EVENT NEWS
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Player Standouts at Phenom Hardwood Classic (Part One)
6’5 ’25 Elliott Erlandsson (NC Spartans Henderson) Given everything he did throughout the weekend, it’s easy to see the college-level ability Erlandsson possesses. He’s a natural glue-guy who can do a little bit of everything on the court. Erlandsson has the size, skill, and athleticism to operate in various different roles. He’s a useful scorer from all levels with a willingness to set up...
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Bendel’s Best: Hardwood Classic
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to Rise Indoor Sports for our annual Hardwood Classic. The two-day slate featured a healthy mix of talent across all divisions, both boys and girls, and provided us with a lot of intriguing prospects to watch. Like normal, we will take a closer look at some notable standouts from the event… 5’8 ’28 O’Brian Lowery Jr. (CP3 EYCL) It shouldn’t come as...
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Ranking Top Five 2025 Commitments by Value
As we enter the thick of the new travel ball season, it’s an ideal time to review the outgoing senior class (2025) and how things have ironed out. While many prospects are still fielding offers or deciding where they’ll ultimately further their playing career, numerous guys have pledged commitments. This exercise is meant to look beyond the obvious difference-makers (like Zymicah Wilkins, Isaiah...
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Drake Powell Declares for NBA Draft
Over the recent years, many college players declared for the draft to simply test the waters while maintaining their eligibility. It allows guys to feel out the process and receive feedback on their current draft status. Yesterday, Drake Powell of UNC announced he will be entering the NBA Draft with zero intent of returning to college. What does this mean, both for Powell and the Tar Heels? For...
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Jaylen Cross Commits to Wake Forest
Just ten days ago, Jaylen Cross announced his decision to decommit from Charlotte and reopen his recruitment. In addition to some uncertainty surrounding the roster composition, the coach who headed his recruitment, Vic Sfera, stepped away from the program. Fast-forward to now, and Cross has decided to join Coach Forbes and the Demon Deacons. We caught up with the 6-foot-4 dynamic wing to...
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Is Mason Collins the Top Player in North Carolina’s Class of 2028?
There are a ton of factors involved when ranking players. It’s important to remember that so much of these practices are rooted in subjective, opinion-based ideologies. If two players possess equal talent levels yet have completely different identities, then you’ll naturally receive split answers about who is better. Although it’s nice to have universally agreeable takes, differing viewpoints...
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Breakout Summer for Team CP3 Duo?
Every prospect runs their own race. Of all sports, basketball seems to be the most patient when it comes to development or “making the leap.” Each summer, we see new kids emerging and others getting lost in the shuffle. Those with talent and a real work ethic always seem to figure things out. Although folks already know about this duo and their respective games on the court, it feels like not...
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Don’t Overthink It. Players Who Made Major Leaps in the Transfer Portal
Since Covid, the recruiting landscape has been stranger and more confusing than any other stretch in history. Everyone knows it’s due to the additional years of eligibility, increased emphasis on NIL, and removal of portal restrictions. However, it’s almost laughable to see players who coaches labeled as “not good enough” are suddenly prioritized only a few years later. While players do develop...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Seros Open 804 (Part Two)
6’6 ’26 Marjaylen Jackson (Virginia Havoc) It doesn’t take long for opponents to realize how physically overpowering Marjaylen Jackson can be. Built like a football lineman, he’s a strong-bodied post player with a quality combination of skill and power inside the paint. Jackson displays touch, footwork, and the ability to absorb contact extremely well as a finisher. Although he’s at his best...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Seros Open (Class of 2027)
2027 Jarvis Hayes Jr. (Atlanta Xpress) Hayes was a player that I was eager to see again, and he was able to show why he is such an intriguing prospect with his blend of length, athleticism, and ability to score. A bouncy guard that has a long frame, which allows him to create and finish high, knock-down shots over defenders, or get to the rim consistently. Hayes excels well out in transition and...
