STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
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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Storylines for Phenom Hoops’ Hardwood Classic: Talent For All- NC Spartans (Hartzell and Haidinger)
This coming weekend, Phenom Hoops will be hosting two separate events (one in Rock Hill and one in Advance) for the final live period of the basketball-filled summer. There’s an abundance of exciting/noteworthy subplots for spectators and college coaches to look for throughout both settings. The Hardwood Classic at the Rise Facility in Advance, North Carolina should have various teams and...
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Storylines for Phenom Hoops’ Hardwood Classic: No Josh? No Problem.
This coming weekend, Phenom Hoops will be hosting two separate events (one in Rock Hill and one in Advance) for the final live period of the basketball-filled summer. There’s an abundance of exciting/noteworthy subplots for spectators and college coaches to look for throughout both settings. The Hardwood Classic at the Rise Facility in Advance, North Carolina should have various teams and...
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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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Three Juniors Slated for Major Breakouts
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 most of the attention was directed to rising seniors (and rightfully...
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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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Bendel’s Best: Summer Havoc
Finally, after nearly two years, Phenom Hoops returned to host our first LIVE period event of the travel ball season. Although most college coaches (D2/D3/NAIA/JUCO) have already been allowed to travel for the last calendar year, this is only the second opportunity (aside from the NCHSAA/NCISAA session) for Division I coaches to see prospects in-person. While there were plenty of standouts...
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Player Standouts at Day Four of Phenom Summer Havoc
6’4 ’21 Greg Moore (Team Passion) It should be common knowledge at this point, but Moore continues to solidify himself as a next-level player with this Team Passion squad. He’s skinny, but smart, skilled, and understands how to stand out as a leader in various different ways. Although Moore is a lethal shooting threat, he also highlighted the ability to attack closeouts and set up others at a...
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Player Standouts at Day Three of Phenom Summer Havoc
6’0 ’22 Cole Sinclair (Durham Hurricanes) It should come as no surprise to anyone within the grassroots scene, but Sinclair continues to showcase a lot of ability as the clear leader of this group. He’s a lethal shooting threat with vision and a nice change of pace, which allows him to effectively manage the game while picking his spots from all three levels. Sinclair handles the ball well and...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Summer Havoc
6’4 ’23 Cole Callaway (Carolina Riptide) It’s easy to find balance with this Carolina Riptide squad, and Callaway consistently finds ways to stand out despite being one of the younger players on the roster. He’s a lethal spot-up threat with IQ, cutting instincts, and the ability to attack closeouts as needed, which allows him to make a constant impact with or without the ball in his hands....
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Player Standouts at Phenom Summer Havoc
6’6 ’24 Jalik Dunkley-Distant (Bounce Elite) There’s an obvious amount of appeal with this Bounce Elite roster, and Dunkleydistant stands out as much as anyone. He’s a long, fluid wing prospect with phenomenal size, athleticism, and an excellent presence in the open floor. Dunkleydistant applies great downhill pressure, moves well without the ball, and highlighted the ability to create for...
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Summer Havoc Team Previews: NC Gaters Black
After a lot of stressors throughout the last twelve to fourteen months, the grassroots basketball landscape has finally returned to normalcy. The shoe-circuits and high school LIVE periods were restored for the betterment of these young prospects who are simply fighting for an equal opportunity to advance to the collegiate ranks. Although this presents Division I programs with the chance to...
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Summer Havoc Team Previews: Charlotte Royals
After a lot of stressors throughout the last twelve to fourteen months, the grassroots basketball landscape has finally returned to normalcy. The shoe-circuits and high school LIVE periods were restored for the betterment of these young prospects who are simply fighting for an equal opportunity to advance to the collegiate ranks. Although this presents Division I programs with the chance to...
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Bendel’s Best: Champion Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina to kick-off the loaded month of July. The two-day event featured various teams preparing for the upcoming LIVE periods, which naturally made for some exciting competition and noteworthy standouts. Let’s take a closer look at some personal favorites… 6’5 ’22 Brayden Baker (Atlanta...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Champion Showcase
5’11 ’23 Kennard Davis (Team Charlotte) Although Team Charlotte always seems to have a balanced approach, Davis regularly shined as a two-way floor general for this group. He’s slightly undersized but still knows how to harass and overwhelm opposing guards defensively at the point of attack. Davis does a terrific job of probing the defense, touching the paint, and making smart decisions with the...
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Players that Impressed at NCISAA LIVE Period – Class of 2025
Phenom Hoops was on deck throughout the weekend at Forsyth Country Day for the NCISAA Live Period (Session 2), where teams throughout the state of North Carolina came to compete in front of college coaches. It was great to see all the teams and players in action over the weekend, as we are looking to bring you the stars and stock risers for each class from the weekend. We will continue with...
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Players that Impressed at NCISAA LIVE Period – Class of 2024
Phenom Hoops was on deck throughout the weekend at Forsyth Country Day for the NCISAA Live Period (Session 2), where teams throughout the state of North Carolina came to compete in front of college coaches. It was great to see all the teams and players in action over the weekend, as we are looking to bring you the stars and stock risers for each class from the weekend. We will continue with...
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Quickly Reloaded: The Burlington School
Each year, there are certain programs that are guaranteed to be relevant simply due to their coaching and/or knack to acquire talent. Take Duane Lewis (North Meck), Dion Bethea (Gray Collegiate), BJ Jackson (Legacy Early College), and countless others as evidence of this notion. Well, despite entering just his fourth season as a high school head coach, perhaps Ryan Bernardi is deserving of a...
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Stock Risers of NCISAA (Session 2) LIVE Period – Class of 2023
Phenom Hoops was on deck throughout the weekend at Forsyth Country Day for the NCISAA Live Period (Session 2), where teams throughout the state of North Carolina came to compete in front of college coaches. It was great to see all the teams and players in action over the weekend, as we are looking to bring you the stars and stock risers for each class from the weekend. We will continue with the stock risers for the class of 2023.
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