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Standouts from Wesleyan Christian vs. Providence Day
On Tuesday, Phenom Hoops traveled to High Point to watch a notable matchup between Wesleyan Christian and Providence Day. Given the talented, veteran-laden rosters on both sidelines, each team has the ability to contend for a state title. Between the first two quarters, it looked like Wesleyan could cruise to a win without really being challenged. The Trojans led 27-21 at halftime and appeared...
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North Carolina Sophomore Forty Camp Evaluations: Team 12
Team 12 Coach: Jared Grady #50: 5’10 ’27 Preston Scott (Queens Grant) Starting off, we look at a player who showcased an impressive two-way identity, Preston Scott. He’s a smart, heady point guard prospect with a tight handle, quick first step, and lethal penetration sense. Scott knocks down jumpers at a quality rate from midrange and beyond the arc, but is arguably at his best when attacking...
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North Carolina Sophomore Forty Camp Evaluations: Team 11
Team 11 Coach: Jay Anderson/Dree Phillips #53: 5’11 ’27 Daniel Wright (JF Webb) Starting off, we look at a player who showcased his ability to run a team as a leader, Daniel Wright. He’s a smart, high-motor guard prospect with a tight handle and sharp playmaking sense. Wright touches the paint at a high volume, where he’s able to finish or effectively set up others. That being said, he also...
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North Carolina Sophomore Forty Camp Evaluations: Team 10
Team 10 Coach: Curtis Patton #16: 5’9 ’27 Nathan Jones (Grace Christian) Starting off, we look at a player who simply knows how to run a team and lead by example, Nathan Jones. He’s a smart, crafty point guard prospect with a polished scoring arsenal and reliable playmaking sense. Jones shoots the ball at a high level and applies consistent pressure as a downhill threat. He looks to set up...
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North Carolina Sophomore Forty Camp Evaluations: Team 9
Team 9 Coach: Jamal Mitchell #6: 5’8 ’27 JR Adams (Forsyth Country Day) Starting off, we look at a player who understands how to set the tone on both ends of the floor, JR Adams. He’s a smart, tough, scrappy point guard prospect with the ability to dictate the action or find opportunities as an off-ball option. Adams handles the ball with care, sets up others, and scores at an efficient rate....
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 8
Team 8 Coach: David Robinson #1: 5’10 ’26 Beckett Coon (Wake Christian) Starting off, we look at a player who offers an appealing blend of scoring and playmaking, Beckett Coon. He’s a smart, crafty point guard prospect with a tight handle, reliable creation skills, and polished shot-making ability. Coon utilizes his quick first step to break down opponents and touch the paint at a consistent...
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2026 Breakout Candidates in the Raleigh Area (Part 2)
With private schools tipping off this week and public school rosters now being officially set, I’m turning the page to the class of 2026 and highlighting players in the triangle who I believe should be popular candidates for a breakout season. Last week, I took a look at the class of 2027 which you can read here and here. You can read part one of the 2026 class here. 6’2” McCoy Williams (Cary...
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2026 Breakout Candidates in the Raleigh Area (Part 1)
With private schools tipping off this week and public school rosters now being officially set, I’m turning the page to the class of 2026 and highlighting players in the triangle who I believe should be popular candidates for a breakout season. Last week, I took a look at the class of 2027 which you can read here and here. 6’4” Zion Wells (Trinity Academy) Wells differs from his peers on...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 7
Team 7 Coach: Whit Holcomb-Faye #4: 5’10 ’27 CP Perry (Carson) Starting off, we look at a player who showcased a strong combination of shooting and unselfishness, CP Perry. He’s a smart, crafty point guard prospect with a polished skillset and reliable scoring arsenal. Perry is a quality creator who can consistently generate clean looks for himself and others. He scores from all levels and is...
