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Storylines from Phenom Memorial Day Classic: Team Charlotte’s Lethal Shooting Trio
Given the restructuring of rosters throughout travel basketball, it has allowed Team Charlotte to quietly assemble one of the top shooting teams in the state. Between guys like Stephen Quinn, Joe Rhyne, and Mason Smith, it’s easy to see why. Starting with Quinn, who might be the top spot-up threat in the state. His combination of volume and consistency basically puts him in elite territory....
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Storylines from Phenom Memorial Day Classic: Nas Berry is Back to Full Health
After suffering a major injury, Nas Berry has made a full recovery and returned to the hardwood. He’s a skilled, well-rounded guard prospect with a strong frame and quality penetration sense. Berry possesses useful creation instincts, which allows him to reliably generate clean looks for himself and others off the bounce. He’s great at getting downhill in the open floor, making the correct read,...
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Storylines from Phenom Memorial Day Classic: John Lash is Wired Different
Although there were a ton of notable standouts on display at Phenom Hoops’ Memorial Day Classic, John Lash made a lasting impression with his unique approach to the game. Commonly known for his baseball ability, the 6-foot-5 power forward is a major difference-maker on the basketball court. Lash is tough as nails and displays a seemingly nonstop motor, which allows him to consistently outwork...
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Three Juniors Trending Upward from Phenom MDC
6’5 ’25 Tristan Thompson (Upward Stars) Though folks should already know about Thompson and his incredibly productive, low-maintenance identity, this past weekend was just another indicator of what he brings to a team. He’s a smart, skilled, versatile two-way wing/forward with the ability to consistently affect all facets of the game. Thompson can initiate the offense, create for himself and...
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Five Prospects Worthy of Attention from Phenom MDC
6’2 ’24 Stephen Quinn (Team Charlotte) Shooting will always have value, which means Quinn will always have value—given the fact that he’s easily among the best shooters in the Carolinas. He’s a knockdown threat off the catch from literally anywhere within thirty feet. Quinn heats up quickly, moves extremely well without the ball, and can extend his range beyond the volleyball line. He possesses...
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Five Notable Young Prospects from Phenom MDC
6’9 ’26 Cody Peck (CC Elite) There are plenty of high-upside prospects in the state of North Carolina, and it feels like Peck is deserving of more buzz. His physical appeal is obvious from a mere glance, but his skillset and ability to impact the game should also be turning heads. Peck is a long, fluid big man with an incredible blend of IQ, skill, athleticism, and timing. Despite his lack of...
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Five Offer-Worthy Performers from Phenom MDC
6’2 ’24 Will Olden (Carolina Pressure) The Carolina Pressure roster is a really cohesive group, and Olden is a huge reason why. He’s the best spot-up threat on the team and easily among the top shooters in South Carolina. Olden is a great off-ball mover with an understanding of how to consistently exploit openings within the opposing defense. Whether in the corners, wings, or at the top of the...
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Bendel’s Best: Memorial Day Classic
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for our annual Memorial Day Classic. The event featured a ton of noteworthy teams and players, and quality competition could be found at every turn. As usual, this article will highlight a group of five personal favorites from the three-day stretch… 6’7 ’26 Cole Cloer (Team CP3) It’s typically uncommon to see an...
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Saturday Standouts at Phenom Memorial Day Classic
6’7 ’25 Julian Johnson (Upward Stars Carolinas) Given the structure of this team, it’s easy to see the steady, yet clear progression of Johnson as a two-way big man. Regardless of setting or opponent, it seems like he improves with each viewing. He finishes well around the basket, effectively runs screening action, and rebounds his position well on both ends of the floor. Johnson also alters...
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Friday Standouts at Phenom Memorial Day Classic
6’1 ’25 Jake Benham (Mint Hill Lakers) Given his sheer level of involvement from start to finish, it would be impossible to ignore everything that Benham showcased in this contest. He absolutely caught fire in the opening minutes and never looked back, hitting one jumper after another, and posing a constant shooting threat with or without the ball in his hands. Benham possesses essentially...
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2025 Will James Jr. (Strong Center) playing on a different level this summer
AAU season is a great opportunity for players all around the country to show more of their game and development. Playing in the high school season, one can see how some players continue to grow as a prospect, but it may not be until the summer months that they really showcase their full potential. Not only do travel ball teams provide a different platform, but it also can allow players to shine...
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Putting on a Show: 2024 Armani Henderson (Bigger Than Basketball/ Team EAT)
We continue allowing our platform to shed light on players around the region, and we now look at 2024 Armani Henderson who played with Bigger Than Basketball this past weekend but has been a hot topic all throughout this summer with Team EAT as well. Henderson has simply been a bucket this summer, and he did so once again with Bigger Than Basketball at the Phenom G3 Showcase. With the ball...
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2024 Makel Smith opening up more eyes to his game this summer
Phenom Hoops prides itself in providing a platform to shed light on players of all ages and all levels. This is why we continue to bring more content to players that deserve more attention with their play. One player that we have had a chance to watch a lot more this summer has been 2024 guard Makel Smith, and we believe he is one that shouldn’t go under the radar as much as he has so far....
