People come to watch high school events, to see the stars play. There are no ifs ands or buts about it. Fortunately for Phenom's National High School Showcase, the stars have come out to play. This is the 5th Annual event, so in four years there have already been seven players who were drafted into the NBA. In those four year, there have also been 115 players go on to sign and play Division 1 basketball. Needless to say, USA Today hit the nail on the head when they called this event a 'Can't miss tip-off basketball tournament…'
This year is no different, there will be three teams who are ranked among the nation's top 50 programs. Carmel Christian leads the way at #23. Greensboro Day comes in at #40. Lincoln Academy starts the season ranked #44.
Carmel Christian kicked off their season last week going 2-0 in the Carmel Christian Tip-Off Classic. They averaged 90 points per game and won both games by an average of 24 points. The 23rd ranked team in the FAB 50, carries five players committed to Division 1 programs, 6'6' Deangelo Epps (College of Charleston), 6'4' Donovan Gregory (Appalachian State), 6'2' Myles Pierre (Houston Baptist), 6'7' Jake Boggs (UNC-Wilmington) and 6'5' Martin Maide (Liberty). They carry two other underclassmen, 6'4' 2020 Ford Cooper and 6'5' 2020 Myles Hunter, who also carry Division 1 offers.
Needless to say, this team is deep. More so, they play an incredibly suffocating style of defense with a ton of length and explosion. This team is fully fitting the 'can't miss' category as they will play incredibly fast and have highlights coming from all angles, throughout the game.
Greensboro Day started their season Friday night with a 72-40 win. Even after losing two 4-year starters John Newman (Clemson) and Will Dillard (Georgia Southern), this program is in a 'next man up' type mode right now. Even deeper than last season, this team is led by its back court, a pair of Top 50 ranked sophomores Carson McCorkle and Cam Hayes. Hayes is ranked #20 by 247Sports and McCorkle, a Virginia commitment, is ranked #20 by Lindy's. Another sophomore, 6'9' Josh Taylor will be one who opens eyes soon. Playing last season in Georgia, Taylor was ranked among the nation's Top 150 in the 2020 class. He transferred in to Greensboro Day this season and reclassified to the 2021 class and is sure to crack the Top 50 along with his teammates sooner rather than later.
Not to be outdone, this Greensboro Day returns its two post players. 6'9' senior Michael Fowler, a James Madison commit, and 6'7' senior Nick Evtimov. Evtimov is a completely new player to what he was last season, with a toned up frame and ball skills for days, Evtimov carried 10 or so D1 offers, and will look for that list to grow throughout the season. Also be on the look for 6'5' junior Christian Bailey, 6'4' senior Noah Dunn and 6' senior Austin Inge.
McCorkle kicked off the season with a cool 21 points, the smooth guard is an effortless shooter with uncanny ability to get to his spots. Evtimov chipped in 11 in the opener, with an array of rim attacks and finishes from multiple levels.
Lincoln Academy, starts the season ranked 44 by Prep Circuit. They, like these other two teams, are absolutely loaded with talent. Already 2-0, Lincoln Academy, out of Suwanee, Georgia, has yet to really be tested as they came off their last win by 46 points. Even with having two major prospects transfer recently, this team is ridiculously loaded.
Lincoln Academy is led by 6'7' Mississippi State commit Elias King, who is the 70th ranked prospect in the 2019 class per Rivals.com. King is a true wing, who has great length and shot making ability, he led the way with 18 points. 6'5' 2021 Rafael Pinzon, a stalwart for the Puerto Rican national team, has picked up an early Xavier offer. He finished with 16 points in Lincoln Academy's last game.
Like Greensboro Day, the load of the talent is in Lincoln Academy's 2021 class. We already talked about Pinzon, but they also have 6'11' Bretner Mutumbo and 6'10' Frank Anselem. Mutumbo carries offers from the likes of Auburn, Florida, Xavier and others and is ranked 39th in his class by 247Sports. Anselem carries early offers from the likes of Tennessee, Clemson, Florida, Kansas State and others and is ranked 45th in his class by 247Sports.
Without question, fans want star power. These three teams are among the nation's best programs, carrying prospects who are among the nation's best players. You do not want to miss this opportunity to see the players you will soon be watching play on TV.
Phenom's National High School Jamboree will take place Friday, November 16 and Saturday, November 17 (THIS WEEKEND) at Greensboro Day School in Greensboro, NC. Tickets will be sold at the door only, in a first come/first served manner. We expect a big crowd.
