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Player Standouts at Phenom Seros Invitational (Part Two)
6’8 ’26 Alan Shi (Drifty Elite) The Drifty Elite roster certainly generated a lot of buzz, and Shi was as productive as anyone on the team. He’s an athletic, high-motor post player with great size, strength, and versatility on both ends of the floor. Shi rebounds the ball really well and can push the break himself or fill the lane in transition. He finishes above the rim with regularity, but can...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Seros Invitational
6’10 ’27 Lincoln Cosby (444 Athletics) It doesn’t take long to see why Cosby is such a highly regarded prospect. At 6-foot-10, he’s a walking mismatch. Cosby is an incredibly fluid athlete with an impressive skillset for his size/position. He handles the ball, creates well for himself and others off the bounce, and mixes it up as a scorer from all levels. Cosby is clearly at his best when...
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Bendel’s Best: Seros Invitational
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded the travel ball season by combining the Seros Invitational with our Summer Finale. The event was absolutely loaded with talent, featuring an all-star lineup of names and teams across all age groups. Kids were in awe of the several popular social media figures in the building, but there was also plenty of quality basketball on display. Although it was a...
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Updated Team List for Seros Invitational and Summer Finale (17U-14U)
17U 434 Supreme AVL Hustle Carolina Rockets Drifty Elite DWOK Elite DWWD East Elite Harrisburg Hornets MAADWEST Elite No Hype SB Allstars Team Charlotte Team Crews Team Global Select Warriors Elite 16U 444 Athletics PRO16 Atlanta Xpress UAA CC Elite Cooz Elite PRO16 Dedicated to Excellence JahWorkouts Corbin JahWorkouts Coverdale MAADWEST Elite NC Rise Smith No Hype Rockets Elite Salem Shooters...
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The Five Worst Contracts in the NBA
Considering August is one of the only periods of the year when basketball isn’t being played, there’s no better time to look at a different collection of topics…like NBA contracts. The salary cap is one of the biggest separators between collegiate and professional basketball, but it’s unclear if the general masses truly comprehend contract value. People see Karl-Anthony Towns making $53 million...
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The Five Best Contracts in the NBA
Considering August is one of the only periods of the year when basketball isn’t being played, there’s no better time to look at a different collection of topics…like NBA contracts. The salary cap is one of the biggest separators between collegiate and professional basketball, but it’s unclear if the general masses truly comprehend contract value. People see Karl-Anthony Towns making 53 million...
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North Carolina’s Depleting Class of 2026
Although player movement has become more common than ever, transferring schools or leaving the state is not a universally proven method. There have been countless players who have made big moves over the years, both to national programs and notable local schools, and the results tend to vary heavily by individual. We are not aiming to highlight positives or negatives, but rather trying to...
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Is Jeremiah Triplin Trending Towards National Status?
It’s amazing to see the patterns and inconsistencies within the general development of young basketball prospects. There are usually no definitive indicators to determine whether a player will or won’t pan out, but certain traits are rare enough to turn heads. Consider a player like Jeremiah Triplin, whose size was his unique attribute at an early age. Unfortunately, that’s only half the battle....
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Trio of Immediate Impact Freshmen in North Carolina
Each year, the state is replenished with a new litter of freshmen prospects. Although the talent level varies heavily from one season to the next, there’s always some level of excitement surrounding the new or unknown. Over the next few months, we will start to get a better idea of young guys who should be difference-makers for their high school teams. However, plenty of players have already...
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Big Names Headline Loaded Seros Field
6’5 ’27 King Gibson 6’4 ’27 LJ Smith 6’10 ’26 Cody Peck 6’4 ’26 Elijah Thomas 6’0 ’27 King Kendrick 6’3 ’26 Jyi Dawkins 6’9 ’27 Charles Pur 6’7 ’26 Elton James 6’7 ’26 Janon Singh 6’5 ’26 Jayden Gray 2029 MJ McKinney 2029 Quantay James Dionte Neal PG 5’9 Kobe Edwards CG 6’2 Josiah Freeman SG 6’5 Bradley Floyd CG 6’5 Brelyn Moses SF 6’5 Ricky Moore Jr CG 6’6 Chase Smith PF 6’8 Tre Raymon PF 6’8...
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Friday Five: Most Intriguing Things Entering the NBA Season
Now that we’ve reached August, high school basketball will slow down for a brief period before the start of next season. During this time featuring fewer events, we will start looking at other topics worth discussing (typically in the basketball space) during this “Friday Five” series. Whether it’s players capturing headlines, stories in the media, or something completely unrelated, we will...
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Name to Know: 6’5 2027 Ja’Nolan Mathis
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final event of July with our PHL Finals. The two-day event featured an impressive mix of Division I, II, and III (in addition to JUCO and NAIA) prospects. Although coaches finished up most of their recruiting trips over the last few weekends, there was still a slew of intriguing pieces throughout the tournament. Among those pieces is Ja’Nolan Mathis...
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Is Myers Park Back on the Rise?
The high school basketball landscape is constantly changing. Although coaches getting hired and players moving to different programs are nothing new, it’s arguably more common than ever before. Given the recent classification realignment for public-school basketball, there will be double the number of state champs and “contending” programs by default. There are plenty of enticing situations to...
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Is Jayon Connor Due for a Breakout Season?
The culture is about to drastically change at Alexander Central. These last two seasons have been somewhat of an uphill battle after highly successful, long-tenured coach Ed Wills stepped away. However, the hiring of Grant Hodges should bring a lot of optimism for the immediate future of the Cougars’ program. What does this have to do with Connor? For a guy who has rapidly improved and...
