It is a standard practice that we, at Phenom Hoop Report, don't rank players until they have finished their freshman year in high school. That being said, we will take a closer look at some of the players that should make an immediate impact this coming season. In (Part 1), we took a look at Jaylen Curry, Addison Archer, Trey Green, London Johnson, and Treymane Parker. See attached link: 'https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/north-carolina-2023-watch-list-part-1/
In our (Part 2) segment, we looked at Jaydon Young, Aden Holloway, Mekhi Grant, Callum Richard, and Alik Lewis. See attached link'https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/north-carolina-2023-watch-list-part-2/
In our (Part 3) segment, we looked at Bryce Cash, Marcus Brown, Dice Royster, Robert Dillingham, and Cole Calloway. See attached link: https://www.phenomhoopreport.com/north-carolina-2023-watch-list-part-3/
5'10 Will Otto (Raleigh, Broughton)
Many folks already know about most of the players on this list, but Otto is one of the lesser-known guys in this class. He's from Raleigh, but no one ever seems to mention his name with the top guards'yet. Otto has attended two of our camps, one in seventh and eighth grade, and we've simply raved about his craftiness, efficiency, advanced feel, and ability to already assert himself as a three-level scorer with any group of teammates. He also creates well for others and plays extremely tough on defense.
6'2 Tyler Bailey (Winston-Salem, Lincoln Academy)
With Lincoln Academy recently moving to Winston-Salem, many folks are already buzzing about the potential of this current group with guys like McGowens, Wood, and others forming a powerhouse. However, more people should be talking about the addition of Bailey, who adds an excellent blend of productivity and long-term upside to this squad. He's a long, athletic bucket-getter from the wing position with a game-changing scoring presence.
6'3 Kobe George (Greensboro, Ben L. Smith)
There is a ton of upcoming talent in the Greensboro area, but George might truly be the best of them all. He's a long, smooth, athletic guard prospect that already has a phenomenal blend of skill and physical tools. George is a quality ball-handler and creator with the ability to score in a variety of different ways while being a positive rebounder and tough overall defender. He might be Smith's most polished rising freshman in recent memory and should have the ability to contribute right away.
6'0 Tomir Moore (Kinston, Kinston)
In terms of guys that folks should invest in, Moore should certainly be close to the top of the list. He's a calm, quiet guard prospect that possesses all the tools to be dominant. Moore is a strong ball-handler and playmaker with sharp quickness, penetrating instincts, and the ability to reliably pile on points from all three levels. He's a leader by example on both ends of the floor and understands how to set the tempo as a point guard. Moore also has the best trajectory of this group, given how quickly he's developed over the last few years.
5'9 Khamani Wertz (Charlotte, Providence Day)
Arguably no player on this list has higher expectations than Wertz, who is the younger brother of Trey at Santa Clara. He's grown over the recent months but has maintained his foundation quite nicely, already able to actively assert himself as a shooting threat from anywhere on the perimeter. Wertz, like his brother, will only continue to physically mature over the coming years but already offers a lot worth getting excited about.