PORTER GAUD HOLIDAY CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’0 Cole Sinclair
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred 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...
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Unsigned Senior: 2021 6’6 KJ McCluney (Union County)
Check out our latest unsigned senior, this time looking at KJ McCluney from Union County.
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Get familiar with 2024 Blanca Thomas (Charlotte Catholic)
We haven’t had a chance to watch Thomas in action yet this season but hopefully, we will be able to do so soon. But that doesn’t mean this young freshman is catching the attention already from coaches and fans around the state already.
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Top Unsigned Prospects in North Carolina’s Class of 2021 (Part Three)
6’7 Saiquone Harris (Word of God) In terms of raw talent, there is no real questions surrounding Harris and his massive long-term upside. At 6-foot-7, he’s undeniably skilled for his size with athleticism, toughness, and useful offensive versatility. Harris handles the ball well, displays solid vision, and actively mixes up his approach as a three-level scorer. He’s great in transition and...
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Top Unsigned Prospects in North Carolina’s Class of 2021 (Part Two)
6’3 Kenny Noland (Apex Friendship) After enjoying an extremely productive summer, Noland continues to rise up the rankings with his smooth, well-rounded skillset and approach. He plays with a calm demeanor and offers knockdown three-point shooting with creation skills and the ability to spot-up or attack closeouts. Noland moves effectively without the ball, defends nicely for his position, and...
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Top Unsigned Prospects in North Carolina’s Class of 2021
6’6 BJ Freeman (Moravian Prep) After our update in rankings, Freeman now stands as the top unsigned senior in the state of North Carolina. This notion is easy to get behind, seeing as how he’s been the catalyst and focal point for Moravian Prep on a nightly basis. Freeman is an extremely skilled forward prospect with the ability to cause mismatch problems due to his blend of size, strength, and...
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Long, fluid, and potential: 2023 6’9 Donovan Raymond (West Charlotte)
2023 Donovan Raymond from West Charlotte has a lot of potential as a 6'9 big man and could be a target for coaches down the road.
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 2021 Solomon Butler (Mt. Zion)
An unsigned senior out of North Carolina to keep your eye on is a power forward, 6’8 Solomon Butler. He is an active big that stays active around the basket and in the paint.
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Simply put, 2021 6’9 Joseph Ferrante (South Meck) produces
The season has finally arrived for public schools and Phenom Hoops certainly couldn’t wait to get out and see more talent around the state. One of the first stops this year was for an upcoming program in South Meck, as head coach Gary Hall looks to have the Sabres heading in the right direction.
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The “It” Factor: Aden Holloway’s Path to Superstardom
The North Carolina grassroots landscape is unlike any other, especially given how regularly high-level ability emerges within talented middle school prospects and resonates through their high school journey. Each year, we see a variety of new-and-improved kids who are setting trends, turning heads, and (some) establishing their eventual NBA habits at an early stage. In most cases, it’s...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’5 Tyler Fearne
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred 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...
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2025 Spotlight: 6’3 Elijah Bragg
Early on, when you watch the highlights of Bragg, you see a true big down low that has those early flashes of touch around the rim and solid hands. He uses his frame well and only looks to improve his overall feel as he continues to grow and develop his skillset.
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’2 Javian Cannady
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred 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...
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Deserving of More Offers: Noteworthy Names in North Carolina’s Class of 2022
Every year, the grassroots landscape is overflowing with capable college-level prospects—many of which fall under the radar and don’t receive appropriate attention. North Carolina’s Class of 2022 is no different given the sheer depth of talent. Add in the unique effects from Covid, and it’s even tougher to earn scholarships than before. However, this group should get an extended viewing with...
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2021 Cole Sinclair (Durham Academy) playing outstanding ball in his senior year
Cole Sinclair has been a known name around the Durham area and in North Carolina, as the point guard has been a staple for whichever team he is playing for (whether during high school or AAU). He has a ton of experience before his final season, already having 120 games under his belt coming and averaging double-figures as a sophomore and junior. He also has recorded over 1,500 points in his...
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Player Watch: Stefon McLeod
Coach DeShannon Morris: ” He’s a great student with a cumulative GPA of 3.61, core GPA of 3.36, SAT 960, and ACT 17. This young man choose his Faith over everything. He just started playing on the wing 8 months ago. Been playing in the post up until his junior year…we helped him make transition just like so many guys before.” Read what we said about McLeod at his...
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Freshman Watch: Players performing well in NC (Girls)
It is the start of the 2021 year and it is a great chance to put 2020 in the past and look towards the future, which is why we are looking to provide names to watch on all levels. On the girl’s side in North Carolina, we decided to give some players that have been playing well so far this season and could be ones to watch down the road. This is based on stats provided by MaxPreps, as we look at a few freshmen to start.
