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Georgetown Lands a Force: 2026 Justin Caldwell is Headed to the Hoyas
Player: Justin CaldwellClass: 2026Height: 6’9School: Fayetteville AcademyCommitted to: Georgetown Caldwell is the first commitment for Georgetown in the Class of 2026 Thoughts on Commitment: Georgetown was able to come into North Carolina and secure yet another commitment from the state, as 2026 6’9 Justin Caldwell announced he would be heading there. Caldwell has undoubtedly been a producer...
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Big Names Headline Loaded Seros Field
6’5 ’27 King Gibson 6’4 ’27 LJ Smith 6’10 ’26 Cody Peck 6’4 ’26 Elijah Thomas 6’0 ’27 King Kendrick 6’3 ’26 Jyi Dawkins 6’9 ’27 Charles Pur 6’7 ’26 Elton James 6’7 ’26 Janon Singh 6’5 ’26 Jayden Gray 2029 MJ McKinney 2029 Quantay James Dionte Neal PG 5’9 Kobe Edwards CG 6’2 Josiah Freeman SG 6’5 Bradley Floyd CG 6’5 Brelyn Moses SF 6’5 Ricky Moore Jr CG 6’6 Chase Smith PF 6’8 Tre Raymon PF 6’8...
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Friday Five: Most Intriguing Things Entering the NBA Season
Now that we’ve reached August, high school basketball will slow down for a brief period before the start of next season. During this time featuring fewer events, we will start looking at other topics worth discussing (typically in the basketball space) during this “Friday Five” series. Whether it’s players capturing headlines, stories in the media, or something completely unrelated, we will...
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Is 2026 6’11 Josh Irving becoming one of the hottest targets for HM programs?
Back in March of 2024, Phenom Hoops was on deck for the Pangos Best of SoCal League, as we had a chance to watch some of the top prospects around. One of the best players we saw there was 2026 6’11 Josh Irving, displaying versatility, impact in so many areas, and true potential. At the event, we had this to say: “2026 6’10 Josh Irving impressed and showed flashes of his potential. Though he...
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Back for More? Shelby Aiming to Repeat the Magic
We say it is NEVER too early to be looking at teams before the season, as we continue to talk about some of the top storylines heading into the season around North Carolina. One storyline that I will have my eyes on will be the Golden Lions out of Shelby, and if they can continue to build upon the success they were able to create last year. Rewinding to last season, Shelby had an...
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Phoenix Montessori Academy Launches Elite Basketball Program in Partnership with C.P.I.
[Charlotte, NC] – Phoenix Montessori Academy (PMA) is thrilled to announce an exciting expansion of its Firebirds Sports Academy through a dynamic new partnership with C.P.I. Charlotte Performance Institute. This merger marks a significant milestone in both organizations’ commitment to holistic youth development, as C.P.I. becomes the official varsity basketball program of Phoenix Montessori...
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Name to Know: 6’5 2027 Ja’Nolan Mathis
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final event of July with our PHL Finals. The two-day event featured an impressive mix of Division I, II, and III (in addition to JUCO and NAIA) prospects. Although coaches finished up most of their recruiting trips over the last few weekends, there was still a slew of intriguing pieces throughout the tournament. Among those pieces is Ja’Nolan Mathis...
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Is Myers Park Back on the Rise?
The high school basketball landscape is constantly changing. Although coaches getting hired and players moving to different programs are nothing new, it’s arguably more common than ever before. Given the recent classification realignment for public-school basketball, there will be double the number of state champs and “contending” programs by default. There are plenty of enticing situations to...
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NCHSAA Realignment Information – Who is Where?
With the high school season starting up for football and basketball not far behind, there have been a lot of questions surrounding the realignment for the upcoming season in the NCHSAA. The landscape of high school sports will certainly look different as we go from 4 divisions to 8 divisions. And there have been plenty of questions on who will be where, so let us provide the link and latest...
