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Wildcats Elite Core of College-Level Pieces
The travel ball season is finally coming to an end as we approach the final weekends of July. However, the upcoming weekend still gives players the opportunity to be seen by all levels of college coaches before the high school season. This weekend, the Phenom Hoops Summer Havoc is set to be loaded with countless teams and individuals worthy of attention from college coaches. Although they’ve...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Live (Part Four)
6’1 ’26 Cade Keller (Foothills Basketball) Several guys were standouts for this Foothills Basketball group, and that certainly includes Keller and everything he provided. He’s a knockdown shooter with a nice combination of IQ, creation skills, and off-ball ability. Keller is a well-rounded player who knows how to find success with or without the ball in his hands. He’s capable of filling it up...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Live (Part Three)
6’0 ’26 Johnston Abrams (Stars Gold) Reliable point guard play is so important, especially at the high school level, and it feels like Abrams is someone who should start receiving more attention from college coaches. He’s somewhat unassuming as a smaller guard, but he makes a visible impact on the court. Abrams is a smart, heady guard who knows how to run the team or play without the ball. He’s...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Live (Part Two)
6’6 ’25 Jayden Dixie (TNT HoopSquad) Although his teammate made a ton of noise, Dixie is another guy from this team that college coaches should be eyeing. He’s a long, wiry, skilled forward who naturally creates matchup problems with his blend of size and perimeter ability. Dixie was comfortable creating with the ball in his hands and asserting himself or setting up others. He mixed it up well...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Live (Part One)
6’6 ’25 Derek Studer (Foothills Basketball) Although he’s already committed to Roanoke, Studer took the opportunity to play a few games in front of his new head coach. It’s easy to see the increase in confidence and the expansion of his skillset over the last twelve months. Studer still possesses a lot of ability as a smooth, polished scorer around the basket. He finishes with both hands,...
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Is Keyonee Terry Taking the Next Step in His Progression'
Player development is one of the most fascinating parts of evaluating prospects. Every year, we see unexpected guys emerge and high-upside players begin tapping into their potential. Conversely, there are plenty of talented individuals who stop developing or quit working on their game before they’ve actually “made it.” There is no definitive way to differentiate between those who will pan out...
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Why Williams Itumo Should Be a Target for Division I Coaches
Certain types of player archetypes will always be coveted in basketball. Although these trends tend to fluctuate with the times, versatile forwards and rim-protecting big men are the most desirable. This is largely due to the pure fact that there are limited players with size… but even fewer with size and skill or size and the natural instincts required to anchor a defense at a high level. This...
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Player Standouts at Phenom PXB Nationals (Part Three)
6’3 ’30 Sonny Watkins (Team Loaded) Though young, it’s easy to see the long-term potential with Watkins. He’s clearly grown in size while developing his skillset and general feel on both ends of the floor. Watkins showed the ability to knock down jumpers, attack off the bounce, and play with or without the ball in his hands. He finishes well around the basket and makes his presence felt...
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Player Standouts at Phenom PXB Nationals (Part Two)
6’8 ’27 Reid Johannes (1 of 1 Elite) There’s been a lot of buzz surrounding Johannes over the summer season, and rightfully so, as it’s easy to see his appeal as an overall prospect. He’s a long, wiry, athletic big man with touch, perimeter shooting, and the ability to apply consistent pressure above the rim. Johannes utilizes his length well to block or alter shots defensively, but will only...
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Player Standouts at Phenom PXB Nationals
6’5 ’27 Thomas Bowes (Dub Salem) After losing one of their top players to injury, Bowes has visibly stepped up as a focal point for this group. He’s a versatile wing/forward with the size and ball skills to create matchup problems for opponents. Bowes is at his best when getting downhill and attacking the basket, but can also set up others and knock down jumpers at a solid rate. He’s a quality...
