EVENT NEWS
To filter articles by a specific event, use the dropdown below.
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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,...
read more
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...
read more
Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Grassroots TOC
6’1 ’25 Hayes Oxendine (East Carolina Elite) Though we’ve consistently seen his foundation as a lethal shooter, Oxendine showcased a lot of ability as the primary creator and overall leader for this group. He’s a smart decision-maker and understands how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Oxendine is comfortable at setting up others while finding scoring opportunities from all three...
read more
POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2, Part 2)
2023 Parker Hodgson (Dream Big Elite): Hodgson continues to be the go-to leader for Dream Big Elite, a team that has some intriguing talent to watch. Hodgson though was able to show that he can knock down shots but did a terrific job in putting the pressure on the defense and getting to the line as well in his team’s win today. Smooth operating prospect that knows how to score. 2025...
read more
POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2, Part 1)
2025 Jackson Fannon (Riptide 2025): Fannon is going to be a name you will want to continue to watch over the years. Already at 6’6, he brings a ton of versatility to the floor. His understanding of the game and skill set is unique, as he has a tremendous feel with the ball in his hands and the ability to operate and score in a variety of ways. 2025 Abram Early (Team Griggs): When you watch him...
read more
Sean’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots TOC Day 2
2024 6’3 (NC Spartans 16U Graves) John CampbellJohn Campbell was a name I was told to watch for entering this weekend. Campbell is a lengthy, silky guard who gets after it on both ends. He impressed me with his activity on the defensive end of the floor, having constant hands in passing lanes which led to a few fast-break dunks for him. Offensively, Campbell has a great pace to his game and is...
read more
Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots Tip-Off Classic (Day 1)
by: Ethan Reece 2024 Graham Williams (Hoop Dreams)The definite long term potential is evident in Graham’s game. His length was overwhelming for the opponent and he utilized it to its full extent. He was a one-man clean-up crew around the glass and finished everything he came up within the lane. You can already see good feel and awareness defensively along with a muscular tone to his body that...
read more
POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Grassroots TOC Day 1
2023 Kanye Nelson (York County Legends): Nelson came out strong and really put his name on the map out there to start his weekend. He simply torched the nets, especially from three as he knocked down multiple threes without even hitting the rim. He played confidently, showcasing his ability to knock down shots, create for himself at times, and attack in transition. 2023 Brock Rose (Team...
read more
Player Standouts at Phenom Grassroots TOC
6’3 ’23 Markquan Gilbert (Carolina Clutch) There were a lot of nice contributors for the Clutch during this contest, and Gilbert was certainly among the most involved. He’s a strong, physical wing prospect with toughness, a high motor, and the ability to outwork opponents on both ends of the floor. Gilbert finishes well through contact and makes his presence consistently felt as a defender and...
read more
Phenom Grassroots TOC Team Preview: Dream Big Elite
The Phenom Grassroots TOC is this weekend in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, as it is the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops this season. The talent pool runs deep throughout and we want to give college coaches a leg up on who to watch and who will be in action. Here are a few players to check out for each team, presented by the head coach. Dream Big Elite Player: Erik KronstadClass: 2023Position:...
read more
Phenom Grassroots TOC Team Preview: Team HOPE 2024
The Phenom Grassroots TOC is this weekend in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, as it is the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops this season. The talent pool runs deep throughout and we want to give college coaches a leg up on who to watch and who will be in action. Here are a few players to check out for each team, presented by the head coach. Team HOPE 2024 Cinjun Bridges #5• Class of 2024 (Marvin Ridge)•...
read more
Phenom Grassroots TOC Team Preview: Shot Callerz Nation (2025 and 2026)
The Phenom Grassroots TOC is this weekend in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, as it is the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops this season. The talent pool runs deep throughout and we want to give college coaches a leg up on who to watch and who will be in action. Here are a few players to check out for each team, presented by the head coach. 2025 Shot Callerz Nation Player Name: Amare Adams 6-5Class:...
read more