The lone Spring live period is upon us and we wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere other than the great city of Spartanburg, hundreds of players from rising freshmen to unsigned seniors are coming in with something to prove!
Spartanburg, South Carolina- The Phenom Hoops crew is back at it again for another action-packed live period, two things you can count on players will be tested competition wise and those who perform will have opportunities to pick up offers from on looking coaches.
I had the pleasure of taking in all the action at Bob Jones University and Broome high school all weekend, and for majority of 14U -16U prospects in these stages they’re looking to break onto the radar. Some came in with reputations that proceeded them but majority came to prove they belong!
6’0 2022 Dwight Canady Jr (WNC Warriors)- Its been a very good spring thus far for Canady, the scoring lead guard flat out got buckets all weekend. It seemed every contest he led the Warriors in scoring. Canady has supreme body control and footwork, he evaded defenders almost effortlessly on the way to finishes at the rim.
Canady isn’t necessarily the quickest guard but he’s smooth with the rock, Canady is best in space where he can operate and create off the bounce. Canady’s craftiness and change of pace threw defenders off balance, around the rack Canady is a tough finisher. From the perimeter Canady is a shot taker and maker, he made some tough shots but never looked uncomfortable. After this hot start to the travel season, we have to lock Canady in as a name to know in the NC 2022 class.
6’2 2022 Christian Johnson (NC Go Hard)- Johnson overall was the best player on the floor for NC Go Hard through the entire weekend, he showed resiliency and real toughness. Along with NC Go Hard Johnson ate some lumps but by Sunday it seemed this group had really begin to play their best basketball.
Johnson came up big with 27 points in his sides last contest. Johnson was in attack mode from the tip, he did majority of his damage around the basket, it was a difficult task for the defense to keep Johnson out of the lane, he’s got a nice first step mixed with a reliable cross over, Johnson is also a lot stronger than he looks. Johnson welcomed contact and finished through it on multiple occasions, when Johnson gets down hill he’s a serious problem to deal with. Johnson flashed the three point range as well, and really showed he could score from all over the floor. Johnson is a pesky on ball defender he will smother his match up and make them extremely uncomfortable.
5’8 2022 Lathan Moss (Upward Stars Upstate)- Moss is an absolute marksman from deep and made a very strong argument as the top shooter in the 15U division. Moss has the confidence and mechanics to absolutely light a defense up. At a slender 5’8 Moss isn’t going to shake anyone during the eye test, but when he unleashed the flame thrower defenders were looking at Moss different.
Moss has an extremely quick trigger and he gets great rotation on nearly every release. Moss moves well without the ball and utilizes the entire floor, he’s constantly moving around looking to carve out space. Also a scrappy defender Moss lays it all on the line every time, he’s a quiet kid but his game does plenty of talking.
6’2 2022 LeBron Thomas (Florence Intl BC) – Possibly the most talented player I saw all weekend, Thomas has a mature feel for the game well beyond his years. Thomas is a kid who can get his shot at any time, but he works to get teammates involved, Thomas plays with an unselfish demeanor he makes the winning play.
Through the weekend unofficially Thomas averaged a triple double, he scored it from every level on the floor. Thomas can make any pass required, the court vision is remarkable at this stage. Thomas has a good motor, he’s an above average rebounder for the guard position, and Thomas is a one man fast break when he’s pushing the tempo.
6’1 2022 Omari McGregor (Black Top Kings & Queens)- A smooth two way wing prospect, McGregor looked smooth scoring the rock, getting buckets just seemed natural for him. McGregor scores within the flow of the offense, he doesn’t take bad shots, McGregor made his money from mid range and in. McGregor has the pull up jumper in his bag, a shot many youngsters struggle with at these stages, also a natural slasher.
McGregor gets to the rack and is a capable finisher with either hand, he really only needs an inch to slither by the defense. McGregor also found his three ball whenever defenders played off McGregor made them pay.