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Joel Baucom Commits to Pfeiffer
The journey of a basketball player can be a long, winding road full of ups and downs. Few players understand this concept more than Joel Baucom. On Tuesday, the 6-foot-3 guard prospect made the decision to further his playing career at Pfeiffer University. In order to understand what all they are getting, we can simply look back at his body of work… After battling for minutes as a freshman...
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Unsigned Senior Spotlight: 6’3 Joel Baucom
At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, hundreds of players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and...
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Phenom Open Gym Tour: Combine Academy National
Combine Academy comes in once again as one of the top teams, not only in the state but in the country, and it is easy to see why. The depth is all there, the talent is all there, and the coaching staff is there for this program to make a TON of noise. We said last year after the open gym that this program looked like a Top-10 team coming in and they finished that way. Now, they look even DEEPER...
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Notable Shooters in North Carolina’s Class of 2022
By now, the undeniable value surrounding three-point shooting should be no secret at any level of basketball. The ability to space the floor goes far beyond the basic math (three being worth more than two), as the threat typically leads to improved ball movement while regularly forcing defenses to make difficult, yet precise decisions in their rotations and closeouts. Nearly every college...
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July Live Period Superlatives: Part One
Although there has been a ton of excitement swirling throughout the last few months, July is finally coming to an end. Between the NCHSAA/NCISAA events in June and the consecutive live periods across July, all levels of coaches have been traveling, evaluating, and establishing relationships with these prospects. Excluding the lone period in July, we will take a closer look at a slew of players...
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Sean’s Standouts from Coach Rick’s TOC (Day 1, Part 1)
Tajuan Simpkins By: Sean Halloran 6’8 2022 Trey Ramsey (Carolina Riptide 17U) Ramsey was one player that was very impressive in the first batch of games today. The 6’8, lengthy big man has the frame to withstand the physicality of the college game, already. The most impressive part of Ramsey’s game is the activity that he plays with on both ends of the floor. Offensively he did his work...
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2022 Joel Baucom continues to show his range and overall feel for the game
The Phenom Summer Havoc brought many eyes on players from college coaches and scouts, giving a chance to showcase their game. One player that captured a few eyes was 2022 6’3 Joel Baucom from the Mint Hill Lakers, as he continued to showcase his range from all around the court but also gave people a glimpse that he is much more than just a shooter. First thing is first, Baucom has shown in...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Phenom Summer Havoc Session 1 (Day 1) (Part 2)
2022 Xavier McKelvy (Charlotte Royals): With college coaches sitting baseline, I fully expect more offers to come his way and he showed why in Game 1 at the Summer Havoc. You can almost get mesmerized in his play with his frame, his smoothness, his change of pace and direction, and his athleticism. He was scoring once again from all areas with a ton of confidence but that is nothing...
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POB’s Standouts from Champion Showcase (Day 2) (Part 1)
2022 Shaedon Simpson (Vaughan 17u): Simpson catches your eyes pretty quickly for Vaughan with his 6’6 frame and versatility and the more you watch him operate on the court, the more you like. Simpson really impacted the floor in all areas, whether it was stepping out to score, finishing around the rim, running in transition, getting on the boards, and being a defensive impact, he checks off a...
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Mint Hill Lakers Trio Preparing to Turn Heads
The start of July brings another month of travel basketball and watching these young prospects get recruited by college programs across the LIVE periods. After watching these teams prepare throughout the recent months, the time has finally come for their hard work to pay dividends. We’ve seen countless different teams since March, including the Mint Hill Lakers, a team who should have dozens of...
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Mint Hill Lakers continue their winning ways at Phenom Stay Positive
Head coach Glenn Bynum Sr. and the Mint Hill Lakers have been making a ton of noise this summer, now winning two straight championships at the Phenom Challenge and the Phenom Stay Positive. But when you look at the group that they have, you can easily see why they continue to rack up the W’s; they are an unselfish, gritty, and battle-tested group with players that simply give it their all...
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POB’s Eye Catchers at Phenom Stay Positive (Day 1, Part 2)
Jaheim Taylor 2022 Kendrell Brooks (Brothers Basketball): Brooks has been a consistent threat on the court, as the 6’2 prospect has scored consistently in an array of areas on the court, pulling up and knock down shots but also getting to the basket. But also enjoyed his vision and floor sense, making some terrific passes to set up his teammates for easy shots. 2021 Jaheim Taylor (Hart Select):...
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More Than a Shooter: 6’3 2022 Joel Baucom
The game of basketball is unlike any other. Not only is the actual style and structure completely unique, but the game has arguably evolved more than any sport—especially in the last ten to fifteen years. For example, shooting has become more valuable than anything else. An NBA team without shooting should just go ahead and hang it up, because making it through the season is going to be a...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Challenge
5’11 ’22 Evan Presnell (Carolina Riptide) Although the Carolina Riptide always seem to shine through their balance, but Presnell definitely stood out among their top performers in their first contest of the day. He’s a smart, tough, heady point guard prospect with excellent creation skills and the ability to set up others, access his lethal pull-up jumper, or finish strong through contact....
