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X-Factors at Phenom Challenge (Part Two)
5’11 ’26 Deshawn Coulter (Charlotte Aces) After months of consistently productive play, Coulter is someone that college coaches should be pursuing. He’s a steady lead guard who shoots the ball at a high rate from beyond the arc and gets others involved whenever possible. Coulter displays a nice blend of IQ, handle, and creation skills, but is also comfortable finding open space and asserting...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Challenge (Part Four)
6’0 ’27 Mikey Williams (Next Level Elite) Anyone who watched this Next Level Elite squad must appreciate the electricity and leadership that Williams brought throughout the weekend. He’s a crafty, heady guard with the quickness, shot-creation, and scoring polish to relentlessly put pressure on defenses. Williams showed the ability to consistently set up others and apply pressure from all levels....
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Player Standouts at Phenom Challenge (Part Three)
6’6 ’27 Ford Stratton (Upward Stars Columbia) Given his combination of size, athleticism, and flashes of versatility, it’s easy to see all the ways Stratton stands out for this group. He’s a long, fluid wing/forward with useful ball skills, shooting prowess, and the ability to operate in various different roles. Stratton displayed an improved handle and overall creation sense, but still looked...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Challenge (Part Two)
6’6 ’28 Ethan Ofori (CC Elite) After watching him closely throughout his journey, it’s clear that Ofori is truly beginning to harness his long-term abilities. He’s a big, sturdy interior piece with a strong body and low-maintenance identity on both ends of the floor. Ofori showed the ability to finish and space the floor as needed, but doesn’t necessarily need touches to make an impact. His...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Challenge (Part One)
6’3 ’29 Kam Rice (Upward Stars) It doesn’t take long to recognize the appeal of Rice. He’s already a very long, fluid perimeter player with great size and ability with or without the ball in his hands. Rice showed consistent flashes of creation instincts, scoring polish, and general understanding of how to make his presence felt on both ends of the floor. He’s a solid defender and rebounder who...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Challenge
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for our annual Phenom Challenge. The venue holds a lot of history and countless fond memories, and that only continued during this most recent two-day stretch. There was an impressive mix of notable teams and individuals on display, including several of the top programs in South Carolina, and this...
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Learning New Names in South Carolina: Team Unleased Duo Bring Intrigue
Just a few weeks ago at the Phenom Challenge, we had a great opportunity to check out some new and rising talent that we believe will be names many will be hearing about in the coming years. Team Unleashed 2029 took the floor and walked away with a championship in Spartanburg, as this is a group that brought highly intriguing players to the court. An overall group that is worth monitoring this...
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2026 Ian Bailey (Team Vision) proving he should be on D1 radars all over the region
Player: Ian BaileyHeight: 6’3School: Asheville ChristianAAU: Team Vision At the Phenom Challenge, 2026 Ian Bailey was a player that sat on top of our lists of “breakout players” or “big-time performers.” No matter how you label it and how much you have watched him play, Bailey showed why he is a proven D1 prospect here in North Carolina and why he should be a target for many in the region....
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1of1 Elite 15u bringing intriguing young talent to learn more about
At the Phenom Challenge, we had an opportunity to learn some new names, especially with 1of1 Elite 15u. They were able to make a lot of noise in South Carolina, battling through a tough schedule and earning a championship. This was a very interesting team to watch as we bring you a few new names that will be ones to watch here in North Carolina. We dive into some of the players that impressed....
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2026 Dacen Petty (Upward Stars) elevating his play even more this summer
Player: Dacen PettyClass: 2026School: Christ SchoolAAU: Upward Stars Plenty of players have looked strong and made a name for themselves late, and 2026 Dacen Petty could be a sneaky prospect to watch this summer after a strong high school season. Petty, a 6’5 prospect that has continued to elevate his play over the last year at Christ School, is a true positive piece that brought a ton of value...
