What to Watch at Phenom Team Camp
This upcoming weekend, Phenom Hoops will travel down to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to host our annual June Team Camp. The event always features a slew of the most talented teams and individuals within the Carolinas, and this year’s will be no different. Leading up to the event, we will take a closer look at players and subplots to monitor. After going 24-6 with only one senior on their roster, there should be a lot of optimism surrounding Lincolnton High School. Let’s take a closer look….
Obviously, LJ Smith receives the bulk of attention for this group, and rightfully so, as he’s been one of North Carolina’s most prolific scorers throughout his high school career. Coming off a season where he averaged over 33 PPG and broke the sophomore scoring record, it should be nothing new for Smith. He’ll still be largely uncontained by opposing teams. In addition to his scoring, Smith sets up others and forces turnovers at a solid rate. The Wolverines will ultimately go as far as he takes them.
However, guys like Tucker Robinette, Cam Smith, and Charlie Foster should each return as key pieces. Robinette has clearly solidified himself as a college-worthy prospect and possesses an excellent blend of IQ, creation skills, and defensive prowess. He’s comfortable running the team or finding opportunities without the ball. Robinette is probably somewhat overlooked in the bigger scheme of things, but he should appeal to various college coaches this season. Meanwhile, Smith is their main interior presence. He controls the glass, alters shots defensively, and scores within the flow of the action. Smith’s low-maintenance identity is a huge asset to their structure. Rounding out their core pieces, Foster is a natural gap-filler who can score, rebound, and defend. He understands how to play without the ball and find offensive opportunities as needed. Expect this group to continue making noise.