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2027 Breakout Candidates in the Raleigh Area (Part 2)
With private schools officially starting practice yesterday and public schools starting tryouts tomorrow, this week is a great time to start really diving into what the 2024-25 season will look like in the triangle. On Monday, I gave my reaction and thoughts on the Wake Hoops Preseason Coaches Poll and today I’m going to give a list of sophomore prospects who I believe will enjoy a breakout...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 6
Team 6 Coach: Gerroid Doughty #14: 6’1 ’26 Darius Whitner (Garner) Starting off, we look at a player who knows how to consistently set the tone on both ends of the floor, Darius Whitner. He’s a smart, unselfish point guard prospect with a high motor and balanced approach to the game. Whitner is a reliable playmaker who scores effectively from all levels. He takes care of the ball, makes quality...
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2027 Breakout Candidates in the Raleigh Area (Part 1)
With private schools officially starting practice yesterday and public schools starting tryouts tomorrow, this week is a great time to start really diving into what the 2024-25 season will look like in the triangle. Yesterday, I gave my reaction and thoughts on the Wake Hoops Preseason Coaches Poll and today I’m going to give a list of sophomore prospects who I believe will enjoy a breakout...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 5
Team 5 Coach: Brandon Baker #7: 5’11 ’26 Drew Johnson (The Burlington School) Starting things off, we look at a player who looks increasingly likely to have a breakout season, Drew Johnson. He’s a crafty, heady point guard prospect who knows how to run a team while maintaining balance between scoring and playmaking. Johnson utilizes his quickness to break down opponents and touch the paint at a...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 3
Team 3 Coach: Ty Walker #5: 5’10 ’25 Rodmik Allen (New Hanover) Starting off, we look at a player who consistently stood out as one of the top floor generals on display, Rodmik Allen. He’s a smart, heady point guard prospect with a terrific blend of quickness, vision, and scoring instincts. Allen plays with great pace and possesses a tight, crafty handle. He’s able to break down defenders and...
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North Carolina Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 2
Team 2 Coach: Lucas Hunter #3: 5’10 ’26 Ayden Johnson (Caldwell Academy) Starting off, we look at a player who is easily among the best shooters in the state, Ayden Johnson. He’s a smart, quick guard prospect with the ability to cause problems for opponents with or without the ball in his hands. Johnson is a lethal marksman from the perimeter. Although he attacks the basket and converts in the...
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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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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 8
Team 8 Coach: Chris Goodman #18: 5’5 ’27 Rubi Davila (Clinton) Starting off, we look at a player who did a lot of things well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Rubi Davila. She’s a scrappy, unselfish guard prospect with a high motor and excellent penetration sense. Davila is able to break down opponents, touch the paint, and finish or set up others. She utilizes her quickness well...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 7
Team 7 Coach: Colby Lewis #16: 5’5 ’27 Leia Rios (Knightdale) Starting things off, we look at a player who consistently stood out through her shooting ability, Leia Rios. She’s a smart, balanced guard prospect with an understanding of how to make an impact with or without the ball in her hands. Next in her development process is working to become a craftier ball-handler, as it would make her a...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 6
Team 6 Coach: Kelvin Mills #12: 5’5 ’27 Faith Yon (Durham School of the Arts) Starting off, we look at a player who did a lot of things well despite being the smallest camper on this team, Faith Yon. She’s a smart, unselfish guard prospect with a polished skillset and scrappy defensive nature. Yon creates well for herself and others, and is comfortable without the ball in her hands. Yon is a...
