EVENT NEWS
To filter articles by a specific event, use the dropdown below.
Kevin’s Players to Know (1.26.24)
By: Kevin Moses Peyton Brown Twitter: @peytonbrown Height: 6’1, 165 Class of 2024School: St. Albans High School, WV Brown is an explosive and crafty combination guard who can fill up the stat sheet in a hurry. Peyton is a dynamic triple-threat scoring option with nice blow-by speed and shifty athletic ability that helps him create his own shots with ease. Great elevation to shoot over...
read more
Phenom Hoops Middle School Camp Evaluations: Team 2
Team 2 Coach: Cooper Hart #22: 5’2 ’28 Jeremiah Purdie (Raleigh) Starting things off, we look at a player who possesses a strong understanding of how to run team, Jeremiah Purdie. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with a tight handle and crafty playmaking sense. Purdie plays with excellent pace while constantly surveying the floor and creating scoring opportunities...
read more
Phenom Hoops Middle School Camp Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Ethan Reece #17: 5’0 ’29 Austin Kelly (Blythewood) Starting things off, we look at a player who made a consistent impact despite his lack of size, Austin Kelly. He’s a wiry, unselfish guard prospect who possesses a high motor and solid understanding of how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Kelly is a capable penetrating threat who handles the ball well and...
read more
Unsigned Senior Spotlight:Â 6’0 Delani Hammonds
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and...
read more
The Perfect Storm: Special Duo Shining for Guilford College
Life has a unique way of presenting opportunity. Though cliché, the concept of “everything happens for a reason†is extremely applicable to high school basketball and all the factors associated with it. Recruiting has become such a nightmare for the vast majority of kids. While this is largely due to the aftermath from covid, there are still so many prospects who lack an understanding of...
read more
Wauwatosa West offers premier talent for college programs
Phenom Hoops continues its trip around the country, taking in games across the country as we went up to Wisconsin lately to check out an intense battle between Hamilton and Wauwatosa West, with Wauwatosa West winning 71-63. While watching the game, we had a great opportunity to watch 2025 6’11 Kai Rogers, a dominant big that holds a host of offers, as well as 2025 6’1 Jake Hansen, a...
read more
Kevin’s Players To Know (1.19)
By: Kevin Moses Dylan Boyd Height: 6’2, 200Class of 2026 School: Floyd Central High School, KY Boyd is a ruthless three-point scoring machine. Give him any space and it’s lights out. Dylan can flat-out shoot and get red hot in a hurry. With his incredible long-range shooting, Dylan stretches the floor and can effectively attack off the bounce you score on the other two levels. Dylan...
read more
Unsigned Senior Spotlight:Â 6’5 Jordan Patton
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and...
read more
Five Freshmen Producing at a High Level
Few sports at the amateur level offer as much intrigue as high school basketball. There’s simply so much to watch and monitor, especially in a talent-laden state like North Carolina. Whether it’s following individual growth, uncovering new prospects, or seeing what teams will separate themselves from the pack, the landscape is full of excitement. Now that we’ve reached the...
read more
2027 Josiah Adamson (Catholic Memorial) will be a hot topic quickly
Continuing to roll through the players we have watched this year, we head back to the Hoophall Classic in which we had a who’s who of names come on the court, including some of the top recruits in the country. But one player that we got an early look at and were highly impressed with was 2027 6’3 Josiah Adamson from Catholic Memorial High School. Again, only a freshman right now,...
read more
Unsigned Senior Spotlight:Â 6’7 Taky Prosper
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and...
read more
Impact High School Players in the Class of 2028
6’1 Jaleel Smith (Northside Christian) Without continually reiterating the obvious, Smith is already showcasing the makings of a special player. He’s comfortable from either guard position, displaying polished creation skills, cutting instincts, and the ability to score from all levels. Smith is a smart playmaker and overall decision-maker with the ball in his hands. He offers a...
read more
Kevin’s Players To Know (1.17)
By: Kevin Moses Lukas Dunham Twitter: @LukasDunham1 Height: 5’11, 160 Class of 2024School: South Barber High School, KS Dunham is an extremely aggressive combo guard who is a pure triple-threat scoring option. Crafty and quick with strong handles. Makes hard cuts with purpose and intent. Lukas can bring the rain from downtown with a smooth touch. Wicked first step that freezes defenders...
