Phenom Hoops College Basketball Coverage

Day 2 Standouts from George Lynch Invitational

2025 Dylan Deluca (United Faith): Deluca’s play in the second half was impressive for United Faith on Day 2.  He was making all types of hustle plays, competing on the boards, creating second-chance opportunities, and creating scoring plays from several areas of the court.  His play really helped big for his team in the second half. 2024 Joe Rhyne (Gaston Christian): For Gaston Christian to get...

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Phenom Commitment Alert: 2024 Rakease Passmore commits to Kansas

Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or sees a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day.  It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player. Here is the latest commitment. Player: Rakease PassmoreClass: 2024Committed to: Kansas What is Kansas Getting: What a trip...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy (Part 1)

Phenom Hoops traveled to Lincolnton to cover open gym at Combine Academy.  In only his second year at Combine, Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled talent and depth, and may be one of his most talented teams.  Last season, Combine Academy was nationally ranked and finished as a top 25 team, not to mention winning the prestigious Phenom Hoop State Championship. Combine Academy has the...

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Phenom Four Corners: ’24 Jayan Walker, ’25 Trajan Thompson, ’25 Gevonte Ware, and ’24 Rakease Passmore

2024 Jayan Walker enjoys visit to Georgia State One of the fastest rising prospects in the state, 2024 Jayan Walker will be a hot topic for many. Not only because he has joined the powerhouse of Combine Academy, but his recruitment has really taken off.  Racking up the offers this summer, Walker has shown that he could be a tremendous get for many schools.  He recently took a visit to...

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Phenom HoopState Championship Recap: Combine Academy vs. Word of God

Game 2 on the day brought two powerhouses in Combine Academy and Word of God went at it in what was a HEATED showdown. Both teams came out with energy and looking to make shots; Word of God was led once again early on by ’23 Isaiah Coleman while ’23 Trentyn Flowers came out strong after his commitment to lead the way. Word of God was able to gain the narrow edge in the first quarter 19-15, but...

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John Wall Day 2 Standouts

6’0 2023 Amari Richardson (Panther Creek) Amari Richardson started off day two of The John Wall with a team-high 22 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals. The senior guard shot the ball extremely well from behind the arc, going 4-7 from three. Richardson has the ability to knock down shots both off the catch and the bounce. He has an extremely smooth release on his jumper. Richardson also...

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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at The John Wall Invitational (Part 1)

2024 Chris Uwayo (Panther Creek): Uwayo did a great job in helping lead the charge once again for his team. He was able to really showcase his feel in leading the offense, creating and pushing up the court, facilitating to his teammates, but also being a consistent scoring threat, especially with his ability to penetrate and get to the line. Finished with 19 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds....

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Undefeated Combine Academy Warranting Increased National Attention

Every year, the high school basketball landscape in North Carolina becomes more and more unpredictable. Between transfers and raw talent, any team is capable of losing on a given night. Perhaps that’s what makes Coach Wright and Combine Academy’s 14-0 start so impressive. Not only do they stand undefeated, but they’ve genuinely been thwarting opponents throughout the first part of the season....

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Player Standouts at Ancore Invitational

6’6 ’23 Clinton Efinda (Combine Regional) It doesn’t take very long to identify Efinda as one of the most talented players on this roster. He’s a big, strong, physical wing prospect with the ability to get downhill and finish above the rim or through contact seemingly whenever he wants. Efinda is a capable creator and perimeter shooter who forces opponents to respect his spot-up presence. He’s a...

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Standouts: Combine Academy National vs DME National

It starts with USC commit Silas Demary Jr. Combine goes as he goes. He sets the tone with his play on both ends of the floor. Demary is a high IQ floor general who has his imprint all over the game from scoring to facilitating to rebounding to defending. He is the total package. Demary finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Rakease Passmore once again continues to showcase his much...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look

Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy, A Second Look A team such as Combine Academy deserves a second look. A roster filled with high level prospects, first year Head Coach Mike Wright has plenty to be excited about. Walking into the two-hour practice a few minutes late, we could sense the energy in John Jordan Gymnasium. There’s no denying the fact, Coach Wright brings passion and the intensity...

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Phenom Open Gym: Combine Academy

Phenom Hoops travelled to Lincolnton to cover Combine Academy’s open gym. ACC head coaches Steve Forbes of Wake Forest and Mike Young of Virginia Tech were in attendance along with assistant coaches from VCU, Western Carolina and College of Charleston.  Head Coach Mike Wright has assembled a team that will be in the conversation as one of the premier high school teams in the country. Combine has...

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Players in New Places: North Carolina (Part 1)

The school year is quickly approaching and that just means that high school basketball isn’t far off either. So it got us thinking about teams and players, and there were plenty of intriguing moves from players that will be suiting up in a different jersey this upcoming season. That is why we are taking an early look at a few new faces in a few new places. 2024 Bishop Boswell (Myers Park)...

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The development and growth of 2024 Rakease Passmore has been fun to watch

What a journey it has been watching 2024 Rakease Passmore grow into the player he has so far, but the story isn’t close to ending any time soon.  But, now watching him snag big offer after big offer, it is fun to just look back at the growth this young has made when we first spoke about him with no offers to where he is today. It is coming up on almost two years when we wrote about Passmore...

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Prospects Trending Upward in North Carolina’s Class of 2024

The travel ball season is always full of surprises. Given the shaky nature of the recruiting landscape, there’s truly no telling which programs are even looking to extend offers to high school players. Majority of programs (for whatever reason) find it more advantageous to pursue kids who already claim a slew of scholarships, as opposed to someone who could actually be a viable, realistic...

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