DAVID ROSE MDC EVENT RECAPS
Grassroots Team Preview: NC Spartans Liles
Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Bishop McGuinness in Kernersville, North Carolina for the NC Spartans’ media day. The practice featured their five 17U squads, which allowed us to see the differences in style and roster construction between each team. We’ve seen this program put kids in college on a yearly basis, yet this might honestly be their most talented group from top to bottom....
read more
Hoopstate Championship Previews: Word of God vs. NC GBB
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
read more
Hoopstate Championship Previews: 1 of 1 Academy vs. Piedmont Classical
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
read more
Hoopstate Championship Previews: Winston-Salem Christian Regional vs. Combine Academy Regional
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
read more
Hoopstate Championship Previews: Quality Education vs. New Life Christian
Today, the bracket play for the annual Hoopstate Championship officially begins with two highly intriguing matchups. Each year, this event serves as a battle to determine who ultimately comes out victorious as the top independent program in North Carolina. The field features Quality Education, New Life Christian, Winston-Salem Christian (National and Regional), Combine Academy (National and...
read more
Team Snow Duo Worthy of Attention
This past weekend, our Phenom Opening took place at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center—where many teams came together to kick off their travel ball season. As expected, the field featured a ton of standouts and intriguing squads. Team Snow Elite certainly deserves to be mentioned among that grouping after competing well against quality competition throughout the weekend. They have a roster...
read more
Young Twins Making Noise Early
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina for our annual Phenom Opening. The event featured a ton of travel ball programs ready to prepare for the upcoming summer season. Although young, the Team Trezz 13U squad is clearly a group worth noting. They showed flashes of pure dominance throughout the weekend, both...
read more
Bendel’s Best: Phenom Post Grad Nationals
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina for our Post Grad Nationals. There was a slew of high-level programs in attendance from all over the country (in addition to a squad from Canada) that came to compete and determine whose who within the post-grad ranks. Moreover, tons of college coaches came through...
read more
Player Standouts at Phenom Opening
6’8 ’26 Will Stevens (Carolina Riptide) There were a ton of promising big men on display, and Stevens was arguably as impressive as any of them—especially being the youngest player on his team. He’s still developing strength, but already displays timing, toughness, and a quality motor on both ends of the floor. Stevens utilizes his length very well to finish, secure rebounds, and alter shots...
read more
Player Standouts at Phenom Post Grad Nationals
6’5 ’23 Uchenna Kellman (Speights Academy) Although it would be easy to select various different standouts from this contest, Kellman earns recognition due to his smooth, polished identity. He’s smart, skilled, and able to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Kellman is a notable shooter, both from midrange and beyond the arc, who can create for himself or others. He moves well...
read more
Grassroots Team Preview: CC Elite
Each travel ball season, we watch countless grassroots organizations compete over a six-month span to earn a limited number of scholarships. There have been so many notable programs to emerge over the years with plenty proving that you don’t necessarily need to play with a shoe-circuit team in order to get recruited. Often times, it’s not even a talent disparity, but rather a situation where...
read more
NCHSAA 4A Final Four Previews
(1) Myers Park vs. (3) North Mecklenburg Although each of these games should be packed with spectators, the crowd and atmosphere for this contest should be in its own category. Myers Park was the preseason title favorite while North Meck is seemingly always relevant and in the mix for a championship. The Mustangs reached impressive levels of success this season, only suffering four losses (with...
read more
NCHSAA 3A Final Four Previews
(1) Northwood vs. (2) EE Smith There is an obvious amount of anticipation surrounding this contest, as many people predicted Northwood as title favorites prior to the season while EE Smith has emerged as a nightmarish matchup for the opposition. Looking at Golden Bulls, they have a bevy of useful pieces with Malik Brunson, Travis Stroud, Joshua Smith, Jonathan Williams, and Decarlo Brunson....
read more
NCHSAA 2A Final Four Previews
(1) Farmville Central vs. (2) Goldsboro It’s easy to get excited about this matchup, as these are two of the most popular squads throughout North Carolina. On one side, Farmville Central has been nothing short of dominant as a program over the last decade. Coach Larry Williford is sporting a record of 257-37 with four state championships over the last ten seasons, which is absolutely ridiculous....
read more
NCHSAA 1A Final Four Previews
(1) Bertie vs. (2) Wilson Prep This battle is easily one of the more intriguing final-four matchups across all classifications, as Bertie is enjoying their best season in nearly a decade while Wilson Prep has consistently been among the better teams in the eastern part of North Carolina since forming. Bertie has been led by senior Zy’Lee Bazemore along with a balanced grouping of Jah’Kelvin...
read more
Why You Should Attend Phenom Hoops’ Exposure Camps
It probably goes without saying, but the grassroots basketball landscape has changed a lot over recent years. This is evidenced through a variety of different forms, especially regarding the way general competition has dwindled. That being said, it’s somewhat understandable. Basketball becoming a year-round game has caused a clear ripple effect at all levels of the sport. Playing so many games...
read more
A Closer Look: Team CP3 14U
5’8 Sherod McCormick This roster has a ton of noteworthy pieces, and Sherod McCormick does so many vital things as their primary floor general. He’s somewhat undersized but simply knows how to control the game through a blend of IQ, pace, and poise. McCormick does a great job of touching the paint and setting up others, but can also finish or hit an array of floaters/runners. He displays...
