PORTER GAUD HOLIDAY CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS

Commitment Alert: Mount Olive earns commitment from 2023 Kahlif Barnes

Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day.  It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player. Here is the latest commitment. Player: Kahlif BarnesClass: 2023Committed to: Mount Olive What Was Said by Phenom Hoops:...

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Piedmont Classical vs. Winston-Salem Christian Regional

On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Piedmont Classical in Browns Summit, North Carolina, as the Bobcats were set to host Winston-Salem Christian Regional. Both teams entered this contest having played challenging schedules over the last few months, which only added to the excitement and anticipation of their ensuing battle. Piedmont Classical is a tough, rugged team led by a senior-laden...

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Open Gym Report: Piedmont Classical

On Wednesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to New Light Baptist Church to see the Bobcats of Piedmont Classical. Since their founding in 2016-17, this program has found consistent success through building around the local (mainly Greensboro-based) talent. Now, in his first full season at the helm, Coach Cardes Brown (and Justin Watlington) has all the necessary pieces to have a ton of success....

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Offer-Worthy Big Men in North Carolina's Class of 2023

After months of nonstop basketball, the travel ball season is officially behind us. Now, we pivot and look forward to the upcoming high school season'where many guys are entering their senior season with no offers from college coaches. While it might seem like time to panic, things aren't as grim as they appear. Every year, there are usually about five to ten prospects who see their recruitment...

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College-Worthy Rosters at Summer Havoc: New Light Disciples

Last week, Phenom Hoops traveled down to Fort Mill, South Carolina to host our annual Summer Havoc Live. The event featured a slew of noteworthy teams and players, which naturally led to a ton of college coaches attending to find their next program-changing piece. While a lot of attention was centered around a handful of teams, college coaches were able to find worthy prospects at seemingly...

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Prospects in the Class of 2023 to Watch at Phenom Team Camp

This upcoming weekend, Phenom Hoops will host our annual June Team Camp at the Rise Indoor Facility in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. The event is slated to feature a talented mix of players and teams preparing for the month of July (in addition to the somewhat distant high school season), and this article will take a brief look at some of the prospects on display. We will first delve into'some'of...

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Reece's Standouts: Triad Blue Chip Summer League (Part 1)

by: Ethan Reece This past week Phenom Hoops went out to cover the Triad Blue Chip Summer League at TW Andrews High School in High Point, NC. The league has been held annually for 6 years now and features a good variety of the abundance of great prospects the Triad area has to offer between both public and private schools. This article will take a look at the standouts from the first part of the...

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Bendel's Best: Phenom Challenge

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the Rise Indoor Facility for our second Live period of the spring season. The three-day event featured a ton of notable teams, players, and standout performers. With various levels of college coaches in attendance, plenty of guys earned interest and offers, and naturally boosted their individual stocks as a direct result. Although the recruiting...

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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Challenge

5'10 '23 Matt Kirby (Team Push) There are numerous underrated pieces for Team Push, including Kirby. He's truly as smart and fundamentally sound as anyone on the roster. Kirby is an excellent defender with the quickness, anticipation, and positioning to constantly harass opposing ball-handlers. He forces turnovers at a nice rate, pushes the break in transition, and understands how to set up...

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Bendel's Best: Grassroots TOC

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for the first LIVE period of the season. The three-day stretch featured a ton of notable teams and prospects, in addition to onlooking college coaches. Although we've previously seen and documented a vast majority of the talent on display, next-level opportunities remain scarcer than ever before. Games were...

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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Grassroots TOC

6'1 '25 Hayes Oxendine (East Carolina Elite) Though we've consistently seen his foundation as a lethal shooter, Oxendine showcased a lot of ability as the primary creator and overall leader for this group. He's a smart decision-maker and understands how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Oxendine is comfortable at setting up others while finding scoring opportunities from all three...

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A Closer Look: New Light Disciples

Over the last calendar year, normalcy has started to return to the grassroots landscape. The reinstated Live Periods have given these young prospects some semblance of hope in making it to the next level. However, coaches are still aggressively leaning into the transfer portal and opting to recruit guys who have already played (using the term loosely) in college. From the contrasting viewpoint,...

