PHENOM CHALLENGE EVENT RECAPS
Special K’s Hoops Take: Phenom Challenge Day 3 Late Standouts
7’0 Patrick Wessler of CC Elite 2022-2021 17U continues to be a handful in the paint. Tenacious rebounder on both sides of the ball. Good rim protector that can block shots. Very skilled on the offensive end; showed the ability to play with his back to the basket and face up. Can really shoot the ball with range. 6’4 Kheni Briggs of Tea Marie 16U absolutely eats in the paint, makes a...
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Evening Standouts at Day Three of Phenom Challenge
6’4 ’22 Julian “Juice” Keitt (Upward Stars) The Upward Stars program possesses talent within each of their teams, and Keitt is arguably one of the more intriguing long-term prospects from this roster. He plays with a consistently high motor on both ends of the floor and tends to naturally create havoc with his overall activity level. Keitt is a great defender, finisher, and rebounder, which...
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Brandon’s Big-Time Ballers: Day 3 at Phenom Challenge
What’s up all my hoops heads, it’s your guy Brandon Blakney and I’m live from Rock Hill, SC, for some travel ball action! The Phenom Challenge kicked off this weekend and the talent hasn’t disappointed! This group of standouts is a diverse group of five that college coaches at multiple levels will want to take a look at! 6’2 2023 Treymane Parker (Fayetteville Flash)- When you mention the top...
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Early Standouts at Day Three of Phenom Challenge
5’11 ’25 Eli Ellis (TLBA) There are a lot of varying opinions about Ellis, but there is absolutely no debating his high-level consistency and production—especially against his own age group. He’s already developed a unique toughness through being battle-tested at the high school level. Ellis stands out as a tremendous leader for this group, both as their primary scorer and playmaker, and simply...
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DeAjai’s Sunday Standouts at #PhenomChallenge
By: DeAjai Dawkins Sunday is my favorite day in an AAU tournament’s schedule. The last day of a tournament is the most crucial. This is where players are most fatigued, fighting for last-minute evaluations, and most importantly last-minute wins. Here are a few players who stuck out on Gladiator Day. 2023 De’Mahjae Clark (2021 Garner Road WV) De’Mahjae Clark stuck out all weekend, but his Sunday...
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Phenom Challenge Day 3 Early Standouts
6’9 Jai Smith of Tea Marie 16U has been phenomenal this weekend. Shows that he is a HM Division 1 talent. Very long, athletic, and superfluid on the court. Tenacious rebounder who attacks the boards every possession. Uses his length to be a great rim protector for his team. Shows the ability to attack from the wings and get out in transition. Killer mindset, looks to dunk on you every single...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 3 at #PhenomChallenge
2021 6’5 Graham Calton (PSB Elite 17u Lowery): Calton continues to show that he can produce on multiple levels for his team. The strong, sturdy prospect can battle down low and always seems to get his hands on the ball. Usually defended by bigger opponents, Calton also shows a smooth perimeter feel to his game. 2021 6’6 Jalen McDonald (Team EAT 17u): He is simply a show and people...
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#PhenomChallenge Standouts (Court 7-8) (Day 3)
By: Kyree Bethel 2023 6’8 Samuel Martin (Strong Center) This kid have a very bright future. He has a long wing span and defends around the basket very well. His presence is known in the paint. Very fundamentally sound, he understands how to play the game. Samuel understand when to roll to the basket and when to pop in pick and roll situations. 19pts 10rebounds 2024 6’2 Alec Olander...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at #PhenomChallenge (Part III)
2023 Wesley Tubbs (Charlotte Supreme): You can already see that Tubbs has the length that will catch eyes but what really stands out first is his emotion, hustle, and willingness to leave it all out there. Such a competitor. As far as his game goes, he is a 6’5 long, wiry prospect that can create for himself or for his teammates. Just another big-time prospect in the 2023...
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Top Performances from Day 2 at #PhenomChallenge
Check out the top performances from Day 2 at the Phenom Challenge.
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Evening Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Challenge
6’8 ’21 Ben Burnham (Team Charlotte) There’s an obvious amount of talent within the Team Charlotte organization, and Burnham has arguably been their most consistent performer of the early season. He’s a long, wiry forward with quality athleticism and an excellent nose for the ball. Burnham plays with a nonstop motor and understands how to overwhelm opponents with his activity level. He’s a...
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Brandon’s Big Time Ballers Phenom Challenge 1.0 (P.2)
What’s up to all my hoops heads, it’s your guy Brandon Blakney and I’m live from Rock Hill, SC, for some travel ball action! The Phenom Challenge kicked off this weekend and the talent hasn’t disappointed early! This group of standouts is a diverse group of five that college coaches at multiple levels will want to take a look at!
