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Why Dillon Jones is Worthy of First-Round Consideration
The transition into the new year always serves as a perfect time to start taking a closer look at draft boards and determining whose stock could climb. Each season, someone seems to emerge in an unforeseen manner. The weaker the draft, the more likely teams are going to swing for the fences or make safe, reliable choices. Although it’s gotten slightly more buzz over the last few months,...
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How Incorrect Height Can Affect Your Recruitment
There are several factors that impact an individual’s recruitment. Whether grades, attitude, basketball IQ, or countless other things, these variables can be the difference between receiving offers and being brushed aside. However, few specifics turn coaches off more than incorrect heights. The masses might ask, “why does this matter so much'†Well, it’s the same as a 30%...
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Sneaky Players to Watch: ’25 Levon Jacobs and ’24 Brady Kester
Continuing to highlight talent found throughout the state, Davidson Day continues to be a place that college coaches should have eyes on, as talent still can be found. Two players that we have talked about in the past but believe should be garnering more attention are 2025 6’8 Levon Jacobs and 2024 6’8 Brady Kester, two valuable yet sneaky players that can help a future program. Here...
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Talent that Needs Attention: 2024 6’10 Johan Munch (Orangeville Prep)
Photo Courtesy: @themapleminute Player: Johan MunchSchool: Orangeville PrepClass: 2024Height: 6’10 Recently checking out talent at the La Porte Invitational, we were able to check out a lot of big-time talent that many have already heard of and are being highly recruited. But when we recently watched Orangeville Prep, we had our eyes on a player we hadn’t watched before but he showed...
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Trusting Your Eyes: Five Players Who Outperformed Their High School Recruitment
Every year, we see the recruiting landscape determine which prospects are “supposed†to be coveted. Without fail, there are seemingly always guys who slip through the cracks and earn the label of “under-recruited.†While some people might look at the examples below and push back that “any offer is a privilege,†so let’s avoid any potential misunderstanding. First, let’s...
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Five Unsigned Seniors Putting Up Big Numbers
6’2 Dominic Payne (Trinity) Payne is a big guard/wing with a strong frame and well-rounded skillset. He’s comfortable controlling the offense, creating for himself and others, and making his presence felt as a rebounder on both ends of the floor. Payne is also capable of defending multiple positions. He’s currently averaging 32.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 5.1 APG, and 1.1 SPG. 6’1...
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Lady Standouts at Gate City Classic
5’9 2024 Azahreya Drayton-Gill (Smith) Given everything she’s shown over the years, it should come as no surprise to see Drayton-Gill continuing to stand out as a productive leader for this group. She’s a smart, versatile wing/forward prospect with the motor, toughness, and well-rounded skillset to dominate a game. Drayton-Gill is a terrific rebounder for her size/position and...
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Bendel’s Best: Gate City Classic (Part Two)
6’3 ’24 Gage Lattimore (Smith) It doesn’t take long when watching the Golden Eagles to notice Lattimore’s significance and overall involvement as a leader. Widely known for his lethal three-point shooting, the 6-foot-3 guard does legitimately everything for this group. Sure, he still applies constant pressure as a marksman from beyond the arc, but his defense, rebounding,...
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LJ Smith’s Historic Freshman Campaign
Each high school season, few things are more exciting than watching the next wave of young prospects emerge. Over the recent years, there have been noteworthy phenoms such as Jarin Stevenson, Coby White, Wendell Moore, Robert Dillingham, and countless others who have warranted a ton of buzz as freshmen. It’s not always easy to predict who’s going to set the world ablaze, but it...
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NC GBB is Full of Next-Level Pieces
Each season, the calendar turns to a new year and the grassroots landscape is reflooded with available senior prospects. Even after travel ball and several months of the high school season, there are still plenty of college-level players who have little to no traction within their recruitment. This isn’t a new trend, but the increased emphasis of the transfer portal has inevitably hurt...