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Reece's Standouts: Phenom Rise Showcase (Day 2)

by: Ethan Reece 2023 Kahlif Barnes (NL Disciples) Kahlif is specially built for the work he does in game. His frame is chiseled and long, he shows brute strength, and makes explosive moves in the post that are hard to read or predict. His habitual crashing presence on the glass consistently produces second chance opportunities and frustrates opponents. He's really just designed his game around...

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Piedmont Classical v. Trinity Collegiate

On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Piedmont Classical for a battle between the hosting Bobcats and the visiting Titans of Trinity Collegiate School. Coming from South Carolina, the Titans brought their slew of talent to the Hoopstate and looked more than ready to compete. On the other side, Coach Brown has consistently found ways to get the best out of this group since taking over as head...

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Keep an eye on: 2023 6'8 Kahlif Barnes (Piedmont Classical)

Player: Kahlif BarnesClass: 2023Height: 6'8School: Piedmont Classical There was a ton of intriguing teams and talent that opened up a few eyes at the Phenom Holiday Classic.  One player that caught some attention with his play was 2023 6'8 Kahlif Barnes with Piedmont Classical.  One of the focal pieces for his team, Barnes really showcased just how effective he can be on the floor and...

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Player Standouts at Day Two of Tyler Lewis Hoopfest

6'9 '24 Isaiah Sutherland (Quality Education) Few players across the entire state of North Carolina possess as much upside as Sutherland, and he's clearly beginning to tap into his potential. He's long, athletic, and extremely fluid, especially for his size, and offers a quality blend of inside-out ability. Sutherland finishes well, shoots the ball at a respectable clip from the perimeter, and...

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POB's Best of the Best from Phenom Halloween Havoc

It was another great weekend in Rock Hill at the Phenom Halloween Havoc. There were several players that really captured our eyes with their performances but there were a few that really left the event leaving their mark. Check out who really stood out from the weekend. 2022 Landon King (Charlotte Guards): King was the king of the weekend at the Phenom Halloween Havoc, as he put on a show...

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Player Standouts at Phenom Halloween Havoc

6'0 '23 TJ Cave (Winston 76ers) The Winston 76ers simply understand how to outwork opponents, and Cave is a massive part of their overall identity. He's a heady guard prospect with athleticism, defensive prowess, and a strong, sturdy frame. Cave's combination of quickness and physicality allows him to reliably defend opposing ball-handlers at the point of attack. He's also a smart passer and...

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July Live Period Superlatives: Part Three

Best Defender: 6'0 '22 Mustapha Shah 6'4 '22 Elijah Burnett 6'3 '22 Amari Pearson Although Burnett and Pearson are legitimately phenomenal defenders, Shah's unique ability to mirror opponents through a combination of strength, quickness, and anticipation makes him an absolute terror defensively. He plays with a high motor and gets involved in the offensive action whenever necessary, but truly...

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'Getting to Know' 6'7 2023 Kahlif Barnes

We've seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a 'Getting to Know' series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball...

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Piedmont Classical's Core Becoming a Priority for College Coaches

Aside from the highest level of basketball, the concept of assembling a balanced core grouping of players seems to be more advantageous than building around a 'star' or two. Again, the theory of accumulating as many stars as possible is clearly the best method to succeed in the NBA. That being said, folks should definitely be intrigued by Coach Johnnie Richardson and his blueprint over at...

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Bendel's Best: Phenom Summer Showcase

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Indoor Facility in Advance, North Carolina for another exciting two-day stretch of basketball. There were over one hundred teams on display, including a few high school groups preparing for the upcoming LIVE periods, which ultimately led to quality competition. We saw various new faces, but also got updated viewings of countless prospects....

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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Summer Showcase

6'2 '23 Grady Whitt (Go Hard) Few teams in attendance can match the balanced approach of Go Hard, and Whitt is a massive part of their overall game. The lefty is skilled and fairly crafty, able to consistently create for himself and other off the bounce. Whitt shoots the ball at an efficient rate from midrange and beyond the arc, and finishes with finesse around the basket. He's a quality passer...

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