PORTER GAUD HOLIDAY CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Commitment Alert: Northwest Florida State has a big day with three commitments
Each and every time Phenom Hoop Report 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: Treyvon Byrd/ Takai Simpkins/ Tajuan SimpkinsClass: 2023Committed to: Northwest...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2025 Bryce Baker (Team Bond): If you don’t know the name Bryce Baker, you may want to start learning. The dual-sport athlete could be a player on the rise, whether it is in basketball or football. On the court though, this is a young man that plays with a ton of confidence. He doesn’t let the bright lights get to him, as Baker plays within himself and with what his team needs him to...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2, Part 3)
2022 Brandon Lavitt (CC Elite 2022): Watching Lavitt over the years, you just have to love what he brings to the floor. Toughness, physicality, grit… He loves to play hard on both ends and mix it up with his opponents. He isn’t afraid to do the dirty work and bring that physical feel down in the paint. Always active on both ends of the floor, Lavitt is one that just leaves it all out there on...
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Unsigned Seniors to Watch at Phenom Grassroots TOC (Part One)
The time has finally come for the highly anticipated April Live Periods. With the recruiting landscape in complete shambles, there’s still an abundance of unsigned, college-level seniors fighting for their chance to advance to the collegiate ranks. We’ve seen all of these prospects, and written about each of them previously. That being said, we decided to construct an article with a small blurb...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from PG Nationals (Day 2)
2023 Anthony Breland (Charlotte Elite Academy): We have known about Breland’s ability to score the basketball, and he has only continued to show that with his ability to create, get around defenders, knock down shots from multiple levels, etc. But also really liked his ability to get others involved, drive and dish, and be an unselfish player to help his team. 2023 Bryce Wilkins (Franklin Prep):...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’7 Treyvon Byrd
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...
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’22 Treyvon Byrd can help a program at the next level
Player: Treyvon ByrdSchool: Bull City PrepClass: 2022Height: 6’7 The proof is there… 2022 Treyvon Byrd is a player that can simply help a college program at the next level. There aren’t too many prospects out there with a 6’7 long frame, that brings a ton of athleticism to the floor along with a tough perimeter game as well. Byrd is just that player and he has been producing at a...
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Player Standouts at Hoops and Dreams Showcase (Day 1)
Presented by LucasMoore Realty, IncCheck out all the standouts from Day 1 of the Hoops & Dreams Showcase in Fayetteville, NC 6’4 ’22 Tajuan Simpkins (Liberty Heights Varsity) In watching the twins perform, it’s extremely perplexing as to why Tajuan Simpkins is so under-recruited. He’s clearly shown the ability to operate as a lead guard and very effective playmaker with the ball in his...
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HIGHLIGHTS: Ezra Ausar & Elijah Jamison Lead Liberty Heights over Bull City Prep at #CarmelTipOff!
To start the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic, Liberty Heights National and Bull City National came together. Bringing some intriguing talent that you will see at the next level, it really started off the event in a big way. Check out all the highlights from the...
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Carmel Christan Tip-Off Storylines to Watch (Friday, Nov. 12)
Phenom Hoops kicks off the season in a big way with the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic, November 12-13, at Carmel Christian in Matthews/Charlotte, NC. We will be bringing some of the best teams around the region all under one building and of course, there are so many storylines to watch out for. Event Information:Event Page:...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 2
Team 2 Coach: Kenneth Bates #2: 5’10 ’22 Camian Shell (Winston-Salem Christian) Starting things off, we look at a player who simply understands how to properly run a team from the point guard position, Camian Shell. He’s a smart, strong, undersized floor general with a quality blend of vision, quickness, and scoring ability from all levels. Shell is an excellent defender, especially for his...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Fall Finale/ Hoop State League (Day 1)
2022 Takai Simpkins (Liberty Heights): Both Simpkins twins are strong and play hard but Takai was especially strong and continuing to show why more schools are starting to look their way. Takai does a tremendous job is using his length at a guard, covering a ton of ground, and finishing over defenders and at the rim, while also being able to step out. 2022 Syncere Lynch (Bull City Prep):...
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July Live Period Superlatives: Part One
Although there has been a ton of excitement swirling throughout the last few months, July is finally coming to an end. Between the NCHSAA/NCISAA events in June and the consecutive live periods across July, all levels of coaches have been traveling, evaluating, and establishing relationships with these prospects. Excluding the lone period in July, we will take a closer look at a slew of players...
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Player Standouts from Coach Rick’s TOC (Day 2, Part 2)
By; Heath Gulledge 2022 6’0 Dwight Canady Jr. (NLPB Senyo) Canady Jr. has great athleticism and the ability to use it to his advantage when being guarded by slower defenders. He’s aggressive around the rim and finishes in unique ways. He’s always running the floor and it pays off as he finds himself in a lot of two on one scenarios in which he thrives. He’s one of the primary ball handlers for...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Coach Rick’s TOC (Day 1, Part 3)
2024 Paul McNeil (Garner Road): There has been a lot of talk around McNeil and his game but it is easy to see why he is regarded as one of the top players in his class for 2024. He put on an absolute show to start his weekend, using his 6’5 frame to his advantage, finishing over defenders, showing tremendous body control, and has an excellent perimeter feel for the game. The young...