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Aaliyah Mack: A Dominant Force in the Class of 2029
Player: Aaliyah MackClass: 2029AAU: DreamSchool: Fairmont Prep We have been learning of several names over the last few events and expanded our coverage out to Kansas City as of late. We had a change to watch some impressive young talent at the US Open Basketball Championships recently, and 2029 Aaliyah Mack with Dream was one that certainly stood out. Mack is a true force on the court. ...
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Deserving of Attention: CJ Jones
Although it’s not Charlotte or Raleigh, the Triad (Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem) has consistently produced some of the top basketball players in North Carolina. Despite this, the area still has plenty of players who are underrated or overlooked by college coaches. Public schools in the greater Greensboro area are terrific places for next-level programs to find diamonds in the rough....
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Young Duo Shines for Chapmanville
Over the years, Chapmanville High School (WV) has become somewhat of a staple with Phenom Hoops. In addition to previously holding an event in their area, we’ve seen several of their kids at camps, travel ball events, and high school showcases. They’ve had guys like Obinna Anochili-Killen, Andrew Shull, David Tubek, Philip Mullins, and various others throughout the years. Just a few weeks ago,...
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Is Northwest Guilford Back on the Rise'
Given how things fluctuated throughout the high school basketball landscape over the last decade or so, many teams have dealt with real ups and downs. While it’s often more applicable to public-school squads, we’ve even seen private and independent schools losing their kids to programs from other states. This is nothing new. However, there should be optimism about the general restoration of...
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Notable Juniors Poised for a Breakout Season
6’6 Keyonee Terry (Crossroads Christian) There are a lot of intriguing prospects within this class, and that certainly includes Terry. He possesses obvious physical appeal with his blend of length, fluidity, and athleticism. Terry has the necessary size and instincts to toggle between multiple positions defensively. He forces turnovers at a healthy rate and pushes transition play whenever...
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Kona Stingrays Make a Statement at the US Open Central Division
Traveling over 3,800 miles from Hawaii all the way to Kansas City, the Kona Stingrays did more than just compete at the 2025 US Open Basketball Championships (Central Division) — they brought grit, heart, and talent. Competing in an event that was filled with tough competition and strong programs, the Stingrays wasted no time making their presence known. From the opening tip, their intensity,...
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Coastal Carolina Secures Pair of North Carolina Commitments
Last week, Coach Gray and Coastal Carolina came into North Carolina and secured commitments from Q Williams (Forsyth Country Day) and Jordan Buzzard (Carmel Christian). Both players held multiple Division I offers, but decided to call it for the Chanticleers. This article will take a closer look at what each guy could potentially bring to the table… In looking at Williams, he’s a smart, smaller...
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Chambers Shifts to New Leadership
Arguably, no public-school program in North Carolina has seen more talent come through their doors over the last few years than Chambers. They’ve had players like Jaylen Curry, Daniel Sanford, Daniel Ransom, Maurio Hanson, Trey Green, Nick Dorn, Osvaldo Haynes, Tarris Bouie, Markus Kerr, and countless other college-level players. However, the recent departures of Bouie and Kerr leave Coach...
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Is Geren Holmes a Top-Ten Player in North Carolina’s Class of 2027'
Opportunity is one of the most important things in life. We see a job, connection, or general circumstances as a newfound chance to seize what we value. Basketball is no different, particularly in today’s world. There are countless examples of players taking advantage of fresh opportunities to properly spread their wings. Oftentimes, these situations involve reclassifying, transferring schools,...
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POB’s Best of the Best: US Open Basketball (Central Division)
Phenom Hoops had a tremendous opportunity to go out to Kansas City to check in and help out with the US Open Basketball. It was terrific to check out new talent from all over the country once again, learning plenty of new names and new programs. Here were some of the best players I saw from the weekend. 2027 Chase Branham (KC Run GMC) Branham is a known name coming in and he showed why on...