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Trio of Young Prospects from PHL Finals
6’7 ’28 Zyion Jones (Upward Stars Columbia) It’s easy to see the appeal with Jones, both as a current player and long-term prospect. He’s a fluid athlete with length, mobility, and natural instincts on both ends of the floor. Jones is capable of impacting the game through his motor and athleticism, but has also made considerable strides within his development. He consistently rebounds and alters...
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Player Standouts at PHL Finals (Part Three)
6’3 ’28 Gary Grear (KOC) It’s almost impossible to watch this KOC squad and walk away feeling anything other than impressed by Grear. He’s a natural leader who sets the tone through his IQ, production, and toughness. Grear shines as the focal point of their seamless offensive structure, typically operating as the main creator and scorer from all levels. He consistently creates for himself and...
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Player Standouts at PHL Finals (Part Two)
6’0 ’27 CP Perry (Dub Salem) Although we didn’t see Perry much this travel ball season, his crafty, polished game is still as effective as ever. He effortlessly created for himself and others while highlighting his handle, vision, and scoring prowess from all levels. Perry displays excellent pace and poise when attacking off the bounce. He shoots the ball at a high clip from beyond the arc, but...
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Player Standouts at PHL Finals
6’5 ’27 Thomas Vickery (Thrill Skillz) There were a lot of notable names on display for the final weekend of travel ball, but Vickery was arguably as impressive as anyone. It was my first “real” viewing outside of last year’s high school season (when touches and playing time were limited), and it’s easy to see why he’s rapidly trending upward as one of the fastest risers in North Carolina’s...
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Pure Dominance: Team Pittman Rolls to Win 15U PHL Championship
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our inaugural Phenom Hoops League Finals in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured teams that participated in the PHL and accumulated enough points throughout the travel ball season to qualify for the season-ending tournament. Although each of the brackets was highly competitive, one could truly argue that this division was the most talented across...
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Loaded with Talent: Upward Stars Columbia Wins 16U PHL Championship
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our inaugural Phenom Hoops League Finals in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured teams that participated in the PHL and accumulated enough points throughout the travel ball season to qualify for the season-ending tournament. Although each of the brackets were highly competitive, there was still a ton of excitement surrounding the 16U age group. The...
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New Era, Still Winning: Team Charlotte Secures 17U PHL Championship
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our inaugural Phenom Hoops League Finals in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured teams that participated in the PHL and accumulated enough points throughout the travel ball season to qualify for the season-ending tournament. Although each of the brackets was highly competitive, lots of eyes were directed at the oldest division and the players who...
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QJ Young Preparing for Breakout Junior Season
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final live period of the travel ball season with our tenth annual Summer Havoc. No matter where the event is held (Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or Bermuda Run), Summer Havoc has consistently put prospects in a position to be seen by all levels of college coaches. This year’s edition was no different. The three-day event featured an impressive mix of...
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PSB Elite Barnes Becoming a Priority for College Coaches
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final live period of the travel ball season with our tenth annual Summer Havoc. No matter where the event is held (Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or Bermuda Run), Summer Havoc has consistently put prospects in a position to be seen by all levels of college coaches. This year’s edition was no different. The three-day event featured an impressive mix of...
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New Name to Know: Segond Sompa (TN Travelers)
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final live period of the travel ball season with our tenth annual Summer Havoc. No matter where the event is held (Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or Bermuda Run), Summer Havoc has consistently put prospects in a position to be seen by all levels of college coaches. This year’s edition was no different. The three-day event featured an impressive mix of...
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Elite One Shines Behind Core of College-Level Prospects
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded our final live period of the travel ball season with our tenth annual Summer Havoc. No matter where the event is held (Spartanburg, Rock Hill, or Bermuda Run), Summer Havoc has consistently put prospects in a position to be seen by all levels of college coaches. This year’s edition was no different. The three-day event featured an impressive mix of...
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Young Prospects to Know from Phenom Summer Havoc
6’6 ’28 Cameron Moore (Team Loaded) After watching him across multiple games last weekend, it’s even more evident that Moore should be mentioned among the top prospects in his class. Between his size, skillset, and athleticism, he possesses all the tools to be a versatile matchup problem on both ends of the floor. Moore already displays excellent instincts and overall feel for the game. He’s a...
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Summer Havoc Features Next-Level Targets for College Coaches (Part Four)
6’5 ’26 Darrion Ellis (Strictly Ballas) It doesn’t take long to see all the appealing qualities Ellis possesses. He’s a big, strong, explosive wing prospect with great size and a well-rounded skillset. Ellis is capable of scoring the ball from all three levels. He displays the ability to consistently attack the basket and finish above the rim or through contact, but also mixes in a nice variety...
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Summer Havoc Features Next-Level Targets for College Coaches (Part Two)
6’2 ’26 Chaise Smith (Strictly Ballas) Folks should already be informed of Smith and everything he brings to the table as an electric shot-making guard with craftiness and playmaking instincts. Despite some struggles as a team, he consistently found ways to stand out through his production. Smith is a quality creator with the handle and quick-twitch athleticism to effortlessly generate clean...
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Summer Havoc Features Next-Level Targets for College Coaches
5’10 ’26 Mike Strickland (Dub Salem) Despite being the smallest player listed, it’s easy to see all the ways Strickland makes his presence felt for this group. He plays with nonstop energy and effort on both ends of the floor. Strickland understands how to set up the offense, make smart passes, and apply pressure as a downhill threat. He’s also a capable shooter who looks to take advantage of...
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Bendel’s Best: Summer Havoc
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise Indoor Sports for our tenth annual Summer Havoc Live. There was an abundance of college coaches from all levels in attendance to seize their final opportunity to recruit. The three-day tournament was loaded with a ton of appealing prospects and quality matchups across all age divisions. As always, this article will take a closer look at some...
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