EVENT NEWS
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POB’s Thoughts: College programs could use these shooters
2023 Jalen Wenger (Speights Academy): Wenger finds his way to the top of the list, because every time I watched him, he showed how deadly he can be from the outside. Coming off the bench, you simply know what he is going to provide after watching a game or two, and he has the utmost confidence in his shot-making and his range. Time after time, he was knocking down threes and displayed his...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Post Grad Nationals
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina for our Post Grad Nationals. There was a slew of high-level programs in attendance from all over the country (in addition to a squad from Canada) that came to compete and determine whose who within the post-grad ranks. Moreover, tons of college coaches came through...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Opening
6’8 ’26 Will Stevens (Carolina Riptide) There were a ton of promising big men on display, and Stevens was arguably as impressive as any of them—especially being the youngest player on his team. He’s still developing strength, but already displays timing, toughness, and a quality motor on both ends of the floor. Stevens utilizes his length very well to finish, secure rebounds, and alter shots...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’5 Julius Harrison
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over a hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III, or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who...
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Talent to be found: Piedmont Classical
Checking in on our good friends at Piedmont Classical this past weekend at the Phenom Prep Showcase, before they look to make noise at the Hoop State Championship, they continue to remind us that this is a program that has talent to be found on the court. They already have a few players committed on the roster in 2023 Josiah Watkins and 2023 Khalif Barnes, who once again shined on the big stage....
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Stretching the Floor: Unsigned Seniors still available
Jordon Nevill 2023 Jordon Nevill (East Meck): If I’m looking for a player still available in the class of 2023 that can be a huge threat from behind the arc, then 2023 Jordon Nevill is on top of my list and it is almost easy to see. This is a young man so far this season, is posting averages of 23.3ppg, has hit 109 3-pointers this season (so far), and hitting 48 percent from behind the arc. And...
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Open Gym Report: Piedmont Classical
On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to New Light Baptist Church to see the Bobcats of Piedmont Classical. Since their founding in 2016-17, this program has found consistent success through building around the local (mainly Greensboro-based) talent. Now, in his first full season at the helm, Coach Cardes Brown (and Justin Watlington) has all the necessary pieces to have a ton of success....
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College-Worthy Rosters at Summer Havoc: New Light Disciples
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled down to Fort Mill, South Carolina to host our annual Summer Havoc Live. The event featured a slew of noteworthy teams and players, which naturally led to a ton of college coaches attending to find their next program-changing piece. While a lot of attention was centered around a handful of teams, college coaches were able to find worthy prospects at seemingly...
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Dawkins’ Standouts: Phenom Team Camp (Day 2)
6’7 2024 Cal Barrett (Bishop McGuinness) A prospect I was able to catch at the tail-end of the day, Cal Barrett is a promising, wiry, shot-altering forward. Barrett has shown an ability to step out behind the three point line and knock down catch-and-shoot jumpers, along with his current niche on the defensive end. Barrett will anchor this team’s disciplined approach on defense, given his...
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Prospects in the Class of 2023 to Watch at Phenom Team Camp
This upcoming weekend, Phenom Hoops will host our annual June Team Camp at the Rise Indoor Facility in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. The event is slated to feature a talented mix of players and teams preparing for the month of July (in addition to the somewhat distant high school season), and this article will take a brief look at some of the prospects on display. We will first delve into some of...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Challenge
2022 6’6 Mikhail Pocknett (WBC Elite Aria Paris): Pocknett may have had the best weekend out of everyone at the event and I’m sure there are a few college coaches that are taking a hard look his way more. In the two games we watched him, he was unstoppable, getting downhill, finishing through contact, getting to the line, pushing the ball in transition after a rebound, and all over the...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Challenge (Day 2, Part 2)
2024 6’8 Richard Goods (Carolina Clutch): Well look at it here, ’24 Richard Goods makes another standout list. In this game, there just wasn’t anyone that could match the physicality that he brought to the floor, carving out space in the paint, finishing through defenders, and attacking the glass once again. What continues to impress is his ability to step out and be a threat as...
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Five Players to Watch at Phenom Challenge LIVE
6’1 ’23 Will Gray (NC Spartans) While college coaches should be prepared to recruit this entire roster, Will Gray is clearly the tone-setter of this group. He’s an intelligent floor general who loves to get downhill, where he’s proven to be a reliable finisher, playmaker, and pull-up shooter from midrange. Gray is a great athlete, leader, and overall decision-maker who understands how to offer a...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2, Part 3)
2022 Brandon Lavitt (CC Elite 2022): Watching Lavitt over the years, you just have to love what he brings to the floor. Toughness, physicality, grit… He loves to play hard on both ends and mix it up with his opponents. He isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and bring that physical feel down in the paint. Always active on both ends of the floor, Lavitt is one that just leaves it all out there...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Grassroots TOC Day 1
2023 Kanye Nelson (York County Legends): Nelson came out strong and really put his name on the map out there to start his weekend. He simply torched the nets, especially from three as he knocked down multiple threes without even hitting the rim. He played confidently, showcasing his ability to knock down shots, create for himself at times, and attack in transition. 2023 Brock Rose (Team...
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A Closer Look: New Light Disciples
Over the last calendar year, normalcy has started to return to the grassroots landscape. The reinstated Live Periods have given these young prospects some semblance of hope in making it to the next level. However, coaches are still aggressively leaning into the transfer portal and opting to recruit guys who have already played (using the term loosely) in college. From the contrasting viewpoint,...
