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New Names to start looking at with Sandhills Machine
Just a few weeks while roaming the courts at one of our events, we sat down to watch the Sandhills Machine 2024 team and after watching for some time, we quickly realized that this is a program that should be earning more attention with the talent they have. So let’s dive into a few names that we saw that could be players for college programs to check out. First off, we take a look at 2024...
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Phenom Spotlight: 2023 Khalil Genwright (New Hanover)
Player: Khalil GenwrightClass: 2023Height: 6’4High School: New HanoverAAU: WBC Elite New Hanover was one of the top teams in the state of North Carolina this past season, finishing the season with a 24-1 overall record and going undefeated in conference play. A team loaded with underrated talent, one player that opened our eyes recently was 2023 Khalil Genwright. When you dive into...
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Getting a bigger picture of his game: 2024 Carlos Vazquez
Player: Carlos VazquezClass: 2024Height: 6’5High School: Wayne Country DayAAU: Eastern Carolina Phenomz 2024 6’5 Carlos Vazquez has been a name mentioned quite a few times over the last few months. We first started to notice his game with Wayne Country Day, where he was quietly posting double-doubles, displaying tremendous production, was active on the boards, and making plays mostly on the...
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Team Breakdown: Palmetto Elite 17u
Robert McLeod We take a look at a program that showed out at the Phenom Challenge, as the Palmetto Elite 17u went to Advance and left with a 4-0 record and opened a few eyes on players from the South Carolina area. Check out a few names from the program to keep an eye on. 2022 5’7 Robert McLeod – Cane Bay High SchoolMcLeod averaged 12.6ppg, 4.4rpg, 5.8spg, and 4.0 apg this past season as he was...
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2022 Neeko Taylor puts on a scoring show at Phenom Challenge
Player: Neeko TaylorClass: 2022School: South CentralAAU: Raising Young Men The second LIVE period has come and gone but there were so many players that left a terrific impression on us scouts and on coaches after their play. One of those players that comes to mind for me was the play of 2022 Neeko Taylor from Raising Young Men. The senior guard was absolutely lighting it up in four games,...
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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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Dawkins’ Dimes: Phenom Challenge Standouts (Part 2)
By: DeAjai Dawkins 2023 Andrew Knittel (East Tennessee Kings/Volunteer High School) Andrew is a steady, intelligent guard that serves as a solid lead option for this team. Knittel attacks well off the bounce, given his fluid handle & overall confidence. This team’s offense executed at a high level, and Andrew responsible for a deal of that success. He should be receiving next-level attention...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Challenge (Day 3)
by: Ethan Reece 2025 Dalton Johnson (Basketpoint)There’s a reason the team’s nickname for him is Dynamite, he provides such a spark as a leader for this group. Many of these guys are capable of interchangeably running the point, but Dalton is their most true point guard who consistently looks to set others up and provide game management through ball control and movement. His decision making is...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Challenge (Day 2, Part 3)
2023 6’2 Elijah Burnett (Team Denver): Burnett was strong in his final game of Day 2, really showing how assertive he can be when he is getting downhill. The 6’2 prospect did a great job in creating with his dribble, attacking the paint, and scoring the ball effectively. Really gave people a glimpse of what he can provide when locked in and when aggressive using his size at the guard...
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Dawkins’ Dimes: Phenom Challenge Part 1
By: DeAjai Dawkins 6’3 2022 Joseph Thompson (Raising Young Men/South Central High School) Joseph has been amongst the more impressive players I’ve seen this weekend. He’s a well-built off-guard that shows comfort handling the ball and finding the lane. Rather than consistently looking for his own points, Thompson is comfortable making winning plays and finding teammates. 6’2 2022 Nicholas...
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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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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Challenge (Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2027 Jayden Mims (PSB Raleigh)A rare sighting when someone so athletic has such control over it at his age, Jayden was extremely balanced and coordinated and used that on his way to an impressive morning game. Contrary to a lot of young kids who think they can, Jayden can really shoot it and has no second thoughts when letting it fly, he came up big with multiple mid ranges and...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Challenge (Day 2, Part 1)
2022 6’3 Judah Ravenell (Grindhouse Lakers): The sturdy big guard led his team to start Day 2 at the Phenom Challenge. Ravenell brings a physical feel, using his strong frame to go through defenders and get into the paint or create space. But he also showed nice patience and feel with his game. Stepped up big for his team. 2023 6’2 Conall Lowry (Bigger than Basketball): Lowry is a new name...
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What Was Said: Phenom Challenge (FCDS, Day 1)
6’1 2024 Coleman Lawton (Winston 76ers) played extremely well tonight. Finished with 19 points. Has a great feel for the game. Crafty, shifty guard who can create off the bounce. Also, does a good job defending the ball. 2024 Greyson Kerr (Winston 76ers) is a player to keep your eye on. Great size & frame. Good touch around the rim and from the perimeter. Knocked down three 3’s in the game...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Challenge (Day 1)
by: Ethan Reece 2025 Brennan Oldham (Rising Pros)Brennan caught my eye early and impressed all game with his natural athleticism. The big and long forward really displayed a true two-way game starting with his defensive prowess around the basket and finishing through contact on the other end. He’s going to keep growing and getting coordinated with his body but he already possesses a good...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Challenge (Day 1, Part 2)
2024 Frederico Whitaker (Chapel Hill Blue Flames): With his team, it is giving a chance for Whitaker to show more of his scoring capabilities on the court. He did just that, as the 5’10 guard displays great speed and ability to create for himself, getting inside the defense and scoring strong around defenders but also making the defense pay with his perimeter shot. Scrappy, tough, guard...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Challenge (Day 1, Part 1)
2023 Angelo Alexander (CC Elite 17u): Alexander did a nice job in mixing it up, creating off the dribble, finding ways to get inside the paint, and knocking down shots. Mixed it up nicely from multiple levels with his game and showed a confident pull-up game. 2024 Carlos Vazquez (Eastern Carolina Phenomz): Vazquez continues to be a name that pops up over the last year with his production level....