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2026 Lance Barnes (Upward Stars) Looking for Strong Summer; Updates Latest in Recruitment
Player: Lance BarnesSchool: Legacy CharterClass: 2026AAU: Upward Stars 2026 Lance Barnes has been a strong prospect in the state of South Carolina, which has consistently produced over the years. He has been able to shine at SC Top 80 camps with Phenom Hoops, at LEC this past high school season, and has now been doing the same with Upward Stars 3SSB this spring. Barnes is one that we have...
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New Names to Learn: Phenom Challenge
2027 Aaden Bruton-Smith (Upward Stars) Bruton-Smith grabbed the attention of our scouts this past weekend with his overall play, impacting the game in so many ways and being a presence both offensively and defensively. He is a 6’5 athletic prospect that brings good bounce and length that allows him to flourish on both sides of the court. He has a smooth release with his shot, can create space...
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Hidden Gems from Phenom Challenge
2026 Dylan Twitty (Upward Stars) Twitty has been gaining traction over the last year, and he is one that college coaches should seriously be looking at. The forward brings a ton of production but is one that doesn’t have to be the focal point on a team, as he is willing to do what is needed for his team to win. His instincts on the glass alone should have college programs coming his way, but he...
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2027 Josh Leonard – Proving to be a Top 10 National Prospect
Going back down to South Carolina, Phenom Hoops was eager to check out again the big-time talent of 2027 6’6 Josh Leonard for Upward Stars 3SSB. A proven talent as a young prospect and now regarded as one of the top prospects in the country, Leonard continues to flourish and solidify just how big and strong of a prospect he truly is. Rewinding a few years back, Leonard was one who quickly...
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Top 5 Breakout Players from Phenom Challenge
2026 Ian Bailey (Team Vision) Bailey has been a player we have highlighted countless times before, but the show he put on here at the Phenom Challenge continues to prove that he is an under-the-radar prospect for D1 programs. Bailey flourishes as a playmaker, showing tremendous control, court awareness, and leadership. He clearly has gotten bigger and stronger and has developed more of his...
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Coach K’s Day 2 Standouts: Phenom Challenge
By: Khalil Shakir Khiry White 2029 | Team USC 2029 Premier | Khiry White continues to impress with a combination of motor, athleticism, and an advanced skillset that sets him apart from others in his age group. He plays with relentless energy on both ends of the floor, attacking the glass and grabbing rebounds with consistency. His ability to crash the boards on offense gives his team valuable...
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Coach K’s Day 1 Standouts: Phenom Challenge
By: Khalil Shakir Caden St. Charles 2029 | FCA Upstate | Caden St. Charles has been one of the most impressive offensive talents at this event, regardless of age group. His ability to score efficiently from all three levels stands out, but it’s his advanced feel for the game that truly separates him. He consistently makes the right reads, draws significant defensive attention, and still manages...
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POB’s Standouts on Day 1: Phenom Challenge
It was a great day of basketball in South Carolina for the Phenom Challenge, as we had a chance to watch a lot of intriguing talent. We will have plenty of coverage coming from the event, but these are a few players that earned my attention and what I had to say about them from Day 1 in Spartanburg (SC). 2026 Justus Bell (Upward Stars Gold) “2026 Justus Bell (Upward Stars Gold) was impressive...
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Programs Catching the Attention: Phenom Challenge
Upward Stars Upstate 2026 Dawkins There was plenty of representation from the Upward Stars organization at the Phenom Challenge, and there was plenty to walk away from the event. Watching this team at the event, they put on a show and they absolutely competed. We had an opportunity to watch them in the championship game vs. Upward Stars EYBL 2027, eventually taking home the impressive win. This...
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2027 Joshua Leonard (Upward Stars) has the pedigree to be special
Player: Joshua LeonardClass: 2027Height: 6’7AAU: Upward StarsHigh School: Wilson High School The talent down in South Carolina continues to impress, and Phenom Hoops had a chance to check out some of the big-time talent from the state this past weekend at the Phenom Challenge. One player that we were eager to see was 2027 Joshua Leonard from Wilson High School and who is suiting up with...