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A Star in the Making: 2029 Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs (Dream City)
Player: Jaiyana Bogan-JacobsClass: 2029AAU: Dream City Offers: Arizona State, Louisville, SMU, Arizona, Alabama Talk about a player impressing us at the US Open Basketball Championships in Kansas City this past weekend… 2029 5’11 Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs is already a name worth watching and that will only continue to be seen as she will be regarded as one of the premier talents in the country in the...
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Does Greensboro Day Have the Most Talent in North Carolina'
Given the history of success the Greensboro Day School Bengals have enjoyed throughout Coach Freddy Johnson’s nearly 50 years at the helm, folks naturally assume the on-court product will eventually start to decline. However, they clearly have different plans. Although one could still argue that the 2016-17 crew (JP Morman, Will Dillard, John Newman, Jordan Perkins, Solomon Smith, and several...
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What More Do Coaches Want from Ian Bailey'
Every few years, a player will come through the North Carolina high school scene who is universally loved, yet lacks the deserved recruitment. Think back to guys like Chase Lowe or Toby Harris and how they struggled to collect offers. Sure, they weren’t perfect players but there was an obvious gap between their actual ability and what coaches seemed to think. Fast-forward to now, and both guys...
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Hudson Heim is Next: Intangibles, Size, and Star Power in 2030
Phenom Hoops had a tremendous opportunity to go out to Kansas City to check in and help out with the US Open Basketball. It was terrific to check out new talent from all over the country once again, learning plenty of new names and new programs. One player that garnered our attention quickly and throughout the tournament was 2030 6’5 Hudson Heim with KC Run GMC. We had high praise after Day 1,...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 2 at US Open Basketball Championships Central Division
2028 Dylan Betts (Tru Colorado) Betts was one we were eager to see again in action, as he will be regarded as one of the top prospects in his class. As a 7-footer, Betts continues to showcase his impact on both ends as well as his overall development. He looks bigger and stronger since last year watching him, more fluid and comfortable in operating in the post, and continues to flourish as a...
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NCISAA Live Period Day 1 Standouts
Discover some of the top performances from Day 1 of the NCISAA Live Period, where standout players showcased their skills and leadership on the court. 2026 Q Williams – Forsyth Country Day An electric small guard who runs the show and creates for others. Q made key reads, especially at the end of the game, helping his team secure the win over Davidson Day. His in-between game and ability...
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POB’s Eye Catchers from Day 1 at the US Open Basketball (Central)
2030 Hudson Heim (KC Run GMC) Heim may have been the best prospect and the one with the most potential on Day 1 that I saw. Standing at 6’5, he offers a lot with his game and versatility. Heim does a great job in running the floor, operating from the perimeter, knocking down shots from outside but also being an impact player in running the court to finish. Loved his overall presence and think he...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Team Camp Session II (2028/2029) Part Two
6’6 ’28 Roman Solheim (Northwest Guilford) In terms of intrigue, Solheim was easily one of the most enticing standouts on display. He’s a very smart, skilled forward who sets the tone with his effort, well-rounded skillset, and leadership by example. Solheim is able to naturally cause matchup problems for opponents. He knows how to initiate the offense, create for himself and others, and assert...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Team Camp Session II (2028)
6’8 ’28 Chase Smith (Queens Grant) After one of the most productive freshman campaigns throughout North Carolina, Smith looks even better entering his sophomore season. He’s a very strong, skilled forward/post player with impressive polish and a reliable two-way presence. Smith finishes well with both hands and plays above the rim as needed. He’s comfortable at scoring out of the post or spacing...
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Player Standouts at Phenom Team Camp Session II (2027) (Part Two)
6’5 ’27 Bryce Chapman (Bishop McGuinness) There are a lot of guys who have the potential for breakout seasons, and that certainly includes Chapman. In addition to growing and getting stronger, Chapman’s game is evolving. He’s always been a quality finisher with the ability to move without the ball and score around the basket. However, his game is expanding towards the perimeter. Chapman...
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