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National Names Shine Big at Phenom Seros Open
2027 Lincoln Cosby (444 Athletics) Cosby comes in ranked as a Top 10 prospect in his class and you can see a lot of the intrigue with his game. Standing around 6’9, Cosby flourished in various roles and areas on the court, making him a tough matchup when locked in. He came out early to show his range and ability to knock down shots from three, displaying a fluid and comfortable release from...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Seros Open 804
6’7 ’28 Modu Abdulrahman (Team New England) Young players possessing physical advantages are fairly common. However, it’s much different when those guys are also armed with the proper mentality to harness those tools. If anyone embodies this notion, it’s Modu Abdulrahman. He’s an absolute animal whose blend of nonstop energy, powerful athleticism, and imposing physicality allows him to make a...
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Bendel’s Best: Seros Open 804
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled up to the Henrico Sports and Events Center in Richmond, Virginia, to host our inaugural Ceros Open 804. Although we also held events in Bermuda Run (Carolina Clash with Made Hoops) and Rock Hill (Ceros Open), Richmond still had an incredible amount of talent on display. Between the likes of Team Loaded, Team New England, Team Different, New World, and...
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YKS Steals the Show at 757 Showcase
Last weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Virginia Beach Sports and Events Center to host our annual 757 Showcase. There was a lot of intriguing talent of all ages and several teams that should be priorities for college coaches this summer. That being said, YKS was clearly in a league of their own. The highly regarded girls’ team came to the event and absolutely dominated every opponent in...
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Christian Reeves Commits to College of Charleston
On Wednesday, Christian Reeves officially announced his decision to commit to Chris Mack and the College of Charleston. The 7-footer from Charlotte, North Carolina had previous stops at Duke and Clemson before entering the portal earlier this spring. In addition to his size and experience, Reeves should bring an interesting dynamic to the Cougars. Reeves previously attended Phenom Hoops’ camps,...
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Jaylen Cross Reopens Recruitment
On Sunday, Jaylen Cross of Caldwell Academy and Team CP3 announced via social media that he’d be decommitting from Charlotte and reopening his recruitment. This news largely came as a shock to the grassroots community, particularly within North Carolina, as it’s unclear what’ll happen next. Cross is coming off a strong senior season, including notable production and a state-title victory. He...
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Why Tyrell Beverly Should Appeal to College Coaches
Although it’s getting later and later in the recruiting process, there are still plenty of scholarship-worthy prospects available or playing travel ball. This past weekend, there were several standout performers, but it was confusing to try and understand how Tyrell Beverly of Team Resilience United isn’t committed to a college program. The unsigned senior should have a slew of programs in...
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Why Division I Schools Should Pursue Desmon Rose
The current state of high school recruiting is weirder than ever. It’s become virtually impossible for any non-high-major player to get flooded with scholarship offers. While this is primarily due to college players being allowed to compete for additional years, there’s nothing preventing or combating this practice. College rosters are determined to be as old as possible and, with no contracts...
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Player Standouts at Phenom 757 Showcase (Part Two)
6’10 ’27 Keaton Gregory (Team Loaded VA) There were several intriguing prospects on Team Loaded Virginia, including Gregory and the strides he’s made over the last calendar year. He’s a long, wiry big man with a steady, low-maintenance identity on both ends of the floor. Gregory is a reliable finisher with soft touch and the ability to consistently score within the offensive structure. He’s...
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Player Standouts at Phenom 757 Showcase (Underclassmen)
6’4 ’28 Marc Watkins (Team Loaded 757) Several guys within the Team Loaded 757 organization turned heads throughout the weekend, and that certainly includes Watkins. He’s a strong, athletic, physically overpowering forward with a quality level of skill for his size/position. Watkins is a reliable post-up threat who can finish through contact, attack off the bounce, or knock down jumpers at a...
