EVENT NEWS
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Leaving an Impression: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2026 Nick Arnold (Team Charlotte): Walking away from the event, Arnold was one that left a lasting impression on our scouts with his stellar play throughout. The 2026 point guard, who is one we have watched countless times, has seemed to take his game to another level; he looked stronger, more assertive as a guard, and is taking his offensive game to another level. He was assertive, got...
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New Names to Learn from Phenom Grassroots TOC
The Phenom Grassroots TOC was a terrific event that brought plenty of familiar faces to the court, but it also gave us the advantage to learn a few new names that will be on our radar this summer and down the road. Check out what was said about a few players to watch out for down the road. 2026 Jim Gatehouse (Team Griggs): “I’ve been very impressed with 2026 Jim Gatehouse (Team Griggs)....
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Dawkins’ Standouts: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2026 Tyzhir Dyer (Team Charlotte 16U) Tyzhir Dyer embodies what high school coaches should look for in a freshman trusted with key varsity minutes. Aside from starting on variety as a freshman, Tyzhir exemplifies positive character traits consistently throughout the course of play. If you prioritize positive body language and visible response to coaching, Dyer is a player you’ll quickly grow to...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 3)
by: Ethan Reece 2026 Coby Dillon (Team Loaded WV) When you look at a young guard coming into HS, the idea is typically to develop and them to be able to run your offense. But Coby has as advanced of a floor general presence as you can find at this age, which will give you another coach on the floor to boost the effects on everyone else. He’s calm under pressure as a ball handler, able to stall...
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Weekend Champions: Grassroots TOC/ Lady Rumble/ East Coast Invitational
Check out all the champions from this weekend's events, both in Rock Hill and Virginia Beach. Congrats to all teams on their championship runs!
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2025 KJ Younger (Team Hope) There might not be a player at this event more responsible for offensive production that KJ. He has a consistently high scoring output that blends his overwhelming athleticism with deceiving finely tuned skills for a guy of his build and motor. Although he could with still noteworthy results, he doesn’t rely on his athleticism to do the work for him....
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Dawkins’ Standouts from Phenom Grassroots TOC
By: DeAjai Dawkins 2025 Tre McKinnon (Team Charlotte 16U) Tre McKinnon boasts a level of athleticism that I have, quite literally, only seen in eventual collegiate athletes. McKinnon plays with a very rare blend of athleticism and discipline that allows him to contribute in every contest, despite his scoring output. I was most impressed today with how he challenged shots at the rim, especially...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at Grassroots TOC (Part 2)
2024 Gianni Vines (Team White): Vines continues to jump out as a player with intrigue. A 6’3 long prospect, he did a great job in using his length to his advantage, whether it was attacking and finishing at the rim or rising up over defenders. He is tough to stop with his combination of athleticism and length, and he was extremely effective on Day 2 at the event. 2025 Zeus Batts (WBC):...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at Phenom Grassroots TOC (Part 1)
2025 KJ Younger (Team HOPE): Younger has been a name that continues to pop up for me and I’m eager to see what his summer could be like; he could be in for a breakout-type season. Younger though continues to showcase what he has always done, being that physical presence in scoring through defenders but also showing a well-rounded skillset. He is able to really impact the game in a variety of...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at Phenom Grassroots TOC
2025 Jake Benham (Mint Hill Lakers): Benham is going to be a name that I will be watching more, and I’m excited to see how his summer goes. But so far, Benham has really elevated his game and is taking more of that lead role on his team. Benham shows how strong and effective he can be from multiple levels, finishing and making plays off the bounce, but also being a tremendous presence from the...
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2022 Dwight Canady Jr. still available and can help a program
In the world of recruiting and college basketball, we are in a unique time with the transfer portal and everything else that has come about over the last few years. What it has done though has allowed a few seniors to remain available late which many would say could help a program at the next level. One senior that really showed and caught the eyes of our scouts at the Phenom...
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Put on your Watch List: 2025 6’6 Andrew Grimes
Player: Andrew GrimesClass: 2025Height: 6’6High School: ClaytonAAU: Raleigh Raiders It seems like every year at the start of the travel ball season, Phenom Hoops gets a chance to learn about and check out a few new players. One player early on that has attracted a few of our scouts has been 2025 6’6 Andrew Grimes, who has been playing with the Raleigh Raiders and is coming off a solid...
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Brother Duo Shining on the Court: 2024 J3 Swindell and 2025 Neal Swindell
Player: J3 SwindellClass: 2024Height: 6’4 Player: Neal SwindellClass: 2025Height: 6’3 It was nearly over two years when we introduced everyone to 2024 J3 Swindell and also learned about 2025 Neal Swindell. At that time, J3 was leading the charge at Westchester Country Day but he has now continued to develop his game and is now a focal point at Caldwell Academy under head coach Brandon...
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Continuing to make a name for himself: 2025 Hayes Oxendine
Player: Hayes OxendineHeight: 6’1Class: 2025High School: Leesville RoadAAU: East Carolina Elite 2025 Hayes Oxendine is a familiar name to some, but he should start becoming an even more familiar name for several others around the state. He is coming off a terrific season in helping lead the charge as a freshman at Leesville Road and has now been making his mark with East Carolina...
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Put on your watch list: 2026 Nickolas Arnold (Carolina Riptide)
Player: Nickolas ArnoldClass: 2026Height: 5’9Position: Point GuardAAU: Carolina Riptide 2024 Blue There were several players that caught our eyes with their play, but one young prospect really grabbed the attention of many scouts at the event and should be a name to put on your watch list down the road as he develops. 2026 5’9 Nick Arnold is a young point guard, one that plays well beyond his...
