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North Carolina Commitment Steals: Class of 2023
The 2023 recruiting class is starting to wrap up here in North Carolina, and there are plenty of steals that programs are getting in the coming future. We have a few players that recently announced that could have a big impact at the next level, so let’s dive into players that could ultimately be steals in college. 2023 Bryce Cash (Carmel Christian) – Cash has proven himself time...
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Commitment Alert: 2023 Jaiden Thompson is headed to Charleston Southern
Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player. Here is the latest commitment. Player: Jaiden ThompsonClass: 2023Committed to: Charleston Southern What Was Said by Phenom...
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Available College-Level Seniors Competing for State Championships
6’8 Elijah Strong (Myers Park) Following his recent de-commitment, Elijah Strong has continued to play at an extremely high level. At 6-foot-8, he possesses a big, sturdy frame with touch, rebounding instincts, and a useful inside-out offensive arsenal. He’s a great finisher around the basket, reliable scorer from the block, and a capable shooting threat from midrange or beyond the arc. In just...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’0 Jaiden Thompson
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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Five Seniors Worthy of Increased Recruitment
6’6 Jared Davis (Seventy-First) It’s genuinely difficult to try and make sense of Jared Davis’ lack of recruitment, especially since his production has only taken another leap this season. At 6-foot-6, he sports a strong, physical frame and knows how to utilize it properly on both ends of the floor. Davis is an excellent rebounder who carves out space well, controls the glass, and consistently...
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Player Standouts at Hoopstate Fall League
6’1 ’23 Jaiden Thompson (Team Force) Although the twins receive a lot of attention (and rightfully so), Thompson is as valuable and important as anyone to the success of this team. For all intents and purposes, he could be considered the third brother. Thompson adds another reliable guard presence with IQ, vision, toughness, and scoring prowess. In this showing, he created shots, hit jumpers,...
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Start Noticing More: Class of 2023 from #HoopStateLeague (West) (Part 1)
The Hoop State League has kicked off and Week 1 was off the charts, but we still have several weeks ahead that you and college coaches will not want to miss. We have been taking notes early on and we can tell you, there are a few players in the Class of 2023 that should garner more attention. Here are four players to look out for more and should be bigger priorities this upcoming high school...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Week 1, Day 2 at #HoopStateLeague (Cox Mill)
2023 Zion McDuffie (Bulldogs): It is about time people start recognizing McDuffie and what he can provide on the court. He is a strong, physical presence that is one of the more explosive prospects in the state. He is terrific out in transition and getting to the basket, finishing strong and a few highlight-reel dunks. But he also has shown that he can step out and be effective from outside,...
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Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus
Phenom Open Gym: Central Cabarrus Last season, Central Cabarrus finished with a 30-1 overall record losing to eventual NCHSAA 3A State Champion, West Charlotte, in the Western Regional Finals. With 93% of the scoring returning, Coach Jim Baker has plenty to be excited about and should be the pre-season favorite in the NCHSAA 3A West. Central Cabarrus plays an unorthodox style of basketball and...
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Phenom Hoops Player Profile: Jaiden Thompson
Height: 6’1 Class: 2023 School: Central Cabarrus Travel Team: Team United Freshman Season: 6.7 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.7 SPG Sophomore Season: 12.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.4 SPG Junior Season: 19.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.6 APG, 3.6 SPG, 55% FG What Was Recently Said (2/28/22): Winning is simply impossible to ignore, and Thompson has clearly been a main catalyst for...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Team Camp (Day 1, Part 3)
Delani Hammonds 2023 Darius Abraham (Harding): Abraham had a solid day on the floor, as the senior leader played like he usually does; strong and created. He continues to produce, finishing strong around the basket, a scorer from multiple levels, and one that can really get after it on both ends. He continues to be a key piece for his team to help win games. 2025 Wesley White (West...
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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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Central Cabarrus Emerging as Title-Favorites
While it probably goes without saying, the high school landscape is drastically different from that of five or ten years ago. Most kids still attended their local public school while private or prep options were still considered more of an uncommon opportunity. However, things have obviously shifted in that span of time. Competitive balance has largely disappeared. Kids no longer feel compelled...
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A Closer Look: Phenom Hoops’ Rankings for North Carolina’s Class of 2023
It’s that time of year again. The high school season has nearly concluded and postseason play is set to begin very soon. As exciting as it is to chase and potentially win a state championship, the subsequent six months of travel ball will be the time for prospects to really shine. Whether positive or not, college coaches simply have more time and resources to properly evaluate (and offer) kids...
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Dynamic playmakers: Class of 2023 (Guards, Part 2)
Phenom Hoops doesn’t just shed light on the top players in the state but we want to provide a platform for ALL players. The class of 2023 is still fully loaded with talent and there are plenty of players that are having a strong high school season that you may want to check out, especially if you are looking for dynamic guards. Here are a few guards having a tremendous high school season. 2023...
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Game Report: Central Cabarrus vs. Concord
On Tuesday night, Phenom Hoops traveled to Central Cabarrus as they hosted cross-town rival Concord. Central Cabarrus entered the game with a record of 16-0 on the season. Although they may lack size, they make up with it with their uptempo style and aggressive on-ball defense. Concord entered the game with a 13-2 record, with their only losses coming the first game of the season to Robinson and...