read more
NCISAA Championship Predictions
1A: United Faith vs. Northside Christian Even prior to the season, pretty much everyone in the grassroots community predicted these two squads would meet in the title game. Both teams (and first-year head coaches) have more than exceed expectations. Coach Darrion Holloway pushed the Falcons to a 31-2 record with their only losses coming to Winston-Salem Christian (ranked nationally and first...
read more
Yohance Connor Proving Himself as a Top Player in North Carolina’s Class of 2026
It goes without saying, but 1 of 1 Academy is as loaded as any program within the state of North Carolina—especially as far as talented underclassmen are concerned. The grouping of Nick Diaz, Isaiah Denis, Jeremiah Jackson, LJ Rush, Kobe Broome, Gevonte Ware, Tayeshaun Smith, Christian Wilkins, Isaiah Williams, and Yohance Connor far exceeds that of any other team’s blend of freshmen and...
read more
The Next Noteworthy Post Prospect: Charles Chienggan Pur
Like any sport, basketball is full of trends. Just in the last 30 years, we’ve seen the game change from a heavy emphasis on big men to a sport run by perimeter players. That being said, guards were important when post players dominated the game—just as big men still have a ton of value today. The biggest difference seems to lie within how these bigs are being developed. Gone are the days of...
read more
Bendel’s Best: Phenom Winter Nationals
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops got back into the swing of things with our Winter Nationals (and Prep Showcase) being held at Rise Indoor Sports. The field was littered with a ton of young, talented, up-and-coming prospects across all age groups. Add in the overall competition level and it made for a highly entertaining weekend of basketball. There were a ton of notable players on display, and...
read more
Player Standouts at Phenom Winter Showcase
6’3 ’27 King Gibson (Team United) There are so many impressive performers on display, but King Gibson has been as noteworthy as anyone thus far. It’s difficult to imagine many eighth-graders with a more complete identity than him, especially within North Carolina. In this contest, Gibson showcased the full arsenal. He handled the ball with poise, scored the ball from all levels, and highlighted...
read more
Phenom Hoops Doing What Others Promise
The grassroots landscape has become increasingly bloodthirsty and competitive over the last few years. Between the formation of new teams, “circuits,” and event operators, there’s more action than ever before. However, this competitive nature can be misleading and misunderstood by the general masses. While this may seem like a ploy to promote Phenom Hoops’ events, it’s really more of an overview...
read more
Phenom Game Report: IMG Academy vs. AZ Compass
Last game of the night for us, IMG and AZ Compass squared off which brought even more talent to the floor. By the end of the first quarter, both teams were all squared up at 14, as IMG shot the ball well and was able to score inside the arc while AZ Compass found ways to score but didn’t find as much success from outside. IMG’s defense was strong early on, as AZ Compass shot around 43 percent...
read more
Phenom Game Report: Columbus vs. Sierra Canyon
Next up on the day, Sierra Canyon and Columbus had the facility absolutely packed and loaded with elite talent, as fans got their money’s worth with this matchup. It was a good showing early on for both teams, as Columbus was able to earn the early edge 14-9 behind ’25 Cameron Boozer. ’23 Bronny James got things going with two early threes to help Sierra Canyon. In the second quarter,...
read more
Phenom Game Report: Camden vs. Bishop Gorman
The stars were out on Monday, as we started the day with two national powerhouses in Bishop Gorman taking on Camden. Camden came out extremely strong behind Kentucky commit big man 2023 Aaron Bradshaw, who was carving out space and finishing at the rim extremely well. His play allowed Camden to jump out to a 21-5 first-quarter lead, and they didn’t slow down there. Bishop Gorman continued to...
read more
Takeaways from Carmel MLK Showcase
Asheville School Full of Intriguing Pieces Given their success over the years, it should come as no surprise to see the Blues rolling out another incredibly exciting squad full of notable college prospects. Although he’s up to a dozen offers, it still feels like Derin Saran is still somewhat underrated by the masses. He continues to make his case as the best true point guard within the current...
read more
Carmel MLK Showcase Previews: Carmel Christian vs. Myers Park
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops is hosting our annual Carmel Christian MLK Showcase in Matthews, North Carolina. The schedule is set to feature six games of competitive battles, as public-school teams will face private-school opponents. Given all the open discussion surrounding the “who’s who” of North Carolina basketball, this event should be a strong indicator of what teams are beginning to hit...
read more
Carmel MLK Showcase Previews: Chambers vs. Greensboro Day
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops is hosting our annual Carmel Christian MLK Showcase in Matthews, North Carolina. The schedule is set to feature six games of competitive battles, as public-school teams will face private-school opponents. Given all the open discussion surrounding the “who’s who” of North Carolina basketball, this event should be a strong indicator of what teams are beginning to hit...
read more
Carmel MLK Showcase Previews: Cannon vs. East Mecklenburg
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops is hosting our annual Carmel Christian MLK Showcase in Matthews, North Carolina. The schedule is set to feature six games of competitive battles, as public-school teams will face private-school opponents. Given all the open discussion surrounding the “who’s who” of North Carolina basketball, this event should be a strong indicator of what teams are beginning to hit...
read more