STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Oozing with Upside: 6’7 ’26 Tre Raymon
After an exciting showdown (and victory) against Team Curry in the championship of our G3 Showcase, there were certainly a lot of buzz surrounding Team Charlotte. Their 17U had a slew of guys who were major difference-makers in this contest. However, it seems like a lot of attention should also be directed at numerous pieces within their younger rosters. The program is known for producing...
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Bendel’s Best: G3 Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for another exciting three-day stretch of basketball at our G3 Showcase. The field featured a ton of memorable teams, including a slew of shoe-circuit programs. Given the talent and intensity, it ultimately made for a highly competitive tournament. Like usual, this article will take a closer look at a handful...
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Player Standouts at Day Three of Phenom G3 Showcase
5’9 ’25 Gavin Fields (Carolina Charge) Though slightly undersized, it was easy to be impressed with Fields during his first showing of the day. He’s a blindingly quick lead guard with nice IQ and the ability to touch the paint at a seemingly nonstop rate. Fields finishes well, especially for his size, but also hits jumpers and creates well for himself and others. He’s a relentless defender with...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom G3 Showcase
6’5 ’23 Bryce Cash (Team Curry) There are so many quality pieces within this talented Team Curry group, but Cash is quietly as valuable as anyone on the roster. We’ve seen him shine as an undisputed leader on plenty of occasions, but there’s something particularly impressive about his ability to produce within a role. Cash is a smart, strong, athletic guard with excellent toughness, defensive...
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G3 Showcase Team Preview: Team United 15U
With the June and July Live Periods on the horizon, there’s no better time for teams to compete to gauge their ability against high-level opponents. Our G3 Showcase is slated to feature a heavy mix of independent organizations and shoe-circuit programs—so there should definitely be something for everyone in attendance. The circuit teams nearing their halfway point should ultimately...
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“Getting to Know” 6’7 ’23 Jayden Boyd
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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G3 Showcase Team Preview: Team Hope Laney
With the June and July Live Periods on the horizon, there’s no better time for teams to compete to gauge their ability against high-level opponents. Our G3 Showcase is slated to feature a heavy mix of independent organizations and shoe-circuit programs—so there should definitely be something for everyone in attendance. The circuit teams nearing their halfway point should ultimately...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Pangos Best of Arizona League (May 11)
Photo: Dinos Trigonis (Styles Phipps/ Tru Washington) Phenom Hoops went back to watch all the action from a terrific event out in Arizona by Dinos Trigonis, as he put on the Pangos Best of Arizona League, having multiple weeks of terrific action. Phenom Hoops tuned to check out some of the talent on display from this past week, and a few players really grabbed our attention. 2023 6’4 Tru...
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Bendel’s Best: Stay Positive
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Sports Indoor Facility for our annual Stay Positive Classic. The two-day event featured a variety of entertaining teams and players, and allowed for numerous takeaways. Rosters are starting to get more solidified, players are finding their individual comfort zone, and teams appear to be (generally) improving each week. The month of May...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Stay Positive
6’3 ’24 Keveon Rodgers (Big Business Ballerz) Although there are a ton of quality contributors on this Big Business Ballerz squad, Rodgers seemed to stand out as the primary leader on countless occasions. He’s a strong, physically overwhelming wing/forward prospect with the necessary IQ and versatility to dominate a game. Rodgers is an excellent passer who looks to set up others at every...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive
5’6 ’27 Corey Kinard (Strong Center) Though he was among the youngest players on display, it was easy to be impressed with Kinard throughout this viewing. His production is predictably appealing, but the intangibles are arguably what make him such an enticing long-term prospect. Kinard is very smart and patient with the ability to consistently create for himself and others. He displays a...
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NC Spartans Duo Continues to Warrant Increased Attention
The Travel Ball Season of 2022 has featured more teams of unsigned seniors than ever before, and it’s not close. Due to the portal reaching record-breaking numbers and nearly everyone getting recruited lower than their “expected” level, these kids have limited options. Majority of players don’t have much feel for their actual level anyway, so pushing them down yet another peg is a...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Challenge
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the Rise Indoor Facility for our second Live period of the spring season. The three-day event featured a ton of notable teams, players, and standout performers. With various levels of college coaches in attendance, plenty of guys earned interest and offers, and naturally boosted their individual stocks as a direct result. Although the recruiting...
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Player Standouts at Day Three of Phenom Challenge
6’5 ’22 Mikhail Pocknett (WBC Elite) It’s difficult to say anything that hasn’t already been mentioned, as Pocknett continues to dominate as a primary option for this squad. He’s a strong, mobile forward who thrives at securing rebounds, pushing the break, and consistently finishing around the basket. Pocknett can knock down the occasional jumper and understands how to set up others at a useful...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Challenge
5’10 ’23 Matt Kirby (Team Push) There are numerous underrated pieces for Team Push, including Kirby. He’s truly as smart and fundamentally sound as anyone on the roster. Kirby is an excellent defender with the quickness, anticipation, and positioning to constantly harass opposing ball-handlers. He forces turnovers at a nice rate, pushes the break in transition, and understands how to set up...
