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Player Standouts from Blue Checks/Cold Hearts

Cold Hearts: 7’1 ’24 John Bol It’s easy to see the intrigue with someone like Bol, who already possesses an incredibly tantalizing frame and matching skillset. He possesses a unique combination of length, mobility, and overall instincts, which allows him to consistently cause problems for opponents. Bol patrols the court exceptionally well as a defender, consistently eliminating space and...

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Phenom Game Report: Blue Checks vs. RWE

Second game of the night out in Lincolnton (NC), the Blue Checks of Combine Academy welcomed in RWE in what looked to be an exciting matchup.  However, RWE came out extremely strong in the first quarter led by 2024 Daquan Davis, as RWE eventually led 28-10 after one quarter.  They continued to find success, getting out in transition, turning defense into offense, and making a statement...

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Day 2 Standouts from George Lynch Invitational

2025 Dylan Deluca (United Faith): Deluca's play in the second half was impressive for United Faith on Day 2.' He was making all types of hustle plays, competing on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities, and creating scoring plays from several areas of the court.' His play really helped big for his team in the second half. 2024 Joe Rhyne (Gaston Christian): For Gaston Christian to get...

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Phenom Commitment Alert: 2024 Rakease Passmore commits to Kansas

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: Rakease PassmoreClass: 2024Committed to: Kansas What is Kansas Getting: What a trip...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy (Part 1)

Phenom Hoops traveled to Lincolnton to cover open gym at Combine Academy.  In only his second year at Combine, Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled talent and depth, and may be one of his most talented teams.  Last season, Combine Academy was nationally ranked and finished as a top 25 team, not to mention winning the prestigious Phenom Hoop State Championship. Combine Academy has the...

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Phenom Four Corners: ’24 Jayan Walker, ’25 Trajan Thompson, ’25 Gevonte Ware, and ’24 Rakease Passmore

2024 Jayan Walker enjoys visit to Georgia State One of the fastest rising prospects in the state, 2024 Jayan Walker will be a hot topic for many. Not only because he has joined the powerhouse of Combine Academy, but his recruitment has really taken off.  Racking up the offers this summer, Walker has shown that he could be a tremendous get for many schools.  He recently took a visit to...

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Phenom HoopState Championship Recap: Combine Academy vs. Word of God

Game 2 on the day brought two powerhouses in Combine Academy and Word of God went at it in what was a HEATED showdown. Both teams came out with energy and looking to make shots; Word of God was led once again early on by '23 Isaiah Coleman while '23 Trentyn Flowers came out strong after his commitment to lead the way. Word of God was able to gain the narrow edge in the first quarter 19-15, but...

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John Wall Day 2 Standouts

6'0 2023 Amari Richardson (Panther Creek) Amari Richardson started off day two of The John Wall with a team-high 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. The senior guard shot the ball extremely well from behind the arc, going 4-7 from three. Richardson has the ability to knock down shots both off the catch and the bounce. He has an extremely smooth release on his jumper. Richardson also...

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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at The John Wall Invitational (Part 1)

2024 Chris Uwayo (Panther Creek): Uwayo did a great job in helping lead the charge once again for his team. He was able to really showcase his feel in leading the offense, creating and pushing up the court, facilitating to his teammates, but also being a consistent scoring threat, especially with his ability to penetrate and get to the line. Finished with 19 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds....

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Undefeated Combine Academy Warranting Increased National Attention

Every year, the high school basketball landscape in North Carolina becomes more and more unpredictable. Between transfers and raw talent, any team is capable of losing on a given night. Perhaps that's what makes Coach Wright and Combine Academy's 14-0 start so impressive. Not only do they stand undefeated, but they've genuinely been thwarting opponents throughout the first part of the season....

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Player Standouts at Ancore Invitational

6'6 '23 Clinton Efinda (Combine Regional) It doesn't take very long to identify Efinda as one of the most talented players on this roster. He's a big, strong, physical wing prospect with the ability to get downhill and finish above the rim or through contact seemingly whenever he wants. Efinda is a capable creator and perimeter shooter who forces opponents to respect his spot-up presence. He's a...

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Standouts: Combine Academy National vs DME National

It starts with USC commit Silas Demary Jr. Combine goes as he goes. He sets the tone with his play on both ends of the floor. Demary is a high IQ floor general who has his imprint all over the game from scoring to facilitating to rebounding to defending. He is the total package. Demary finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Rakease Passmore once again continues to showcase his much...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look

Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look A team such as Combine Academy deserves a second look. A roster filled with high level prospects, first year Head Coach Mike Wright has plenty to be excited about. Walking into the two-hour practice a few minutes late, we could sense the energy in John Jordan Gymnasium. There's no denying the fact, Coach Wright brings passion and the intensity...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy

Phenom Hoops travelled to Lincolnton to cover Combine Academy's open gym. ACC head coaches Steve Forbes of Wake Forest and Mike Young of Virginia Tech were in attendance along with assistant coaches from VCU, Western Carolina and College of Charleston.''Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled a team that will be in the conversation as one of the premier high school teams in the country. Combine has...