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Bendel’s Best: Gate City Classic (Part One)
6’4 ’25 Jaylen Cross (Caldwell Academy) Given his status as the top prospect and performer in the event, it came as no surprise to see Cross continuing to showcase the full arsenal. Few players of his caliber are truly comfortable at doing what is best for the team, but Cross’ team-oriented approach seemingly never wavers. Throughout the event, he was at his best when attacking...
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POB’s Standouts from New Year’s Bash (Day 3)
2027 Travien Williams (Hickory Ridge): Another young freshman for this program, as they have some intriguing building blocks to work with down the road, Williams was able to create and make several plays off the bounce. Attacked and got into the defense, finished strong, and was consistently active throughout the game. He will be another one to watch. 2024 Xavier Perry (VCCS): Perry has had an...
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POB’s Standouts from Phenom New Year’s Bash (Day 2)
2024 Khyelle Ingram (Bull City Prep): Ingram was tremendous throughout the game and really played at a high level; very aggressive and physical throughout. Scored the ball well at the rim, displaying his ability to embrace contact, get to the rim consistently, and also battle on the boards as he finished with a double-double on Day 2 for his team. 2027 Christian Coleman (West Charlotte):...
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Kevin’s Players to Know (12.29)
By: Kevin Moses Karter WilsonTwitter: @KarterWils84855Height: 6’2, 185Class of 2025School: Wonderview High School Wilson is an imposing force in the paint and fierce finisher. Karter loves to run the floor and finish strong at the rim or kick it to an open teammate. As a facilitator, he drops some nice dimes. Talk about putting pressure on a defense with that high IQ, speed, and...
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Trey Beamer Eclipses the 1000-Point Mark
Scoring 1000 points is a meaningful milestone in high school basketball. It’s pretty common amongst players who have next-level ability, but also attainable for those who were contributors throughout their four years. However, surpassing the 1000-point mark in only 42 games is simply ridiculous. We’ve seen a lot of special players across the region and very few have been able to...
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Young Duo Turning Heads for the Lady Vikings
Last week, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual Holiday Classic at Cox Mill High School for a three-day stretch of exciting basketball matchups. The event featured eight of the state’s top programs (public and private) in bracket play, and several more for showcase games. Among those on display, North Mecklenburg’s ladies team quietly stood out as one of the more memorable squads in...
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Kevin’s Players to Know (12.23)
By: Kevin Moses Player: Hayden HarrisTwitter: @hayden10harrisHeight: 6’7, 210Class of 2024School: Clay Co. High School, KY Harris is a triple-threat scoring option that can take over a game in a flash. A fierce competitor with a high IQ and understanding when it’s time to turn up the heat and be that dog. Very efficient long-range bomber but the speed off the bounce or the open court...
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2025 KJ Younger (Weddington) Having a Breakout Season
Player: KJ YoungerClass: 2025Height: 6’5School: Weddington Every single year, there are players that one can consider as a “breakout†player and boy, do we have one for you that should start garnering more interest from college programs. 2025 6’5 KJ Younger has been having a tremendous season at Weddington, putting up impressive numbers. So far, averaging nearly 23 points and...
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College-Level Seniors Worthy of Attention from Ish Smith Showcase
6’7 Jeremiah Howard (Concord) After a summer season playing with the most dominant program in the Carolinas, one would think Howard would have more traction with college coaches. He’s a big, strong, physically imposing post prospect with a quality motor and blue-collar approach. Howard is a capable finisher who rebounds, alters shots, and runs the floor in transition. He utilizes his body very...
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Rares Trandafir is a Must-See Prospect for Division I Programs
No matter how much basketball changes, size will always matter. The game has gradually shifted to emphasize spacing and three-point shooting while basically working to excise the idea of multi-big lineups (or those with interior pieces who are incapable of switching). This concept is less meaningful at the high school level, but still has an effect on the general development of post prospects....
