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MVP Type Performances: Seros Invitational
The Seros Invitational stage was set for high-level competition, and several players delivered performances worthy of MVP consideration. Over the weekend, the Rise Sports Center (Bermuda Run, NC) became a showcase of talent, grit, and big-time moments, as athletes rose to the occasion when the lights were brightest. From dominant scoring runs to game-changing defensive stands, these players...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Seros Invitational (Part Two)
6’8 ’26 Alan Shi (Drifty Elite) The Drifty Elite roster certainly generated a lot of buzz, and Shi was as productive as anyone on the team. He’s an athletic, high-motor post player with great size, strength, and versatility on both ends of the floor. Shi rebounds the ball really well and can push the break himself or fill the lane in transition. He finishes above the rim with regularity, but can...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Seros Invitational
6’10 ’27 Lincoln Cosby (444 Athletics) It doesn’t take long to see why Cosby is such a highly regarded prospect. At 6-foot-10, he’s a walking mismatch. Cosby is an incredibly fluid athlete with an impressive skillset for his size/position. He handles the ball, creates well for himself and others off the bounce, and mixes it up as a scorer from all levels. Cosby is clearly at his best when...
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Bendel’s Best: Seros Invitational
This past weekend, Phenom Hoops concluded the travel ball season by combining the Seros Invitational with our Summer Finale. The event was absolutely loaded with talent, featuring an all-star lineup of names and teams across all age groups. Kids were in awe of the several popular social media figures in the building, but there was also plenty of quality basketball on display. Although it was a...
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POB’s Standouts from Day 1 at Seros Invitational
2028 Micah Gunter (DWOK) “I’m eager to see more of 2028 Micah Gunter (DWOK) this weekend. Big fan of his game and proving to be one of the top guards in the state. Crafty and creative scorer, confident jumper, and strong overall playmaker.” 2027 Reese Alston (Cooz) “2027 Reese Alston (Cooz Elite) has such a methodical approach to the game. Love his overall feel and patience on the court,...
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2026 Ian Bailey Staying Home, Commits to UNC-Asheville
Each and every time Phenom Hoops gets to report or see 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 of playing at the next level, and it is a truly remarkable accomplishment for them. Here is the latest commitment. Player: Ian BaileyClass: 2026Committed to: UNC-Asheville Phenom 1-on-1: Phenom: What made you...
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2026 Jyi Dawkins Drawing Strong Interest, Locks In Two Key Visits
2026 Jyi Dawkins continues to generate buzz on the recruiting trail, as interest from college programs remains strong heading into the fall. After an impressive summer showing his explosiveness, scoring ability, and overall versatility on the court, Dawkins has started to narrow his focus and recently scheduled two key visits. With his recruitment heating up, Dawkins remains a name to monitor...
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Summer Stock Risers: Meet South Carolina’s Class of 2027 Breakouts
2027 6’8 Jackson Terrell (Middleton Hoops) Terrell is a highly intriguing 6’8” forward who continues to elevate his game and grab attention with his play this summer. His blend of size, mobility, and strength makes him a matchup problem on both ends of the floor. Terrell commands the paint with physicality, finishes through contact, and consistently controls the boards. What sets him apart is...
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Rising Seniors to Watch: Impressive Senior Campaigns Ahead – Part 1
As the upcoming high school basketball season approaches, anticipation builds around several rising seniors poised to leave a lasting impact on the court. These athletes have already demonstrated their skills and potential, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting senior year. Karsten Swinney – Freedom Christian Academy Karsten Swinney of Freedom Christian Academy has proven...
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Updated Team List for Seros Invitational and Summer Finale (17U-14U)
17U 434 Supreme AVL Hustle Carolina Rockets Drifty Elite DWOK Elite DWWD East Elite Harrisburg Hornets MAADWEST Elite No Hype SB Allstars Team Charlotte Team Crews Team Global Select Warriors Elite 16U 444 Athletics PRO16 Atlanta Xpress UAA CC Elite Cooz Elite PRO16 Dedicated to Excellence JahWorkouts Corbin JahWorkouts Coverdale MAADWEST Elite NC Rise Smith No Hype Rockets Elite Salem Shooters...