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Travel Ball Free Agency
The dynamics of basketball are drastically different from that of any other sport. It’s an intense, free-flowing game with a massive following and some of the biggest icons in the world. There’s a long list of reasons as to why most dual athletes (typically holding higher offers in the non-basketball sport) try to pursue a career on the hardwood. Unfortunately, the landscape is overflowing with...
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Five More Players to Watch at Phenom Challenge LIVE
6’2 ’23 Jahreece Lynch (NC Spartans Haidinger) Given the departure of a major piece, folks should expect Jahreece Lynch to take over leadership responsibilities for the remainder of the summer. Though his game is tailored to thrive in a complementary role, Lynch has never had an issue producing in any setting. He’s a strong, athletic, physically imposing wing with useful creation skills and the...
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Phenom Challenge Team Listing
AgeTeam NameTeam State17UBigger Than Basketball 2023North Carolina17UBrothers Basketball – Team Watson 17UNorth Carolina17UBSA SUPREMENorth Carolina17UCap City ClutchNorth Carolina17UCap City Clutch RedfearnVirginia17UCapital City PacersNorth Carolina17UCarolina Clutch 17uNorth Carolina17UCarolina Fighting Saints Elite 2023North Carolina17UCarolina Sonics 2023South Carolina17UCarolina Suns...
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Five Players to Watch at Phenom Challenge LIVE
6’1 ’23 Will Gray (NC Spartans) While college coaches should be prepared to recruit this entire roster, Will Gray is clearly the tone-setter of this group. He’s an intelligent floor general who loves to get downhill, where he’s proven to be a reliable finisher, playmaker, and pull-up shooter from midrange. Gray is a great athlete, leader, and overall decision-maker who understands how to offer a...
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Unsigned Seniors to Watch at Phenom Challenge LIVE
Though it seems like the last LIVE period just occurred, another one is already upon us. Our Phenom Challenge will be a useful opportunity for various levels of college coaches to get out and see deserving high school prospects—whether juniors or unsigned seniors. While a ton of folks have noted the insane number of players in the portal, few seem to realize how much this is truly...
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Unsigned Duo Extremely Productive for Mint Hill Lakers
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our Grassroots TOC to kick off the first LIVE period of the spring season. The event featured an abundance of standouts; many of which were unsigned seniors still battling for their chance to be seen by coaches of the appropriate level. Regardless, there was translatable talent at every turn. Over the last few months, we’ve really tried to highlight...
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The Don’ts of Travel Basketball
The Do’s and Don’ts of Travel Basketball Life is interesting. Things tend to gradually become very routine as folks grow older. The way we react to situations, whether as the subject or not, naturally changes over time. Perhaps that’s why the travel ball circus doesn’t even feel that bizarre anymore, personally. Grown adults acting like children has really become a commonality at this...
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Bendel’s Best: Grassroots TOC
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center for the first LIVE period of the season. The three-day stretch featured a ton of notable teams and prospects, in addition to onlooking college coaches. Although we’ve previously seen and documented a vast majority of the talent on display, next-level opportunities remain scarcer than ever before. Games were...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Grassroots TOC
6’1 ’25 Hayes Oxendine (East Carolina Elite) Though we’ve consistently seen his foundation as a lethal shooter, Oxendine showcased a lot of ability as the primary creator and overall leader for this group. He’s a smart decision-maker and understands how to make plays with the ball in his hands. Oxendine is comfortable at setting up others while finding scoring opportunities from all three...
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Unsigned Seniors to Watch at Phenom Grassroots TOC (Part Two)
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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A Closer Look: New Light Disciples
Over the last calendar year, normalcy has started to return to the grassroots landscape. The reinstated Live Periods have given these young prospects some semblance of hope in making it to the next level. However, coaches are still aggressively leaning into the transfer portal and opting to recruit guys who have already played (using the term loosely) in college. From the contrasting viewpoint,...
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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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Rise Showcase: A Trio of Unsigned Seniors Worth Noting
6’3 KC Shaw (Carolina Riptide) It’s easy to see the next-level ability with Shaw, so his lack of recruitment remains somewhat perplexing. He’s a wiry, well-rounded guard with a nice blend of IQ, skill, and athleticism. Shaw has shown the ability to dictate an offense as the focal point or find opportunities within a role, but is successful and productive in both settings. He’s an efficient...
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Bendel’s Best: Rise Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Indoor Facility in Bermuda Run, North Carolina for our Rise Showcase. Between the two days, there were a ton of standout performers and teams worth noting for the months ahead. Circuit teams utilized this period to start planning for the upcoming session(s) while independent programs are working out the kinks in preparation for their own...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Rise Showcase
5’6 ’27 Corey Kinard (Strong Center) Despite being among the younger prospects on display, it’s already quite easy to see the overall appeal with someone like Kinard—especially over the long-term future. He displays advanced IQ and a fairly complete skillset. Kinard controlled the pace exceptionally well, created for himself and others, and highlighted a balanced offensive approach. The talent...
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