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Putting up numbers: 2023 6’5 Jamie Kaiser (Lake Braddock, VA)
Kaiser has quickly made a name for himself in Virginia, as he is putting up some impressive numbers early on this season. Averaging 33 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.0 assists per game, Kaiser is showing that he can be a big-time offensive threat on the court. But he has really stepped up with his focus, as the dual-sport athlete has been focusing on his basketball game since football was canceled this year in Virginia.
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Racking up double-doubles: 2021 Vante Hutcherson (Wayne Country Day)
Player: Vante HutchersonHeight: 6’8Class: 2021School: Wayne Country Day The coaching staff has been doing an excellent job in promoting their players this season and providing updates after each game about their players. It is why it has caught our attention the production and success their players have been having so far (a later article from Phenom will discuss more). But it shed some...
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2025 Watch List: 6’3 Kody Frey
It may be early but there is a young prospect that you may want to stick in the back of your mind for down the road, as 6’3 Kody Frey has some intrigue with his early development. This is a young man that has been putting in the work early, working out early in the morning and getting in reps. Early on, Frey is one that has terrific range on his shot and is a long prospect.
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Deserving of More Attention: Logan Threatt
Each year, the high school basketball scene is brimming with interesting subplots and storylines worth monitoring. Some players are coming off amazing summer seasons while others are trying to simply solidify their place within the team. Various guys have decided to transfer, whether for the public school restrictions or something else, and it’s already beginning to pay dividends for many. So...
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Steady and Effective: Landon Nall
The Garner Road program is storied for being able to acquire talent, develop their players, and send them onto the next level (and beyond) to enjoy successful careers. While Landon Nall is probably one of the more unassuming prospects within the organization, he’s more than shown his ability to produce. He’s a big, strong, sturdy post prospect with a high motor and consistent willingness to do...
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Jayden Doyle’s Offers Beginning to Match Ability
On the analysis side of grassroots basketball, there have been many frustrating situations that arise over the years. Why would anything be frustrating? Well, as many should know, there are dozens of prospects that don’t receive the appropriate attention for their abilities and it reflects within their respective recruitment. Take Kenny Dye for example, who was (personally) the smartest player...
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Elijah Ormiston Becoming a Next-Level Priority
One year ago, Jaden Bradley was at the forefront of North Carolina basketball, playing an unselfish, high-level brand of basketball. He made everyone better, led Cannon to a state championship, and then relocated to IMG Academy to further solidify his status as a nationally coveted prospect. In doing so, Bradley left behind guys like Elijah Ormiston to reconfigure their approach without a...
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Darrius Davis Continuing to Produce
The North Carolina basketball landscape is constantly changing. There are plenty of incoming players who view this area as a place to get recruited and receive proper attention for their abilities. In the same vein, players depart from the Hoopstate due to the excess of talent—not from a fear standpoint, but rather that they can be a star elsewhere. Well, that’s exactly what seems to be the case...
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Brock Williams Reestablishes Himself atop NC’s Scoring List
In life, some things are just meant to be. The same applies to basketball. A given player can try to be different than their natural identity, but it usually just isn’t meant to happen. That exact ideal came to mind when seeing the numbers that Brock Williams is posting this year for Burlington Christian Academy. He is a scorer through and through, and returning to his original situation allows...
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Phenom Player Spotlight: 2021 Ray Faison (University Prep Academy)
Faison has been a name thrown around North Carolina for a few years now, as Phenom Hoops has been given the opportunity to see him operate in multiple settings, whether high school events or during the summer.
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Alik Lewis Dominating for Comenius
Anyone who has been around grassroots basketball over the last few summers should know about Alik Lewis, whether through his individual play or the constant slew of high-profile teammates. After a quality freshman campaign at Eastern Alamance, Lewis maintained his strong production and consistency throughout the summer season. Fast-forward a few months and his transfer to Comenius allowed for a...
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Durham Academy: Quietly Taking Care of Business
After probably being the most popular private school team in North Carolina last season, Durham Academy was forced to shift in a different direction with the departures of Nik Graves and MJ Rice. Although the general public isn’t necessarily talking about their unlikely success, it certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed. The Cavaliers opened their season with two convincing wins before suffering their...
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Don’t Forget About Jah Short
Since the travel ball season concluded, folks have been constantly buzzing about the excitement surrounding all the programs who have begun their seasons. Unfortunately, that statement only holds true for independent and private schools—which can lead to months of unnecessary player movement. We’ve seen more players transfer this summer than ever before, simply in hopes of being able to salvage...
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