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Chasing a Championship: Central Cabarrus’ Best Team of the Millennium'
More often than not, teams with title aspirations usually have previous bouts of success to serve as a reminder of what to do in order to become victorious. Not Central Cabarrus. Although the Vikings have been absolutely dominant to start off the season, it’s worth noting that majority of the roster wasn’t even born during their last time as a top-ten team in the state (2005-06 per MaxPreps)....
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Holiday Classic (Day 2, Part 1)
2022 Takai Simpkins (Liberty Heights): Takai came out strong and never let up with his attack and he continues to show he can score in a variety of ways. He uses his body very well and has the ability to create for himself while getting to the rim but also showcased his perimeter game, knocking down multiple threes for his team. 2022 Tajuan Simpkins (Liberty Heights): The duo of the...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 7
Team 7 Coach: Ryan Bernardi #7: 6’0 ’23 Jaiden Thompson (Central Cabarrus) Starting things off, we look at a player who showcased a scrappy, high-motor presence throughout camp, Jaiden Thompson. He’s a tough, heady guard prospect with a nice feel and the ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Thompson is a quality three-point shooter, but also attacks the basket...
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Guards looking to have a big high school season: NC Top 80 (Class of 2023)
It was a special weekend in Charlotte, as Phenom Hoops had their annual North Carolina Top 80 event which brought some of the top players from the state all under one building. We had several top seniors, juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen attend the event, as we dive more into the players that impressed. It was great to see several juniors on the floor and they put themselves on the map for...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Hoop State League (Week 4)
Phenom Hoops was back in town in Rock Hill for Week 4 action in the Hoop State League. Teams continue to make progress and prepare for the upcoming seasons, as well as players. There were several standouts from the event but these three players really played at a high level in Week 4. 2022 Evan Smith (Team Purple) Smith has been a known name throughout North Carolina for some...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 of Hoop State League (Week 4) (Part 1)
2022 Evan Smith (Team Purple): Really do believe this is just the start of a terrific season for Smith. He is going to have to pick up his offensive scoring and is showing that during the Hoop State League. He plays with such a smooth feel, is patient in his attack, and handles contact extremely well. Continues to be consistent offensively on the floor. 2022 Liam Craven (Combine...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Fall Finale/ Hoop State League (Day 1)
2022 Takai Simpkins (Liberty Heights): Both Simpkins twins are strong and play hard but Takai was especially strong and continuing to show why more schools are starting to look their way. Takai does a tremendous job is using his length at a guard, covering a ton of ground, and finishing over defenders and at the rim, while also being able to step out. 2022 Syncere Lynch (Bull City Prep):...
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Player Standouts from Hoop State Fall League (Week 1: Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2024 Chase Daniel (Team Force)Every time I watch Chase he provides something a little different. But no matter what, whatever role he fills ultimately leads to a win. Today his niche was finding the chinks in the armor and settling in the soft spot of the defense. He found it so often and naturally, at times getting shots off the same read 2 or 3 possessions in a row. Along with...
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Central Cabarrus Open Gym Report
On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops had the pleasure of watching Central Cabarrus workout. Former Catawba College Head Coach, Jim Baker, has a talented group of young guards leading the way for his team this season. Although they may not be the biggest team, they are one of the toughest and scrappiest teams you’ll watch. Let’s take a look at some of their key players. 6’0 2023 Jaiden Thompson is coming...
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Central Cabarrus not looking to slow down any time soon
Phenom Hoops has had a chance to get out during the month of June as teams have been participating in several teams’ camps and during the live period. One event that Phenom attended was the Catawba Team Camp, bringing in several teams from around the region and giving us an early look at what each program has to offer. One of the first teams that we sat down to watch was Central Cabarrus,...
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Player Standouts from Day 3 at the Phenom MDC
By: Heath Gulledge 2024 5’10 Chase Daniel (CC Elite Blue) Hamilton does it all for CC Elite. Whatever he’s asked to do, he’s going to do it and do it well. He’s a player that can score on all three levels. He can handle the ball and break down defenders and then makes the right play when he gets by them. He gets down hill extremely well and finishes through contact with great body control. He...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom MDC (Day 1)
2023 Emanuel Richards (Upward Stars 3SSB 2023): Richards continues to show his production on the floor, as I believe he is one of the more underrated prospects in the state of South Carolina for his class. Every time he comes out, he makes an impact on the floor. Before, he did an incredible job in getting downhill and finishing through contact and he continues to do so, but you can...
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Phenom Game Report: Weddington vs. Central Cabarrus
The playoffs continued on Thursday night throughout North Carolina, as we checked in at Weddington as they welcomed in a tough Central Cabarrus. However, Central Cabarrus had their work cut out for them, as they had a big task in taking down one of the favorites on their home floor.
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Jaiden Thompson, “Books, Basketball & High Character”
Last season, we got a chance to watch then freshman point guard Jaiden Thompson during our Phenom Open Gym Tour. We wrote the following, “Jaiden Thompson will be a welcomed new addition to the Central Cabarrus team. The freshmen point guard will be asked to play huge minutes and be the team’s undeniable team leader. Thompson has the ball on a string and is terrific at reading and coming off ball...
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