STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Drew’s Dimes: CSB Tourney at Rise Indoor
Phoenix 6th/7th Grade Girls Group By: Brittany Drew Cimora Rorie: 2028 (Southeast Middle) Cimora is a guard that will score and then immediately be applying pressure on defense. She epitomizes the saying “heart over height”. Intimidates ball handlers and forces them to turn it over. She can not only give the pressure, but she can handle it. She seeks contact, has great footwork, and uses her...
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Dimes by Drew: Blue Chip Girls League (Standouts) (Part 2)
By; Brittany Drew Angel Walker: 2024 (High Point Christian Academy) Angel is a guard that prefers to create her own mismatches and thrives off of being physical with smaller guards to maximize her advantage. She is comfortable with the ball in her hands, can create her own shot and her high IQ allows her to pass efficiently. She is starting to get in a consistent rhythm with her shot from behind...
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Player Standouts at Phenom All-American Camp Session II
#126- Neeko Taylor- It’s easy to appreciate Taylor’s identity and overall approach to the game, as he will always be able to carve out a role with any collection of teammates. He’s a knockdown three-point shooter with IQ, playmaking ability, and nice defensive instincts. Taylor makes a quality impact with or without the ball in his hands. #181- Camden Jernigan- There were a ton of standouts in...
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The Makings of Something Special: Zymicah Wilkins
Each year, the grassroots landscape sees hundreds upon thousands of players who look to make the transition from the middle school game to the high school ranks. The Carolinas are well-known for producing a ton of noteworthy kids at such an early age. Think about guys like Jaden Bradley, London Johnson, Carter Whitt, and countless others, and it’s easy to appreciate the sheer number of prospects...
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Dimes By Drew: Blue Chip Fall League (Standouts)
Phenom Hoops is continuing to expand and we couldn't be more excited about bringing more coverage to players on the girl's side. Brittany Drew is one you will want to follow, as she helps kick off our coverage. Drew recently went out to check out the talent at the Blue Chip Fall League, and here are a few standouts she found on the court.
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 8
Team 8 Coach: Brian Allen #11: 5’8 ’25 Gavin Fields (Ashbrook) Starting things off, we look at a player that arguably stood out as the best perimeter defender on this team, Gavin Fields. He’s a young, tough, slightly undersized guard prospect with a high motor and excellent quickness. Fields is a great penetrator, able to effortlessly get downhill and finish or set up others. He’s also...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 7
Team 7 Coach: George Marshall #9: 5’7 ’25 Jamari Smith (Ashbrook) Starting things off, we look at player that contributed nicely despite being the smallest and youngest camper on this team, Jamari Smith. He’s a young, wiry guard prospect with an unselfish, team-first mentality. Smith can knock down jumpers, attack the basket, and defend his assignment with poise defensively. He’s a...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom September Classic/Hoopstate League
5’9 ’25 Q Williams (CP3BA) Though it should probably be common knowledge at this point, Williams continues to solidify himself as one of the top floor generals in the state. He’s an extremely smart, unselfish point guard prospect with the ability to create and set up others in an effortless manner. Williams gets wherever he wants on the floor and has the necessary instincts to generate clean...
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Player Standouts at Phenom September Classic/Hoopstate League
6’1 ’24 Chase Daniel (Team Force) Although a lot of folks have been actively talking about the Daniel twins, it doesn’t seem like enough people are acknowledging everything Chase Daniel brings to the table. He’s an extremely tough, high-motor guard prospect with the ability to wreak havoc on defense while doing a variety of different things on offense. Daniel can hit shots and create for himself...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 6
Team 6 Coach: Michael Wilson #8: 5’7 ’23 Isaiah Martino (Lake Norman Charter) Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Isaiah Martino. He’s a strong, quick guard prospect with a high motor, team-first approach, and a willingness to make hustle players. Martino touches the paint with consistency and plays hard on...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 5
Team 5 Coach: Ricky Rich #6: 5’7 ’25 Blue Simmons (Christ School) Starting things off, we look at a player that showcased a pretty adaptable identity within the flow of the action, Blue Simmons. He’s a young, unselfish, team-first guard prospect with a high motor and the ability to create for himself and others. Simmons is a capable penetrator with vision and useful ball-handling...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 4
Team 4 Coach: Greg Harmon #15: 5’8 ’24 Na’Tion Sutton (Henderson Collegiate) Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Na’Tion Sutton. He’s a wiry, unselfish guard prospect with vision, a useful handle, and the ability to score from multiple levels. Sutton is effective with or without the ball in his hands, and...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 3
Team 3 Coach: Dre Simmons #5: 5’6 ’25 Lucas Kimrey (Gaston Day) Starting things off, we look at a player that performed quite well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Lucas Kimrey. He’s a young, slightly undersized guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and the ability to apply consistent pressure from beyond the arc. Next in his development process is working to get...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 2
Team 2 Coach: Kyree Bethel #3: 5’4 ’25 Jalen Mills (Hope Mills) Starting things off, we look at a player that understands how to consistently make an impact through his toughness and nonstop motor, Jalen Mills. He’s a young, unselfish, team-first guard prospect who doesn’t necessarily require the ball in order to make his presence felt. Mills is a capable ball-handler and scorer, but...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Shawn Robinson #1: 5’0 ’27 Jamey Patterson (Blythewood) Starting things off, we look at a player that contributed quite nicely despite being among the smallest and youngest campers on display, Jamey Patterson. He’s a tough, high-motor guard prospect with an excellent understanding of how to properly position himself on both ends of the floor. Patterson is a capable...
