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Special K’s Hoops Take: Best of August (Part 3)
This August was a month full of very intriguing talent and potential amongst the abundance of teams and players that attended our events. Talent everywhere from High Major Division 1 to Division 3 level players competed all month long. Of the many players I saw this August, a few players really stood out and either made a name for themselves or showed why they were already highly touted.
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HIGHLIGHTS: Upwards Stars vs GA Select All-Stars Decide 17U ACC Championship at #PhenomStayPositive
Check out highlights between Upward Stars and GA Select All Stars at the Phenom Stay Positive. This game featured plenty of college prospects led by Robert McCray (WFU), Keeyan Itejere (Texas), and Elijah Tucker (Xavier).
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Upward Stars 704: A Well-Oiled Machine
After an extensive down-period, the past month has been full of excitement and opportunities for kids to prove themselves to college coaches. While the recruiting process differs greatly from that of a normal summer, everyone has done their part to make the best of this unique situation. Naturally, high-profile programs haven’t suffered as much as most grassroots programs but offers are still...
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As smooth as it gets: 2023 6’4 Caleb Foster
Rick Lewis said it best at the Phenom Stay Positive… Caleb Foster is one smooth operator. It has been amazing to watch the blow-up for Foster, as many could see that he was going to be a name to remember in the 2023 class early on. He gave us glimpses night after night at Hickory Ridge high school, leading his team to an impressive season. But many wouldn’t say they saw this kind of...
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Best of August (Part 1)
This August was a month full of very intriguing talent and potential amongst the abundance of teams and players that attended our events. Talent everywhere from High Major Division 1 to Division 3 level players competed all month long. Of the many players I saw this August, a few players really stood out and either made a name for themselves or showed why they were already highly touted.
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CC Warriors: Proving their Ability
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for another exciting weekend of basketball. We’ve seen a lot of teams over the past month and the CC Elite organization has been on full display throughout the process. At our Phenom Stay Positive, they constructed a Weddington-based group that certainly outperformed expectations with their...
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Coach Mills’ Player Spotlight: 2024 Ja’tez Ward
Let’s talk about an under-the-radar player that impressed me and had a good showing this weekend. Ja'tez Ward form the Juice All-Stars 15u. Ja’tez at 5 '7 has very tight handles and an outstanding basketball IQ. He made everyone on the floor with him better every play.
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Stay Positive (Underrated Gems)
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for another quality event. The competition level was high, featuring numerous new squads and those that we’ve seen throughout the summer—which naturally led to a variety of standout performers. In addition to enticing competition, the atmosphere was exceptional. This article will take a closer look...
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Dawkins’ Stockrisers: Day 2 at Stay Positive
Zymicah Wilkins By: De’Ajai Dawkins 2025 Kaleb Phillips (Team Heat Elite) Kaleb has been making his presence felt through his natural ability to score. He’s a wing player with the size to play in the post and used his combination of size and shooting touch to provide high scoring outputs every game. One thing I appreciate about Kaleb is his willingness to score, he doesn’t allow himself to...
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Bendel’s Best: Phenom Stay Positive
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for another quality event. The competition level was high, featuring numerous new squads and those that we’ve seen throughout the summer—which naturally led to a variety of standout performers. In addition to enticing competition, the atmosphere was exceptional. This article will take a closer look...
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Top Performances from Day 2 at #PhenomStayPositive
Check out some of the top performances from Day 2 at the Phenom Stay Positive NameTeamClassPointsCole CallawayNLPB 204202340Elijah GrayTennessee Bobcats202232Aaron PotterCarolina Rising Stars 17u202131Joshua ScovensNL Disciples202230Jefferson MclambFlash USA202230TJ EdwardsUpstate Select202429Khalil BrantleyMint Hill Lakers202128Caleb FosterCollegiate Prep202327Brock BowenCC Warriors202127Matt...
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Juice All-Stars NC Stephenson is one college coaches need to be on
Phenom Hoops has been quite familiar with the Juice All-Stars program, as they have continued to produce talent at the next level year after year. This year, it looks to be the same but it still seems that this year, some of these guys are getting overlooked.
