The Phenom Grassroots TOC is this weekend in Rock Hill/Fort Mill, as it is the first LIVE Period with Phenom Hoops this season. The talent pool runs deep throughout and we want to give college coaches a leg up on who to watch and who will be in action. Here are a few players to check out for each team, presented by the head coach.
Riptide 2023 NC
6’4 Cole Callaway
2023
Guard
Cole is coming off his Junior year where he made All-District, All-Conference, All-County honors and led the Lake Norman Wildcats to a Conference Tournament championship averaging 17.3 ppg, Callaway’s recruiting continues to climb holding offers from Bob Jones University and Kentucky Christian. He is an elite scorer and one of the top shooters in the state. It’s been fun to watch his overall game develop during his junior year. He is set for another big summer for this Carolina Riptide team.
6’2 Alex Gruber
2023
PG
Alex is one of the most athletic juniors in his class. He continues to improve his overall game and as one of the leaders of this Riptide group. This shifty PG finds ways to get his teammates the ball while playing defense at a very high level, always guarding the opponent’s best player. Gruber seems to find himself in a great position to make the right plays each time we watch him. College coaches take notice of this 2023 PG, his stock is rising.
6’4 Magnus Swinger
2023
Forward / Wing
Magnus is coming off a solid junior year at Concord Academy and has had an immediate impact for this Riptide 2023 NC team. Magnus is a double-double type player and is a great “glue guy”. His ability to shoot the 3-ball also makes him tough to guard. He is off to a great start so far since joining the Carolina Riptide and is going to be one to watch this AAU season. He is poised to have a great summer and senior year at Concord Academy.
6’4 Henderson Williams
2023
Forward / Wing
Henderson is a “grinder” on both ends of the court. This junior has a nose for the ball and his toughness always shows each time we watch him play. He hits the boards on both ends and continues to develop a nice perimeter game that makes him tough to defend. He is Mr. Hustle for this Riptide team. We are excited to watch him this spring/summer with this Riptide team as his recruiting will definitely start to pick up heading into his senior year for the Lake Norman Wildcats.
6’3 Luke Ledford
2023
Guard
Luke is a new addition to the Riptide and we can see why Coach Hodges is excited to have him. Luke does all the “dirty” work that coaches love. He is going to get every 50/50 ball and be a top leader in rebounds and deflections every game. His ability to find the open man and make the right pass is fun to watch. Luke can shoot the ball from the 3 line as well which plays well into his overall game. He is going to be a huge part of the Broughton High School team his senior year.
6’0 Johnakin Franklin
2022
CG
Johnakin is coming off an All-Conference year at Concord High School where he led the conference in multiple scoring and assists stats. He is a CG who plays with a great pace and can control a game from start to finish. He also is one of the top shooters this year for the Riptide and seems to always make the right play. His quickness and ability to get downhill make him tough to defend. He will have a lot of coaches watching him as he plays a big part in this team’s success on the court.
6’8 Mason Simmons
2023
Center
Mason is also new to this Riptide 2023NC team coming from East Lincoln High School. Mason is a true center who makes his presence known in the paint for this group. He is off to a great start already this spring having multiple weekends rebounding and scoring in the paint for his team. Simmons is a true “hustle guy” that makes everyone around him better. He is set to play a big role this coming High School season for the Mustangs.
6’7 Landon Johnson
2024
Forward / Wing
Landon is a wing who can do a little bit of everything on the court. He can shoot it, put it on the floor and finish at the basket. He plays with a ton of heart and passion that makes him easy to like. As a 2024 player from Forsyth Country Day, Landon has a bright future with this Riptide group and we look forward to watching his game grow.
6’8 Trent Steinour
2025
Forward / Wing
This freshman has this Riptide team excited about the future of the program. Trent is a super-athletic player who continues to improve each time we see him play. He was a big piece of the late-season success for the Lake Norman Wildcats as his minutes increased each night down the stretch for Coach Hodges. His ability to score the ball and block shots make this 2025 player someone to watch closely this travel season.