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Player Standouts at Phenom 757 Showcase (Part One)
6’6 ’25 Desmon Rose (Team Loaded 757) There’s an abundance of talent within Team Loaded 757’s roster, and Rose stands out as much as anyone. At 6-foot-6 with an incredibly smooth game, it’s shocking that he doesn’t currently hold more offers from Division I programs. Rose is a legitimate matchup problem whose blend of size, athleticism, creation skills, and effortless scoring polish allows him...
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Phenom Grassroots TOC Preview: Drifty Elite
Starting tomorrow, Phenom Hoops will travel down to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to host our annual Grassroots Tip-Off Classic. Every year, the event is loaded with talent. However, this is arguably the most talented collection of teams yet. There are several premier programs on the girls’ and boys’ side, including groups of committed seniors who were pieced together for one last weekend of...
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Senior Duo Making Noise for NC Spartans Henderson
After years of watching Coach Henderson’s NC Spartans group consistently outperform their competition, we’ve reached the final chapter for this team. Although the coaching and advocating for players doesn’t stop, this will be his last ride coaching guys like Bryson Mickey and Elliott Erlandsson. The unsigned senior duo will play their last few weeks in hopes of attracting college coaches and...
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Strictly Ballas Elite Loaded with College-Worthy Unsigned Seniors
Given how much times have changed over the recent years, this current stretch of weeks is undeniably critical for college coaches hunting transfers in the portal. However, there are still a lot of worthy next-level prospects floating around in the travel ball ranks. This number will naturally decline as the months pass, but any programs looking to bolster their roster would certainly be wise to...
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Consistent Production: NC Spartans Forest City Trio
Anyone within the local grassroots scene should know about the NC Spartans organization and how much they’ve expanded throughout the years. Previously just one group, they’ve integrated multiple new teams at each age level—including their Forest City squad. Director and Coach Steven Jones has done a terrific job of accumulating impactful players who fit the Spartans’ stylistic and off-court...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive (Part Two)
6’2 ’27 Chris Gomez (AWigg Elite) In a time where so much emphasis is placed on scoring, someone like Gomez is a refreshing change of pace. He’s a tough, rugged guard who consistently impacts the game through his high motor, defensive prowess, and nose for the ball. Gomez is comfortable initiating the offense or finding opportunities as a cutter and finisher around the basket. He’s a willing...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive
6’2 ’25 Jayden Little (Tru Elite) Given his status as an unsigned senior with college opportunities, it should come as no surprise to see Little as one of the more productive players on display. He’s a strong penetrator who gets downhill with relative ease and consistently finishes around the basket. Little knocked down multiple jumpers but was clearly at his best when touching the paint and...
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ACE SD Elite 16u (Coach E and Palmer) – Team Preview
Phenom Hoops was on deck for ACE Elite SD 16u, both Coach E and Palmer, as we got a first-hand look at what these teams will be bringing to the courts this season with Phenom Hoops. We dive into the roster from what we saw during the practice. ACE SD Elite 16u Coach E 2027 Andrew MahoneyMahoney should be able to bring good value as one that can get to his spots, open up the offense with his...
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ACE Elite SD 15u (Sanders and Harrist) – Team Preview
Phenom Hoops was on deck for ACE Elite SD 15u, both Sanders and Harrist, as we got a first-hand look at what these teams will be bringing to the courts this season with Phenom Hoops. We dive into the roster from what we saw during the practice. ACE SD Elite Sanders 15u 2028 Carson WilliamsWilliams looks to be one of the go-to options for this team and certainly a player to keep an eye on in...
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Dub Salem Unsigned Duo Should Appeal to College Coaches
This past weekend, we had the opportunity to watch Dub Salem for the first time in the early travel ball season. Although we wrote extensively about the program and its pieces, it feels like we need to reiterate that the year-round teammate duo of Nayte Spargo and Andin Ashford should both appeal to college coaches as scholarship-level pieces. Between their time at Winston-Salem Christian and...
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