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15u Championship: Upward Stars Columbia/ Next Level SC goes wire-to-wire
Final:Upward Stars Columbia 2023 66 – Next Level SC 15u 63 The last game of the day and boy, was it a good one. Upward Stars led for much of the second half, using a strong performance from Collin Murray-Boyles, who gave them 19 points. With them holding a lead, Next Level SC 15u scratched away late in t eh game and had a chance to eventually tie the game at the end but it didn’t...
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Day 2 Standouts at Stay Positive
6’0 Brock Bowen of CC Warriors 17U is an elite shooter. Very efficient and shoots the ball from three with a very high percentage. Has a quick smooth stroke that allows him to get his shot off with very little space; doesn’t force anything and takes really smart shots. Has the ability to put the ball on the floor and create for his teammates. Plays within the offense and is someone who can...
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17u SEC Championship: CC Warriors put on a dominant performance
Final:CC Warriors 79 – Collegiate Prep 41 Looking at this game, one would think this was going to be close battle throughout with an array of talent. But it was the cohesive unit of the CC Warriors and shooters that made quick work and jumped out to an impressive lead against a talented Collegiate Prep. They simply never looked back, eventually making it a running clock and earning the...
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17u SEC Consolation Bracket: Team Renegades Elite 17u holds on
Final:Team Renegades 79 – Upstate Warriors 75 It was a high-scoring affair between these two and neither team broke away from each other. Both teams were aggressive on offense all throughout the game. For the Renegades, it was the first-half performance by Shamar Hickson that got their team going, while Reese Evans filled it up in the second half. Jaheim Dodd was nearly unstoppable for the...
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17u ACC Consolation: Juice All-Stars Stephenson wins on game-winning three
Final:Juice All-Stars NC Stephenson 79 – Upward Stars SE Select 2021 78 Maybe the best game of the day and the most exciting ending one as well. These two came to compete and that they did. Two teams mixed with talent all over the court, they went back and forth trading blows, with neither being able to escape eachother. For Upward Stars, it was the play of multiple guys, led by Earl...
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15u Consolation Bracket: HYB Raps Extreme cruises to victory
Final:HYB Raps Extreme 49 – Upstate Select 2024 18 Finishing the day strong is always key and that is what HYB did vs. Upstate Select 2024. IN complete control from the start, HYB did it on both ends, limiting Upstate to only 3 first-half points, while they were able to excute on offense. It was a balanced attack that saw nine players find their way into the scoring column. Impressive win...
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Player Standouts at Day Two of Phenom Stay Positive
6’6 ’22 Jordyn Surratt (Upward Stars) There’s an obvious amount of talent within this Upward Stars roster, and Surratt embraces his identity as well as anyone. He has the ability to be the focal point for a team, but genuinely thrives in any role. Surratt lets the game come to him and makes plays within the flow of the action. He’s a well-rounded wing prospect with IQ, size, skill, athleticism,...
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17u ACC Championship: Upward Stars 3SSB 17u wins at the buzzer
Final:Upward Stars 3SSB 17u 71 – Georgia Stars 70 This was a battle between two heavy-weights at the event. Both teams loaded with D1 talent on the court, these two duked it out all afternoon long. Upward Stars had the early momentum, getting out to a double-digit halftime lead 36-24. It was a balanced attack between four players, with Robert McCray leading the way early. Elijah Tucker...
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13/14u Championship Bracket: Team Heat Elite walks away with title
Final:Team HEAT Elite 64 – Team Truth 58 Out of all the early championship matchups, this was the closest one as these two teams came to battle for a championship. Team Truth held the early 30-27 halftime lead, led by the play of Jackson Fannon with 11 first-half points. But it was all about the second half for Team Heat Elite, with Kaleb Phillips leading the charge. He came alive in the...