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College coaches need to be looking more toward 2023 Will Gray (NC Spartans)
Player: Will GrayClass: 2023Height: 6’2High School: East ForsythAAU: NC Spartans Haidinger Each and every year, there are players that start making their own mark on the court and are new names for college coaches to start looking at more. To start the travel ball season, 2023 Will Gray from East Forsyth/ NC Spartans Haidinger. Gray is a familiar name around the state for what he has...
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Grassroots TOC Player Spotlight: 2023 JJ Moore (Anthony Morrow Elite)
Player: JJ MooreClass: 2023Height: 5’11AAU: Anthony Morrow EliteHigh School: Lincoln Charter Another player that was talked about a lot down in Rock Hill during the LIVE Period at the Phenom Grassroots TOC was 2023 5’11 JJ Moore with Anthony Morrow Elite. Moore is certainly a familiar name around North Carolina, but he continued to remind everyone of what he is capable of providing on the...
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Grassroots TOC Player Spotlight: 2024 Joshua Randolph (All Carolina)
Player: Joshua RandolphClass: 2024Height: 6’6AAU: All CarolinaHigh School: The Burlington School The Phenom Grassroots TOC gave our staff another chance to check in on the talent around the state and 2024 6’6 Joshua Randolph is one that we have talked about before and it seems that he has continued to progress with his game. At the event, Randolph really showed that he can fill it up and be a...
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POB’s New Names to Learn: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2023 Orlando Hudson (Carolina Bad Boyz): Hudson may be a familiar name to some but a new one to others. But one thing is for sure… the guard produced every time he touched the court this past weekend in Rock Hill. He plays poised and with a mature game, really displaying strong handles, and scoring well from multiple levels. He posted multiple 20-point performances all weekend long and got...
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POB’s Best of the Best from Grassroots TOC: Unsigned Seniors
2022 Ahmari Samuel (Next Level SC): Samuel came out strong to start the event and left an impression on us. The 6’3 guard scored the ball extremely well, going for 29 and 30 in back-to-back games, showing his feel, his patience, and his ability to score in an array of ways. 2022 Marcus Wills (Mint Hill Lakers): The speedy point guard leaves it out on the court. Whether you want a strong...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2025 Bryce Baker (Team Bond): If you don’t know the name Bryce Baker, you may want to start learning. The dual-sport athlete could be a player on the rise, whether it is in basketball or football. On the court though, this is a young man that plays with a ton of confidence. He doesn’t let the bright lights get to him, as Baker plays within himself and with what his team needs him to...
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Starting to all come together: 2025 6’6 Nick Hailey (Team Curry)
Team Curry 15u certainly was one of several teams that brought intrigue coming into the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops at the Phenom Grassroots TOC. Several of the top young prospects can be seen with this program and one of those players was 2025 6’6 Nick Hailey. When watching young prospects like Hailey, one of the first things that you want to see is the continuous...
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Bendel’s Best: Grassroots TOC
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for the first LIVE period of the season. The three-day stretch featured a ton of notable teams and prospects, in addition to onlooking college coaches. Although we’ve previously seen and documented a vast majority of the talent on display, next-level opportunities remain scarcer than ever before. Games were...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots Tip Off Classic (Day 3)
by: Ethan Reece 2026 Tyler Brown (Crown Academy)Tyler immediately passes the eye test and once just a few minutes into the game he passes the evaluation test. Tyler has the potential to be a special two-way big with his already outrageous length and mobility. He’s a natural rim protector with instincts and timing, and he can cover ground so quickly. He can turn boards into transition pushes and...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 3, Part 2)
2022 Jemez Herd Jr. (Team PUSH NC 2022): The unsigned senior came out with a little something to prove and that he did. He looked unstoppable on the court to finish the day, scoring in all ways. He finished extremely well in transition, finishing at the rim with power, and having multiple dunks but also displayed how tough of a matchup he can be on the floor with his size and skill set. 2022...
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Player Standouts at Day Three of Phenom Grassroots TOC
6’0 ’22 Dwight Canady (NLPB) Although there were a ton of standouts throughout the organization, Canady was as productive as anyone across the weekend. He consistently stood out as a leader, specifically through his nonstop scoring and overall ability to conduct the offensive action. Canady scored the ball from all levels, displayed playmaking instincts, and contained his assignment well...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 3, Part 1)
2024 Gage Lattimore (Carolina Clutch): Lattimore came into Day 3 with something to show and prove, and he did as he put on an impressive scoring show. Lattimore is a smooth and unselfish type of player, but he had it going; picking his spots well, pulling up for his jumper, getting to his spots off the ball from three, and just simply being a playmaker on the court. Impressive showing from the...
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Sean’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2, Part 2)
By; Sean Halloran 2024 6’9 (GATA Academy Elite) Reece Ketron Reece Ketron was one of the better big-men that I have watched yet this weekend. Ketron maintains a big presence inside the paint, with his lengthy frame he affects shots all-around the rim. He consistently played with a high-motor on both ends of the floor and displayed a nice touch inside when fed by his guards. Ketron has the tools...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots Tip-Off Classic (Day 2)
Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots Tip-Off Classic (Day 2) by: Ethan Reece 2024 Gage Lattimore (Carolina Clutch)Ben L Smith High reloads every year with a loaded roster, and their 2024 class is no different. Gage is one of the lead guards and really intrigues with his versatility and willingness to produce for wins over points. He’s an athletic lefty that is at his best when getting downhill,...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2, Part 3)
2022 Brandon Lavitt (CC Elite 2022): Watching Lavitt over the years, you just have to love what he brings to the floor. Toughness, physicality, grit… He loves to play hard on both ends and mix it up with his opponents. He isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and bring that physical feel down in the paint. Always active on both ends of the floor, Lavitt is one that just leaves it all out there on...
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