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Summer Havoc Player Spotlight: Session 2 (Day 1)
By: Heath Gulledge 2024 6’2 Miles Beard (CC Elite 16u) Beard came out in the first game of the day on fire. He was getting it done from all levels on the offensive end. He really excels in the catch-and-shoot scenarios but also knows how to find his shot coming off screens and using the dribble to get open. He showed potential to get to the basket and finish around defenders as the game went...
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The Start of Something Special: NC Good Better Best Academy
Over the last five years or so, various sports-based programs and academies have become increasingly popular landing spots for transfers. While there are many examples throughout the region, but one could argue Combine Academy and Moravian Prep are the two main representatives in North Carolina. However, a new challenger has approached in Good Better Best Academy. Could they be the next major...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Summer Showcase (Day 1, Part 3)
2022 CJ Collins (Greensboro Day): Collins played strong in both outings today, especially with his activity level on the glass. The 2022 long big man was active, showcased to be a rim-protector, and really got after it on the boards on both ends, always seemingly getting a hand on the ball. Though you can see he has nice touch around the basket, he really can impact the floor in other ways...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Summer Showcase
6’3 ’24 Austin Swartz (CB Hoops) Although CB Hoops is fairly balanced as a group, Swartz was arguably their most reliable performer throughout their first contest of the day. Between his IQ, size, and well-rounded skillset, he understands how to consistently affect all facets of the game. Swartz displays a pretty advanced feel for his current age, and should only continue to get better with...
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NLPB-204 National brings must-see, recruitable talent to the floor
Next Level Prospects Basketball is a fantastic program that puts its players first and gives them a platform to succeed. We got a full glance at all their teams this past weekend at the Phenom G3 Showcase but one team really captured my eyes with the amount of recruitable talent they have. Their NLPB-204 National team has a bunch of talent that could help programs of multiple levels win...
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Game Recap: Oak Hill Academy wins over Bull City National
Oak Hill Academy 90 Bull City National 67 Phenom Hoops traveled to Mouth of Wilson, Virginia for a Saturday afternoon contest between Bull City National and Oak Hill Academy. Playing in its first home game in over three months, Oak Hill was eager to play on the court named after their Hall of Fame coach, Steve Smith. It’s always tough to beat Oak Hill at Turner Gymnasium. Matter of fact,...
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Bull City Prep Durham v. Charlotte Elite Academy
The second game of Phenom Hoops’ MLK Showcase took place between two tough, competitive programs in Bull City Prep and Charlotte Elite Academy. It quickly opened up as a back-and-forth contest featuring numerous lead changes and both teams displaying great balance. Neither team had any issue finding ways to score the ball, which ultimately led to a 13-13 score through the first quarter. The...
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Bull City Prep v. New Faith Christian (Recap/Standouts)
The fifth game for day two of Phenom’s Holiday Classic took place between two teams who have become somewhat of regulars at our events over the last few months in Bull City Prep and New Faith Christian. Bull City Prep came out of the gates with their normal amount of fire and intensity, sharing the ball and displaying quality balance on both ends of the floor. New Faith Christian did quite well...
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Holiday Classic: Bull City National vs. Cape Fear Christian (Recap/Standouts)
Last game on the night, viewers and fans got themselves a treat as Bull City National, loaded with talent, went up against Cape Fear Christian, a team that has started off the season in tremendous fashion and looking to make a statement in Rock Hill. It wasn’t the highest scoring game in the first half but it was more of a balanced attack for Bull City Prep National, as he had several players...
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Constantly Progressing: Treyvon Byrd
Over two years ago, Phenom Hoops’ intern Chris Sause (now an assistant at Averett University) first came across a long, gangly, explosive 6-foot-5 wing/forward prospect named Treyvon Byrd at our Grassroots TOC. He played with NC Ice 15U, which was coached by Ryan Bernardi and included other noteworthy names like Ryan Roberts, Shane Peterson, Isaiah Escobar, etc. Not even a full month later, Byrd...
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Needing more attention: 2022 6’7 Treyvon Byrd (Bull City Prep)
Year after year, there are players that fall through the cracks or just seem to be a loss of words on why more schools aren’t looking their way. Even though there is time left in his recruitment, 2022 6’7 Treyvon Byrd could be put into that category.
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HIGHLIGHTS: High Majors ALL OVER The Court! Liberty Heights vs Bull City Prep at #PhenomTipOff
Liberty Heights and Bull City Prep put on a show in this matchup at the Phenom Tip-Off Classic. Loaded teams both with talent, check out all the highlights from this battle in Rock Hill.
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T-Lew’s Takeaways
Top Leaders Elijah Jamison (Liberty Heights) – Strong / physical guard. He has done a tremendous job leading the way for Coach Wright and Liberty Heights. He has shown the ability to really lead a team. The guard is extremely explosive and I have yet to see anyone keep him out the lane. Jamarii Thomas (The Burlington School) – It is amazing to me that no Division 1 school has...
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Phenom Tip-Off Classic: Liberty Heights vs. Bull City Prep National (Recap/ Standouts)
Check out the recap, stats, and standouts from the Liberty Heights vs. Bull City Prep National at the Phenom Tip-Off Classic.
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Phenom Game Report: W-S Christian vs. Bull City Prep
Phenom Hoops hit the road to kick off the season and what a way to kick off with a game between two powerhouses in Winston-Salem Christian and Bull City Prep National.
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