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Combine Academy vs Lake Norman Christian
In the game that everyone has been eagerly anticipating all year, Lake Norman Christian traveled to Lincolnton to take on Combine Academy on Tuesday night. With two of the top rated sophomores in the nation, the basketball community wanted to see Mikey Williams vs Robert Dillingham. While these two young prospects were the headline, each team was filled with several talented players and coaches...
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Needing a shooter' NC Class of 2022 offers a few to watch for
The class of 2022 in North Carolina is an intriguing class to look at, as there has been a lot of mix-up in rankings, new names that have come in, and players elevating their game over the last year or so. One thing that one can see is that there are a few shooters that can be found in the class. In this article, we are taking a look at a few of them to really watch this season but...
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Combine Regional v. Franklin Prep (Recap/Standouts)
The second game for day four of Phenom’s Holiday Classic took place between two tough squads in Combine Regional and Franklin Prep. Both of these teams have next-level prospects and seem to improve with each outing. Combine Regional came out of the gate and established an early lead behind a very balanced attack, finishing the first half with a 29-33 advantage. Shamarrie Hugie performed...
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Gaston Christian v. Combine Regional (Recap/Standouts)
The seventh game for day two of Phenom’s Holiday Classic took place between two teams who have trended upward over the last few years in Gaston Christian and Combine Regional. After somewhat of a sluggish start, neither team was able to gain a ton separation leading to a 9-11 lead for Gaston Christian. Following the first quarter, things began to pick up, both in terms of pace and offensive...
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Holiday Classic: Concord Academy vs. Combine Academy Regional (Recap/Standouts)
Game 4 on the night, this time having Concord Academy matchup with Combine Academy Regional. It was Concord Academy that got out to the early lead but Combine Regional responded really well. Tying it up after one, it was Combine’s ability to knock down shots in the second quarter, especially from the play of Joel Baucom, who led with 14 first-half points. They also brought the...
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Day 1 Late Standouts
Elijah Wilson 6’8 Jaquan Scott of TLAP Sports Academy was very intriguing and showcased quickly that he is a high level Division I prospect. Watching him for the first time, I was very impressed; he has all the physical tools: size, athleticism, strength, and mobility. He was overwhelmingly dominant in the paint as he scored almost every time he got the ball. He has a unique skill set that...
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Phenom All-American Camp Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Rodney Carter #2: 4’10 ’23 Malcolm Edwards (Westchester Country Day) Starting things off, we look at a player that was able to assert himself and impact the game nicely despite his lack of size, Malcolm Edwards. He’s a young guard prospect that operated nicely as a spot-up threat and displayed a solid feel for the game. Edwards made numerous three-pointers and was able to...
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Afternoon Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Challenge Live
Chattanooga Elite 5’8 ’20 Cahlib Edwards- Though somewhat undersized, the wiry guard prospect proved to be a quality shot-maker with the ability to create for himself or others. Edwards displayed a strong feel for the game and highlighted solid craftiness when taking opponents off the bounce. Team Trezz 6’3 ’20 Keishon Porter- The long, wiry wing prospect immediately catches the naked eye...
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Phenom’s North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 12
Team 12 Coach: Antonio Lowe #13: 6’0 ’20 Arrington Jones (Atkins) Starting things off, we look at a player that knows how to run a successful team on both ends of the floor, Arrington Jones. He’s a quick, smart point guard prospect that offers a strong balance between scoring and playmaking. Jones is vocal and does a great job of setting his teammates up on offense, always getting the...
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Stay Positive Team Preview: Team Charlotte 17u Herron
April is one of the biggest months when it comes to the AAU season. Players and teams are looking to play in the right events, which is why Phenom Hoop Report is hoping to provide that platform all month long.
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Evening Standouts at Phenom’s North Carolina Top 80
#54- 6’5 ’20 Josh Banks- Today was an incredible platform for Banks, as he put the full arsenal on display from start to finish and never let up. He’s always possessed a fluid, well-rounded skillset, but has gotten stronger and more athletic throughout the last few years. Banks is an excellent prospect that all Division I programs should be looking at. #35- 6’2 ’21 Elijah Jamison- There...
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North Carolina Phenom 150 Session 1: Evaluation Team 1
North Carolina Phenom 150 Camp Evaluations Team 1 Coach Williams #60: 5’2 ’22 Zane Caudle (Franklinville, NC) Starting things off, we look at a player that knows how to control a team extremely well on both sides of the ball, Zane Caudle. He’s a point guard prospect with great IQ and the understanding of how to position himself for success. Offensively, Caudle is a nice...
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#PhenomJMAC Day Two Afternoon/Night Game Standout’s Court Two
Let’s get right to the stars of the show! 6’7 2021 Zaire Patterson: Team Winston 15U/Winston-Salem Prep Patterson has an excellent frame for his age and it’s pretty clear he’s done a nice job figuring out how to use it on the glass and on the low block offensively. He possesses a high defensive IQ with an innate ability to call out defensive adjustments anchoring...
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