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Inside the Rise: RJ Moore Talks Scoring, Recruiting, and the Next Step
2027 6’5 RJ Moore has been a hot topic the last few months, starting with a memorable state championship run to showcasing his talent on the big stage with Garner Road this summer. Moore has been rising up the ranks and should only continue to see an uptick, as he now makes the move to Ambassador Christian. Moore has proven to be an elite talent here in North Carolina, especially with his...
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The Dark Horse Rising: Keep an Eye on Kings Mountain
As we continue to look at programs around the state of North Carolina, our eyes shift to Kings Mountain this upcoming season. After finishing 13-13 overall, could the Mountaineers be a sneaky team to watch this upcoming season? Possibly, especially with the talent they bring back this season and another season under their belt. Now, they will be losing two key seniors in Keedonn Linney and Jmyun...
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What Does the Future Hold for Desmon Rose?
Earlier this travel ball season, we had the opportunity to see Desmon Rose for the first time. The versatile, 6-foot-6 wing from John Marshall showcased the full arsenal across numerous games. Given his obvious level of ability, it was perplexing to consider why he wasn’t committed or being pursued by various types of Division I programs. He later informed us that he had recently decommitted and...
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Is Jayon Connor Due for a Breakout Season?
The culture is about to drastically change at Alexander Central. These last two seasons have been somewhat of an uphill battle after highly successful, long-tenured coach Ed Wills stepped away. However, the hiring of Grant Hodges should bring a lot of optimism for the immediate future of the Cougars’ program. What does this have to do with Connor? For a guy who has rapidly improved and...
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Trio of Young Prospects from PHL Finals
6’7 ’28 Zyion Jones (Upward Stars Columbia) It’s easy to see the appeal with Jones, both as a current player and long-term prospect. He’s a fluid athlete with length, mobility, and natural instincts on both ends of the floor. Jones is capable of impacting the game through his motor and athleticism, but has also made considerable strides within his development. He consistently rebounds and alters...
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Underrated Athletes PHL Finals Standouts (Part 2)
The Phenom Hoops League Finals wrapped up with a display of extraordinary talent, here are some standouts. 2026 Grant Butler Height: 6’2 Team: Team Loaded 804 Grant Butler showcases exceptional sharpshooting abilities and defensive prowess. His consistent performance was pivotal for his team during the finals. Butler demonstrates a good release and touch from deep, making timely reads and...
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Florida State Scores Big: 2026 Center Marcis Ponder Joins the Seminole Ranks
Player: Marcis PonderClass: 2026Height: 7’0School: Gillion AcademyCommitted to: Florida State Ponder joins Jasen Lopez as the two commitments so far for Florida State in the Class of 2026 National Rankings ESPN: #72 Nationally On3: #69 Nationally 247 Sports: #71 Nationally Thoughts on Commitment: When you simply look at 2026 7’0 Marcis Ponder, you know what you are going to get from him. Easily...
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Player Standouts at PHL Finals (Part Three)
6’3 ’28 Gary Grear (KOC) It’s almost impossible to watch this KOC squad and walk away feeling anything other than impressed by Grear. He’s a natural leader who sets the tone through his IQ, production, and toughness. Grear shines as the focal point of their seamless offensive structure, typically operating as the main creator and scorer from all levels. He consistently creates for himself and...
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Player Standouts at PHL Finals (Part Two)
6’0 ’27 CP Perry (Dub Salem) Although we didn’t see Perry much this travel ball season, his crafty, polished game is still as effective as ever. He effortlessly created for himself and others while highlighting his handle, vision, and scoring prowess from all levels. Perry displays excellent pace and poise when attacking off the bounce. He shoots the ball at a high clip from beyond the arc, but...
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Player Standouts at PHL Finals
6’5 ’27 Thomas Vickery (Thrill Skillz) There were a lot of notable names on display for the final weekend of travel ball, but Vickery was arguably as impressive as anyone. It was my first “real” viewing outside of last year’s high school season (when touches and playing time were limited), and it’s easy to see why he’s rapidly trending upward as one of the fastest risers in North Carolina’s...