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Liberty Heights v. Piedmont Classical
Last night, Phenom Hoops traveled to Piedmont Classical in Browns Summit, North Carolina for a notable battle between two of the better independent programs across the state in Liberty Heights and the Bobcats. There was no shortage of talent on the court, as both teams are littered with talented unsigned prospects who deserve attention from college coaches. Either way, the Bobcats did a great...
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Five Names College Coaches Need to Pursue in North Carolina’s Class of 2023
After an incredibly bizarre calendar year of question marks and high school prospects suffering the negative effects of covid, we finally return to some semblance of normalcy. There is no denying the impact for guys in the Class of 2021, and even 2022. The combination of on-court restrictions and additional year of eligibility would ultimately hurt the kids still in high school—not the college...
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July Live Period Superlatives: Part Two
Although there has been a ton of excitement swirling throughout the last few months, July is finally coming to an end. Between the NCHSAA/NCISAA events in June and the consecutive live periods across July, all levels of coaches have been traveling, evaluating, and establishing relationships with these prospects. Excluding the lone period in July, we will take a closer look at a slew of players...
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Brandon’s Big Time Ballers from Phenom Hardwood Classic (Day 1)
6’6 2022 Nolan Hodge (NC Gators)- Hodge already committed to Unc Wilmington came in today in full attack mode, and it seemed like he had a message to send. Hodge, always a team player, was more aggressive than we’re used to seeing. Hodge completely took over the game at times and showed he can score anywhere on the floor when he feels like it. Hodge was also locked in on the defensive end. 6’6...
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Bendel’s Best: Summer Havoc
Finally, after nearly two years, Phenom Hoops returned to host our first LIVE period event of the travel ball season. Although most college coaches (D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO) have already been allowed to travel for the last calendar year, this is only the second opportunity (aside from the NCHSAA/NCISAA session) for Division I coaches to see prospects in-person. While there were plenty of standouts...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Summer Havoc Session 1 (Day 1) (Part 3)
2022 Dontavius Paige (Ace Elite): Paige is a smaller guard but a quick one, making decisive reads and decisions on the floor and showing a nice blend of scoring ability on multiple levels of the floor. He continues to play strong with the ball, knowing when to create for himself or to get others involved in the action. 2022 Chase Lowe (CC Elite): One can see why D1 schools are coming his...
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Summer Havoc Team Previews: NC Gaters Black
After a lot of stressors throughout the last twelve to fourteen months, the grassroots basketball landscape has finally returned to normalcy. The shoe-circuits and high school LIVE periods were restored for the betterment of these young prospects who are simply fighting for an equal opportunity to advance to the collegiate ranks. Although this presents Division I programs with the chance to...
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Piedmont Classical’s Core Becoming a Priority for College Coaches
Aside from the highest level of basketball, the concept of assembling a balanced core grouping of players seems to be more advantageous than building around a “star” or two. Again, the theory of accumulating as many stars as possible is clearly the best method to succeed in the NBA. That being said, folks should definitely be intrigued by Coach Johnnie Richardson and his blueprint over at...
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Bendel’s Best: Stay Positive Classic
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to North Carolina for our first debut at the newly built Rise Indoor Facility in Advance for our Stay Positive Classic. In lieu of everything opening back up, that area is going to see a massive increase in basketball traffic heading into the upcoming LIVE periods. There was an abundance of talented teams and individuals on display between the two-day...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive
6’5 ’23 Trey Barbee (Strong Center) Despite Strong Center’s extremely balanced two-way approach, Barbee consistently found ways to emerge as a leader for this group. He possesses nice size and displays a fairly versatile offensive game with the ability to make plays with or without the ball in his hands. Barbee applies constant pressure in the midrange, but also attacks the basket and positions...
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Open Gym Report: Team BOND 17U
On Sunday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the heart of Winston-Salem, North Carolina to preview some quality talent within one of the top up-and-coming programs in Team BOND. There was an abundance of appeal and intrigue inside the gym, featuring an interesting variety of prospects from 17U and 16U squads. Although we were able to watch both teams, this article will take a closer look at their 17U...
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Piedmont Classical v. High Point Christian
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to High Point Christian Academy in High Point, North Carolina, as the Cougars prepared to host the Bobcats of Piedmont Classical. Both teams entered this contest with winning records (coming against quality competition) and each sought out to separate themselves from the pack. Anyone who has followed HPCA should know about the leadership of KJ Garrett,...
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Holiday Classic: Piedmont Classical vs. Anderson Christian (Recap/Standouts)
Piedmont Classical took on Anderson Christian in the third game on Sunday, two teams that have performed well and played hard so far at the Holiday Classic. It was a back-and-forth affair for much of the first quarter, but Piedmont Classical was able to give themselves a little space at half with a 36-25 lead, led by Julius Harrison. Anderson Christian was able to chip away at the...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 4
Team 4Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PLJSuI1FGChQbYtYJtevOueCfbkO4M0Zsl Coach: Dre Simmons #0: 5’5 ’25 Aiden Martin (Greensboro) Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest and youngest camper on this team, Aiden Martin. He’s a smart guard prospect that displays toughness, unselfishness, and a well-rounded skillset. Next...
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