This past weekend, Phenom Hoops got back into the swing of things with our annual Prep Showcase and Winter Nationals. Although there was a ton of talent on the Prep side, the blossoming middle-school prospects were arguably more exciting. Among the several grassroots and shoe-circuit programs, Team CP3’s eighth-grade squad appeared to be a cut above the rest. They were utterly dominant throughout the weekend, absolutely thwarting opponents while highlighting a slew of incredibly enticing young prospects. Let’s take a more in-depth look at their pieces…
5’8 Sherod McCormick
Nobody at Winter Nationals had more varsity experience than McCormick, and that was visibly evident in each contest. The IQ, confidence, and decisiveness simply makes him a real nightmare for opponents. McCormick possesses an excellent combination of vision, quickness, and crafty ball-handling, which allows him to effortlessly break down defenders, touch the paint, and create opportunities for others. However, he’s also quite polished as a scorer and can apply pressure in a healthy variety of ways. McCormick finishes very well through contact, especially for his size, and shoots the ball with consistency from midrange and beyond the arc. Given their multi-guard structure, he’s comfortable spotting-up or moving without the ball. Add in his defensive instincts, and it’s easy to see how McCormick set the tone.
5’8 JJ Sati-Grier
It was clear at an early age that Sati-Grier had all the tools to be an incredible point guard prospect, yet he’s still managed to somehow exceed expectations. Possibly the smartest, most poised player in the gym, he showcased flashes of real dominance in each of their games. Sati-Grier truly makes the game look easy. His ability to process is legitimately unbelievably for a player of his age. He’s a dynamic creator who is phenomenal at dissecting defenses, picking his spots, and putting his teammates in favorable scoring positions. Sati-Grier makes intelligent decisions, advanced reads, and clearly sees the game ahead of most players. Whether attacking the basket, asserting himself in the midrange, or hitting shots from beyond the arc, every scoring avenue proved to be a reliable option. It’s difficult to overstate his impressive offensive balance and general understanding of how to run a team. He also forces turnovers and rebounds well for his size/position.
