This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to Rock Hill, South Carolina for our annual Memorial Day Classic. Between York, Nation Ford, and the Sports and Events Center, there were 15 courts of action featuring a variety of intriguing teams and players. Like usual, let’s take a closer look at some personal favorites from the event…
6’6 ’26 Aaron Ekwere (Georgia Stunners)
In a gym full of talented players, Aaron Ekwere was quite clearly the most enticing long-term prospect on display. He possesses a very appealing array of physical tools. Ekwere is an extremely long, rangy athlete with effortless explosiveness and an impressive frame. At 6-foot-6 with those traits, he’s able to do a ton of different things on the court. Although he’s still tightening things up, Ekwere handles the ball fairly well for his size and displays feel as a creator. Whether attacking off the bounce, cutting without the ball, or getting out in transition, it feels like he’s able to get to the rim whenever he wants. Ekwere glides through the lane and legitimately floats through the air for countless powerful dunks. It feels like he finishes anything and everything he attempts near the basket. His long arms and massive strides make him almost impossible to stop when catching the ball on the run, as he can legitimately take one dribble, gather, and convert. Ekwere is also a respectable shooting threat with useful vision and the ability to create for himself or others. He plays really well through contact on both ends of the floor. Ekwere is a terrific rebounder for his position, utilizing his length, motor, and quick second jump to make a constant impact. He’s also able to toggle between several different positions defensively. Add that he’s only been playing basketball for a few years, and Ekwere only becomes more intriguing. Already holding several high-major offers, it’ll be interesting to see how his recruitment unfolds.
6’2 ’28 Porter Dickson (FBC Reign)
Although the FBC Reign program has gradually changed over the years, it’s easy to appreciate how Porter Dickson leads their talented group. He’s a smart, skilled, well-rounded guard who reliably runs the team as a focal point. Dickson is a very polished scorer with the ability to consistently create clean looks and mix it up from all three levels. He sets up others whenever possible, but doesn’t shy away from available scoring chances. Dickson handles the ball well to break down defenders off the bounce. He’s able to touch the paint and finish or knock down jumpers at a high percentage along the perimeter. Dickson displays a crafty nature when creating for himself and others, and sees the floor really well when attacking. He possesses nice size with a solid frame and athleticism. Dickson plays with great energy on defense and positions himself well to force turnovers. He’s a quality rebounder for his size/position and understands how to dictate the action in transition. Only entering his sophomore year, Dickson is clearly on the trajectory to being a college player.
6’7 ’28 Brice Wiersma (Upward Stars)
On an Upward Stars team loaded with high-level prospects, Brice Wiersma consistently shines through his production and leadership by example. It’s pretty uncommon to see a glue-guy from the forward/post position, but that’s exactly the type of identity he brings to the table. At 6-foot-7, Wiersma is a very skilled, fundamentally sound piece who simply knows how to impact the game. It’s fair to say that Wiersma isn’t the quickest or most explosive athlete, yet he manages to consistently outperform his matchup on either side of the ball. He displays touch with either hand, polished footwork on the block, and floor-spacing ability along the perimeter. Wiersma sees the floor well as a passer and operates very well in two-man actions. He’s a great screener with a sturdy frame and the ability to roll, pop, or make decisions in a short roll. Although very skilled, Wiersma also impacts the game through his scrappy defense and presence as a rebounder. He plays hard and utilizes his body well to outwork opponents on the glass. Wiersma positions himself well to make an impact defensively. While he still upside remaining, it’s already easy to appreciate all the ways he affects a game.
6’2 ’26 Josiah Azu (Georgia Stunners)
It didn’t take long to fall in love with the makeup of this Georgia Stunners group, and that certainly includes the burst of energy Josiah Azu brought to the table. He’s a tough, explosive guard who offers a steady, low-maintenance identity on both ends of the floor. Offensively, Azu is a lethal shooting threat who can heat up quickly and fill it up from beyond the arc. He displays range, smooth mechanics, and the ability to spot-up or create off the bounce. Azu is a solid creator who can initiate the offense, but typically finds success operating without the ball. He moves well as a cutter and stands out as a great finisher around the basket. Azu highlighted impressive pop when getting downhill and attacking the rim, playing through contact and throwing down several powerful dunks. He’s a quality defender with the motor and physicality to overwhelm opponents at the point of attack. Azu rebounds well for his position and knows how to push the break in transition. Between his physical tools, skillset, and ability to impact the game within his role, he should appeal to various types of scholarship-level programs.
5’10 ’26 Nolan Ericson (PSB Barnes)
Rounding out this group, Nolan Ericson continues to shine as a difference-maker whenever he takes the floor. He’s a smart, scrappy floor general who sets the tone with his combination of pace, playmaking, and scoring prowess. Ericson possesses a very quick first step, which allows him to regularly break down defenders and touch the paint. He surveys the floor well when attacking to set up open shooters or cutting teammates, but can also finish or pull up off the bounce. That being said, Ericson is also a lethal threat from beyond the arc. He’s a knockdown shooter who forces opponents to stay attached at all times. Whether off the catch or dribble, Ericson is capable of filling it up from distance. Add in his playmaking, craftiness, and generally scrappy defensive presence, and it’s easy to see all the ways he shines as a focal point. There’s already a lot to like, which should motivate college coaches to start getting involved sooner than later.