STAY POSITIVE CLASSIC EVENT RECAPS
Electric guard with Energy: 2025 Amare Anderson
Player: Amare AndersonClass: 2025Height: 6’2AAU: Team CharlotteSchool: Greer HS (SC) The Class of 2025 will be having all eyes their way this summer, and we are here to say that there is a guard down in South Carolina that should be garnering more attention his way. 2025 6’2 Amare Anderson is a player that may go a bit under the radar, but is coming off an incredible high school season and...
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2026 Chaise Smith brings so much more to the table
What a weekend it was at the Phenom Stay Positive, as we had a great opportunity to check out and remind ourselves of talent around the area. One player who gave us a surprise and had the pleasure of watching was 2026 Chaise Smith with East Carolina Elite. Smith is one of the premier guards in the state of North Carolina for his class, and he showed that this past season at Washington in which...
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Phenom Stay Positive: Start Learning the Names (Class of 2027)
2027 Caleb Nixon (Team Charlotte): Nixon certainly grabbed our attention and will now be on our watch list. He is a smooth operating prospect with size, the ability to be effective inside and out, can make plays off the dribble, and can be a terrific option off the ball and in catch-and-shoot situations. Comfortable from behind the arc, versatile piece on both ends, and plays at his own pace....
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive (Part Two)
6’5 ’26 Cameron Thompson (Team Charlotte) After a strong showing throughout the weekend, it should come as no surprise to see Thompson’s name listed here. He’s always made a lasting impression through his defense, rebounding, and general athleticism. However, it’s clear that Thompson is making strides as an offensive cog. He highlighted improvements as a ball-handler, passer, and all-around...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive (Part One)
6’0 ’27 Brayden Gatling (SW15H Elite) It doesn’t take long to recognize Gatling as a leader for SW15H Elite’s 2027 group. Although they’ve clearly grown as a collective, he’s simply the guy that makes them go. Gatling is a natural leader whose combination of IQ, toughness, and competitiveness allows him to set the tone in a variety of different ways. He possesses the necessary quickness and...
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Team Charlotte 15u brings young new talent to watch out for
The Phenom Stay Positive was an excellent weekend that brought us new talent to learn more about and check out. We were eager to see the Team Charlotte program in action, as all ages and levels were on display on the court. Team Charlotte 15u was fun to watch as it brought us rising talent to watch out for, and a few names caught our attention. Though this is a team that has plenty of names to...
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Worthy of Attention: East Carolina Elite
Personally, being out in the Charlotte area (for myself only), I don’t always get a chance to check out all the talent out east as much as I would like to. The Phenom Stay Positive though allowed East Carolina Elite to come through and bring some names to the table that caught my eye. We dive into a little bit of what we saw. 2025 TJ Brown – JH Rose High SchoolHigh School Season Stats: 8.7ppg,...
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Bendel’s Best: Stay Positive
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the Rise Sports Indoor Facility for our annual Stay Positive Classic. The two-day event featured a variety of entertaining teams and players, and allowed for numerous takeaways. Rosters are starting to get more solidified, players are finding their individual comfort zone, and teams appear to be (generally) improving each week. The month of May...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Stay Positive (Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2027 Travien Williams (TSB)It’s not unusual for the most dominant athlete to be able to get whatever he wants on the court, especially with younger teams. And in this case, Travien is also the biggest. His team has a lot of overall height which allows him to be the point guard, where he uses his big body to muscle in drives finishing through contact. He also knocked down three...
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Phenom Stay Positive Championship: 17u Blue
In our final game of the weekend as far as championships, CP3 2024 looked to continue their roll this summer as they took on a tough, scrappy Big Shots Select Winston Salem team. It was a great battle between both teams, but CP3 was able to flex their muscles a little and take a double-digit lead by halftime. They were able to maintain that double-digit lead throughout the second...
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Phenom Stay Positive Championship: 15u
Strong Center 2025 vs. CP3 Elite 2026 We were looking to end the day on a high note much like both of these teams were as they battled it out in the 15u Division. CP3 2026 came out strong much like they have all tournament long, using their size and taking control of this game early. They were led by their big man Kendre Harrison who was dominant throughout but it was also a well-balanced attack...
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Phenom Stay Positive Championship: 14u
Basketpoint USA 8th Brooks vs. Ascend Ballers Continuing along the day, we head back down to the 14u Division as Basketpoint USA and Ascend Ballers looked to cap off a great weekend at the Phenom Stay Positive. It was a hard-fought game throughout, as teams were trading baskets and making tough play after tough play. In this one, it came down to the final seconds as it was Ascend...
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Phenom Stay Positive Championship: 17u Orange
Carolina Zoom Huntley vs Team DOLO The championships continued to role through the day, as Carolina Zoom Huntley and Team DOLO squared off in the championship in the 17u Orange Division. It was a tight battle throughout the game, with both teams making plays on both ends. For Team DOLO, the duo of Israel Powelle and Zylee Bazemore were off the charts, both of which scoring over 20+ points...
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Phenom Stay Positive Championship: 13u
Team Trezz vs. Save Sports 2027 We continue through championship Sunday here at the Phenom Stay Positive, as the head down to the 13u division as Team Trezz and Save Sports 2027 battled it out to end the weekend off right. Two very good teams went back and forth early but it was the play of the your Trezz players, Griffin, Amari G, and AJ all produced and led the way. Save Sports’s...
