Phenom Hoops College Basketball Coverage
Duke Is Loaded—But Deron Rippey Jr. Has My Attention
College basketball season can’t come quickly enough, as the conversations have already begun about who will be cutting down the nets at the end of the year. Even though rosters can change at any moment in today’s landscape, there are still plenty of storylines that have caught my attention heading into the season. One of the biggest for me is the loaded roster that Duke has assembled. Returning...
read more
From the Phenom Hoops Platform to the NBA: Five Alumni Hear Their Names Called in the 2026 NBA Draft
Another year, another milestone for the Phenom Hoops family. The 2026 NBA Draft once again showcased the impact of the Phenom Hoops platform, as five former standouts who competed in front of our scouts and on our courts officially heard their names called on one of basketball’s biggest nights. From future lottery picks to second-round steals, these players have all been part of the Phenom...
read more
Will Ace Flagg take a big sophomore jump at Maine this season?
Player: Ace FlaggClass: SophomoreHeight: 6’7School: Maine Last Season: Played in 32 games, started in 11 games/ Averaged 6.7ppg and 4.1rpg last season, while also recording 43 steals and 13 blocks. The Black Bears of Maine are hoping to turn things around this season after finishing 8-24 overall and 6-10 in conference play, and a building block that they hope to take the next step is...
read more
Could Riley Jacobs be the Breakout Player for UMBC this Season?
Player: Riley JacobsClass: SophomoreHeight: 6’9Position: Forward Last Season: 16 Games Started as a Freshman/ Averaged 4.3ppg, 3.8rpg/ Recorded 22 dunks to lead the team, along with 18 blocks Is it too early to talk college basketball? Well, we are starting it anyway, as we look at players and teams around the country as early storylines to watch out for. Diving a bit into the America East...
read more
2026 NBA Mock Draft
1. Washington Wizards (17-65) Prediction: AJ Dybantsa Rotation: Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, Will Riley, Bilal Coulibaly, Tre Johnson, Kyshawn George, Justin Champagnie, Trae Young (?), Anthony Davis (?) Biggest Need: Leadership After three straight years of winning less than 20 games (and eight consecutive seasons of being below .500), the Washington Wizards finally have the opportunity to change...
read more
NC Roots, New Paths: Former North Carolina Players in the Transfer Portal (Part 2)
The movement continues. As the transfer portal reshapes rosters across the country, North Carolina products remain heavily involved—making moves at every level of college basketball. From Power 5 programs to mid-major impact players, these former in-state standouts are finding new opportunities and positioning themselves for bigger roles. Here’s Part 2 of our look at former North Carolina high...
read more
What’s Next in Chapel Hill: Coaching Candidates to Look At
It was certainly big news down in Chapel Hill with the recent news surrounding Hubert Davis, and now North Carolina will be searching for a new head coach to lead the charge. Many believe this will be outside the Carolina tree, something I truly believe is necessary in the world of college basketball today. We put together a list of coaches that I believe should be getting the calls and looks,...
read more
Transfer Portal Highlight: 6’6 Ryan Blount
Player: Ryan BlountClass: SophomoreHeight: 6’6Program: Tampa Stats: 21ppg, 41% from 3, 7.3rpg, and 3.1 apg Talking about another player that should be highly-coveted by D1 programs, 6’6 Ryan Blount announced he has entered the transfer portal, and he should be a hot name for many. Blount was one that Phenom Hoops RAVED about years ago, saying college coaches should be all over this young man....
read more
Desmond Kent Jr. Dominating for Chipola
It’s no secret that timing plays a critical role for every individual in the game of basketball. Whether development, opportunity, or something completely unforeseen, circumstances have a way of shaping how things unfold. This is especially true nowadays, when college coaches are visibly prioritizing older players over high school prospects. In turn, the JUCO route has become much more...
read more
NBA Trade Deadline Thoughts (Part Three)
Mavericks Receive: Khris Middleton, AJ Johnson, Malaki Branham, Marvin Bagley III, two first-round picks, and three second-round picks Washington Receives: Anthony Davis, Jaden Hardy, D’Angelo Russell, and Dante Exum If we hadn’t already lived through the 2025 NBA Trade Deadline, this one might’ve been the weirdest, most perplexing week of trades yet. Only a year removed from flipping Luka...
read more
NBA Trade Deadline Thoughts (Part Two)
Bulls Receive: Jaden Ivey, Mike Conley Pistons Receive: Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric, first-round pick swap Wolves Receive: Cash Although one could argue that each of these trades is somewhat bizarre, Detroit salary-dumping Ivey was certainly unexpected. Sure, he was probably set to get overpaid in the offseason, but flipping him into two non-assets and a pick that likely won’t be higher than...
read more
NBA Trade Deadline Thoughts (Part One)
Cavaliers Receives: James Harden Clippers Receive: Darius Garland, second-round pick Listen, NBA general managers may have their own logic and process. However, this feels like an absolutely inexcusable trade by Cleveland. So, let’s at least try to understand. The only positive spin for Cleveland is flipping Garland’s three-year contract into Harden’s two-year contract (with basically the same...
read more
Is Donovan Atwell the Best Shooter in the Country'
Whether in the collegiate or professional ranks, it feels like more and more North Carolina natives seem to emerge each year. As we’ve stated in previous articles, so much of development is contingent on time, resources, and work ethic. Although there are several examples worth highlighting, Donovan Atwell has been as impressive as anyone. Now making noise as arguably the top three-point shooter...
read more
Josiah Parker Emerging as a Potential Star for FAU
Over the years, countless notable players have come through the North Carolina high school scene. While many of these prospects were born or raised in the state, there are typically several transfers who make noise in their own regard. Take Josiah Parker, for example. The 6-foot-7 forward transferred to Combine Academy last year after completely transforming his body and blossoming as a...
read more
Who Should Be The Top Pick in The 2026 NBA Draft'
As we inch closer to NBA All-Star Weekend, a lot of the attention has gradually shifted from nightly competition to the upcoming draft. In what should be considered one of the most talented drafts ever, there is constant discussion and debate surrounding who should get selected first overall. While it goes without saying, the trio of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cam Boozer have been atop...
read more