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Phenom Challenge Day 2 Late Standouts
6’6 Benjamin Burnham of Team Charlotte 17U is always in the right spot on the floor. Is a very active player with a high motor. Does all the little things and really plays hard. Scores from multiple levels on the court and is very efficient. Rebounds the ball well and has the ability to guard multiple positions; great shot blocker for his size. Very low maintenance player with a high IQ who is...
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DeAjai Dawkins’ Day 2 standouts (Part II)
Day 2 was full of action and we continue to have eyes on the talent. The list of standouts continue so check them out.
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POB’s Eye Catchers on Day 2 at #PhenomChallenge (Part II)
2021 6’2 Lashae Johnson (Charlotte Royals 2021): Johnson was extremely aggressive on the floor, running the floor, constantly getting out and pushing the pace, but also showed his ability to knock down jumpers, hitting four 3-pointers for the Charlotte Royals. 2021 6’0 Cole Sinclair (Durham Hurricanes): A point guard that simply competes. He is known very well for his outside shooting but you...
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Early Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Challenge
6’10 ’22 Corneilous Williams (TLBA) The TLBA roster is loaded with talented prospects, but arguably none more notable than Williams. He’s long, athletic, and plays with a nonstop motor on both ends of the floor. Williams is an incredible rebounder with sharp timing as a rim-protector. Although most of his offensive ability shines around the basket, Williams also highlighted a useful perimeter...
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Phenom Challenge Day 2 Early Standouts
6’10 Corneilous Williams of TLBA 2022 17U is a workhorse. Extremely high motor and runs the floor hard. Very active on the boards on both sides of the ball. Long, active defender who blocks shots at a high level. Scores relentlessly around the basket and use his athleticism to play above the rim. Finished the first game with 25 points and 14 rebounds and 3 blocks. 5’9 Kadyn Dawkins of Cobras...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at #PhenomChallenge (Part I)
2022 7’0 Christian Reeves (Charlotte NETS-Jones 2020): The youngest player on the team but there is a lot of promise to Reeves’ game. Yes, he has the height at 7’0 but you have to also like his growing skillset in the post. He can square up to the basket but also show touch by going over his shoulder to score. Also, a big-time difference-maker down low in the paint. 2022 6’0 Walker Andrews (VA...
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Brandon’s Big Time Ballers Phenom Challenge 1.0
What’s up all my hoops heads, it’s your guy Brandon Blakney and I’m live from Rock Hill, SC, for some travel ball action! The Phenom Challenge kicked off this weekend and the talent hasn’t disappointed early! My first group of standouts is a diverse group of five that college coaches at multiple levels may want to get to know!
read more
DeAjai Dawkins’ Day 2 Standouts
Day 2 was full of action early on and we continue to have eyes on the talent. The list of standouts continue so check them out.
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#PhenomChallenge Standouts from Courts 7-8
All throughout the day, Kyree Bethel brings you names that attracted his eyes while sitting baseline on courts 7 and 8.
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Top Performances from Day 1 #PhenomChallenge
Check out some of the top individual performances from Day 1 at the Phenom Challenge.
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at #PhenomChallenge (Part III)
We continue to bring names that impressed today on Day 1 of the Phenom Challenge.
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Phenom Challenge Day 1 Late Standouts
Khalil Shakir is back at it again bringing you several names that showed out early on Day 1 at the Phenom Challenge.
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Evening Standouts at Day One of Phenom Challenge
6’5 ’21 Dessie Canty (Upward Stars Watson) Despite some ups and downs as a team, Canty found a way to make an impact on this contest while standing out as their most enticing long-term prospect. He’s long, wiry, skilled, and plays with a nice blend of smoothness and physicality. Canty displays a great feel for the game and can create for himself or others with relative ease. 6’3 ’21...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at #PhenomChallenge (Part II)
We continue to bring names that impressed today on Day 1 of the Phenom Challenge.
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Phenom Challenge Day One: Court 5-6 Standouts (Part I)
DeAjai Dawkins sat baseline throughout the Day 1 action and shares with us names that caught his eyes.
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Phenom Challenge Day 1 Early Standouts
Khalil Shakir is back at it again bringing you several names that showed out early on Day 1 at the Phenom Challenge.
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Early Standouts at Day One of Phenom Challenge
6’4 ’21 Zach Gibson (PSB Winston Robinson) Prior to going down with injury, Gibson was arguably the best player on the floor during PSB Robinson’s early dominance. Though somewhat gangly and undersized, Gibson makes a ton of plays through his toughness and nonstop motor. He’s a great rebounder that understands how to utilize his length and athleticism to disrupt the action around the...
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#PhenomChallenge Day 1 Standouts (Court 7 & 8)
We had eyes watching on all the courts. Here are a few standouts for Courts 7 and 8 on Day 1 of the Phenom Challenge.
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