This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise Indoor Sports for our annual March Madness. The event featured a lot of notable teams, prospects, and overall storylines worth following. Although there was consistent excitement among the older age groups, the young prospects warranted attention as well. One of the most intriguing teams, Middleton Elite, is a newly formed organization that is trending as one of the premier up-and-coming programs in South Carolina Various guys turned heads, but their duo of 2028 Jamel McKinley and 2029 Jeremiah Triplin were clearly two of the top prospects in the building. Let’s take a closer look at each …
Starting with McKinley, who is a wiry 6-foot-6 forward with impressive length and mobility at this stage in his development. He already displays terrific instincts as a two-way rebounder and timing when protecting the rim. McKinley finishes with solid touch, but can also knock down the occasional jumper. Right now, he’s a tall interior presence with excellent defensive tools and a developing offensive skillset. McKinley is able to impact the game on both ends of the floor, but is truly just scratching the surface of his long-term ability. As he continues to physically grow, add strength, and progress his overall game, McKinley could become a special player.
In a similar vein, Triplin possesses obvious intrigue from the moment you see him enter the building. One of only two seventh-graders on the roster, his physical appeal is clear—especially in comparison to his peers. At 6-foot-7, Triplin is already a massive kid with a sturdy frame and extremely long arms. Given his size (and age), he does move well. Triplin is able to involve himself as a rebounder and shot-blocker with some flashes of offensive ability. While so much of his appeal lies directly through his incredibly high potential, it’s worth noting the rarity of middle-school prospects with his physique and array of tools. Like his teammate above, only time will tell, but Triplin certainly has unique upside.
