This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Indoor Facility to continue carrying onward with our travel ball season. The Spring Tip-Off featured a variety of intriguing teams from all age groups, and each had their own collection of standouts. While there were a ton of guys worth noting, this article will take a closer look at a few prospects who are concluding their freshman year in high school and have abilities worth noting over the foreseeable future. Let’s take a look…
5’11 ’25 Drew Johnson (Team Push)
We’ve seen Johnson as much as any player throughout the years, especially at camps as a young, crafty, up-and-coming floor general. Fast-forward to now, and Johnson has only continued to expound upon his previously enticing trajectory. He’s so smart, unselfish, and offers excellent offensive balance from the point guard position. Johnson is a dynamic ball-handler with the blend of quickness and craftiness to reliably break down opponents, touch the paint at will, and make the correct read on a consistent basis. He’s a tough defender, great open floor player, and efficient scorer from all levels. Johnson has never failed to impress and, as a modern-day point guard, should only continue to turn heads.
6’3 ’25 Jonah Lawrence (Team Hope)
While Lawrence’s status and production as a freshman should already be fairly well known, his performance when playing up two levels should only reaffirm his undeniable polish. He’s a very well-rounded guard prospect who can comfortably operate in various different roles and naturally affect all facets of the game. Lawrence is already a poised offensive piece who scores the ball at a high volume and regularly mixes it up from all levels. He’s smart and unselfish enough to run the team, but also works well without the ball in his hands. Lawrence does pretty much everything at a quality level, and is a guy who should be monitored closely going forward.
6’7 ’25 Preston Copeland (Garner Road)
Between his linage and physical tools, there’s plenty of appeal with a young, promising post prospect like Copeland. The long-term upside is obvious, but Copeland is already long, athletic, and physically imposing on both ends of the floor. He finishes well around the basket, particularly through contact, but doesn’t necessarily require a ton of offensive touches to make a lasting impact. Copeland is already a great rebounder and shot-altering presence who moves extremely well for his size/age. He runs the floor well in transition and displays an active motor on both ends of the floor. Copeland has all the tools to be a noteworthy name, especially if he continues to develop.