EVENT NEWS
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2026 Ian Bailey Staying Home, Commits to UNC-Asheville
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 of playing at the next level, and it is a truly remarkable accomplishment for them. Here is the latest commitment. Player: Ian BaileyClass: 2026Committed to: UNC-Asheville Phenom 1-on-1: Phenom: What made you...
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Phenom Summer Havoc: Underrated Talent D1 Coaches Shouldn’t Miss
If you’re a college coach heading to the Phenom Summer Havoc this weekend, consider this your cheat sheet. Whether you’re searching for underrated gems, late bloomers, or rising stars ready to break out — these are the players you need to have on your radar. They’ve been putting in work, flying under the radar, and now it’s time for D1 programs to start taking a hard look. Talent is everywhere...
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Can Asheville Christian Make a Push Once Again this Season?
Asheville Christian has been one of the more consistent programs here in North Carolina, continuing to find and produce talent, and that doesn’t seem to be changing this season. After finishing the season 17-8 overall and 5-3 in conference play, Coach Andy Ray and players are hoping to continue not only that winning tradition but also take another step forward. They will be led once again by...
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What More Do Coaches Want from Ian Bailey?
Every few years, a player will come through the North Carolina high school scene who is universally loved, yet lacks the deserved recruitment. Think back to guys like Chase Lowe or Toby Harris and how they struggled to collect offers. Sure, they weren’t perfect players but there was an obvious gap between their actual ability and what coaches seemed to think. Fast-forward to now, and both guys...
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Prospects that Should be Holding Double-Digit D1 Offers (NCISAA) (Part 1)
Though there has been plenty of change around the state of North Carolina when it comes to prospects, the talent is still running deep all over the state. And with the high school LIVE periods coming through the month of June, we are highlighting a few players that I believe should be strong targets for so many schools and should be holding double-digit offers from schools all around. Check out...
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Phenom G3 Live Standouts: Class of 2026 (Part 1)
2026 Gvanni Byron (Team Global) Byron was a strong and consistent presence for his team throughout the event. He is a strong, physical guard who can force the action, using his physical frame to his advantage, attacking downhill, embracing contact, and finishing well through defenders. Byron consistently was one of the true leaders for his team 2026 Talla Mbaye (NC Heels Elite) Mbaye continues...
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Bendel’s Best: G3 Live Showcase
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Raleigh Convention Center to host our annual G3 Live Showcase. The event featured over 280 teams across several age groups. College coaches of all levels were able to attend and extend scholarships to worthy prospects. There were a ton of notable teams and individuals on display, and this article will take a closer look at five personal favorites...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at #PhenomG3Live
2025 Derek Studer (Foothills Basketball) Studer was impressive to start the day off here at the Phenom G3 Live, as the Roanoke commit put on an impressive offensive show. Really was able to showcase his overall scoring ability, operating well down in the paint, finishing and operating with feel and touch, being able to face up and knock down shots, and also finding ways to get to the line. The...
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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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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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Prospects Due for a Big Summer Season
Each spring, we see a slew of prospects who enter the travel ball season with a disconnect between their ability and offer sheet. Some cases are purely due to a player not being seen by the appropriate level of coaches while others are sheer oversights. Regardless, this exercise allows us to see where we identify deserving players prior to the summer and how things unfold for each individual...
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D1 Programs Keep An Eye On: HS Jamboree Session 1
2026 6’7 Aidan Rousseau (Cary Academy): The 6’7 prospect really grabbed our attention with his play throughout the event, as it is clear that he is taking the next steps as a prospect and D1 schools should be putting him on their radar. Rousseau really flourished in showing his feel and touch around the basket, displaying footwork and understanding of how to operate and score in the paint. ...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Jordan Paris #2: 5’9 ’26 Dionte Neal (Reidsville) Starting off, we look at a player who consistently propels winning in all possible settings, Dionte Neal. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with toughness, quickness, and a polished skillset. Neal is a natural leader by example and someone who visibly understands how to dictate the action as a primary creator. He touches...
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Expecting Big Seasons Ahead: NC Top 80 (Class of 2026)
2026 6’2 Ian Bailey (Asheville School) Bailey was one of several players at the NC Top 80 that we expect to have big seasons. Bailey had a breakout season last year, as outlets from all over started to notice his game and impact. When talking about his game, the first thing you must notice is his overall feel on the court; being a playmaker, making tremendous reads, facilitating to his...
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2026 Ian Bailey (NC) looking to have a big summer
Player: Ian BaileyClass: 2026Height: 6’3AAU: Team CurrySchool: Asheville Christian 2026 Ian Bailey from Asheville Christian has certainly been a name on the rise over the last year or so, and now with him heading into the summer with Team Curry, Bailey is hoping to really showcase his talent. This is a guard that has a tremendous feel for the game, plays with a high IQ, can score as well as...
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Take a Hard Look at: 2026 Ian Bailey (Team Vision)
Player: Ian BaileyClass: 2026School: Asheville ChristianAAU: Team Vision 2026 Ian Bailey is one that we have highlighted time after time before, and he continues to be a player of so much interest with his game on the court. We had a chance to really watch more of his game and how it has been evolving, and we are here to say that D1 programs should be looking hard his way in the coming...