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Young Names To Watch: Phenom Challenge (Class of 2028)
2028 CJ Moore (Upward Stars): Moore continues to play extremely well and brings a balanced yet versatile game to the court. Watching him on several occasions, he has shown that he can play and operate multiple positions. With his size, he has shown that he can operate and be an option down low in the paint as well as on the boards, but he has also shown the ability to play multiple positions,...
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Making a Name for Themselves: Phenom Challenge (Class of 2026)
2026 Dillon Mason (Upward Stars Carolina): Mason introduced himself more with Phenom Hoops at the event, as the 6’4 prospect seems to be just scratching the surface of what he could be in the end. He really was able to shine on both sides of the ball, using his size well, being active on the glass, showing his ability to step out, having the ability to get downhill and finish, and simply...
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Start Looking at More: Phenom Challenge (Class of 2025)
2025 DaRon Dunbar (Stars Gold): Dunbar consistently has gotten it done and does so in a variety of ways. Dunbar brings a nice blend of physicality, ability to create, and skill to the court that can’t be denied. However you play him, he can find ways to produce, whether it is using his physical frame to body defenders up and finish around the basket, showcasing athleticism out in...
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Stock Continuing to Rise: 2025 6’7 Robert Moore (Upward Stars)
Player: Robert MooreClass: 2025Height: 6’7AAU: Upward Stars What Was Said at Phenom Challenge: “Moore was simply off the charts, and I hope this was a wake-up call for schools to pay attention his way more. The 6’7 prospect was lighting it up from all over the court, especially early on showing his range from behind the arc. Shot the ball well, had fluid release, had a ton of...
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Phenom Challenge: Unsigned Seniors Still Available
2024 Owen Stewart (NLE): Out of all the seniors on the list, Stewart was the one that impressed me throughout the event and should be a player for a program still looking for size and shot-making. Stewart is a 6’5 guard who really shined in his ability to play on and off the ball. He understands how to find the open spots on the floor, can knock down shots comfortably from behind the arc...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Challenge
Check out the players that really impressed down in South Carolina at the Phenom Challenge.
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Phenom Hoops LIVE Recap: NLPB Team Select 2024 stepping up on the big stage
Just because the LIVE period is over in April, doesn’t mean that Phenom Hoops is stopping their coverage, as we are bringing you a ton of post-event coverage as well throughout the coming weeks. Let’s dive into a few players and teams that we saw at the event, as we shed light on players that performed well throughout. NLPB Team Select 2024 This is a team that has continued to come to the...
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Phenom Hoops LIVE Recap: College coaches should have eyes on Team Loaded 336
Just because the LIVE period is over in April, doesn’t mean that Phenom Hoops is stopping their coverage, as we are bringing you a ton of post-event coverage as well throughout the coming weeks. Let’s dive into a few players and teams that we saw at the event, as we shed light on players that performed well throughout. Team Loaded 336 Each time we have viewed this team and program, they...
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Reece’s Rundown: Post LIVE Periods (Part 2)
By: Ethan Reece Now that we’re through March, April, and two Live Periods, there’s a lot to unpack and look back on. Who’s made an impression and who are important names to start tracking as we head into the summer' There’s so much to note after the first two months of the travel season, so here are some of my takeaways from Phenom’s spring events. Team Hope Gripper’s Depth and Balance You can...
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Reece’s Rundown: Post LIVE Periods (Part 1)
By: Ethan Reece Now that we’re through March, April, and two Live Periods, there’s a lot to unpack and look back on. Who’s made an impression and who are important names to start tracking as we head into the summer' There’s so much to note after the first two months of the travel season, so here are some of my takeaways from Phenom’s spring events. WCBA on the Rise Looking at the 2026-2028 teams...
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