EVENT NEWS
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2026 Ayden Johnson calls his future, commits to Merrimack
Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or see a commitment from a player we have seen over the years, it is always a fantastic day. It is great to see players achieve their goal to play at the next level and it is such a great accomplishment for that player. Here is the latest commitment. Player: Ayden JohnsonClass: 2026Committed to: Merrimack What Has Been Said by Phenom Hoops:...
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Five Players (Class of 2026) Trending Early this Summer as College-Level Prospects (Phenom Rise Showcase) (Part 1)
2026 Jordan Tate (Team Pittman 2026) Tate has been consistent for some time now. Again, at the Phenom Rise Showcase, he was able to display his assertiveness as a downhill guard, one that attacked well off the dribble and finished through contact, and does a nice job in finding ways to mix it up offensively. I really do like his ability to assert himself when needed but also play within what his...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom March Madness
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual March Madness at Rise Indoor Sports in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. Although the travel ball season is still in its early stages, there were plenty of noteworthy teams, players, and storylines from the event. Several guys stood out during the weekend, and this article will take a closer look at five players who made a lasting impression… 6’6 ’28...
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POB’s Notable Guards from Phenom March Madness
2027 6’1 Conner Hodgson (Future Prep NXTPRO) Hodgson was one who consistently led his team offensively and finished off the event in a big way with a strong 26-point showing. He is one who was able to knock down shots from multiple levels, be a threat from the perimeter, and really step up for his team when they needed him. 2025 Ja’vier Tinnin (Team Legacy Gold) Tinnin may have had the dunk of...
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Caldwell Academy earns 2A State Championship vs. TBS
Caldwell Academy: 17-18-17-21: 73The Burlington School: 13-13-14-11: 51 Standouts: 2026 Ayden Johnson (Caldwell Academy) Johnson was an absolute difference-maker in this game, as he really stepped up as an offensive weapon on the court. Johnson continued to flourish with his ability to knock down shots from behind the arc, hitting several big ones including one to end the third quarter. But he...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 2
Team 2 Coach: Lucas Hunter #3: 5’10 ’26 Ayden Johnson (Caldwell Academy) Starting off, we look at a player who is easily among the best shooters in the state, Ayden Johnson. He’s a smart, quick guard prospect with the ability to cause problems for opponents with or without the ball in his hands. Johnson is a lethal marksman from the perimeter. Although he attacks the basket and converts in the...
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Open Gym Takeaways from Caldwell Academy
Recently, we attended Caldwell Academy’s open gym to get an updated look at their individual pieces and overall team makeup. Coach Clifford is entering his third year at the helm, and this is clearly the most talented roster throughout his tenure. The core of Jaylen Cross, Cole Cloer, King Kendrick, Neal Swindell, Ayden Johnson, Mac Atkinson, and Trevor Holland give them a legitimate rotation of...
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New Group in Town: Caldwell Academy adding more firepower
Caldwell Academy is coming off a tremendous season last year, as head coach Brandon Clifford and company had the program heading in the right direction. Led by 2025 Jaylen Cross and others, Caldwell Academy was able to secure a 23-10 overall record and a 10-2 conference record. It was a team that had plenty of scoring power and several key seniors who stepped up to lead the charge....
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Phenom March Madness (Saturday, Part 2)
2026 Alex White (Team Ish): White really impressed me with his overall play and feel for the game. For his position, he has tremendous length and size, and used that athleticism to his advantage to attack and get downhill, as well as out in transition. He balanced it out though well, playing with poise, reading the defense, and knocking down shots from outside with range. White is an effective...
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Caldwell Academy v. Carlisle School
On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Greensboro, North Carolina to kick off the high school season with an exciting battle between the Caldwell Academy Eagles and Carlisle School (VA) Chiefs. Both teams had tons of supporters packed into the intimate gym, which, per usual, led to an incredible atmosphere. The energy in the air was palpable. These squads each enter the season with high, yet...
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Open Gym Report: Caldwell Academy
On Monday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Caldwell Academy in Greensboro, North Carolina for an exciting open gym session. Entering their third season under Coach Brandon Clifford, the Eagles appear more talented than ever. They have a nice mix of young prospects, veteran pieces, and under-the-radar guys who will inevitably play pivotal roles during the upcoming season. In terms of sheer depth,...
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Phenom Hoops Player Profile: Ayden Johnson
Height: 5’9 Class: 2026 School: Caldwell Academy Travel Team: Big Shots Elite What Was Recently Said: Some guys will always receive unwarranted doubt due to their size, but Johnson is simply a guy who shouldn’t be bet against. Sure, he’s small, but his skill level is simply on another level from most players in high school basketball. Johnson is a smart, tough, crafty guard...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom G3 (Day 3)
2027 Jazir McGee (WBC Elite) The simplest answer is the best answer and Jazir makes the game very easy with his ability to get to the basket. His first step is explosive, he poses a difficult matchup due to his size and length as a young guard, and he has great focus with coordination to finish everything around the basket no matter the contact. He showed capability from outside as a shooter,...
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Greensboro Day vs. Caldwell Academy
On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to the heart of Greensboro for a highly anticipated battle between Caldwell Academy and Greensboro Day School. The Eagles have continued to trend upward in Coach Clifford’s second year at the helm while the Bengals have maintained a powerhouse and national reputation across nearly fifty years behind the tutelage of Coach Johnson. These schools are only about...
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Open Gym Report: Caldwell Academy
On Friday, Phenom Hoops traveled out to Caldwell Academy to get a closer look at the new-look Eagles. Entering his second year as their head coach, Brandon Clifford certainly has one of the more underrated teams in North Carolina. Between his experience, talented roster, and roots firmly planted in Greensboro, folks should have a ton of optimism about the current and future state of this...
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Reece’s Standouts: Triad Blue Chip Summer League (Part 2)
by: Ethan Reece This past week Phenom Hoops went out to cover the Triad Blue Chip Summer League at TW Andrews High School in High Point, NC. The league has been held annually for 6 years now and features a good variety of the abundance of great prospects the Triad area has to offer between both public and private schools. This article will take a look at the standouts from the second part of the...
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“Getting to Know” 5’5 2025 Ayden Johnson
We’ve seen a lot of players come through our doors over the years, varying in appearance, skill level, and everything in between. We decided to put forth a “Getting to Know” series on some players who have attended events but still remain on the lesser-known side of things. Each of these prospects embody being a student-athlete and getting it done in the classroom as well as on the basketball...
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Phenom 150 Session II (Jr.) Camp Evaluations: Team 6
Team 6 Coach: Timario Baldwin #2: 5’2 ’26 Kyle Broughton (Charlotte) Starting things off, we look at a player that showcased nice instincts and overall balance on offense, Kyle Broughton. He’s a wiry, fairly well-rounded guard prospect with reliable creation skills and perimeter shooting. Broughton moves well without the ball and understands how to get involved as a two-way rebounder. Next...
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