PORTER GAUD HOLIDAY CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS

Garner MLK Showcase Standouts (Monday)

2025 Chance Gladden (Ravenscroft): Gladden has been having a tremendous season and has been putting up some impressive performances. He continued to flourish in a tough battle at the Garner MLK Showcase, Gladden continues to flourish and be the go-to leader as a scoring option. Gladden was able to make plays and penetrate the defense, score well around defenders, get inside the basket, put...

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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 bounce, and made...

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POB’s Best of the Best: Carmel MLK Showcase

2025 Reece Starnes (Butler): Starnes started the event off in a big way, as he was imposing with his overall presence. The 2025 big man was all over the boards, racking up double-digit boards in the first half and ultimately ended with 22 rebounds total. He was incredible both offensively and defensively, battling through opponents and contact. Offensively he was able to use his frame to score...

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John Wall Holiday Invitational Day 1 Top Performers (Part 1)

By: Cooper Hart 6’2” ’24 Zion Walker (The Burlington School/Mount St. Mary’s) In what continues to be a regular occurrence, Walker had a high-level performance against a tough opponent. He finished with 19, 5r, 5a, & 4s while shooting 3/3 from three. He handled a lot of responsibility on both ends and did as much to impact winning as anyone on the floor. His poise, consistency, and overall...

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North Carolina Freshman 40 Camp Evaluations: Team 17

Team 17 Coach: Brandt Short #41: 5'9 '27 Tayshawn Adams (Southeast Raleigh) Starting things off, we look at a player who consistently found ways to involve himself in the action, Tayshawn Adams. He's a smart, tough point guard prospect with incredible quickness and a lethal penetration sense. Adams handles the ball with poise, touches the paint at a high volume, and finishes really well through...

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Young Names to Learn from Carmel Tip-Off

2027 King Gibson (TBS): There was no doubt about it, Gibson really introduced himself as a player to watch nationally in the Class of 2027. He has a lot to offer early on with his game and impressed with his overall feel, impact, and upside in his game. Not only did he excel in creating for himself and making plays at the basket, but also made strong plays defensively as well. The blend of size,...

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POB's Thoughts: What I Learned from the Carmel Tip-Off (Day 1)

Winners Shine In The Brightest Lights What a day of basketball at the Carmel Tip-Off on Day 1, and the biggest moment was when 2025 Eli Ellis for Moravian Prep rose up just another time in the biggest of moments and drilled the game-winning three to secure the victory against TBS. Ellis, time after time, continues to prove doubters wrong and proves once again why he is one of the best players in...

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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at Carmel Tip-Off

2024 Kyrell Shaw (Northside Christian): Shaw came out red-hot in this game, showing his offensive firepower and his ability to score in a variety of ways. Shaw not only did a great job in finishing with his length out in transition, he continued to show how deadly he can be from behind the arc.' The senior leader stepped up to lead the charge, going for 22 points to lead all scorers in the game....

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Notable Standouts at North Carolina Freshman 40

6'3 Seth Harris (Caldwell Academy) As evidenced during camp, Harris has clearly put forth a lot of time and effort in developing his overall game over the last few months. He already possesses a nice blend of IQ, skill, and athleticism for his age. Harris is a reliable shooting threat who understands how to attack closeouts, defer to others, and operate within the team structure. He's an engaged...

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Immediate Impact Freshmen in North Carolina

6'4 King Gibson (The Burlington School) It should probably go without saying, but King Gibson should be as impactful as any freshman in the state. Not only does he possess a ton of talent, but the 6-foot-4 wing is entering a situation tailored for his development. Gibson is long, explosive, and well-rounded with the ability to consistently make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. He can...

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The Burlington School Continues to Roll

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to various different locations for the June Live Period. Between the talent in Advance and Greensboro, there was plenty of buzz about the NCHSAA and NCISAA competition throughout the weekend. Although the public-school event was at capacity for most of the weekend, Greensboro Day School (as expected) hosted an extremely entertaining three-day slate of...

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NCISAA LIVE Sideline Report: Young Players to Watch

Jagger Emerson Phenom Hoops was on deck this past weekend at Greensboro Day for the NCISAA LIVE Period Session 1, where we have a great chance to view teams and players of all ages and levels.  So we are wanting to dive into more of what we saw, bring you names that impressed us, and put names on college coaches' radars.  There were a few young players that really impressed, and they...

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Five Notable Young Prospects from Phenom Team Camp

6'4 '26 Markus Kerr (Chambers) The newest addition to the Cougars should immediately double as one of the best players on the roster. Though young, Kerr has already proven himself as a meaningful piece for a contender during his first high school season. He's a smart, skilled, athletic guard that possesses great size, toughness, and overall polish. Kerr scores from all levels and displays...

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Next Up: 2027 King Gibson (Team United)

It is always an enjoyable time for us at Phenom Hoops to see who could 'next up' around the region.  We get to see these kids at such a young age, at getting a chance to watch their development and growth is fun to watch. But there are a few players that quickly stand out at a young age that seem to have that extra 'it' factor, One player that we have had a chance to watch a few times and...

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Bendel's Best: Phenom Winter Nationals

This past weekend, Phenom Hoops got back into the swing of things with our Winter Nationals (and Prep Showcase) being held at Rise Indoor Sports. The field was littered with a ton of young, talented, up-and-coming prospects across all age groups. Add in the overall competition level and it made for a highly entertaining weekend of basketball. There were a ton of notable players on display, and...

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Player Standouts at Phenom Winter Showcase

6'3 '27 King Gibson (Team United) There are so many impressive performers on display, but King Gibson has been as noteworthy as anyone thus far. It's difficult to imagine many eighth-graders with a more complete identity than him, especially within North Carolina. In this contest, Gibson showcased the full arsenal. He handled the ball with poise, scored the ball from all levels, and highlighted...

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POB’s Day 1 Standouts (Phenom Winter Nationals)

2028 Donovan Bolton (Team Charlotte): Bolton has the early size that you like to see, and really can be a force around the basket. Bolton moved well all around the floor, being active on the glass and in the paint, as well as finishing strong over defenders. Bolton is going to be one to watch in the coming years around the Charlotte area. 2027 King Gibson (Team United): Gibson is going to be a...

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Phenom Hoops Freshman Forty Evaluations: Team 12

Team 12 Coach: Jordan Parris #54: 5'8 Darnarius Gibson (Winston-Salem Christian) Starting things off, we look at a player who offers a pretty balanced approach as a floor general, Danarius Gibson. He's a smart, wiry point guard prospect with quickness and the ability to create for himself and others. Gibson handles the ball well against pressure, touches the paint at a solid rate, and can...

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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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Reece's Standouts: Phenom G3 (Day 2)

by: Ethan Reece 2026 Ezekiel Kelly (CC Elite)An explosive guard that played with a chip on his shoulder, Ezekiel was a big time competitor that dictated a lot of action. He was a dicy driver that featured comfort in finishing off balance, with either hand, and through defenders. He excelled at getting to his spots and used his body well to hold defenders at bay or just muscle around for...

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