read more
Keep an Eye Out: Young prospects at Northern Nash
It continues to be our job to bring the attention of the next round of talent around the region, as Phenom Hoops continues to shine light on new names to watch out for. We recently took advantage of getting a chance to watch Northern Nash, a team that has some intriguing young talent who is getting valuable minutes and experience. 2027 6’8 CJ Rosser and 2027 6’4 Kamren Freeman are...
read more
Derrick Eley Quietly Among the Top Playmakers in North Carolina
Statistical analysis is an excellent tool for evaluating prospects, as it gives a numerical measure to line up against the eye test. When thinking about the top playmakers in the state, several names come to mind but not enough folks seem to mention Derrick Eley within that group. Although he plays with a notable teammate and in a known suburb of Charlotte, it’s simply being overlooked...
read more
Player Standouts at Carmel MLK Showcase (Part Two)
6’4 ’27 King Gibson (The Burlington School) The noteworthy freshman continues to turn heads while getting steadily more comfortable and assertive. Gibson is a long, athletic wing with great size, feel, and a useful amount of skill. In this contest, he displayed an excellent understanding of when to defer versus when to take control. Gibson knocked down jumpers, attacked off the...
read more
Player Standouts at Carmel MLK Showcase (Part One)
6’5 ’25 Reece Starnes (Butler) The strong-bodied big man was critical to Butler’s success. Starnes scored within the flow of the action, consistently running the floor and positioning himself to take advantage of second-chance opportunities. However, his pure dominance as a rebounder is what made him a true nightmare for opponents. Starnes utilizes his body well, displays great...
read more
Is Trent Steinour Worthy of National Attention'
It probably goes without saying, but North Carolina is constantly churning out national-level prospects. Just in the last three years, there have been over a dozen players to get ranked within the top 150 of the major media outlets (247, On3, Rivals, ESPN), and it’s a trend that will only continue until history dictates otherwise. The Class of 2024 is enjoying a lot of attention with...
read more
Phenom Spotlight: 2027 Tre Keith (Tri-Cities)
Player: Tre KeithClass: 2027School: Tri-Cities (GA) Down in Georgia, 2027 Tre Keith has been incredibly impressive early on in his high school season, leading his team offensively. Tri-Cities sit at 9-5 on the season, and Keith has been putting on a show in averaging 20.5ppg, 2.3apg, 3.5rpg, and 1.6spg. He has posted multiple 20+ point games and a 30-point showing vs. Pebblebrook, and with his...
read more
Team Previews for Carmel MLK Showcase: The Burlington School
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops will host our annual Carmel MLK Showcase at Carmel Christian School. The event features five matchups featuring ten noteworthy programs from North Carolina. Despite being a one-day event, there should be a ton of excitement for the programs on display. Between the mix of local talent, state contenders, and prospects in general, it should make for a high-level day of...
read more
Team Previews for Carmel MLK Showcase: Wesleyan Christian
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops will host our annual Carmel MLK Showcase at Carmel Christian School. The event features five matchups featuring ten noteworthy programs from North Carolina. Despite being a one-day event, there should be a ton of excitement for the programs on display. Between the mix of local talent, state contenders, and prospects in general, it should make for a high-level day of...
read more
Team Previews for Carmel MLK Showcase: Hunter Huss
On Saturday, Phenom Hoops will host our annual Carmel MLK Showcase at Carmel Christian School. The event features five matchups featuring ten noteworthy programs from North Carolina. Despite being a one-day event, there should be a ton of excitement for the programs on display. Between the mix of local talent, state contenders, and prospects in general, it should make for a high-level day of...
read more
Leading the Charge Early: 2027 Zaiyir Phillips (Huss)
At the Phenom New Year’s Bash, there were plenty of intriguing new and young talent that had us excited about the future here in North Carolina. One player that really impressed us was 2027 Zaiyir Phillips from Hunter Huss High School. Phillips, a player that we have highlighted before that can be seen below, really has stepped up even more as a player and looks to be one of the clear...
read more
Kevin’s Player to Know: 2024 Zander Jimenez
By: Kevin Moses Zander Jimenez Twitter: @ZanderJimenez4 Height: 6’3, 175 Class of 2024School: Salesian College Prep, CA Jimenez is a fierce competitor with a very high motor that is scrappy and tenacious on both sides of the ball. Zander has an incredible IQ with nice court vision. Like a master surgeon dissecting the defense for game-winning plays. Zander is a strong triple-threat scoring...
read more
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,...
read more
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%...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more
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...
read more