The talent ran DEEP this past weekend at the Phenom Grassroots TOC in Rock Hill, as this was an event that offered Top 100 talent everywhere you looked. Though we could talk about a lot of players, there were a few players that we were highly intrigued in watching and that shined on the big stage. Check out who grabbed our attention.
2025 Jacob Wilkins (Drifty Elite)
Wilkins was one that we had the pleasure of watching in the past, but we were eager to see him once again in action with a loaded Drifty Elite team. Simply put it… he was an absolute show. Wilkins was the most explosive prospect in the building, without a doubt, and no one was coming close to that statement. He was flying high above the rim, attacking the glass, and finishing time after time high above his defender, which had the crowd in pure amazement. But what I liked about his game was everything outside of that. Of course, you can get caught up with all the highlight-reel dunks, but a player that stands around 6’9 and is showing the comfort he showed in catch-and-shoot situations, spreading the defense with his 3-point shooting, his ability to get to his spots, and be disruptive defensive were all very impressive. Wilkins will be a name you hear about a lot more in the coming years with what he could ultimately provide.
2026 Cole Cloer (CP3)
It has been a good year so far for Cloer, who is coming off a state championship at Caldwell Academy and is now looking to lead the way for CP3 2026 EYBL. I was eager to see Cloer in action and with him holding the No. 1 spot in our rankings. And what he showed me on the big stage was quite impressive and truly showed how effective he can be. I loved how he operated with CP3, minimizing his game, being assertive and decisive with his play, getting to his spots and rising up, and simply just being incredibly efficient with his overall play. Cloer scored from all three levels, displaying a smooth release and feel, playing within the offense, and was quite effective throughout.
2027 CJ Rosser and 2027 King Gibson (Team United)
Team United came in as a hot topic and deservingly so, as two of the top prospects in the country for the Class of 2027 were ready to roll. Starting with King Gibson, a prospect that was now back in North Carolina and ready to lead the way. It was evident that United wanted to have the ball in his hands, as Gibson led the offense and was able to showcase his scoring ability, his playmaking and ability to facilitate, and just be one of the clear leaders on the floor. Gibson excels as a playmaker and giving him a chance to lead the way will allow him to not only shine as a scorer and creator, but also set up teammates around him. Rosser was another player we were eager to see again, as the 6’9 prospect looks bigger, stronger, and more developed overall. He has a tremendous skill in not only using his impressive length and mobility to score at the rim, attack the glass, and be a presence on either end. But his confidence continues to rise from behind the arc, knocking down shots from the wing and opening up the court. You can see the potential with his game and expect him to be a HOT target all summer long.
2027 Josh Leonard (Upward Stars)
Yet another Top-10 prospect in the Class of 2027, Leonard has proven himself time after time over the last few years and continues to show why he will be one of the premier prospects for college coaches in his class. Leonard checks off so many boxes with his size, frame, mature feel, and overall impact. He embraces contact and physicality, excelling in attacking off the dribble to get to the rim and finish strong. But he does a great job picking where to attack, hitting mid-range shots, finishing in transition, and expanding his game even more from the perimeter. Simply having the ball in his hands to allow him to create for himself and others helps his team flourish overall. Leonard can be such an effective and bruising scorer, but his overall impact on the court can’t be overlooked, whether it is switching on defense and defending inside and out, his impact on the glass, or his overall defensive presence.