STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Does Chambers have the best sophomore duo in NC?
We are still a few months away from the state of high school basketball here in North Carolina, so we are looking around at different topics to look at throughout the state. One topic that was brought up and to think about is the young sophomore duo at Chambers, and if they could be the best young duo in North Carolina. Again, this is just for talk, and we know there are plenty of young duos to...
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Phenom Open Gym: Chambers is in the title hunt
Phenom Hoops travelled to Charlotte, North Carolina to cover open gym at Chambers High School. Coach Brian Frasier has done a magnificent job over the years at Chambers. Playing in one of the most competitive basketball conferences in the state, Coach Frasier is strictly about providing the biggest challenges his team can face, hopefully to prepare them for a state title run and this year is no...
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Breaking Down Phenom Hoops’ 2026 Rankings
Each year, we reach the brief transitioning point between the travel ball and high school seasons. This small window typically falls around mid-August, allowing ample time to update rankings, go to open gyms, and mentally reset before things get revamped. Now that we’ve finalized our rankings for North Carolina’s Classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026, it feels like no better time to go through and...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Champion Showcase
6’4 ’25 Jaheim Hall (Next Level SC) There were a variety of useful contributors for Next Level SC, but it would be impossible to ignore the physically overwhelming presence Hall brought to the table. He’s a strong, fluid, explosive athlete with great length and downhill ability. Whether as a cutter, penetrator, or transition threat, Hall applies constant pressure at the rim and plays very well...
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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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Potter’s Prospects from Phenom Team Camp
By: Brody Potter 2024 Isaiah Otyaluk (NC GBB): A great athlete, with long arms. He has an impressive ability not many guys have, and that is to guard 1-4. He wreaks havoc on defense with long arms, and great hustle. Not only is he a great defender he can score the ball on all three levels, especially from the 3pt line; he can’t be left open. 2026 Tarris Bouie (Chambers): Bouie s a tall...
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Cooper’s Notes: Phenom Team Camp Day 1
By: Cooper Hart 5’11” ’25 Drew Johnson (Jordan) Johnson acted as the secondary ball handler for Jordan and impressed with his ability to create shots for himself as well as his teammates. He was poised when facing pressure, almost seeming to thrive off high defenses as he consistently leveraged that positioning into paint touches and open looks for his team. He has a real future as a shot maker,...
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Expected High School Breakout Prospects in North Carolina
6’6 ’24 Tyler Showalter (Butler/BSA Supreme) Showalter’s inevitable breakout should probably be somewhat obvious to those who have watched BSA Supreme this spring. After a junior season with averages of 10.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.0 BPG, it feels like his numbers should increase across the board. Showalter should be a focal point, especially after the departure of various key...
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Five Notable Young Prospects from Phenom MDC
6’9 ’26 Cody Peck (CC Elite) There are plenty of high-upside prospects in the state of North Carolina, and it feels like Peck is deserving of more buzz. His physical appeal is obvious from a mere glance, but his skillset and ability to impact the game should also be turning heads. Peck is a long, fluid big man with an incredible blend of IQ, skill, athleticism, and timing. Despite his lack of...
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Friday Standouts at Phenom Memorial Day Classic
6’1 ’25 Jake Benham (Mint Hill Lakers) Given his sheer level of involvement from start to finish, it would be impossible to ignore everything that Benham showcased in this contest. He absolutely caught fire in the opening minutes and never looked back, hitting one jumper after another, and posing a constant shooting threat with or without the ball in his hands. Benham possesses essentially...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Day 1 at Phenom MDC
2025 Jake Benham (Mint Hill Lakers): Benham continues to find his name on our standout lists. But it is hard not to have him on the list with the consistent play he has been showing this summer. Benham is having a breakout-type year, showing how he can be a game-changer with his shot-making, his quick release, and his ability to make plays in a variety of ways. Another outing in which he filled...