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Takeaways from South Carolina Top 80
Josh Leonard is Special Anyone who attended the camp knows that Josh Leonard’s pure dominance was the primary takeaway. There’s something so unique about the calm manner in which Leonard is able to lead a team, dictate the action, and legitimately destroy opponents at a moment’s notice. It’s been this way for quite a few years, but his feel and skillset (particularly at his size) are truly...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 5
Team 5 Coach: Chris Ewell #11: 5’4 ’27 Zaniya Reddick (Terry Sanford) Starting off, we look at a player who highlighted a polished skillset and variety of positive intangibles, Zaniya Reddick. She’s a smart, rugged, high-motor guard prospect with an unselfish mentality and the ability to score from all levels. Reddick sets the tone in several ways. She’s a tough defender with the quickness,...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 4
Team 4 Coach: Ethan Reece #9: 5’4 ’26 Stephanie Mobley (North Mecklenburg) Starting things off, we look at a player who simply knows how to set the tone on both ends of the floor, Stephanie Mobley. She’s a smart, quick, heady guard prospect with excellent vision and a lethal penetration sense. Mobley handles the ball with care, creates opportunities for others, and finishes well around the...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 3
Team 3 Coach: Bobby Thompson #1: 5’0 ’28 Alaya Clemons (JH Rose) Starting off, we look at a player who did a lot of things well despite being the smallest camper on display, Alaya Clemons. She’s a tough, scrappy, high-motor guard prospect who consistently competes on both ends of the floor. Clemons is a lethal shooter from beyond the arc and excels in spot-up situations. She’s a willing passer...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 2
Team 2 Coach: Tyler Lewis #3: 5’2 ’27 Naija’alia Blake (North Mecklenburg) Starting off, we look at a player who consistently stood out through her energy and scrappy nature, Naija’alia Blake. She’s a smart, tough guard prospect with nice creation instincts and the ability to score in various ways offensively. Blake is a scrappy defender at the point of attack. Next in her development process is...
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Lady Top 80 Camp Evaluations: Team 1
Team 1 Coach: Jennifer Baker #2: 5’2 ’27 Izabella Hernandez (Jacksonville) Starting off, we look at a player who impacted the game extremely well despite her lack of size, Izabella Hernandez. She’s a smart, tough point guard prospect who can run the offense or play without the ball. Hernandez is a reliable playmaker and finisher who can knock down jumpers along the perimeter. She utilizes her...
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Cooper’s Notes: North Carolina Top 80 Camp
6’7” 2027 Koen Booker (Christ School) Booker was a pleasant surprise in my first viewing of him since returning to the state. He was highly comfortable with the ball in his hands, creating for himself off the bounce and proving to be a legitimate mismatch problem throughout the day. His positional transition from forward to wing seems to be coming along well, evidenced by his pace and handling...
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What We Learned from the North Carolina Freshman 40
Point Guards Leading the Way Although several wings, forwards, and big men warrant attention from the masses, this class is clearly headlined by guard play. Having the best of the best compete in notable matchups certainly made for an entertaining slate of competition. Various names could be mentioned, but the MVP award ultimately came down to AJ Morman, Jaleel Smith, and JJ Sati-Grier. All...
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Cooper’s Notes: HoopState Fall League Championship Day 1
6’1” 2026 Owen Calvert (Truth Company) Calvert was one of the most productive players in attendance on Saturday, capping his day off with a 38-point performance in their second game. He’s one of the toughest guys on the court everytime he plays and never seems to let up in his gritty approach. He was lights out as a shooter while making great passing reads when attacking downhill. He was...
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Who is the Top Tandem in North Carolina'
Noteworthy duos have long been a major part of building successful basketball teams. Even after the establishment of a “Big Three,” we still see a lot of teams at every level who excel with two star-like talents surrounded by complementary pieces. While this is obviously more challenging at the high school level, plenty of examples exist—especially in North Carolina. For the purposes of this...
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Open Gym Takeaways from Caldwell Academy
Recently, we attended Caldwell Academy’s open gym to get an updated look at their individual pieces and overall team makeup. Coach Clifford is entering his third year at the helm, and this is clearly the most talented roster throughout his tenure. The core of Jaylen Cross, Cole Cloer, King Kendrick, Neal Swindell, Ayden Johnson, Mac Atkinson, and Trevor Holland give them a legitimate rotation of...
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