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16u Consolation Bracket: Renegades Elite 2022-Cryer cruise to victory
Final:Renegades Elite 2022-Cryer 72 – Charlotte Guards 46 Battling to end an exciting weekend with win, it was the Renegades Elite 2022-Cryer that made a statment in this matchup. Jaxon Brown was off the charts, scoring on multiple levels and leading hte charge while Dre Prince wasn’t far behind. Several other players found their way into the scoring column, as they were able to...
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16u Championship Bracket: Upward Stars 3SSB 16u secures win
Final:Upward Stars 3SSB 16u 77 – Palmetto City Hurricanes 56 It was a battle that everyone was looking for but it was the Upward Stars 3SSB 16u that made a statement quickly in this one vs. the Palmetto City Hurricanes. Loaded with talent at all positions, Upward Stars jumped out quickly to a double-digit lead in the first half led by the play of Isaiah Howell, Emanual Richards, and Julian...
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Top Performances from Day 1 at #PhenomStayPositive
Check out some of the top scoring performances from Day 1 at the Phenom Stay Positive. NameTeamClassPointsCaleb ReamsTeam Trezz Raptors202134Landon KingCharlotte Guards202231Jaydin Spillman-MartinNLPB 204 15u202331Caleb HutchinsPro Skills WInston Salem202431Khalil BrantleyMint Hill Lakers202130Channce CastleCarolina Sonic 16u202229Elijah GrayTennessee Bobcats202229Daevin HobbsNLPB 204...
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Special K’s Hoops Take: Day 1 Late Standouts
6’8 Elijah Gray of Tennessee Bobcats 17U is a very special player. Effects the game in so many ways and is just a winner. Shoots the ball well and is a threat to score from anywhere on the court,three level scorer. Rebounds the ball well on both sides of the basketball and has the handle to get to his spots and really fill it up. Easy to tell why he is a highly touted player! Arguably one of the...
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Evening Standouts at Phenom Stay Positive
6’9 ’21 Bretner Mutombo (Georgia Allstars) The Georgia Allstars roster is certainly loaded with talent, and one could argue that Mutombo is their most enticing long-term prospect. He’s long, athletic, and alters a ton of shots around the basket, which allows him to shine as an exceptional defender. However, Mutombo also showcased a quality amount of skill and fluidity on the other end. He’s a...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Day 1 of #PhenomStayPositive (Part 4)
2021 6’7 Alex Rush (Tennessee Tigers 17u): Rush is a power forward that works really well with his back to the basket, facing up and creating off one or two dribbles, or even showing off his mid-range shot. Liked his feel for the game around the basket. 2021 6’7 Sam Specht (Tennessee Tigers 17u): A young man that has the size to compete down low, which he showed at times as well but also a...
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Dawkins’ Stockrisers: Phenom Stay Positive (Day 1)
2023 6’5 Justice Johnson (HYB Raps Extreme) HYB Raps Extreme 15U boasts one of this weekends most consistently dominant big man duos. Justice Johnson and Shymek Jones are both aggressive glass cleaners that are capable of leading their team in scoring. Justice is the shorter of the two and makes up for the 2 inch height different with his authoritative presence in the paint. Whether it’s...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Day 1 at #PhenomStayPositive (Part 3)
2022 6’8 Elijah Gray (Tennessee Bobcats): Gray was off the charts in Game 1 on Day 1, scoring 29 points to help his team to a victory. He made his presence known all over the court, as the stretch forward was a mismatch scoring from the perimeter, putting it on the deck, and rebounding then pushing it out in transition. 2022 6’3 Sam Cogan (Team Denver NC): Cogan continues to produce every...
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POB’s Eye Catchers: Day 1 at #PhenomStayPositive (Part 2)
2022 6’6 Caleb Owens (Next Level Elite 16u): Owens grabbed my attention quickly in this game. We are talking about a 6’6 prospect that has a comfortable feel on both ends at multiple spots. He does a lot of the dirty work and works incredibly hard on both ends. Owens was able to get out in space, find openings, and use his strength well around the rim. Aggressive nature....
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