At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, and today’s edition will highlight Thomas Mandell of Pinecrest.
We’ve seen Mandell in various different settings, including at our Phenom 150 Camp, where we stated, “Continuing onto a player who made a lasting impression with his blue-collar approach and willingness to do the dirty work, Thomas Mandell. He’s a tough, wiry guard prospect with a high motor, unselfish mentality, and the ability to consistently make plays without requiring the ball in his hands. Mandell is a capable shooting threat and reliable all-around defender with an understanding of how to simply outwork others. Next in his development process is working to get quicker, as it would make him a more dynamic penetrating threat. Coach Dre on Mandell: “Thomas is just an overall high-IQ ball player. He is a hard worker that scraps for everything. He rebounded well, was able to push the break in transition, and made good reads when going downhill. He also proved to be a reliable shooter in spot-up situations. He has a really good feel for the game, and also brings joy and enthusiasm when he plays. He was defensively a huge part of our team success.” Mandell enjoyed a great showing at camp, and should be a useful contributor for Pinecrest during his upcoming senior season.”
Since then, Mandell has only continued to further solidify himself as a player worthy of increased attention. He’s a fairly well-rounded piece who understands how to adapt to those surrounding him. Mandell has shown the ability to stand out as a leader with this Sandhills Machine group, regularly posting high scoring totals and carrying the offensive load as a primary option. He scores the ball in a variety of ways, but can also spot-up, initiate the offense, and make hustle plays as needed. Mandell displays an active motor, plays well without the ball, and works hard defensively. Though he’s an unsigned senior, coaches can watch him this upcoming weekend at our Phenom Challenge.