DAVID ROSE MDC EVENT RECAPS

Phenom Open Gym: Moravian Prep National

6'1 2025 Eli Ellis' Eli has proven himself to be one of the best players in the country. He is a player you would want to go to battle with. Eli is extremely skilled and has a great frame at the PG position. He has the ability to create for himself and his teammates. He proves the haters/doubters wrong every time he touches the floor. Eli plays the game at his own pace and does a tremendous job...

read more

Phenom Hoops Player Profile:'Bobby Hardison

Height:'6'5 Class: 2025 School:'Moravian Prep Travel Team: B.Maze Elite What Was Recently Said: Upon making his returning appearance with this group, it's safe to say the vast majority of spectators were impressed with 6'5 '24 Bobby Hardison. Already a talented player prior to his season at Hargrave, Hardison has grown multiple inches while making clear strides as an overall prospect....

read more

The Lake Show: Lake Norman Absolutely Loaded

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise in Advance, North Carolina for our annual Team Camp. This event always serves as a kickstart to June, as players go back to their respective high schools and prepare for the upcoming Live periods. There's usually a fair number of takeaways but it's also easy to get carried away or overexcited by the sheer change of pace from travel ball....

read more

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...

read more

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):...

read more

Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom September Classic/Hoopstate League

5'9 '25 Q Williams (CP3BA) Though it should probably be common knowledge at this point, Williams continues to solidify himself as one of the top floor generals in the state. He's an extremely smart, unselfish point guard prospect with the ability to create and set up others in an effortless manner. Williams gets wherever he wants on the floor and has the necessary instincts to generate clean...

read more

Lake Norman High School Open Gym Report

On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops also traveled to Mooresville to watch Lake Norman High School practice. Coach Grant Hodges has done an impressive job of building teams with an identity. They are fundamentally sound. They play together with one another. Although they lose several key contributors in Clay Hodges, Seth Aeschliman, Camden Kepley, and Christian Taylor, the Wildcats have added quality new...

read more

Dawkins’ Standouts from Summer Havoc Session 2 (Day 1, Part 2)

By: DeAjai Dawkins 6'2 2024 Bobby Hardison (Carolina Riptide 2024/Lake Norman)' I've been aware of Bobby for a full year now, and have watched him really begin to come into his own. Coming off a solid freshman season playing with the junior varsity squad, Hardison's ability to score from all 3-levels at a fair rate should lead him to being a varsity-level contributor. I think the cast making up...

read more

NCHSAA LIVE Period Team Previews: Lake Norman

After a lot of stressors throughout the last twelve to fourteen months, the grassroots basketball landscape has finally returned to normalcy. The shoe-circuits and high school LIVE periods were restored for the betterment of these young prospects who are simply fighting for an equal opportunity to advance to the collegiate ranks. Although this presents Division I programs with the chance to...

read more

The Future Backcourt of Lake Norman High School

Between coaching changes and player movement, there is constant flux and change throughout the high school basketball landscape'especially in North Carolina. With so many programs operating as revolving doors for players, it's almost become a rarity to see kids remain patient, properly develop, and seize their opportunity when it's time. However, the disciplined, somewhat old-fashion method is...

read more

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...

read more

Special K's Superstars from Phenom Grassroots TOC

This weekend, Phenom Hoops took it to the great city of Rock Hill to host the Phenom Grassroots Tournament of Champions. Teams from all over the country came to participate and college coaches were in attendance. The talent level was through the roof, and these are the top players that I saw: 6'2 Jaden Bradley of Team CP3 17U was perhaps the most impressive player in the gym. Sometimes when...

read more

Bendel's Best: Grassroots Tip-Off Classic

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina for another entertaining event. Although most of the attention centered around Team CP3, Team Teague, and various other noteworthy programs, there was plenty of underrated talent within the building. This article will take a closer look at some personal favorites from the three-day...

read more

Player Standouts at Phenom Grassroots TOC

6'6 '23 Stepfon Simmons (Team Magic) It would be impossible for anyone watching this contest to walk away anything other than impressed with Simmons and his seemingly nonstop production on either end of the floor. He's a long, strong, mobile forward prospect with a high motor and the ability to overwhelm opponents as a rebounder and defensive anchor. Simmons finishes with both hands, moves well...

read more

The Expansion of the Carolina Riptide

Just four years ago, Grant Hodges, Greg Forest, and seven kids from the greater Lake Norman area came together to form the Carolina Riptide. Despite some roster changes over the years, the core grouping of Clay 'Smoke' Hodges, Trace Forest, Christian Taylor, and Callahan Reed have remained firmly intact since first forming. Thereafter, the Riptide players could be seen attending various camps...

read more

DeAjai's Halloween Scary Standouts

By: DeAjai Dawkins 2026 Jonathan Ross (CLT1 Miller 7th) There is a mouthful to be said about the mountain of potential that Jonathan Ross possesses. A strong-bodied athlete placed on the wing, Ross displays elite guard-like ball skills with the ability to both handle the ball and make pinpoint passes on a dime. The very first play I saw from Ross was a beautiful one-handed find from the wing to...

read more

Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 9

Team 9Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist'list=PLJSuI1FGChQbrWG0-TD_7t4kh1YGZoBH2 Coach: LJ Johnson #0: 5'6 '25 Nicholas Blyden (Lexington) Starting things off, we look at a player that competed well despite being the smallest and youngest camper on this team, Nicholas Blyden. He's a young, scrappy guard prospect with a solid motor and willingness to make hustle plays on both ends...

read more

Phenom Hoops' Carolina Middle School Showcase Evaluations: Team 5

Team 5 Coach: Kelvin Reid   #6:'5'0 '24 AJ Adams (Shelby, NC) Starting things off, we look at a player that was arguably the most impressive floor general on display, AJ Adams. He's an incredibly smart, crafty point guard prospect that possesses advanced vision and unselfish nature. Adams scored efficiently from all three levels, but typically looked create scoring opportunities for his...

read more