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Player Standouts at Carmel MLK Showcase (Part Two)
6’8 ’25 Kaden Hammond (The Burlington School) Given our numerous viewings of Kaden Hammond over the recent months, it’s fair to say he should have more action within his recruitment. His combination of size, skill, and physicality allow him to cause matchup problems for opposing big men. There are times when it looks like Hammond could score from the block every trip down the floor. He secures...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom New Year’s Bash (Showcase Play)
2028 Chacho Womack (West Charlotte) A young but talented guard to watch for, Womack is a skilled guard who plays with poise, operates well with the ball in his hands, plays within the offense really well, makes plays off the bounce while also getting paint touches, and can knock down open shots as well. He will be a name to monitor more and he showed why at the event. 2025 Jordan Watford...
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POB Eye Catchers from Day 1 at Mike Gminski Classic
2025 Riley Jacobs (St. Stephens St. Agnes) Jacobs, the UMBC commit, was incredible to start the event as the 6’8 forward really flourished in an array of ways. Jacobs was able to flourish with his length as well as his overall feel. He scored well at the rim, ran the floor, was able to make plays off the bounce, was engaged on the glass, and altered shots defensively. He was impressive and...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Lakesgiving (Saturday)
2027 Sean Nix (Cannon) It has been fun to watch the young rising star in action this weekend, as he led his team on both days. On Day 2, he finished with 26 points while also recording eight rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Nix has truly blossomed as a player with his frame, size, and overall development, as he shows great pace and feel overall. He is comfortable in a variety of areas on...
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Phenom Commitment Alert: UNCG strikes again in NC, earns commitment from 2025 KJ Younger
Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or sees 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: KJ YoungerClass: 2025Committed to: UNCG What Has Been Said by Phenom Hoops: “Younger...
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It Is Easy to See: D1 Steals from North Carolina (Class of 2025)
The Class of 2025 here in North Carolina is shaping up nicely, as prospects are coming off the board but there still is plenty of talent to go around. We look at a few prospects that we believe could be tremendous steals based on their recruitment, as college coaches should be looking hard their way. 2025 6’4 KJ Younger (Weddington) I have said it before and will say it again… KJ Younger is a...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Week 2 at Hoop State Fall League (Week 2, Cox Mill)
2025 Tre McKinnon (Lake Norman) McKinnon looked focused and ready for what could be a big season for him. Time after time, we saw him flying high and attacking out in the open floor, finishing high above his opponents and at the rim. The senior looks to be one of the clear leaders for this team as they have high hopes in making a run at a title this season. 2025 KJ Younger (Weddington) Younger...
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Biggest Stockrisers from Phenom Hoops Latest 2025 NC Rankings
It is a big week for Phenom Hoops as we continue to release our newest rankings here in North Carolina, as we started off with the Class of 2025. This is a class that has plenty of talent of all levels, as several names saw a significant uptick with what they have shown as of late. We dive in a little on a few players that saw a big uptick in our latest rankings. 2025 Rankings:...
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Hidden Gems for D1 Programs to Look at More in North Carolina
The high school season will be quickly approaching but it also gives a chance to look back at the past. The Class of 2025 is shaping up nicely here in North Carolina, as several players have been garnering the attention of college coaches. But there are three players that I personally believe could be hidden gems for D1 schools, and they could see their recruitment take off more with another...
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POB’s Eye Catchers at Coach Rick’s TOC (Part 2)
2025 KJ Younger (R4A Scholars) It was great to see Younger back in action on the court with Phenom Hoops, and it seems to be the same story each time as Younger continues to be physically overpowering for opponents on the court. Younger continues to excel and be a dominant piece attacking downhill, embracing and finishing through contact, and also showing his ability to knock down open shots. He...
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Deserving of D1 Attention: Phenom MDC
2025 KJ Younger (R4A Scholars): Nearly two years ago, Younger was a new name for all and Phenom Hoops was one of the first to introduce him to the state of North Carolina. Fast forward to today, Younger has only gotten better and stronger, as he continues to showcase that he is a talent to be reckoned with. He has consistently produced on the court, time after time excelling in his ability to...
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Prospects that D1 programs should look at more: Phenom Rise Showcase
2025 Shamarius Peterkin (Big Shots): Each time I’ve watched Peterkin, I walk away saying that this is a must-see player for college coaches and believe that he can make an impact on the basketball court and the football field. After this week, that thought continued to enter my mind, as Peterkin continued to flourish on the court. Peterkin, a 6’3 guard, brings such explosiveness to...
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Elevating their Game: 2025 NC Stockrisers
The Class of 2025 here in North Carolina is certainly interesting and is developing quite nicely, but there are a few guys that have stuck out in my head so far this season with their play. They have elevated their play and, in my eyes, have seen their stock rise since the start of the season. Again, this is purely in the eyes of the writer and has nothing to do with rankings. But here are a few...
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POB’s Best of the Best: Phenom Holiday Classic
2025 KJ Younger (Weddington): Talk about a breakout-type showing at the Holiday Classic for many who haven’t watched him, but he has been doing this all season long so far for Weddington. We wrote about him more as of late, but he continued to shine throughout as he may have been the best player throughout the event. Younger brings such physicality and demand to the court, as he is...
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2025 KJ Younger (Weddington) Having a Breakout Season
Player: KJ YoungerClass: 2025Height: 6’5School: Weddington Every single year, there are players that one can consider as a “breakout†player and boy, do we have one for you that should start garnering more interest from college programs. 2025 6’5 KJ Younger has been having a tremendous season at Weddington, putting up impressive numbers. So far, averaging nearly 23 points and...