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Phenom Challenge Team Listing
AgeTeam NameTeam State17UBigger Than Basketball 2023North Carolina17UBrothers Basketball – Team Watson 17UNorth Carolina17UBSA SUPREMENorth Carolina17UCap City ClutchNorth Carolina17UCap City Clutch RedfearnVirginia17UCapital City PacersNorth Carolina17UCarolina Clutch 17uNorth Carolina17UCarolina Fighting Saints Elite 2023North Carolina17UCarolina Sonics 2023South Carolina17UCarolina Suns...
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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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Unsigned Seniors to Watch at Phenom Challenge LIVE
Though it seems like the last LIVE period just occurred, another one is already upon us. Our Phenom Challenge will be a useful opportunity for various levels of college coaches to get out and see deserving high school prospects—whether juniors or unsigned seniors. While a ton of folks have noted the insane number of players in the portal, few seem to realize how much this is truly...
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Keep an eye on 2024 6’3 Trenton Sherrill (East Gaston)
Looking back this season, there are quite a few new names that had a tremendous season and deserve a little exposure. One of those was actually a freshman in 2024 6’3 Trenton Sherrill, as he put up some impressive numbers and continued to impress recently at the Phenom Challenge in Spartanburg. This past season, Sherrill led the charge for East Gaston as he averaged 19.9 points, 7.4...
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Coaching and playing the right way: NLPB TN 15u
Sitting on the sidelines recently at the Phenom Challenge, we got a chance to watch the NLPB TN 15u team in action and we came away impressed. First off, coach Joe Cassell plays and teaches the right way and in talking to him, he understands the importance in teaching team mentality but loves to compete. He also teaches and wants his players to know the importance of doing the little things on...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Challenge
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for our final event in the month of April. There was expected to be a ton of excitement with an abundance of teams and a variety noteworthy prospects on display. While numerous players were worthy of recognition, this article will take a closer look at some personal favorites from...
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Special K’s Superstars from Phenom Challenge
LeBron Thomas 6’4 Jamari Briggs of Upward Stars Pee Dee 16U was impressive this weekend. He possesses the already translatable physical tools that allow him to stand out immediately when watching him. Jamari is a big guard who utilizes a blend of athleticism and strength to barrel his way to the rim and finish through contact. It is evident that he has made clear strides in his improvement...
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New Names to Add to the List: Rising Bigs from Phenom Challenge
Jamarcus Wilkins The Phenom Challenge was a great event that provided us several new names to the scene, especially some young big’s that will be ones to watch in the coming years. Here though are five players that captured our eyes in how they were able to make their presence known on the court down low. 2023 6’7 Jamarcus Wilkins (Upstate Select): Wilkins was a player that we got to watch...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Challenge (Day 2)
2025 Jackson Powers (PSB Cassada): Powers has had a strong performance all weekend long, as the 6’4 big man has carved out space, moved well without the ball, and really been aggressive on the boards on both sides. Powers shows nice touch and hands for his size, as he softly gets the ball on the rim and finishes regularly. 2024 Bobby Hardison (Carolina Riptide); Hardison may have been one...
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Phenom Challenge Championship: 16u Blue Division
Another weekend of championships was going on all Sunday afternoon, as teams were looking to finish off the event in style and on top. All teams came in to compete but only a few could come away with some hardware. The final championship of the day and we all got a good one. Both teams were very competitive throughout, as Riptide 2023 SC and East Tennessee Kings wanted to finish in style....
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DeAjai ‘s Championship Sunday Standouts
By; DeAjai Dawkins 6’7 2021 Carl Thorpe Jr (Team Swish) I don’t make it an intention, but I have gotten accustomed to the habit of completely investing my interest into the recruitment of a new prospect. This weekend, I was introduced to an unsigned senior who I believe is flying ridiculously below college coach’s radars. Carl Thorpe is a 6’7 forward with incredibly impressive rim protection...
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Phenom Challenge Championship: 16u White Division
Another weekend of championships was going on all Sunday afternoon, as teams were looking to finish off the event in style and on top. All teams came in to compete but only a few could come away with some hardware. Down on Court 1, the Aces 16u and VA Havoc ROA 2023 battled it out to end their fantastic weekend. VA Havoc though came out and made a statement with their game, jumping out quickly...
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Phenom Challenge Championship: 15u Red Division
Another weekend of championships was going on all Sunday afternoon, as teams were looking to finish off the event in style and on top. All teams came in to compete but only a few could come away with some hardware. Back down in the 15u Division, Carolina Riptide 2024 and Upstate Select 2024 wanted to both leave it all on the line, and that they did, as it came down to the final minutes and...
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