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2027 LJ Smith garnering a ton of SEC, ACC attention; blue-bloods continue to show interest
2027 6’5 LJ Smith has clearly put himself as one of the premier prospects in the Class of 2027 here in North Carolina, already breaking records and earning big-time offers from programs around the country. But this just may be the start of what is to come, as he ahs a chance to continue to make history as well as earn big-time offers from nearby and around the country. Phenom Hoops was...
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LJ Smith’s Potential Record-Breaking Season
The phrase “some records aren’t meant to be broken” is strange. While often coined as a term of respect for the past generations and historical context, all records are meant to be broken. That being said, the difficulty required can certainly vary from one historical feat to the next. Most people have accepted that Rasheed Wallace’s 41 technical fouls (in a single season) won’t be broken, but...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom 828 Showcase
2028 Za’Miya Bynum (Queens Grant) Once again, the freshman guard put on a show and continued to prove why she could be one of the best guards in the country. She can do it all and is a big-time offensive weapon on the court. Her ability to create her own shot, attack downhill, finds ways to score around defenders, and her overall feel for the game is quite impressive, especially at her...
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Simply Gifted Offensively: 2027 LJ Smith (Lincolnton)
Player: LJ SmithClass: 2027Height: 6’4School: Lincolnton The Phenom Lakesgiving gave us a tremendous opportunity to watch one of the top-scoring guards in the country in 2027 6’4 LJ Smith, who is back on the court once again for Lincolnton High School. If you haven’t heard of his name, you should start learning it today. But many have already heard about just how special Smith...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Lakesgiving (Friday)
2026 Nick Arnold (Lake Norman) Arnold was off the charts in making a statement on Friday night, leading the way at halftime with 21 points and finishing with 27 points to lead the way. Arnold continues to flourish as a tough, gritty point guard that makes high IQ plays but also flourishes in his ability to be an offensive weapon. Arnold attacked well out in transition, finishing strong at the...
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NC Class of 2027 loaded with national talent
Phenom Hoops continues to release its rankings, as we recently released the Class of 2027 here in North Carolina. This is a very interesting class with a ton of rising talent, including several names that you will be and have already seen on the national stage. No matter how you rank these players, these prospects have certainly proven themselves in a big way as we dive into more of their games....
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Getting to Know More: 2027 LJ Smith (Lincolnton)
Player: LJ SmithClass: 2027School: Lincolnton The Class of 2027 here in North Carolina is shaping up quite nicely early on, with several national names you will want to check out and learn. One of the top guards in his class here in NC is 2027 LJ Smith, who put on a clinic last year in helping lead Lincolnton and has proven to many that he is a weapon on the court. After averaging 32.2 points...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Team Camp
2027 Josh Leonard (Wilson): Leonard, who is already regarded as a Top-20 player in the Class of 2027, continued to show just how special and unique he is on the court at his age. When you talk about a player his age, you simply don’t see someone at his size with his skillset very often. Leonard has such a strong build that allows him to overpower opponents and be a tough matchup, getting...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom Team Camp (Friday)
2026 Bradley Floyd (Kings Mountain): Talk about a player that is trending in the right direction, Floyd put his full game on display and I believe that he should be a hot topic for many programs. At 6’5, there aren’t too many holes in his game with his scoring capabilities, his athleticism at the rim, his decision-making and vision as a playmaker, and his rebounding impact. Floyd brings so much...
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Five Young Prospects from Phenom Hoop State Challenge
6’8 ’27 Niko Bratton (Team United) After getting our first viewing of Bratton, it’s easy to see his path towards being a noteworthy prospect. At 6-foot-8, he’s already strong, fluid, and athletic with the necessary motor and nose for the ball to cause constant problems for opponents. Bratton possesses an excellent frame and moves like a perimeter player on the court. That...
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LJ Smith’s Historic Freshman Campaign
Each high school season, few things are more exciting than watching the next wave of young prospects emerge. Over the recent years, there have been noteworthy phenoms such as Jarin Stevenson, Coby White, Wendell Moore, Robert Dillingham, and countless others who have warranted a ton of buzz as freshmen. It’s not always easy to predict who’s going to set the world ablaze, but it...
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North Carolina Freshman 40 Camp Evaluations: Team 18
Team 18 Coach: Dre Simmons #44: 6’2 ’27 Noah Wilson (Lake Norman) Starting things off, we look at a player who offered a steady, reliable presence on both ends of the floor, Noah Wilson. He’s a tough, unselfish, well-rounded guard prospect with useful ball skills and lethal shooting prowess. Wilson defends with energy, outworks opponents on the glass, and gets to his spots in transition. Next in...
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Notable Standouts at North Carolina Freshman 40
6’3 Seth Harris (Caldwell Academy) As evidenced during camp, Harris has clearly put forth a lot of time and effort in developing his overall game over the last few months. He already possesses a nice blend of IQ, skill, and athleticism for his age. Harris is a reliable shooting threat who understands how to attack closeouts, defer to others, and operate within the team structure. He’s an engaged...
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Phenom Open Gym: Hickory Christian Academy
Phenom Hoops continues to bring elite coverage before the season, as we are out and about covering teams, getting an early look at what programs will be bringing to the court this upcoming season. One team that we were able to view recently was Hickory Christian Academy. Here is what we saw on the floor, as things still may continue to shake up before the season. When talking about...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Rare Fall League
2025 Gevonte Ware (1of1): After not getting a chance to play much of the summer, it was great to see the young big man back in action and he looked strong. Ware was a dominant fixture down in the paint, back to where we saw him before. He was strong in the post and with his back to the basket, has strong hands and touch around the basket, and is an absolute monster on the boards. Ware was all...
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Special K’s Standouts: Denver Nuggets Shootout
I took a little road trip this weekend to check out some talent in good old Denver, NC at the Denver Nuggets Shootout. This tournament, put on by Chip Ashley, was full of local AAU teams that came out and really competed. Here are the players that stood out:
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NC Junior Phenom Session 1: Evaluation team 3
North Carolina Jr. Phenom Camp Evaluations Team 3 Coach Reid #4: 4’8 ’26 Jacob Mills (Salisbury, NC) Starting things off, we look at a player that effortlessly scored the ball while displaying a quality IQ on both ends of the court, Jacob Mills. He’s a young guard prospect with great overall feel for the game. Mills scored efficiently from all three levels and highlighted his...
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NC Jr. Phenom 150; Games 4 & 5
Game 3, Court 1: No. 44, 5’5” 2023 Casian Richard – Walkertown Middle School (Winston Salem, NC) Richard has a string on the ball, allowing him to get to wherever he wants on the floor. His most impressive skill, however, is his vision. He consistently finds teammates under the rim for finishes. His full-court passes appeared reminiscent of Lonzo Ball in a way. If he adds in a reliable...
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Miles Magical Five: #NCJrPhenom Early Day Standouts
It’s always great to get back in the gym for some camps and today’s #NCJrPhenom Session One has a ton of talent featuring some of the top 5-8th graders from seven states/provinces from two provinces. Let’s take a look at some of the early day standouts! 5’0 2026 LJ Smith: Battleground Elementary (Lincolnton) Smith did an excellent job early on asserting his presence...
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