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Storylines We Have Walking Away from #PhenomIshSmith
Central Cabarrus puts on a show and showcases their power in front of their home crowd The Phenom Ish Smith Showcase was tremendous, and the crowd at Central Cabarrus certainly showed up and showed out for this event at their home gym. Central Cabarrus came out strong in both games, taking care of business in convincing fashion against The Burlington School and Hickory Ridge. They continue...
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Trending Upward: 5 Players to Follow from #PhenomIshSmith Showcase
2026 Q Williams (Forsyth Country Day): Williams has been playing at a high level this season, as you can see he has really embraced being a leader and a go-to option for FCDS. Williams is a tough and scrappy guard that competes on both ends. He excels in being able to create for himself and get inside the defense, finishing over defenders well but also finding ways to get his teammates involved....
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A Duo to Watch Out for at Weddington
The Hoop State Fall League gives us a great chance at Phenom Hoops to get an early look at several teams early on, and we are looking to dive into a bit of what we have seen on the court. Weddington is a very well-known program around the state of North Carolina, as they have produced some strong talent over the years as well as racked up plenty of wins. But I believe there is a new duo...
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Five Under-The-Radar Prospects from Phenom Summer Finale
5’11 ’25 Cam’ren Reyes (Team Raiders) Having a reliable, team-oriented floor general has become somewhat of a luxury in the current high school landscape, which is why it’s so easy to appreciate everything Reyes brings to the table. His identity is a tough, intelligent point guard with pace, toughness, and excellent balance between scoring and playmaking. Reyes controls the tempo in a very...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at Coach Rick’s TOC (Part 1)
2024 Cal Barrett (NC Spartans Liles): Barrett is a 6’9 prospect that can be effective and used in a variety of ways on the court. He operates very well in pick-and-pop situations, knocking down mid-range and stepping out behind the arc. But with his size as well, he can be a nice presence in the paint and on the boards. An underrated talent to look at more in my opinion. 2026 Sam Quebedeaux...
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Don’t Overlook Weddington this Season
We continue to cover this past week’s Phenom high school team camp, as we had a great opportunity to get an early view of teams and what they may be bringing to the table this upcoming season. This time, we dive into a storied program that has enjoyed tremendous success over the past several years, and they certainly won’t be a team to sleep on this upcoming season again. There is a lot to...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Team Camp (Day 1)
2026 James Minlend (Harrisburg Hornets) Not many guys have the array of options to choose from with their attack at this age like James. The obvious appeal is in his length, as it opens up so much more of his capabilities, particularly with his controlled extension around the rim. Built like a longer wing but running the show and making the majority of management decisions, James has a favorable...
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Cooper’s Notes: Phenom Team Camp Day 1
By: Cooper Hart 5’11” ’25 Drew Johnson (Jordan) Johnson acted as the secondary ball handler for Jordan and impressed with his ability to create shots for himself as well as his teammates. He was poised when facing pressure, almost seeming to thrive off high defenses as he consistently leveraged that positioning into paint touches and open looks for his team. He has a real future as a shot maker,...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Team Camp (Day 1, Part 2)
2026 Cameron Newman (Gaston Christian): Not sure what else there is to say about Newman’s game that already hasn’t been said; he is a young point guard that simply understands the game at a high level. Love his IQ and feel, he is tremendous in running the offense but also showing more of his ability to be an incredible offensive weapon. Has really flourished as a player and should be getting a...
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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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Leaving an Impression: Phenom Grassroots TOC
2026 Nick Arnold (Team Charlotte): Walking away from the event, Arnold was one that left a lasting impression on our scouts with his stellar play throughout. The 2026 point guard, who is one we have watched countless times, has seemed to take his game to another level; he looked stronger, more assertive as a guard, and is taking his offensive game to another level. He was assertive, got...
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Reece’s Standouts: Phenom Grassroots TOC (Day 2)
by: Ethan Reece 2025 KJ Younger (Team Hope) There might not be a player at this event more responsible for offensive production that KJ. He has a consistently high scoring output that blends his overwhelming athleticism with deceiving finely tuned skills for a guy of his build and motor. Although he could with still noteworthy results, he doesn’t rely on his athleticism to do the work for him....
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at Phenom Grassroots TOC (Part 1)
2025 KJ Younger (Team HOPE): Younger has been a name that continues to pop up for me and I’m eager to see what his summer could be like; he could be in for a breakout-type season. Younger though continues to showcase what he has always done, being that physical presence in scoring through defenders but also showing a well-rounded skillset. He is able to really impact the game in a variety of...
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Reece’s Standouts: Hoop State League (Week 2: West Division)
By; Ethan Reece 2023 Carlos Luis (Combine Regional)What impressed me with Carlos’ play was his effectiveness to get where he wanted and use his size to play at his own pace. He has the blend of inside out play that matches the style of today’s game, being able to operate on the block with quality footwork and pose a threat outside with his shot or comfortable ability to put his shoulder down and...
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Stepping Up More: Class of 2025 from #HoopStateLeague (Week 1)
2025 Miles Leaks (Piedmont): Leaks is a name that we have mentioned quite a few times after this and we are going to continue to mention more. We have spoken plenty about his game and if you missed it, you can check out our article earlier this week here (Click Here). But Leaks showed poise in running the show, showed flashes of his vision and playmaking ability, and looks to clearly be the...
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