Tonight was the opening night of the #PhenomSouthernJam Session 1. Players competed at a high level, everyone brought their A games setting the tone for the rest of the week. Here are my top performers from Day 1:

2021 6'1 PG Justin Taylor – Team Loaded CVA 15U

Taylor was extremely impressive in game 1. He is listed at 6'1 but looks to be more in the 6'3-6'4 range. He is a floor general with legit size and IQ. He showed he understands how to work the pick & roll, whether it's making the roll man/throwback passes or simply stepping behind the screen and knocking the 3 ball down. Taylor ended the game with 22 points, including 4 three pointers and numerous assist. In a losing effort, he attempted to battle his team back with 15 of 22 pts coming in the 2nd half. With his size and skill set Taylor definitely projects to be a Divison I guard. It will be interesting to see his progress over these next couple years.

2022 6'2 PG Jack McErlean – Groundwork Player Development 14U

A lot of players get labeled with the term 'crafty', it is used loosely so let's just say McErlean has a lot of 'Flare' in his game! He is creative with the ball in his hands, made a couple nice behind the back passes. Has a nice handle and is a floor general, the PG match-up between McErlean and Justin Taylor was a very good one. The young point guard showed an ability to see plays before they happened, he's a luxury for Groundwork because he's an extension of his coach on the floor. At this stage, he is getting ready to play on the high school level so he needs to add on pounds. He already is showing that he is leader, helping his 14U team defeat a good 15U Team Loaded CVA squad. Be on the look out for Jack McErlean! You heard it here first!

2021 6'1 Guard Brady Rankin – Groundwork Player Development 14U

Brady was aggressive all game long, getting to the rim and drawing contact. Several iso sets was called for Brady by his coach, and he delivered each time. Brady was hard to stay in front off for Team Loaded CVA's Guards as he consistently got down hill. Capable of knocking downing spot up threes, he pump faked defenders and drove by them for easy layups.

2021 6'0 Guard Nick HarrisonGroundwork Player Development 14U

Nick is a really solid two guard, he possesses a high basketball IQ as he consistently found himself

wide open on the floor. He splashed in 3 three pointers, 2 of which came in 2nd half. He came out of half time aggressive, scoring 13 of 16 points in the 2nd half of play. Groundwork Player Development is great young team to watch, every player has a role and does their job well. Nick's job appears to be very simple, put the ball in the basket as many times as possible.

2019 6'1 Combo Guard Themus Fulks – Pro Skills Winston-Salem 17U

Fulks is simply a bucket! He fills the stat sheet up by all means necessary. In his match up with Combine Academy's guard Jalen Miller, Fulks poured in 39 points. He is a kid that has been consistently having high scoring efforts all summer long. Tonight in particular he got to the rim at will, literally making tough layup after tough layup. Every time I looked up Fulks was getting another layup, he had multiple 3 point plays the old fashioned way. He made it look easy tonight, I believe he only attempted 1 three point field goal which did not fall. Look for Themus Fulks to continue his scoring prowess this week.

The Addition:

2019 6'2 Guard Jalen Miller – Combine Academy Select 17U

Although Miller's Combine Academy squad lost by 30 points, Jalen's 29 point effort was spectacular! He was very aggressive and went on scoring runs by himself in the 2nd half. Jalen continued to play to the final buzzard, he was animated the entire game. Knocking down jump shots in opposing guard’s faces and letting them know about it on the way back down the court. He scored at all three levels tonight, definitely worth the watch!