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Phenom Hoops LIVE Recap: Diving more into Team EAT
Just because the LIVE period is over in April, doesn’t mean that Phenom Hoops is stopping their coverage, as we are bringing you a ton of post-event coverage as well throughout the coming weeks. Let’s dive into a few players and teams that we saw at the event, as we shed light on players that performed well throughout. Team EAT Team EAT 2026 This is a team, though young, I believe you will...
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Coming Into His Own: Tarris Bouie
Each summer, we see various prospects taking the next step in their development process and elevating their game to another level. It’s a common theme that occurs every year, but it’s still exciting to follow which players are able to actually make the leap. Exchanging upside for ability isn’t a tangible thing, yet it’s something that can be viewed quite clearly by a spectator. Take someone like...
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Reece’s Rundown: Post LIVE Periods (Part 1)
By: Ethan Reece Now that we’re through March, April, and two Live Periods, there’s a lot to unpack and look back on. Who’s made an impression and who are important names to start tracking as we head into the summer? There’s so much to note after the first two months of the travel season, so here are some of my takeaways from Phenom’s spring events. WCBA on the Rise Looking at the 2026-2028 teams...
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Phenom Challenge – Stars of the Weekend
2023 Ka’leel Stillman (SE Elite) Ka’leel Stillman is a freak of nature and is very athletic. He moves very well as a big man on defense and is a shot blocker for his size. He can finish around the rim and can rebound the basketball. Stillman was the best player from the 2023 class this weekend at the Phenom Challenge. He could definitely be a late steal for someone. 2024 Alex Atkinson Jr....
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Phenom March Madness Spotlight: 2026 Tarris Bouie (Team EAT)
Player: Tarris BouieClass: 2026School: Chambers HSHeight: 6’5 At the Phenom March Madness, it provided Phenom Hoops an early opportunity to watch players that will certainly be names to write down and check out throughout the summer. One player that had us all talking (and has since we first watched him at the start of the high school season) was 2026 6’5 Tarris Bouie, as the future looks...
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Cooper’s Developments: Phenom Opening
By: Cooper Hart 6’4” ’26 Tarris Bouie (Team EAT) Bouie was in the top tier of prospects in this weekend’s 15u division. He’s a long and athletic wing that, while still physically developing, is more than strong enough to defend up positions and handle contact. He was arguably the best shooter in the division, acting as one of the few five tool shooters in the event. He has incredible shooting...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Opening (Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2026 Tarris Bouie (Team Eat) Having already seen flashes as a freshman this year at Chambers, he immediately came out this weekend showing why he’s a name that will emerge as one of the top in his class this summer. He’s a sniper from deep and has crazy length to match his skillset, with the ability to get to his spots and hit shots and make good quick reads and finishing them...
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A Closer Look: North Carolina’s Class of 2026
6’6 Cole Cloer (Orange) Between the team’s success and his individual production, it’s easy to see why Cole Cloer is already one of the top players in North Carolina’s Class of 2026. At 6-foot-6, he already has the IQ, size, and skillset to legitimately dominate a game. Cloer is a smooth all-around player who comfortably dictates the offensive action with the ball in his hands,...
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Freshmen to Know from Phenom Holiday Classic
2026 6’3 Dane Cassada (Calvary Day): Cassada continues to be a name that impresses us with his overall maturity as a freshman. Cassada is a tough, strong, high IQ guard that understands the game well, sees the floor, and can bring some versatility to the court on both sides of the floor. He showed that he can be a knockdown shooter, as well as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. 2026...
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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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Phenom Open Gym: JL Chambers High School
Phenom Open Gym: Chambers High School Last season, JL Chambers went 22-7 before losing 58-56 to eventual NCHSAA 4A state champion, Weddington High School. From the outside looking in, many basketball pundits may not have high expectations for Coach Brian Frasier’s team. 6’2 Jaylen Curry transferred after averaging almost a “double-double” of 16.6 PPG and 9.1 APG. 6’8 All-Conference Player of the...
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