This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual George Lynch Invitational at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. The two-day event featured a slew of notable teams and prospects, including top programs on both the men’s and women’s sides. There were countless meaningful takeaways for those who attended, and we will take a closer look at several throughout the week. Right now, we will highlight the blossoming duo of QJ Young and Zyon White of Chambers High School…
Now, it would be unfair to discuss their dominance without acknowledging a few other things first. With Cameron Thompson sidelined, guys like LJ Jackson, Eli Grier, Chancellor Gill, and Michael Curtis each provided valuable contributions. Jackson and Grier shared playmaking duties while defending with energy and scoring as needed. Gill did the dirty work as an athletic, high-motor forward, and Curtis filled in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Each player was vital to the success of this group.
Meanwhile, QJ Young was simply incredible. While it’s easy to see how much he’s physically grown over the recent years, it appears his game is also elevating to new heights. Young still needs to add strength but already shows flashes of dominance as a long, crafty guard with creation skills, scoring polish, and an excellent feel for the game. He’s a reliable three-level scorer who knows how to break down opponents off the bounce, knock down jumpers at a high percentage, and play well through contact despite his wiry build. Although his foundational skillset has always been in place, the increase in size and athleticism makes him visibly more difficult for opponents to contain. Young is a quality playmaker who sees the floor well and makes smart decisions with the ball. Add in his toughness as a defender and rebounder, and folks should start buying stock immediately. Young is clearly on an upward trajectory.
His backcourt mate, Zyon White, also put forth a very noteworthy showing. Although he’s already deservedly mentioned as one of the top shooters in the state, one could argue that he’s truly just beginning to harness his long-term abilities. White is an absolute marksman who can fill it up as a shooter in a variety of ways. He’s a phenomenal spot-up threat who knows how to move without the ball, set up early, and knock down shots at a high percentage. However, White is more than capable of penetrating, attacking closeouts, and hitting jumpers off the bounce. He makes nice decisions with the ball in his hands and is comfortable creating for others as needed. White is a useful defender who anticipates well to force turnovers and will only continue to improve as his body develops. Clearly poised to be a leader for this group, he’s another guy coaches should start monitoring closely.