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Open Gym Report: Ben L. Smith
On Friday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to another quality open gym session with one of the Triad’s top public-school programs in Ben L. Smith. Coach Derrick Partee is entering his tenth season at the helm, maintaining their success while consistently getting his players to the next level. Just in the last five years, he’s put over a dozen prospects into the collegiate ranks. Although they were...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom All-American Camp
#1- Jamey Patterson- Despite being the smallest and youngest player in attendance, Patterson consistently found ways to make his presence felt. He lacks physical strength but possesses IQ and an excellent understanding of how to position himself for success on both ends of the floor. Patterson is a reliable ball-handler and playmaker with the ability to set up others or knock down shots. ...
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Player Standouts at Phenom All-American Camp
#65- Damani Day- It’s easy to appreciate the steady, unselfish point guard presence from Day. He possesses IQ, toughness, and a sturdy frame for his size/position. Day handles the ball well, makes quality passes, and scores as needed. He continues to show nice development as a prospect. #128- Dallas Gardner- Easily one of the most impressive performers on display, Gardner continues to shine in...
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Poised to Breakout: James Scott
The recruiting scene is somewhat strange to comprehend, as the explanations and reasoning for offering kids are incredibly inconsistent from program to program. Some schools feel compelled to see a player a dozen times before even considering the idea of extending an offer, whereas various others will present scholarships without ever seeing said prospect. Neither method is particularly...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Lady Attack Elite Exposure Scrimmage
I was able to end my night in the Concord area after a long day of open gyms, but it was a treat to head out to Carolina Courts in Concord to check out some terrific talent playing in the 2021 Lady Attack Elite Exposure Scrimmage. It brought us new names to start looking at for the upcoming season, as these players were the ones that captured my eyes from the night.
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Poised to Breakout: Five Players Slated for an Uptick in Production
One of the most exciting parts about watching notable players graduate is getting to see how their teammates respond to said departure. Naturally, the show must go on, but there are usually structural kinks to work out within the bigger scheme of things. This article concept has appeared twice before, and largely represented guys who were somewhat under the radar. Now, after the entire summer...
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North Carolina’s Top 2024 Prospects Make Waves at CP3 Rising Stars Camp (Part Three)
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Sportsplex in Greensboro, North Carolina for the annual CP3 Rising Stars Camp. Typically, this event is exclusively for rising freshmen but the unforeseen circumstances over the last year prevented the Class of 2024 from the occasion. Instead of excising the class completely, they opted to combine the two classes into one enormous event. The amount...
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North Carolina’s Top 2024 Prospects Make Waves at CP3 Rising Stars Camp (Part Two)
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Sportsplex in Greensboro, North Carolina for the annual CP3 Rising Stars Camp. Typically, this event is exclusively for rising freshmen but the unforeseen circumstances over the last year prevented the Class of 2024 from the occasion. Instead of excising the class completely, they opted to combine the two classes into one enormous event. The amount...
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North Carolina’s Top 2024 Prospects Make Waves at CP3 Rising Stars Camp
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Sportsplex in Greensboro, North Carolina for the annual CP3 Rising Stars Camp. Typically, this event is exclusively for rising freshmen but the unforeseen circumstances over the last year prevented the Class of 2024 from the occasion. Instead of excising the class completely, they opted to combine the two classes into one enormous event. The amount...
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Changing of the Guards: The Pat Cole Project
Although it should be common knowledge by now, circumstances ultimately decide and dictate everything regarding the game of basketball. Two years ago, Rasheed Wallace surprised everyone upon making the announcement with his intent to return to the high school season as the coach of Jordan High School in Durham, North Carolina. The move truly sent shockwaves across the state. The four-time NBA...
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What Does Kheni Briggs to The Burlington School Mean?
Player movement has become extremely common in all levels of basketball, and it comes in various forms. The practice of players staying with the same high school and travel ball program throughout their basketball journey is becoming largely obsolete. It’s not necessarily a negative or positive thing, rather just something we’ve grown accustomed to over the last few years. Accumulating copious...
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Bendel’s Best: Summer Finale
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Rock Hill Sports and Events Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina for another two-day stretch of basketball. Although most teams have begun winding down and getting some much-needed rest, there were still plenty of noteworthy players and teams itching to compete. Our Summer Finale featured a variety of teams across all age groups, but this...
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The Mold of a Modern Big Man: Micah Handlogten
Historically, basketball has made countless shifts regarding things like positions, rule changes, and desirable archetypes. The ideology of having two traditional big men is nearly obsolete, which also applies to true point guards and multiple other niche identities. Obviously, this is more evident in the NBA than college basketball. Someone like Jahlil Okafor would’ve been a perennial All-Star...
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Noteworthy Perimeter Prospects at the Statement Session (Louisiana Top 40)
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops had a special opportunity to travel down to Lafayette, Louisiana for Mal Mundy’s Louisiana Top 40 Statement Session. Between the talent, competition, and general hospitality, it made for an amazing weekend. The slew of prospects on display at Southside High School made for an entertaining day and ultimately led to a variety of offers for these players. We’ve...
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Noteworthy Interior Prospects at the Statement Session (Louisiana Top 40)
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops had a special opportunity to travel down to Lafayette, Louisiana for Mal Mundy’s Louisiana Top 40 Statement Session. Between the talent, competition, and general hospitality, it made for an amazing weekend. The slew of prospects on display at Southside High School made for an entertaining day and ultimately led to a variety of offers for these players. We’ve...
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