This past weekend, Phenom Hoops held a trio of events (Rise Showcase, Georgia Tip-Off, and Phenom West) with each featuring its own unique collection of notable teams and players. In Bermuda Run, we watched a healthy variety of intriguing prospects and lots of quality competition across all age groups. Like always, we will take a closer look at a handful of personal favorites from the two-day slate…
6’3 ’27 MJ Montague (Team Loaded 804 Gold)
It’s fair to say that Team Loaded 804 Gold was the best team in attendance, and MJ Montague consistently stood out as a focal point. He’s a smart, poised, all-around guard who simply knows how to produce. Montague provides an incredibly steady identity with the ability to reliably run a team or play without the ball and make a quality impact. He dictates the action extremely well as the main creator, playing at his own pace, taking care of the ball, and offering impressive balance between playmaking and three-level scoring. Whether creating his own shot or generating clean looks for others, Montague found constant success with the ball in his hands. He’s a very well-rounded scorer who highlighted the ability to finish through contact, knock down midrange pull-ups, and hit three-pointers off the catch or dribble. That being said, Montague is also comfortable spotting up, moving without the ball, and playing alongside another primary creator. He reads the defense very well and makes sharp passes to put others in scoring positions. Montague is a very reliable defender and capable rebounder who utilizes his body well to play through contact. Between his IQ, skillset, and general leadership, there’s a lot to like. Montague should be a no-brainer target for scholarship-level programs.
6’7 ’27 Zeke Battier (AWigg Elite)
It’s common knowledge that players (especially with size) develop at their own pace, but it feels like everything is truly starting to come together for Zeke Battier. Already a very useful player with an enticing foundation of size, skill, and obvious two-way upside, he’s clearly ready to take the next step in his progression. At 6-foot-7, Battier is an exceptional three-point shooter who converts a very high percentage of his looks from beyond the arc. He’s also a smart passer who understands how to make the extra pass or effectively read the floor when attacking closeouts. However, he displayed a visible increase in toughness, creation skills, and ability off the bounce. Battier’s perimeter shooting is still his most valuable weapon, but his newfound confidence as a penetrator and finisher was undeniably intriguing. Having an elite shooter who can reliably attack closeouts and make intelligent decisions is an advantage for legitimately any team. Furthermore, Battier defended multiple positions and utilized his length to be disruptive in the passing lanes. He offered consistent effort on the glass and is capable of getting to his spots or pushing the break in transition. Don’t be surprised if his recruitment takes off as he becomes a real priority for Division I coaches.
6’1 ’27 Samaje Govan (Upward Stars Columbia)
Folks should already know by now that Upward Stars Columbia always seems to produce a lot of next-level talent, and this group is no different. Although they have great balance as a team, it’s impossible to ignore all the ways Samaje Govan stands out as a tone-setter. He found nonstop production on both ends of the floor, but it was how he found success that made a lasting impression. Govan possesses a unique sense of toughness to pair with his rugged, physical approach to the game. He’s a quick, heady guard with the ability to get basically wherever he wants off the bounce. Govan plays through contact, finishes at the basket, and knocks down jumpers along the perimeter. He’s a willing passer who does a quality job of breaking down defenders, shifting the defense, and locating open teammates. Govan is a blur in transition, both off turnovers and rebounds, and confidently pushes the break in transition. He’s also a very pesky defender with quality instincts and the ability to contain opposing guards with his sharp anticipation. Expect him to turn heads this summer.
6’7 ’28 Kade Flowers (Carolina Riptide)
Although the Carolina Riptide organization is always loaded with next-level pieces, one could argue that Kade Flowers is the most enticing prospect in the program. He already possesses a strong, sturdy frame that should only continue to improve as he grows into his body. Flowers is a highly intriguing big man with touch, mobility, and a blossoming skillset. He’s a quality finisher with soft touch around the basket and out of the low/mid post. Flowers is able to consistently carve out space on the block or in the midrange and score. His ability to physically overwhelm opponents and score inside is very useful, but his jumper, turnarounds, and ability to move without the ball are all very intriguing. Flowers is a quality rebounder who plays hard and uses his terrific length to consistently compete on the glass. He’s a solid defender who isn’t afraid to use his body to cause problems for opponents. The most exciting part? Flowers is just truly beginning to harness his long-term abilities. Expect him to trend upward over the foreseeable future.
6’4 ’26 Luca Sarnowska (NC Spartans)
After watching him closely for the last twelve months, it’s really perplexing to make sense of Luca Sarnowska’s lack of college opportunities. He’s one of the rare players who can single-handedly change a game through his nonstop energy, physicality, and general involvement on both ends of the floor. Although Sarnowska is able to consistently impact the game without requiring the ball in his hands, he’s more than capable of creating, scoring, and operating in various different roles. He knows how to initiate the offense and set up others, but often finds success through his ability to get downhill whenever he wants. Sarnowska is incredible at putting his head down and forcing opponents to follow him to the rim or get legitimately thrown out of the way. He’s very strong, but he also just cares more than most players and is able to will his way to the basket out of sheer force. That being said, Sarnowska can knock down open jumpers, cut to find open space, or find extra opportunities through his hustle or rebounding presence. Add in his aggressive defensive presence, and there are certainly a lot of next-level programs that could use his services.