This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled up to Virginia Beach Sportscenter for our annual 757 Showcase. The event featured a ton of intriguing teams and individual prospects, like 7th Nation Warriors and their slew of notable pieces. Probably one of the more underrated squads in North Carolina, they’ve quickly proven that they can compete with anyone. Although they narrowly fell short in the championship contest, there’s a lot to like about their pieces and overall structure. Coach Steven Lawson has built a strong collection of college-level pieces who play with a unique sense of toughness and tenacity at all times. Between the talent and their rugged, aggressive, hard-nosed mentality, they should be one of the better teams in North Carolina this summer. Let’s take a closer look at the players…
So much of their success starts with veteran leader Zarion Hobbs and the extremely reliable way he sets the tone on both ends of the floor. He’s a smart, steady floor general who dictates the action with IQ, pace, and poise. Hobbs has a tight, crafty handle and the quickness to consistently break down opponents and get where he wants off the bounce. He’s a very sharp passer with a knack for making the right play at a high rate. Hobbs possesses a clear understanding how to read and react to defenses. He’s also capable of scoring the ball in a variety of ways. Hobbs knocks down jumpers, converts pull-ups or floaters, and finishes well for his size. On the other end, he utilizes his strong frame and quality instincts to pester opposing guards at the point of attack. Add in his communication and calm demeanor, and it’s easy to see all the things he brings to this team.
Right in line with his teammate above, Jamarion Washington consistently shines as a focal point for this group. He’s an incredibly strong, physically overwhelming guard with the ability to cause a ton of problems for opponents. Washington plays with an undeniable swagger and sense of confidence. The lefty is phenomenal at getting downhill and putting pressure on the rim. He’s quite crafty, yet strong enough that he’s able to simply power through opponents whenever he pleases. Washington is a capable shooting threat from midrange and beyond the arc. Defensively, he guards with toughness and physicality. Washington rebounds his position well and is capable of defending up and down a lineup based on team needs. He will be another obvious target for college coaches.
Although the duo above will carry a large share of the scoring load, guys like Kannon McBride and Joaliel Carabello each bring their own valuable dynamic to this group. McBride offers an excellent combination of size, skill, and perimeter shooting. Despite suffering an injury and being sidelined, he’s already shown the ability to heat up from beyond the arc and make plays off the bounce. He provides an active motor on the glass and defends with toughness. Similarly, Carabello stands out through his infectious, nonstop energy on both ends of the floor. He routinely does all the dirty work while being a ferocious defender and competing for every possible rebound. Carabello is a well-rounded offensive piece who fills in the gaps as needed.
Rounding out the tight core, Jha Koonce, Genesis Wiggins, and Aarion Bryant play meaningful roles for this team. Koonce and Wiggins display the ability to do a little bit of everything while Bryant is an unsigned senior with a nice blend of length, motor, and rebounding instincts. Each of these pieces should appeal to college coaches.