Anytime you gather hundreds of teams and put them in front of hundreds of coaches something great is bound to happen. This upcoming weekend’s Phenom Challenge Live will bring in teams from seven different states to compete in front of hundreds of coaches. In fact around 300 college coaches showed up to the 2017 version of this event with countless players earning offers and getting put on the radar by their play.
This year, we expect no different. The field is absolutely loaded with talent. Not only are there 5-stars in the mix, but also an incredible depth of college level players for all divisions.
Here is a list of the players that everyone already knows
6’7” 2019 Josiah James
TMP Elite SC
Claimed Offers: South Carolina, Clemson, Louisville, Xavier, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M & Many More!
James is a Top 20 prospect in the country who had Duke and Kentucky calling and visiting last week. The lefty has a simply uncanny feel for the game to go with legit 6’7” size and incredible length. Yes, James is a true point guard, he’s got all those tools. His jump shot is good and his explosion has him finishing HIGH above the rim. A truly unique talent he will end up as one of the highest recruited players, in this class, nationally.
6’ 2020 Evan Johnson
Team CP3 16s NC
Claimed Offers: Penn St, Iowa St, Oklahoma St, Old Dominion, & MORE!
Johnson has performed on a high level for a while, including a 35 point break out as an 8th grader on varsity. Johnson transferred this season to famed Oak Hill Academy and acted as their first guard off the bench. He has unwavering nerves of steal, makes great reads with the ball in his hands and shoots the leather off the ball from deep, deep range. He is a Top 100 type prospect.
6’3” 2019 Caleb Mills
PSB Elite NC
Claimed Offers: George Mason, Coastal Carolina, Appalachian St, Winthrop & MORE!
Mills is as pure a scorer as we have in this region. The lengthy and smooth shooting guard has a nice handle and an uncanny ability to get to his spots and finish. Sure he still needs some strength, but what high school junior doesn’t. Cincinnati and others have been in this week and ACC/SEC schools have been asking about him since his standout performance at Phenom’s Queen City Showcase last weekend. A good showing for Mills this weekend and those type off offers could certainly start to fall into place for him.
6’9” 2019 Ody Oguama
NC Red Storm
Claimed Offers: New Hampshire, Coastal Carolina, James Madison, UNC-Asheville, Lafayette, & MORE!
Oguama is an elite defender. With that comes a high level rim protector and a very good rebounder. What makes Oguama unique is his ability to move his feet laterally. So not only does he protect the rim, he is switch onto wings and stay in front of them or play at the top of the press and create incredible disruption. Oguama just announced he will take a prep year at Woodstock Academy and come out in the 2019 class. This will open his recruitment up and should take it to another level. Power-5 programs to Mid Majors should be sitting on this kid, and the ones who really value defense will stick around.
6’11” 2021 John Butler
Team United EYBL 15s NC
Claimed Offers: NA
Even while Zion Williamson got all the headlines (and yes every single one of them were deserved) it was freshman John Butler who may have been the best prospect in the state of South Carolina. Butler has all the makings of a blue blood target, Top 15 type of recruit. He has great length with a natural fluidity to his game. He shoots the ball from three and is able to put it on the floor and attack the rim. Think along the lines of UVa’s Jay Huff with this one and then realize that Butler is further along than Huff at the same stage. Highest level type prospect who is bound to break out this summer.