STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS

Players to Keep an Eye on: Phenom Prep Showcase

Shane Batten (TPLS): If you are looking for an offensive scoring threat, Batten would be on the top of that list as he put on a show game after game after game. Batten is a 5’10 guard that put on a showing show, as he was able to get up plenty of shots and scored from all levels of the court. He was knocking down threes and showing range, was able to get to his spots for his pull-up jumper, and...

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Lab U has underrated talent to be found

The Phenom Prep Showcase was a tremendous event that offered us an opportunity to find new talent or to check in on a few familiar names as well. Lab U is a program in North Carolina that is a bit new but is making a strong early splash with prospects that could be underrated talents for college coaches.  They were able to bring a balanced attack throughout, both inside and out, as we dive...

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Prep Showcase Player Profile: 2024 Kaziaes Hemphill (Franklin Prep)

Player: Kaziaes HemphillClass: 2024School: Franklin PrepHeight: 6’9 The Phenom Prep Showcase was a terrific event that allowed our scouts to find new talents or get an update on a few others. One player that captured our interest was 2024 6’9 Kaizes Hemphill from Franklin Prep. He was one of several bigs that had an eye-opening showing throughout the event, and he was consistent all throughout....

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Size and Athleticism: Carolina Basketball Academy National brings players to check out

2024 6’5 Corion Marshall Want to talk about a player that made a lasting impression over the weekend, Marshall not only caught the eyes of our scouts but also had the crowd going throughout the event.  Time after time, he was making highlight-reel plays in finishing at the rim with a ton of explosion. He is a long 6’5 prospect that was strong out in transition and was going to make you pay...

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Phenom Prep Showcase: Huntington Expression Prep has talent for college programs

The Phenom Prep Showcase was a tremendous opportunity to check out new and experienced talent, several of which could be sneaky prospects to grab late for college programs.  One team that we were eager to watch was Huntington Expression Prep, a team that went undefeated at the event and was able to showcase some intriguing talent for programs. And they will be back in action at the Nationals in...

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Keep your eyes on: S3 Academy (Phenom Prep Showcase)

2024 6’5 Papa Kounta Kounta made his impact felt in a variety of ways. At 6’5, he is an athletic guard who plays with a high motor, excels in the open court, and is one that can attack and finish well. Kounta plays under control, was able to get to his spots, connect with his jumper, and be an effective option on the court. 2024 6’0 Devin Minor Minor had a good showing throughout the event,...

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Sharing the Wealth: Acker Academy

At the Phenom Prep Showcase, there were quite a few familiar faces at the event but there was a new one to check out for our staff at Phenom Hoops. Acker Academy out of South Carolina, made its way up to Bermuda Run to compete in the Prep Showcase, and they were able to introduce us to a few new names and what their program is all about. Overall as a team, this was a team that immediately came...

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Talent to be found: Piedmont Classical

Checking in on our good friends at Piedmont Classical this past weekend at the Phenom Prep Showcase, before they look to make noise at the Hoop State Championship, they continue to remind us that this is a program that has talent to be found on the court. They already have a few players committed on the roster in 2023 Josiah Watkins and 2023 Khalif Barnes, who once again shined on the big stage....

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Young Talent Proving Themselves: 1of1 Academy

One team that we were certainly excited about seeing once again was 1of1 Academy, a team that we have seen quite a bit over the season but it is always fun to see the development of the players with this team.  When you talk about this team though, there is plenty of talent that you will be hearing about in the upcoming classes, as well as a few veterans that have shined as well. But when...

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College coaches should be looking at Combine Regional

We continue to progress through the teams at the Phenom Prep Showcase, and one team that impressed me was Combine Regional, a team that I believe that should have the attention of college coaches.' There are quite a few prospects that will be talked about down the road but should be names you are learning about now. Of course, when you look at that team, 2023 Clinton Efinda is one of the first...

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Worth Monitoring: Franklin Prep

Going back to look at the talent on display at the Phenom Prep Showcase, Franklin Prep was a team we were quite familiar with over the years and they always seem to have intriguing talent that is worth monitoring. That hasn't changed this season, as we saw a few prospects that will be worth being on the radar late. When looking at a few unsigned seniors, 2023 6'8 Bryce Wilkins was one that stood...

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Stock risers from Phenom Prep Showcase

2024 6'6 Jacob Brandly (Combine Regional): Brandly is one that continues to come to events, and catches our eye each time.' Why' This is a 6'6 forward that creates so much havoc when he is on the court.' Brandly does a great job in being able to attack the defense in an array of ways, whether it is in pick-and-pop situations and hurting them with his perimeter shooting, or his ability to use his...

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Greater Destiny Prep has talent to look at

A great weekend of basketball brought us talent that we at Phenom Hoops have seen quite a bit, but it also gave us an opportunity to check out new names and new teams.  One team that I found intriguing was Greater Destiny Prep, as they came in and competed hard but also gave us a few new names to watch for. When diving into more of the players that captured my eyes, I'm going to start with...

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NC GBB Varsity bringing new names to the court

Continuing to shine more on teams that were at our Phenom Prep Showcase this past weekend, many people have heard of the NC GBB program but may know more about the national team than the varsity team. Though the national team has quite a bit of talent to look at, NC GBB Varsity this weekend also left their mark on the event, finishing 2-0 and bringing some new names to our platform. Overall,...

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Bull City National proves themselves in a big way at Phenom Prep Showcase

What a weekend of basketball it was at the Phenom Prep Showcase, as there are plenty of storylines to look at from the event.  But the storyline on the top of my mind has been the terrific play of Bull City National, who ended up going undefeated and really opening eyes. They were able to rack up wins against a strong NC GBB National team, and then again against Franklin Prep and Greater...

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Top Unsigned Seniors from Phenom Prep Showcase

2023 Shaedon Simpson (Combine): Already holding a few offers, if a college program is needing a late senior, Simpson would be one I'd look at. He has really elevated and taken the next step in his game, continuing to add more layers to his game. Simpson has the size you like at 6'6, he can knock down shots from the outside with a ton of confidence, make plays off the dribble, and brings...

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POB’s Day 2 Standouts (Phenom Prep Showcase)

2024 Chicale Ward (Bull City Prep): Ward has put together back-to-back outstanding games to help lead his team to two wins. The 6'5 prospect has been an extremely effective scorer on the floor and is a tough matchup with his skill set, his versatility, and his ability to score in a variety of ways. He is coming off a 30-point showing and ended today with 20 points in the win on Day 2.' Opening a...

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POB’s Day 1 Standouts (Phenom Prep Showcase)

2026 Carter Bullock (NC GBB Varsity): Only a freshman, Bullock played with a lot of poise and did a great job today getting to his spots. He finished with 16 points and hit multiple threes from a variety of areas of the court. Like his understanding, can create off the bounce, and has good size for his age. 2023 Shaedon Simpson (Combine PG): It was great to watch Simpson on the court again, and...

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