This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Rise Indoor Sports for our annual Carolina Showcase. As the travel ball season moves forward, we’ve reached the point where most programs have started playing and preparing for the upcoming summer. In turn, this presents us with the opportunity to see a lot of the top players and teams throughout the region before circuit play begins. This event featured a lot of notable prospects and several meaningful early-season matchups worthy of attention. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top individuals…
6’6 ’28 Tjay Brunson (1 of 1 Elite)
In a gym loaded with high-level prospects, Tjay Brunson was truly as impressive as anyone. For starters, he possesses a rare combination of fluidity and explosiveness accompanied by terrific length, toughness, and physicality. However, it’s his nonstop motor and approach to the game that clearly separates him from other players. Brunson plays with a level of intensity that is largely unmatched by most guys in the high school ranks. Even as a spectator, you can feel his presence. Brunson is a bloodthirsty defender who consistently wreaks havoc as a highly disruptive, rugged two-way piece. He pursues rebounds with relentlessness and naturally finds ways to do the dirty work on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Brunson is an extremely powerful downhill force who puts constant pressure on the rim. He wants to dunk everything. Brunson shows zero concern for contesting opponents and will gladly put defenders in the rim if they attempt to get in his way. Whether ripping through, driving from the wing, or getting out in transition, every avenue poses an opportunity for him to attack. He showed useful vision and encouraging flashes of perimeter shooting. Based on his current trajectory, Brunson is a prospect Division I schools should be prioritizing immediately.
5’11 ’28 Jaleel Smith (Team United)
There were several notable guards in attendance, but no individual made a lasting impression quite like Jaleel Smith. Folks constantly talk about the need for competitiveness in this space, both among players and coaches, so it’s refreshing to see a guy like him flourishing. Smith stands out as a leader in various different ways. He’s a fiery competitor with sharp instincts and dynamic polish as a creator and three-level scorer. Smith runs a team with IQ, poise, and a clear edge on both ends of the floor. He displays a seemingly perfect balance between setting up others and picking his spots as a scorer. Smith possesses a tight, crafty handle and the quickness to effortlessly break down opponents, touch the paint, and make proper reads with the ball. He finishes well for his size and draws fouls at a quality rate, and highlights reliable shooting prowess from midrange and beyond the arc. In addition to his ability to dominate on offense, Smith sets the tone with his ferocious defensive presence. Smith mirrors opposing guards extremely well to force turnovers or cause miscues. He’s extremely vocal, both to his teammates and towards opponents, and is impossible to ignore on the court. Beating opponents is enough for most players, but Smith wants to humiliate his competition. Expect him to warrant a lot of attention as a focal point for this exceptionally talented group.
6’7 ’28 Isaac Smith (Team United)
Although it might sound like a broken record, it’s difficult to watch Isaac Smith and walk away feeling anything other than astonished. At 6-foot-7, he legitimately has everything you want in a player. Smith possesses an appealing frame with terrific length, fluidity, and athleticism. Offensively, he continues to showcase a complete game with the ability to dominate as a focal point or secondary option. Smith knows how to effectively cut, post-up smaller defenders, and create his own shot off the bounce. He’s a willing passer who makes quality reads when attacking, and understands when to assert himself versus defer to others. Smith shoots the ball efficiently in spot-up situations and is able to comfortably hit jumpers off the catch or bounce along the perimeter. His malleable game and ability to pose constant problems for opponents with or without the ball in his hands makes him a real asset. On the other end, Smith is a quality rebounder and switchable defender who utilizes his length well to be disruptive. He doesn’t have any real weaknesses in his game, which is a huge part of what makes him one of the top players nationally. Smith is a special talent with the rarity of possessing an incredibly high floor and ceiling. It’s difficult to envision a scenario where he doesn’t pan out if he remains on his current trajectory.
6’0 ’27 Brayden Gatling (SW15H Elite)
It feels like there are a lot of prospects being overlooked by college coaches, and arguably no one represents this notion more than Brayden Gatling. After watching him across multiple games, he clearly stood out as the leader and focal point for this squad. Gatling is an incredibly smart, quick, polished floor general who visibly sets the tone on both ends of the floor. His tight handle and sharp first step make him extremely difficult for opponents to keep in front. Gatling is able to consistently get wherever he wants off the bounce to make plays for himself and others. He displays the ability to touch the paint and finish or convert floaters with ease. Although he’s a terrific penetrator, Gatling doubles as a very reliable three-point shooter and pull-up threat from midrange. He sees the floor very well at all times, especially when attacking, and does a tremendous job of putting his teammates in ideal scoring positions. Gatling is certainly capable of operating without the ball in his hands but definitely shines as a primary on-ball creator. Add in his high motor and pesky defensive presence at the point of attack, and it’s easy to see his impact. Don’t be surprised if his recruitment takes off, as he’s due for a massive travel ball season.
6’4 ’28 Chacho Womack (Team Loaded)
Scoring is a stat that can sometimes be deceiving without the proper context. Plenty of players can score twenty or thirty, but how they accumulated those points is often undervalued. This context only further solidifies that Chacho Womack is an elite scorer who can dominate in any setting or against any opponent. He’s simply wired to put the ball in the basket. Womack possesses a diverse scoring package with the ability to self-create and apply nonstop pressure from all levels. His quick-twitch athleticism allows him to get separation and aggressively attack his spots off the dribble. Womack offers a healthy mix of drives, spot-up jumpers, and shots off the bounce. When he needs a bucket most, he effortlessly walks defenders to the midrange and generates clean looks with relative ease. That being said, Womack is a crafty ball-handler and capable playmaker who can set up others or find success without the ball. He shoots the ball well off the catch and utilizes the threat of his spot-up presence to keep defenses off balance. Womack is a solid defender and rebounder for his position. Expect his stock to continue climbing, but he’s already a guy who Division I programs should be prioritizing.