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2026 6’9 Heimir Helgason dives into the latest in his recruitment
2026 6’9 Heimir Helgason continues to be an intriguing prospect to watch out for in the upcoming recruiting class. A 6’9 forward that brings a strong skill set and potential, he was one who quickly made waves here in North Carolina “When you watch his game, his blend of potential and overall skillset is quite impressive. With his size at 6’9, his fluidity, and his ability to be an effective...
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Who Delivered: Key Standouts from the PHL Finals
2026 Cameron Thompson – Team Charlotte Thompson may be one of the most underrated talents in the state, but he brings unbelievable value to the court when he plays. I absolutely love what he can provide for his team, and he showed that all throughout the event in different ways. Whether it was a 30+point performance in the championship game or being an impact player in other areas, Thompson...
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National Attention: Southeastern Prep Stacking Talent for a Big Run
The momentum is building in a big way at Southeastern Prep Academy, and with the talent they’ve assembled for this upcoming season, it’s time to start taking them seriously as a potential Top 10 program nationally. This is not just hype—it’s a roster that’s loaded from top to bottom with athleticism, skill, experience, and positional versatility. From nationally recognized prospects to rising...
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Changing of the Guard: Gladden and Cauthen Set to Lead Statesville Into the Future
The Greyhounds at Statesville had a strong overall season, as they were able to make noise, end the season with a winning overall record, and be a contender in their conference. Statesville High School finished the season with a 15-11 overall record that included several strong wins. Now, there will be some turnover from last year as key seniors have graduated from the program. Caleb Tillman...
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Pure Dominance: Team Pittman Rolls to Win 15U PHL Championship
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our inaugural Phenom Hoops League Finals in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured teams that participated in the PHL and accumulated enough points throughout the travel ball season to qualify for the season-ending tournament. Although each of the brackets was highly competitive, one could truly argue that this division was the most talented across...
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Loaded with Talent: Upward Stars Columbia Wins 16U PHL Championship
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our inaugural Phenom Hoops League Finals in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured teams that participated in the PHL and accumulated enough points throughout the travel ball season to qualify for the season-ending tournament. Although each of the brackets were highly competitive, there was still a ton of excitement surrounding the 16U age group. The...
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Stars Shine Bright at the PHL Finals: Elite Talent Takes Center Stage
2026 Bradley Floyd – Most Hated NC Floyd was really good throughout the event, including a 40-point performance on Sunday afternoon. When talking about a prospect like Floyd, I’m eager to see who is going to be able to snag such a versatile piece for the future. Floyd has a lot of intangibles in his game that would make him a valuable piece on the court, whether it is his size, ability to score...
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Underrated Athletes PHL Finals Standouts (Part 1)
The Phenom Hoops League Finals wrapped up with a display of extraordinary talent, here are some standouts. Cameron Thompson (2026) – Team Charlotte Cameron Thompson stood out with his dynamic scoring ability and clutch performances throughout the tournament. As a versatile wing, Thompson consistently found ways to impact the game, whether through his sharpshooting from beyond the arc or...
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New Era, Still Winning: Team Charlotte Secures 17U PHL Championship
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our inaugural Phenom Hoops League Finals in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured teams that participated in the PHL and accumulated enough points throughout the travel ball season to qualify for the season-ending tournament. Although each of the brackets was highly competitive, lots of eyes were directed at the oldest division and the players who...
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QJ Young Preparing for Breakout Junior Season
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final live period of the travel ball season with our tenth annual Summer Havoc. No matter where the event is held (Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or Bermuda Run), Summer Havoc has consistently put prospects in a position to be seen by all levels of college coaches. This year’s edition was no different. The three-day event featured an impressive mix of...
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PSB Elite Barnes Becoming a Priority for College Coaches
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final live period of the travel ball season with our tenth annual Summer Havoc. No matter where the event is held (Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or Bermuda Run), Summer Havoc has consistently put prospects in a position to be seen by all levels of college coaches. This year’s edition was no different. The three-day event featured an impressive mix of...
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