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Kevin’s Player to Know: 2026 Jayden Barton
By: Kevin Moses Player: Jayden BartonTwitter: @JaydenBarton_Height: 6’3Class of 2026School: Sevier Co. High School Barton is yet another dynamic stud out of east TN. He is a triple threat scoring option but always looking for the perfect play for the best scoring opportunity. He has a beautiful touch from downtown but is explosive off the bounce to get shots for himself or others as a...
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2024 Quasim Oden (Grace Christian) can help a future program
Player: Quasim OdenClass: 2024School: Grace Christian We continue to highlight players around the region who should be garnering looks from programs, especially a few unsigned seniors that we know can help a future program. One player that we have watched countless times over the last few months has been 2024 Quasim Oden for Grace Christian. Whether it was at the Hoop State Fall League or for...
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Kevin’s Players to Know (12.8)
By: Kevin Moses Player: Trevor ShortTwitter: @trevorshort24Height: 6’3, 205Class of 2024School: Brandeis High School, TX Short is an electric combo guard who is somewhat of a punisher with a physical attacking game that is hard to stop. Trevor is very athletic can handle the ball extremely well and can fuel the transition game very well. Trevor gets to the rim for fierce finishes even...
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South Carolina Sophomore 40 Camp Evaluations: Team 9
Team 9 Coach: Angus Anderson #91: 5’8 ’26 Mujahid Jones (Blythewood) Starting things off, we look at a player who displayed a solid understanding of how to produce from either backcourt spot, Mujahid Jones. He’s a scrappy, unselfish guard prospect who handles the ball well and attacks the basket with consistency. Jones is a capable midrange shooter, but was arguably at his best when breaking...
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South Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 8
Team 8 Coach: Justin Harris #9: 5’10 ’25 Hyikeem Burnside (Laurens) Starting things off, we look at a player who made a quality impact despite being the smallest camper on this team, Hyikeem Burnside. He’s a tough, scrappy, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with a high IQ and unselfish approach to the game. Burnside knocked down three-pointers and pull-ups, but was arguably at his best when...
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South Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 7
Team 7 Coach: Austin Collins #7: 5’9 ’25 Nikayle Hodge (Westminster Catawba) Starting things off, we look at a player who did a variety of things well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Nikayle Hodge. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with great balance between scoring and playmaking. Hodge utilizes his tight handle and quick first step to break down opponents, touch the...
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Could 2026 Tyson Thompson (St. Paul’s) be tracking to another level'
Player: Tyson ThompsonSchool: St. Paul’sClass: 2026Height: 6’9 At the Hoops & Dreams Showcase, it was a great opportunity to view a rising big that we don’t get to see a ton of but has always impressed in 2026 6’9 Tyson Thompson from St. Paul’s. Thompson has been one we have monitored over the years and has steadily continued to develop into a strong prospect and one that college...
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Kevin’s Players to Know (Dec. 4)
By: Kevin Moses Player: Eli CampbellTwitter: @e_campbellx24Height: 6’0, 170Class of 2024School: Midland Trail High School, WV Campbell is an electric duel threat scoring option you can count on. A beautiful three-point shot. Crafty finisher at the rim. Eli can drop a sweet dime but with a high IQ. Eli can beat you with his mind and his skills. May not be the tallest, fastest, biggest or...
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South Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 6
Team 6 Coach: Josh Staley #6: 5’9 ’26 Michael Jones (Indian Land) Starting things off, we look at a player who easily stood out as one of the top performers on display, Michael Jones. He’s a smart, dynamic lead guard prospect with incredible speed, quickness, and scoring polish. Jones is an excellent creator who touches the paint at a high volume, hits jumpers with consistency, and sets up...
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Names to Know: 2024 Luke Shure – The Total Package Destroyer
By: Kevin Moses Luke Shure Twitter: @luke_shure Height: 6’7, 175Class of 2024School: Union Christian Academy, AR Shure is an extremely versatile wing that can flat-out go. This explosive young stud can be a fierce triple-threat scoring option consistently while remaining an efficient leader. Luke has a beautiful touch from outside but he can be a punisher off the bounce and on the...
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