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High IQ, Smooth Operator: 2026 Ian Bailey (Asheville Christian)
Player: Ian BaileyClass: 2026School: Asheville Christian Asheville Christian is a very interesting program that has produced some strong talent in the past, and it seems that that talent line should only continue with a very interesting young guard in 2026 Ian Bailey. We had another opportunity to watch Bailey operate and be a playmaker on the court, and it is clear that this young prospect...
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Standouts from Phenom Freedom 828 Showcase
2026 Michael Phillips (Grace Christian): We continue to say that this is a young man who has a lot of potential and he gave you those flashes at the event, displaying his confidence from behind the arc, his fluid high release at 6’5, and his ability to make plays in using his length. He shot the ball well from outside but also did a great job making an impact defensively and helping on the...
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North Carolina Sophomore 40 Camp Evaluations: Team 12
Team 12 Coach: Jim Baker #51: 5’9 ’26 Malik McCotter (Chambers) Starting things off, we look at a player who produced quite well despite being among the smallest campers on display, Malik McCotter. He’s a scrappy, high-motor point guard prospect with quickness and a solid feel for the game on both ends of the floor. McCotter excels at getting downhill, touching the paint, and finishing or...
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2026 Ian Bailey “feeling great” after receiving first offer; talks other early interests
Phenom Hoops introduced to you a while back about 2026 Ian Bailey and said that he could be a player of big interest in the coming years from what we saw. His game really translates well and he continues to show the flashes that could make him a high priority for schools in the coming years. But recently, he announced that he had received his first offer from Western Carolina. We spoke to him...
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Three Expected 2026 High School Breakouts in North Carolina
6’3 Ian Bailey (Asheville Christian) After enjoying a fairly productive freshman campaign, Bailey looks ready to shine as a leader and focal point for the Lions. He’s coming off an incredibly impressive summer season, where he dominated for Team Vision and regularly showcased the full arsenal. Bailey can comfortably control the offense, create for himself and others, and apply scoring pressure...
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Phenom Hoops Player Profile: Ian Bailey
Height: 6’3 Class: 2026 School: Asheville Christian Travel Team: Team Vision Freshman Season: N/A What Was Recently Said: It should come as no surprise for those who have been paying close attention, but Bailey has rapidly asserted himself as one of the more notable freshmen in North Carolina (especially in the western part of the state). He’s a smart, skilled, athletic guard...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at Hardwood Classic (Part 1)
2025 Bryson Mickey (NC Spartans): Can’t deny the performance this young man had to start the day on Day 2, as he went off for 32 points in the first half and was making play after play, shot after shot. Whatever he wanted, he was hitting at 8am today; knocking down threes, scoring off the bounce, showing his touch with his floater, and just simply playing with a ton of tenacity. 2025 Jaden...
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Cooper’s Notes: Phenom Summer Havoc Session 1 (Part 1)
By: Cooper Hart 6’2” ’27 Chris Gomez (NC Spartans Neisler) Gomez is a recent addition to the 2027 class and he’s already one of the age’s more impactful and productive players. He’s a true combo guard that can create for himself and others at an exceptionally high level. His ball skills are incredibly mature for his age, already being able to act as a high-usage initiator. The handle is crafty...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Champion Showcase
6’4 ’25 Jaheim Hall (Next Level SC) There were a variety of useful contributors for Next Level SC, but it would be impossible to ignore the physically overwhelming presence Hall brought to the table. He’s a strong, fluid, explosive athlete with great length and downhill ability. Whether as a cutter, penetrator, or transition threat, Hall applies constant pressure at the rim and plays very well...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at Champion Showcase (Part 2)
2024 Miles Beard (Team Charlotte): Beard continues to show that he can be an effective weapon on the court, as he continues to expand more of his offensive game and show that he can not only be a physical scoring guard but also step out and be that perimeter presence. He did just that on Day 1, as he continues to be a strong scoring option for his team. 2024 Javier Ortiz (Wildcats Elite): You...
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NCISAA Sideline Report: Learn the Names (Class of 2026) (Part 1)
Michael Phillips 2026 Ian Bailey (Asheville Christian): It is good to see others are starting to see what we saw with Bailey a while back (Article), and that trend should only continue as he continues to develop. Bailey is a young prospect that plays with tremendous poise, feel, and understanding. He plays at his pace, makes smart decisions, has the ability to score from multiple levels, is a...
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Ian Bailey Turns Heads at NCISAA Live Period
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled out to various different locations for the June Live Period. Between the talent in Advance and Greensboro, there was plenty of buzz about the NCHSAA and NCISAA competition throughout the weekend. Although the public-school event was at capacity for most of the weekend, Greensboro Day School (as expected) hosted an extremely entertaining three-day slate of...
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Young Names to Track from Phenom Team Camp
By: Cooper Hart 6’3” ’26 Cam Fowler (Northwood) Fowler shined as a dynamic athlete and constant scoring threat in transition and when attacking closeouts. He’s a dominant physical presence and he understands how to use his strength and athleticism to his advantage. His finishing touch is showing promise and he does most of his scoring work around the rim, usually through contact and at difficult...
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Brother Duo looking to have a BIG season at Asheville Christian
Asheville Christian is looking to bounce back in a big way this upcoming season, and though this is a group that brings a team mentality, it was clear that the brother duo of 2024 Brendan Bailey and 2026 Ian Bailey will be two of the clear leaders. Both Brendan and Ian have been known names for the program, but watching these two in action this summer, you can see that they have only elevated...
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