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The Five Worst Contracts in the NBA
Considering August is one of the only periods of the year when basketball isn’t being played, there’s no better time to look at a different collection of topics…like NBA contracts. The salary cap is one of the biggest separators between collegiate and professional basketball, but it’s unclear if the general masses truly comprehend contract value. People see Karl-Anthony Towns making $53 million...
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The Five Best Contracts in the NBA
Considering August is one of the only periods of the year when basketball isn’t being played, there’s no better time to look at a different collection of topics…like NBA contracts. The salary cap is one of the biggest separators between collegiate and professional basketball, but it’s unclear if the general masses truly comprehend contract value. People see Karl-Anthony Towns making 53 million...
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Can Wake Forest’s Juke Harris Take the Next Step in Leading the Demon Deacons?
Wake Forest has been an interesting team over the years, building strong seasons but coming up short in making the NCAA Tournament as of late. Coach Forbes and the rest of the roster would love nothing more than to end that with yet another successful season after going 21-11 last year. After losing some strong talent from last year’s team, Wake Forest will be looking for others to step up and...
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2026 Elton James Eyeing Upcoming Visits/ Decision After Breakout Summer Surge
After a breakout summer that turned heads, 2026 Elton James has firmly cemented himself as a rising name in recruiting circles. His consistent production, two-way versatility, and athletic upside have led to a wave of Division I offers and growing interest from several programs. With recent visits and more on the horizon, James spoke with Phenom Hoops about the latest in his recruitment, the...
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Changing Faces, Steady Focus: Butler Aims to Keep Winning
Terrance Badio The Butler Bulldogs will be looking a bit different this upcoming season, though there are still a few familiar faces on the team. After finishing 15-13 overall last year, Butler will be losing two key seniors in 2025 Caleb Milligan and 2025 Reece Starnes, both of whom impacted the game in a variety of areas. But, even with those losses, there is still expectations for this team...
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North Carolina’s Depleting Class of 2026
Although player movement has become more common than ever, transferring schools or leaving the state is not a universally proven method. There have been countless players who have made big moves over the years, both to national programs and notable local schools, and the results tend to vary heavily by individual. We are not aiming to highlight positives or negatives, but rather trying to...
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Is Jeremiah Triplin Trending Towards National Status?
It’s amazing to see the patterns and inconsistencies within the general development of young basketball prospects. There are usually no definitive indicators to determine whether a player will or won’t pan out, but certain traits are rare enough to turn heads. Consider a player like Jeremiah Triplin, whose size was his unique attribute at an early age. Unfortunately, that’s only half the battle....
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Trio of Immediate Impact Freshmen in North Carolina
Each year, the state is replenished with a new litter of freshmen prospects. Although the talent level varies heavily from one season to the next, there’s always some level of excitement surrounding the new or unknown. Over the next few months, we will start to get a better idea of young guys who should be difference-makers for their high school teams. However, plenty of players have already...
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Recruitment Just Starting for 2028 Justice Alexander with offers coming in
The talent in the Class of 2028 here in North Carolina is shaping up quite nicely, as we continue to learn more names and discover new talents around the state. But one thing is for sure already, 2028 6’0 Justice Alexander has proven that she will be one of the top players in her class. Alexander has been one we have watched for several years now, and it was easy to see the talent and...
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Towering Talent: Obinna Ekezie Gaining Major Interest Across the Country
Standing at a towering 7-foot, 2027 Obinna Ekezie is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing big men in the country. With a blend of size, skill, and evolving versatility, Ekezie turned heads all summer long—and college programs are taking serious notice. As he prepares for a new chapter at a different high school program this upcoming season, the rising big man spoke with Phenom Hoops to...
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Recruitment Heating Up: 2026 Cameron Newman Breaking Down Key Visits and Interests
2026 Cameron Newman has continued to elevate his game and draw attention from college programs. With a strong high school showing and summer, Newman is now starting to take a harder look at a few specific schools in his recruitment. Phenom Hoops caught up with the talented point guard to get the latest on where things stand, what visits he plans to take, and which programs are standing out as he...
