STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
“Getting to Know” 6’2 2022 Jah Saigo
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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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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July Live Period Superlatives: Part Two
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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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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Dre’Shaun Brown Calls it for St. Augustine
On Sunday, Piedmont Classical and NC Gaters guard Dre’Shaun Brown committed to St. Augustine over various other Division II and III programs. After watching him closely and covering him extensively over the last few years, Phenom Hoops decided to sit down and ask about what ultimately went into his decision. Let’s take a closer look… PH: Talk about your journey and everything that went into this...
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Balance Continuing to Pay Dividends for Big Shots Winston
This past weekend, Big Shots Winston-Salem made the short trip out to the Rise Indoor Facility in Advance, North Carolina to wrap up their final live period and conclude the month of July. Regardless of opponent, this group has found ways to compete with anyone in their path over the last four months. Their talent, chemistry, unselfish approach, and ability to hurt opponents in a variety of...
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Bendel’s Best: Hardwood Classic
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted two separate events (Advance and Rock Hill) to wrap up the final live period and begin concluding the busy month of July. Folks were constantly buzzing about the amount of sheer talent on display in Rock Hill, but there was still more than enough appeal for various college coaches to make the trip to Advance. Programs of all levels came through the Rise...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Hardwood Classic
6’6 ’22 Max Bullard (New Light Disciples) Although the New Light Disciples continue to be extremely balanced, Bullard has already found a ton of opportunities as the newest addition to this roster. He’s long, skilled, and athletic with a fairly well-rounded identity on both ends of the floor. Bullard displays IQ, toughness, and regular flashes of versatility. He’s a quality defender, rebounder,...
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Player Standouts from Phenom Hardwood Classic (Day 1)
by: Ethan Reece 2025 Andreas Kazanos (PSB Cassada)Andreas came to play in a high caliber matchup against a well coached SWV Hustle. He started the game out hot and never looked back, knocking down big shot after shot in a back and forth game. Finished with 25 off 7 threes but is ideally a crafty PG, as he ran the offense and controlled the pace of the game. Finished off with a...
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“Getting to Know” 6’0 2022 Neeko Taylor
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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“Getting to Know” 6’4 2022 Dontavious Pettaway
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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“Getting to Know” 6’8 2024 Mason Hagedorn
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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“Getting to Know” 6’2 2024 Santana Lynch
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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Phenom Spotlight: 2025 Savion Samlal (Norfolk Collegiate, VA)
Savion is an elite level athlete whose combination of speed and power on both ends of the floor makes for an intriguing prospect.
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“Getting to Know” 6’3 2024 Daidien Sutton
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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Is Isaiah Todd the Biggest Sleeper in the 2021-22 NBA Draft?
The NBA Draft is certainly amongst the most unique off-court events that takes place in any major sport. Between the kids getting draft, fanbases embracing new players, constant flux of player movement, and general unknown surrounding these prospects likelihood to pan out, it’s easy to see why. However, the evaluation process is still an imperfect system, as various players still tend to...
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Phenom Spotlight: 2024 My’Kel Jenkins (Tarboro HS, NC)
My’kel Jenkins 6’5 165 2024 Tarboro HS (NC) / Team Loaded VA Length, strength, elite level athleticism, versatility on both ends of the floor, and a tenacious defender. That’s an abbreviated description of what My’kel Jenkins brings to the floor. An impact player for sure, a guy who can guard every position at the high school level and shut down whoever he is guarding! My’kel has fantastic...
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“Getting to Know” 6’2 2023 Evan Montanari
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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Team Wall Duo Soaring Under the Radar
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled up to the Virginia Beach Sports Center in the heart of Virginia Beach for our 757 Showcase. While there were many exciting and talented squads on display, Team Wall was arguably the most impressive throughout the event. While we featured Davis Molnar and Amari Pearson in our “Bendel’s Best” from the weekend, there are still other notable players deserving...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom 757 Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled up to the Virginia Beach Sports Center in the heart of Virginia Beach for our 757 Showcase. The event featured many teams from throughout the state, but still featured many returning squads from North Carolina. There were numerous standouts over the three-day stretch, and this article will take a closer look at some personal favorites… 6’7 ’22 Davis...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom 757 Showcase
6’7 ’23 Ben Nicol (West Virginia Generals) Although the entire roster is loaded with reliable shooters, Nicol constantly found ways to stand out and shine. He’s smart and quite skilled for his size, which naturally leads to mismatches, but also produces very well inside the arc. Nicol shoots the ball with range, consistency, and repeatable mechanics. That being said, he actively looks to take...
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Phenom Spotlight: 2023 Rueben McEachern (Carmel School, VA)
Rueben is the kind of point guard players love to play with and coaches love to coach! A high IQ, pass-first playmaker with tremendous vision and passing skills who can also score when needed from anywhere on the floor.
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Phenom Spotlight: 2023 6’5 Nicholas Dorn (JL Chambers)
It is always great to highlight players that should and will earn more attention in the near future and one player that I have my eye on is 20223 6’5 Nicholas Dorn from JL Chambers.
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Phenom Spotlight: 2022 Tazir Smith (Virginia Academy, VA)
Tazir is a high-flying and dynamic playmaker. Such an exciting player to watch because he plays with so much energy and enthusiasm. Tazir combines power, bounce, freakish athleticism, and aggressiveness. He also has solid skills and a great feel for the game.
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Phenom Spotlight: 2025 Khalil Caple (Kings Fork HS, VA)
Smooth stroke, textbook mechanics, confidence, and deep range; the look of a natural-born shooter!
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Unsigned Seniors from Summer Havoc
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual Summer Havoc at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina. There was a ton of basketball between the two sessions and four total days of action, which presented college coaches of all levels to get out and evaluate prospective talent. There were numerous standouts, and multiple were actually unsigned seniors who...
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Harnessing His Tools: Lawrence Bartee
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual Summer Havoc at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina. There was a ton of basketball between the two sessions and four total days of action, which presented college coaches of all levels to get out and evaluate prospective talent. While there were numerous standouts, one could argue that no prospect did more...
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College Coaches Buzzing About the Carolina Riptide
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual Summer Havoc at the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in downtown Rock Hill, South Carolina. There was a ton of basketball between the two sessions and four total days of action, which presented college coaches of all levels to get out and evaluate prospective talent. After years of building this empire, Coach Grant Hodges gets to see the...
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Phenom Spotlight: 2023 Stacy Byrd (The Carmel School, VA)
Stacy is a warrior in the paint! A long and active big man whose 6’6+ frame, quickness, and energy makes for an imposing figure around the rim.
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Phenom Spotlight: 2023 Antonio McInnis (Churchland HS, VA)
Strength, athleticism, relentless energy, and effort allow Antonio to be a force in and around the paint on both ends of the floor.
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