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Phenom Stay Positive Championship: 16u
Team BOND vs. NC Spartans 16u We started the championship runs here in Advance at the Phenom Stay Positive, starting with an intense battle between Team BOND and NC Spartans in the 16u division. It was a close battle to start the game, as Camden Edmonds came out strong for NC Spartans to help his team earn a 22-21 halftime lead. Though Team BOND used a balanced attack between seven...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Stay Positive
6’3 ’24 Keveon Rodgers (Big Business Ballerz) Although there are a ton of quality contributors on this Big Business Ballerz squad, Rodgers seemed to stand out as the primary leader on countless occasions. He’s a strong, physically overwhelming wing/forward prospect with the necessary IQ and versatility to dominate a game. Rodgers is an excellent passer who looks to set up others at every...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Stay Positive (Day 1)
by: Ethan Reece 2026 Zach Goins (Foothills)A point guard’s activity level had to be high on both ends and Zach does exactly that. In a structured system of motion offense unfamiliar to most eighth-graders, Zach finds lots of ways to gets himself involved. He has scoring capabilities, mainly downhill drives, but doesn’t need to do so to impact things. His game flow management and rebounding...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive
5’6 ’27 Corey Kinard (Strong Center) Though he was among the youngest players on display, it was easy to be impressed with Kinard throughout this viewing. His production is predictably appealing, but the intangibles are arguably what make him such an enticing long-term prospect. Kinard is very smart and patient with the ability to consistently create for himself and others. He displays a...
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“Stay Positive,” The Eric Day Story
My name is Eric Day, and I am a two-time brain cancer survivor. I am a recent graduate from Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I earned a degree in Organizational Communications and Leadership. During my time at Butler, I began a student organization called Stay Positive, whose story you are about to learn. The Stay Positive movement caught on, and now I am also the Founder and...
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Watch out… Sheed Wallace Select is quickly making noise
One team that really got our scouts and fans excited this past weekend was Rasheed Wallace Select 17u (formly known as Boo Williams Carolina), a program that has some new, intriguing talent and one that is quickly making some noise in North Carolina. They were in action at the Phenom Stay Positive and will be once again in the Phenom G3 Showcase and with Phenom Hoops during the live period, as...
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Making Noise Across State Lines: B.Maze Elite BJ
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops held our annual Stay Positive Classic in the Rise Indoor Facility in Advance, North Carolina. There was a ton of buzz surrounding the event, as excitement swirled for spectators and college coaches alike. While many of the top performing teams and players were expected, B.Maze Elite BJ surprised plenty of folks with their tough, competitive makeup throughout the...
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POB’s Rising Stars of Tomorrow: Phenom Stay Positive
At the Phenom Stay Positive, it was a great opportunity to view some of the younger prospects in the Class of 2024 and 2025 in the region and there were certainly plenty of standouts. So, we look back at a few names that really impressed us over the weekend and ones that you should start monitoring NOW, as they could be the next rising stars around the area.
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More Than Deserving: 6’6 2022 Josh Scovens
Each year, the high school basketball scene doubles as somewhat of a revolving door for incoming and outgoing prospects. Whether staying put, transferring to other programs, or advancing their game to the collegiate level, the overall movement within the landscape actively allows for guys to maximize changes by establishing themselves in an entirely different light. That being said, Josh Scovens...
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Team Rogue: Disciplined, Skilled, and Unselfish
Although the grassroots landscape feels substantially different than in years past, programs have still found ways to adapt and prepare for the upcoming LIVE periods. The popularity of North Carolina-based teams is widely known and acknowledged throughout the region. Fortunately, our events allow us to see new faces and get updated viewings for prospects outside of the Carolinas. Take Team Rogue...
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Mint Hill Lakers continue their winning ways at Phenom Stay Positive
Head coach Glenn Bynum Sr. and the Mint Hill Lakers have been making a ton of noise this summer, now winning two straight championships at the Phenom Challenge and the Phenom Stay Positive. But when you look at the group that they have, you can easily see why they continue to rack up the W’s; they are an unselfish, gritty, and battle-tested group with players that simply give it their all...
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POB’s Best of the Best from the Phenom Stay Positive
The Phenom Stay Positive brought a ton of talent to the courts in Bermuda Run. It was an exciting and thrilling event, as players really stepped up their game all throughout. But, while roaming the courts throughout, there were a few players that really seemed to grab my attention and standout from the rest, as these are POB’s Best of the Best from the event. Check out who made the list....
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Bendel’s Best: Unsigned Seniors from Phenom Stay Positive Classic
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to the travel ball scene with another exciting grassroots event. We were stationed at the new Rise Indoor Facility in Advance, North Carolina, which already seems more than likely to become a major basketball hub over the foreseeable future. The combination of atmosphere and overall talent led to a ton of standouts, competitive battles, and general buzz...
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The Returning Core of Garner Road 2023
Each year, many players filter in and out of travel ball programs on a pretty regular basis. It’s widely become the new norm to see key pieces depart from their respective teams for the next best situation. However, Garner Road has always taken pride on being a program with the ability to keep most of their main pieces. While there will always be exceptions to the rule, the core within their...
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Bendel’s Best: Stay Positive Classic
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops returned to North Carolina for our first debut at the newly built Rise Indoor Facility in Advance for our Stay Positive Classic. In lieu of everything opening back up, that area is going to see a massive increase in basketball traffic heading into the upcoming LIVE periods. There was an abundance of talented teams and individuals on display between the two-day...
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Start paying attention to THG 16u; young, rising talent can be found
Sitting baseline throughout the weekend in Bermuda Run at the Rise Indoor Facility, one team that really attracted my eyes was THG 16u. When you look at the roster, you see a few familiar names that you certainly want to check out again including one of the more dynamic scoring guards in the state of North Carolina in 2023 Keenan Wilkins. Wilkins is the one that highlights the team...
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