Phenom Hoops College Basketball Coverage
A balance of new names and returning prospects make UNC-Pembroke highly interesting to watch this upcoming season
Never too early to talk about some college basketball, and a program that has earned our attention early here in North Carolina is UNC-Pembroke. Coming off a season in which they finished 25-7 and 18-2 in conference play, the staff will have a strong blend of returning players and new names coming into the program. We dive into what we know about the roster and what fans should be excited about...
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Khamani Wertz Hits the Transfer Portal
Given the changes throughout college sports, countless players enter the transfer portal every year. Many leave their current situation to reach new heights or attempt to reestablish themselves at a different level. Among the latest additions to the portal is Khamani Wertz of Belmont-Abbey. Folks will also likely remember him from his days at Carmel Christian, where he played a vital role for a...
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Chase Forte Having a Monster Senior Season for South Dakota
Photo Courtesy of South Dakota Athletics Every player seems to have their own unique path in the journey of basketball. While it might seem cliché, it’s true. We’ve seen players go to the highest levels and transfer down, and guys go to a lower level and eventually transfer up. Talent matters but there’s ultimately no conclusive way to recognize which players actually work hard and/or care about...
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Rebounding Machine: Nick McMullen Playing Key Role for Georgia State
Photo Courtesy of Georgia State Athletics Some players simply find ways to produce in every possible context or setting. These guys can be found at every level of basketball. Whether effortless scorers, physically imposing athletes, or a variety of other archetypes, there are all types of natural producers. Given our viewings in high school, it should’ve been expected that Nick McMullen would...
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Malcolm Wilson Shining as Top Rim-Protector in College Basketball
Courtesy of Queens Athletics If it’s been said once, it’s been said a million times: big men develop slower than others. Many instances exist when a tall kid is simply forced into the sport due to their physical advantages. However, those who love the game and consistently work to improve typically succeed in basketball. The most recent addition to the list of late bloomers who ultimately panned...
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Milligan building a strong, underrated recruiting class with recent commits
Milligan has been in the news as of late, as this is a program that has been working hard on the recruiting trail and has quietly earned a strong and underrated upcoming class coming in. 2025 Ahmari Hicks was the first to announce but as of late, 2025 Jake Benham and 2025 Liviu Anton have both announced their commitments to the program. Hicks and Benham will certainly give this program...
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Kameron Taylor Shining as X-Factor for UNC Asheville
While it’s likely common knowledge amongst those within the grassroots scene, recruiting North Carolina is a polarizing subject for some college programs. Fortunately, the hesitance of others hasn’t deterred Coach Mike Morrell from trusting his eyes and aggressively recruiting the state (both out of high school and the transfer portal). The Bulldogs’ top seven players in minutes all came from...
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Soph. Josh Scovens (Army) continuing to lead his team in a BIG way
Looking back at the classes here in North Carolina, one of the more overlooked prospects from North Carolina just a few years ago was Josh Scovens at Page High School. Phenom Hoops was one of the few who recognized the talent of Scovens and thought that he could be a contributor at the next level. More Than Deserving: 6’6 2022 Josh Scovens Scovens has only proven that and more… The 6’6...
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Jr. LJ Thomas (Austin Peay) making the most of his opportunities at Austin Peay
Sometimes, you just never know when your opportunity will come and go in the world of basketball. A player that Phenom Hoops is certainly aware of and have watched over the years has been the talented guard of LJ Thomas, who committed to NC State a few years back, played in 30 games for the Wolfpack as a freshman and averaged 2.4 points, but then only saw action in 12 games as a sophomore...
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Jr. KC Shaw (UMES) elevating his game to new heights
Player: Ketron “KC” ShawSchool: Maryland Eastern ShoreHeight: 6’5 2024-25 Season Stats: 24.5ppg, 4.5rpg, 3.8apg, 35.3mpg Phenom Hoops continues to monitor players even at the next level, as we are always happy to see the success stories of players at the collegiate level. One player who has proven many wrong and has taken advantage of the opportunities ahead of him has been Ketron Shaw, who...
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Could this be the breakout season for Soph. Jah Short at New Orleans'
College Basketball is underway and there are plenty of familiar faces on display at the collegiate level. One player that we believed was underrated and a strong steal when he committed, is making an early statement on the season, as sophomore Jah Short at New Orleans may be on the start of a breakout season. Short received plenty of experience last season as a freshman, playing in 33 games and...
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Takeaways from Alabama vs. Memphis (Exhibition)
Memphis’ PJ Haggerty looking to be that guy It is seemingly obvious in just two exhibition games for Memphis that PJ Haggerty looks to be the guy for this team offensively, after posting 32 points on 9-for-22 shooting after leading the way vs. UNC not long ago with 24 points. Yes, he did record eight fouls in the game but Haggerty showed how assertive he is offensively in scoring and creating....
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Cooper’s Notes: Duke & UNC Sunday Exhibitions
Duke’s Defensive Intensity From a team perspective, it was impossible to ignore the sheer intensity that Duke played with on Sunday night. They were highly engaged on the defensive end of the floor, often picking up their man at half-court, initiating physicality, and making multiple individual efforts on each possession. Their ability to switch, hard hedge, and rotate on the weak side gave the...
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Takeaways from North Carolina vs. Johnson C. Smith Exhibition
Photo Credit: North Carolina Athletics College Basketball is almost here, as teams are getting an early tune-up in the past few weeks. North Carolina was one of them on Sunday, welcoming Johnson C. Smith to the Dean Dome. Johnson C. Smith battled early in the first 10 minutes of the game but North Carolina really ramped up the offensive attack after that and in the second half, ultimately taking...
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American University building with North Carolina talent
The recruiting world has been heating up in the last few months, as players from the Class of 2025 have been making their announcements around the country. American University has been a hot topic here in North Carolina, as they have targeted and been able to secure multiple commitments from the state. 2025 Chris Eagan, 2025 Madden Collins, and 2025 Kamran Prince have all committed from North...
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