EVENT NEWS
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The Lake Show: Lake Norman Absolutely Loaded
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise in Advance, North Carolina for our annual Team Camp. This event always serves as a kickstart to June, as players go back to their respective high schools and prepare for the upcoming Live periods. There’s usually a fair number of takeaways but it’s also easy to get carried away or overexcited by the sheer change of pace from travel ball....
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“Getting to Know” 5’10 ’24 Will Googins
We’ve seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a “Getting to Know” series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball...
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Bendel’s Best: Rise Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Indoor Facility in Bermuda Run, North Carolina for our Rise Showcase. Between the two days, there were a ton of standout performers and teams worth noting for the months ahead. Circuit teams utilized this period to start planning for the upcoming session(s) while independent programs are working out the kinks in preparation for their own...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Spring Tip-Off (Day 1)
Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Spring TipOff (Day 1)by: Ethan Reece2026 Adam Grier (CSB Elite)The difference you’ll find with Adam and any other 2026 PG is his physical maturity and IQ. He blends right in with the 2024s he was playing with and was actually the leader of his squad and had himself a game in a quality win over Carolina Riptide. Lefty with a pull-up game and a good understanding of how...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Grassroots TOC
6’6 ’23 Stepfon Simmons (Team Magic) It would be impossible for anyone watching this contest to walk away anything other than impressed with Simmons and his seemingly nonstop production on either end of the floor. He’s a long, strong, mobile forward prospect with a high motor and the ability to overwhelm opponents as a rebounder and defensive anchor. Simmons finishes with both hands, moves well...
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The Expansion of the Carolina Riptide
Just four years ago, Grant Hodges, Greg Forest, and seven kids from the greater Lake Norman area came together to form the Carolina Riptide. Despite some roster changes over the years, the core grouping of Clay “Smoke” Hodges, Trace Forest, Christian Taylor, and Callahan Reed have remained firmly intact since first forming. Thereafter, the Riptide players could be seen attending various camps...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom’s Spring Tip-Off Classic
6’1 ’25 Hamilton Huit (Elite One) Given his nonstop production over the weekend, it should be easy to understand what made Huit an obvious standout for this Elite One group. He did a strong amount of everything, from scoring and passing to rebounding and defending, and made sure his impact was felt on nearly every possession. He set the tone offensively and regularly asserted himself as a scorer...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 12
Team 12Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PLJSuI1FGChQZvni-VINIUKGoTVtM3JdS8 Coach: Colby Lewis #0: 5’7 ’21 Questin Overman (Liberty) Questin was extremely coachable and one of the best teammates I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach. He’s the type of person who will be successful in life beyond basketball due to his work ethic and team-first approach. He is an extremely...
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Phenom Hoops’ Carolina Middle School Showcase Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Daymond Lindell #2: 4’10 ’25 Aiden Martin (Greensboro, NC) Starting things off, we look at a player that made a pretty strong impression despite his lack of true size, Aiden Martin. He’s a quick, wiry point guard prospect that excels at penetrating past the point of attack. Martin touches the paint at a high rate and is capable of scoring or setting up others around the...
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Coach K’s Fab Five from MS Carolina Showcase
Saturday was a day for the young guns. The Phenom Hoops Junior camp was filled with sixth, seventh and eighth graders. Here are five that stood out and made Coach K’s fab-five.
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Player Standouts at Phenom’s Carolina Middle School Showcase
#24- Will Googins- No player has displayed a stronger motor than Googins, who seems to naturally make plays all over the floor. He’s smart, poised, and never looks rushed. Googins scores the ball efficiently from all three levels but also possesses vision and craftiness when penetrating. #55- Logan Deaver- The scrappy forward/post prospect was quite effective throughout his time at camp....
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Tennessee Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations: Team 3
Team 3 Coach: Dre Simmons #4:5’0 ’24 Xavian James (Maryville, TN) Starting things off, we look at a player that already possesses an advanced skillset and overall feel for the game, Xavian James. He’s a smart, young, undersized point guard with great instincts and the ability to dictate the offensive action. Next in his development process is simply working to add strength in order to...
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#PhenomOpening: Miles Early Sunday Standouts
6’0 2022 Davion Cunningham: Team Loaded 704 McCullough 15U Cunningham was arguably the most impressive prospect in the first game of the day with his ability to attack off the dribble and find open teammates when the defense collapses on him. He plays the game with a high level of relentlessness, constantly in attack mode, leaving defenders on their heels and often in the dust. It’ll be...
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NC Junior Phenom Session 1: Evaluation Team 7
North Carolina Jr. Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations Team 7 Coach Dre #44: 5’5 ’23 Casian Richard (Winston-Salem, NC) Starting things off, we look at a player that exemplified an abundance of natural talent and instincts at camp, Casian Richard. He’s a point guard prospect with sharp quickness to go with an excellent IQ and overall feel for the game. Richard scores efficiently on all...
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