team first approach into every game. If there is one flaw in his game, it may be he is too unselfish! We absolutely love the poise and mature approach that Moore exhibits in all aspects of his game.
6’8 BJ Mack (Charlotte Catholic)
Mack sports excellent size and passing friendly hands in the post. There may not be a better passing “big” in the country for his class. His court vision and ability to pass out of the post is terrific. Like Moore, he is a team first player and is very unselfish. Sporting outstanding footwork in the post, Mack is crafty and offensively skilled. He has a soft shooting touch and can score in multiple ways in the post as well as step out and hit the face up jumper.
6’6 Marcus Watson (West Forsyth)
Of the top freshmen in the state, Watson probably has gotten the least amount of ink and publicity. That will quickly change! He sports a mature frame and possesses phenomenal length and muscular strength. He has an ever-improving skill set and impressed us with is court vision. Watson is best attacking the rim and already harbors a fluid and smooth game.
6’1 Kobe and Keyshawn Langley (SW Guilford)
The twins are double trouble. They are quick and electric on the court and simply know how to play. They play off of each other and will be fun to watch over the course of the next four years. They combine athleticism and an advanced skill set for their age/grade.
6’7 ‘Nick Evtimov (FCDS)
Evtimov is a strong wide body young freshman. He has excellent basketball IQ and plays the game the correct way. Like BJ Mack, he has passer friendly hands and is a willing passer out of the post. He’s patience on offense and displays good footwork in the paint.
Biggest Stock Riser of the Day
6’6 Jaylen McManus
No one player created more buzz throughout the day than 6’6 senior Jaylen McManus of North Mecklenburg HS. McManus has over 20+ mid major offers and look for that list to grow and don’t be surprised to see some high majors knock on his door. McManus averaged 25 PPG and 8 RPG and was able to score from all levels on the court. He can post up or step out on the perimeter. McManus has a high motor and can be a microwave type performance once he gets going. With his ability to consistency knock down 3-pointers; look for his stock to rise dramatically over the course of the season.
Coming On Strong
6’8 ’18 Jarius Hamilton
Outside of Rawle Atkins, who is a consensus top 10 prospect nationally in the 2016 class, 6’8 Jarius Hamilton is as chiseled and well-defined muscular specimen you will find in the state regardless of class. Hamilton plays the “point forward” position and according to farther, Hamilton has always been a PG that has recently enjoyed a major growth spurt in the past few years. Possessing a college ready frame, Hamilton can facilitate from the “point forward” position. He has extraordinary ball handling and passing skills. In addition, he can step out and know down the perimeter jumper, although he could improve a few shooting “hitches” that will only enhance his future stock. Like Wendell Moore, he has a tendency to be too unselfish at times and will pass up a driving layup for the kick out to open teammates. Look for Hamilton to shoot up the ranking statewide/nationally and could legitimately challenge
Rechon Black for that top spot in the 2018. He’s not there yet, but his upside and long-range potential is scary good.
The Rise Continues
6’6 ’18 JP Moorman
No one player improved more in the past year than 6’6 Junior JP Moorman of Greensboro Day. He lost weight, toned down his body, which has allowed him to take his athleticism to a new level. He put in extra amounts of hard work and is now starting to benefit from the fruits of his labor. Moorman can play multiple positions and once he gets going “down hill,” he is tough to stop. He has good ball handling passing skills for his size/position. More importantly, he can score from all levels on the court.
Tough As Nails
6’0 ’18 Jordan Whitfield
Jordan Whitfield may not be the flashiest PG in his class, but when the game is on the line, he takes a “no surrender” approach that is fun to watch. In the matchup between Millbrook and Word of God, Whitfield took a deep cut/gnash to his chin that needed medical assistance from the trainer on staff. Shortly after bandaging it up, Whitfield retook the court and helped Millbrook to secure the upset win over a very talented Word of God team. Granted, it was just a scrimmage! However, Whitfield didn’t get the memo and played like it was the 7th game of the NBA championship. Whitfield didn’t put up astronomical numbers that made anyone say “wow.” However, Whitfield took charge and produced the most important stat for a PG and that is the “W.” Sometimes, it’s the little things that don’t show up in the scorebook that is most important.