Two weeks back, Phenom Hoop Report hosted their second annual Grassroots Tip-Off Classic. Over 115 teams from across nine different states made their way to four different venues in Greensboro, North Carolina to showcase their talents to a plethora D1, D2, D3 and JUCO coaches. After scouting such a wide variety of talent, we made a list of standouts from both 16U divisions that stood out the most over the course of the weekend.
16U STANDOUTS:
5’9” SO. Chuck Hill Jr.
HIGH SCHOOL– Highland Springs (Highland Springs, VA)
AAU PROGRAM– River City Reign- Parham (Richmond, VA)
THOUGHTS ON HILL:
River City Reign, an AAU program based out of Richmond, Virginia, is known for having some of the states’ most elite talent in all age divisions. When Team Parham rolled into Southwest Guilford Gymnasium late that Friday evening, I immediately knew they came to Greensboro to compete for a title. During the early stages of their round one win against BWSL- Berry, point guard Chuck Hill Jr. quickly caught my attention. Despite being a tad bit undersized, the 5’9” sophomore proved he didn’t fear any competition. Right from the start, Hill put his skills on display. Possession after possession, the young gun hustled hard to make crucial plays for his squad. On offense, he was flat-out electric. Hill used his BLAZING speed and shifty ball-handling ability to set the tempo for the majority of the game. He distributed the ball well, had phenomenal court vision, and knocked down several shots from all over the floor. Defensively, Hill was an animal. His tight on-ball defense led to countless amounts of turnovers throughout the course of the weekend. He was scrappy, fierce, and on a mission to make his name known. Whenever his squad needed a big time stop, Hill was there to get the job done down the stretch. His all-around game was beyond impressive. With time, Hill could develop into a force in the coming years. His positive attitude and determined mindset will have college coaches drooling when senior year rolls around. Did I forget to mention this stud has a 3.8GPA' Hill’s possibilities are endless.
5’11” SO. Zane Rankin
HIGH SCHOOL– Charlotte United Christian Academy (Charlotte, NC)
AAU PROGRAM– Metrolina Havoc (Charlotte, NC)
THOUGHTS ON RANKIN:
Zane Rankin put on for the 704 at the Grassroots TOC. Going into the event, we weren’t exactly familiar with the Charlotte native, but after a strong first round performance, we knew we had to take a closer look. Rankin is an explosive player with an extremely gifted offensive skill set. He’s a consistent shooter with an absurd amount of athleticism and that high motor that all coaches desire. Shot after shot, bucket after bucket, Rankin was fantastic. He finished well around the rim and attacked the glass strong with confidence at all times. When the shots weren’t falling, Rankin did an outstanding job finding ways to create plays for his squad. Whether it was setting a tough screen, or dishing the rock, the 5’11” sophomore always gave it his all. His style of play is very exciting. For a guard, Rankin is great in the post. He rebounds well on both sides of the ball, and isn’t afraid to get a little rowdy against opposing bigs. He’s the type of player that leaves you on the edge of your seat, eager to see what’s going to happen next. He’s a true team player with a deep passion for the game. His defensive game and ball handling could use some improvement, and he will need to add a little meat on his bones, but keep in mind, he’s only a sophomore. If he can continue to perform at a high level, and focus on the little aspects of his game, Rankin could definitely take his talents to the next level. Look out for the “Zane Train” this summer.
6’2” SO. Robbie Osbourne
HIGH SCHOOL– Hermitage (Henrico, VA)
AAU PROGRAM– River City Reign- Parham (Richmond, VA)
THOUGHTS ON OSBOURNE:
Robbie Osbourne was debatably one of the strongest performers from all age divisions at the Grassroots TOC. His all-around performance was absolutely sensational. Day after day, the 6’2” sophomore continuously put in work. Osbourne is a VERY physical player with an extraordinarily high basketball IQ who never backs down from a challenge. He’s a reliable player on both ends of the floor that wants nothing more than a big time win. Offensively, he was virtually unstoppable. Whenever he received the ball, opponents knew he was about to take control. His versatility and bulldog strength allowed him to consistently drive by opponents, leading to an easy lay in, or a trip to the foul line on countless possessions. In the trenches, Osbourne was a behemoth. He brought down double-digit boards in every contest, and fought hard to earn his points. My man was a true double-double machine! Defensively, he was outrageous. Osbourne’s long arms and elusiveness allowed him to guard every position on the floor. He blocked shots, forced steals, and added a much-needed spark for his squad during crunch time. His effort was truly mind-blowing. With the summer live period quickly approaching, expect Osbourne’s recruiting stock to explode. Coaches in need of a hard-working warrior need to keep a close eye on this kid.
OTHER NOTABLE 16U STANDOUTS:
Christian Eitel- Upward Stars Upstate- Mills
Cle’Von Greene- BWSL- Berry
Colton Williams- Cary Rimrockers
Darius McGhee- Mid State Magic
Douglas Elks- WCBA Elite- White
Shelby Gaines- Low Country Elite