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Next Steps: 6’10 Will Stevens Locks In Visits, Trims List
Standing at 6’10 with a versatile skill set and growing interest from college programs, 2026 Will Stevens is starting to map out the next steps in his recruitment. After a strong showing this summer, Stevens has drawn offers and attention from a range of schools—but now he’s beginning to narrow his list and schedule key visits. Phenom Hoops spoke with Stevens to get the latest on which programs...
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Is 2027 6’5 Jaxon Dollar the next dual-sport star from North Carolina?
North Carolina is really becoming a hot-bed of dual-sport stars, especially more on the national level. There have been plenty of names in the past, and that trend seems to be continuing today. 2026 Kendre Harrison was certainly a big name both for football and basketball, as the now Oregon commit has proven to be a force on both the field and court. His teammate of 2026 Dionte Neal could...
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Summer Stock Risers: Meet South Carolina’s Class of 2026 Breakouts
South Carolina’s 2026 class continues to rise, and this summer was proof of that. Whether it was picking up new offers, showing out at premier events, or proving themselves against national talent, several prospects made their names known in a major way. This group displayed a strong mix of size, athleticism, and polish, and they’ve positioned themselves for a big high school season ahead. From...
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West Charlotte Heating Up: Could a Title Be Next?
Chacho Womack Why not start the conversation early on? With the realignments throughout the NCHSAA, there will be several teams that will have a chance to contend for a state title. And though there will be favorites already heading into the season, we are looking at a few dark horses coming into the season. And West Charlotte will be on my list. Coming off a season in which they finished...
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2026 BJ Brown: 6’5 Prospect Picking Up Offers and Gaining Recognition
Player: BJ BrownHeight: 6’5School: Sumter HSTravel Ball: Upward Stars When talking about underrated talents around the region, I believe 2026 6’5 BJ Brown would fit that model. A prospect from Sumter HS down in South Carolina, Brown has continued to be a pivotal piece to his team’s success no matter what and proves that he can be a strong piece on the court. With his blend of size, shot-making,...
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Summer Standout: 2026 6’10 Hendrix Loughridge Emerging as a Must-Watch Big
Player: Hendrix LoughridgeClass: 2026Height: 6’10AAU: PSB TampaSchool: The Rock National Highlighting another player that caught the attention of many scouts from Phenom Hoops was 2026 6’10 Hendrix Loughridge out of Florida. Recently coming to North Carolina at the Summer Havoc, the big man certainly had the attention of many, and college coaches sat baseline throughout. There was a lot of...
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Can 2028 CJ Moore From South Carolina Break into the National Spotlight?
What a weekend it was at the PHL Finals, as the talent was deep and the competition was off the charts. Phenom Hoops had a chance to watch a lot of excellent battles, as players stepped up in a big way to help secure a championship from a busy summer. One player that was the talk of the event was 2028 6’6 CJ Moore, who was playing up for the Upward Stars Columbia 16u team and took home MVP...
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Top-100 Talent in the Making? Keep an Eye on 2029 Bronx Ganaway
Over the summer, Phenom Hoops had a chance to head out to Kansas City for the US Open Championships. We had a terrific time, checking in on familiar faces but also learning several other new names we believe you will learn about in the coming years. One player that really grabbed our attention throughout the event was 2029 6’7 Bronx Ganaway from KC Run GMC. He was a standout all through the...
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Georgetown Lands a Force: 2026 Justin Caldwell is Headed to the Hoyas
Player: Justin CaldwellClass: 2026Height: 6’9School: Fayetteville AcademyCommitted to: Georgetown Caldwell is the first commitment for Georgetown in the Class of 2026 Thoughts on Commitment: Georgetown was able to come into North Carolina and secure yet another commitment from the state, as 2026 6’9 Justin Caldwell announced he would be heading there. Caldwell has undoubtedly been a producer...
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