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’1 Jaden Lyles
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of 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 are overlooked and...
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A Closer Look: Carolina Pressure
6’6 Jayden Pretty Given the structure of this group, Pretty regularly stands out as a leader. He’s a skilled, strong-bodied big man with touch, footwork, and quality feel inside the paint. He finishes well around the basket, but can also knock down jumpers and make quality passes. Pretty does a great job of rebounding the ball on both ends, altering shots defensively, and running the floor in...
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A Closer Look: Upward Stars Carolinas
This group has an ample amount of talent throughout their roster, and it all starts with their complementary trio of guards in 6’1 ’24 Sincere Rasul, 6’0 ’24 Damani Day, and 6’1 ’24 Markiest Houston. Starting with Rasul, who is quick, heady, and excels in transition. He’s a quality penetrator with solid vision, finishing ability, and a reliable midrange pull-up. Rasul displays a nice change of...
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Five More Notable Young Prospect from G3 Showcase
6’6 ’26 Antwon Young (Next Level SC) It’s surprising how little it feels like folks are talking about Young, despite his ridiculous intrigue and array of enticing tools at such an early age. He’s a long, explosive, physically overwhelming wing/forward prospect with the ability to play inside the paint or along the perimeter. Young moves like a perimeter player, yet is strong enough to battle...
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Five Notable Young Prospects from G3 Showcase
6’8 ’26 Mark Caslaru (Next Level SC) If the common adage of “big men take longer to develop” rings true, then folks should be getting really excited about Caslaru and his overall trajectory. The 6-foot-8 post prospect already has the makings of a modern big man, displaying a notable blend of touch, perimeter shooting, and rim-protection ability. Caslaru understands how to anchor the paint,...
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Five College-Worthy Seniors from G3 Showcase
6’2 ’24 Stephen Quinn (Team Charlotte) Arguably the most lethal shooting threat in every building he enters, it’s pretty easy to see why Quinn would be an asset for various programs. While there are plenty of available shooters, very few possess the unlimited range, quick release, and sheer accuracy of someone like him. Quinn can reliably attack closeouts, make extra passes, and mix it up as...
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A Closer Look: Q6 All-Stars
5’10 ’24 Darkari Francis Francis is a steady floor general with IQ, vision, and a tight handle. He sets up the offense and offers sharp defensive prowess at the point of attack defensively. He communicates well, attacks the basket, and looks to make the right play whenever possible. Francis is a quality shooting threat with an understanding of how to conduct himself like a coach on the...
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Bendel’s Best: G3 Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to Rock Hill, South Carolina for our annual G3 Showcase. The three-day event featured over 250 teams with highly competitive games and tons of talented prospects on display. There were countless subplots worth noting, but this article will take a closer look at five personal favorites from the last few days… 6’7 ’26 Trey Thompson (Tennessee Impact) Given...
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Player Standouts at Phenom G3 Showcase
6’7 ’26 Trey Thompson (Tennessee Impact) There were so many impressive pieces for Tennessee Impact, which certainly includes Thompson and his highly advanced identity. Though young, he already clearly understands how to outperform his assignment and dominate a game in various different ways. Thompson is an excellent post-up option with a notable blend of IQ, touch, and footwork. He finishes with...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Tibbs
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Graves
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’7 Emmanuel Black
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of 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 are overlooked and...
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Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Henderson
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ workout. The practice featured three of their 16U squads in addition to a collection of guys from the 17U team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, but this might honestly be their most talented non-17U group in recent memory. Although most college coaches...
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Phenom Player Watch: 2024 6’6 Julian King (Power Move)
Player: Julian KingClass: 2024Height: 2024AAU: Power Move 17uHigh School: Bowie HS (MD) Past High School Season: This past season at Bowie HS, King had a very good showing that allowed him to earn 2nd Team All-Region honors, as well as help his team earn Conference 2nd Place and Regional Champs. On the season, he averaged 15ppg, 6rpg, 2apg, and 1bpg to help lead his team. We are still...
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Re-Ranking North Carolina’s Class of 2021 Based on College Production
Each year, looking at past rankings and cross-analyzing them with college production allows for a meaningful reflection process. While every individual has their own system of ranking high school players, there isn’t necessarily a “correct” way to deduce or determine who will emerge in college. In terms of this re-rank, it’s based heavily on role and raw production, but the level of competition...
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Phenom Memorial Day Classic Previews: Upward Stars 3SSB
It probably goes without saying, but Upward Stars is among the top programs in the Carolinas. They do an exceptional job of keeping notable South Carolina prospects on their roster and consistently advancing kids to the next level. Over the last few years, guys like Julian Phillips, PJ Hall, Dillon Jones, and Bryce McGowans (among various others) were a few of the special players to emerge from...
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Player Spotlight: 2025 6’0 Robert Johnson (SC Tigers)
Player: Robert JohnsonClass: 2025Height: 6’0AAU: SC Tigers We want to continue to highlight players that we will want to have our eyes on more, and one player in South Carolina that has been making a name for himself has been 2025 6’0 Robert Johnson. Johnson is a dynamic guard that has been showing more of his offensive capabilities this summer. He did just that at Phenom Hoops LIVE,...
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