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Players in New Places: North Carolina (Part 1)

The school year is quickly approaching and that just means that high school basketball isn’t far off either. So it got us thinking about teams and players, and there were plenty of intriguing moves from players that will be suiting up in a different jersey this upcoming season. That is why we are taking an early look at a few new faces in a few new places. 2024 Bishop Boswell (Myers Park)...

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The development and growth of 2024 Rakease Passmore has been fun to watch

What a journey it has been watching 2024 Rakease Passmore grow into the player he has so far, but the story isn't close to ending any time soon.  But, now watching him snag big offer after big offer, it is fun to just look back at the growth this young has made when we first spoke about him with no offers to where he is today. It is coming up on almost two years when we wrote about Passmore...

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Prospects Trending Upward in North Carolina's Class of 2024

The travel ball season is always full of surprises. Given the shaky nature of the recruiting landscape, there's truly no telling which programs are even looking to extend offers to high school players. Majority of programs (for whatever reason) find it more advantageous to pursue kids who already claim a slew of scholarships, as opposed to someone who could actually be a viable, realistic...

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Elevating their play: Class of 2024 in North Carolina (Part 1)

The class of 2024 in North Carolina is a special one, there is no doubt about it. There are so many big-time names out there that have been playing well as of late and then there are players that are quickly rising up the rankings and putting themselves into new territory. We take a look at players that have really elevated their play this summer and have been attracting new eyes their way....

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A Closer Look: Phenom Hoops' Rankings for North Carolina's Class of 2024

(1) 6'6 Paul McNeil (Richmond) Even for those who don't closely follow high school basketball, McNeil should already be a well-known name throughout the country. After winning North Carolina's Gatorade POY award, he became just the second men's player of the millennium to receive the honor two full seasons removed from his graduation year (joining Jaden Bradley). He posted insane per-game...

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Bendel's Best: Phenom Spring Tip-Off

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise Indoor Sports in Advance, North Carolina to continue onward with the early stages of the summer season. The event was loaded with a ton of next-level talent, and though plenty of folks were enamored with March Madness, there was more than enough excitement swirling throughout the facility. There were multiple highly anticipated matchups on...

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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Spring Tip-Off

6'7 '24 Edgar Escobedo (BSA Supreme) It's easy to see the appeal with this BSA Supreme squad, and Escobedo is arguably among their most underrated pieces. He's a high-motor big man who truly doesn't require the ball to make an impact. Escobedo is a reliable finisher, rebounder, and shot-altering presence with an understanding of how to run the floor in transition. Escobedo does whatever the team...

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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 5

Team 5 Coach: Erik Whaley #5: 6'0 '24 Carson Daniel (Central Cabarrus) Starting things off, we look at a player who already stands out as one of the more reliable, productive floor generals in the state, Carson Daniel. He's a smart, skilled, unselfish point guard prospect with an excellent balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Daniel typically looks to set up the offense and...

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Coach Rick's TOC: Bright future for young prospects

The Coach Rick's TOC was off the charts with talent. One thing is for sure is that the future around the region looks to be bright, as there were several young prospects that really captured our eyes and should be household names. Check out a few young players that will be ones you will want to know.

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POB's Eye Catchers from Coach Rick's TOC (Day 2, Part 3)

2024 Rakease Passmore (NLPB): With college coaches coming to watch, Passmore put on a show and gave them everything you would want in a young player. With the blend of athleticism, break down defenders, finish through contact or around/over defenders, step out and knock down shots, and be an impact defensively with blocking shots, Passmore showed it all and why he is looking to be one of the top...

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Player Standouts from Phenom Summer Havoc (Saturday)

by: Ethan Reece 2023 Kameron Roberts (Warriors TBT)Without a doubt the biggest workhorse I saw on the day. He gave defenders the work no matter where on the court, and his unique physique allows him to play and guard any position. He's got the athleticism and quickness to get downhill and the muscle to bully others down low. Plays so tough on a team that centered totally around defensive...

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Player Standouts at Day Three of Phenom Summer Havoc

6'0 '22 Cole Sinclair (Durham Hurricanes) It should come as no surprise to anyone within the grassroots scene, but Sinclair continues to showcase a lot of ability as the clear leader of this group. He's a lethal shooting threat with vision and a nice change of pace, which allows him to effectively manage the game while picking his spots from all three levels. Sinclair handles the ball well and...

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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Summer Havoc Session 2 (Day 1, Part 2)

2022 Brady Moore (Louisville Prospects): Moore took advantage of the stage that was set, going for an impressive 20-point performance vs. the Royals.  The 6'5 prospect brings a strong frame and plays physical in getting downhill, putting the ball on the deck and finishing well with toughness.  Just really like how strong he plays on the court. 2022 Xavier McKelvy (Charlotte Royals):...

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Brandon’s Big-Time Ballers (Summer Havoc Session 1, Day 2)

By: Brandon Blakney 6'5 2024 Rakease Passmore (NLPB)- Passmore might have had the most upside of any player I witnessed today, at 6'5 he's a true wing and has the skill set that translates immediately at the next level. Passmore is an explosive athlete that's capable of playing above the rim, he can make shots off the catch and shoot, and he's capable of creating off the dribble. Passmore showed...

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