Phenom Hoops had a tremendous opportunity to head out to Bout a Bucket Media Day to check in on the teams and players they will be showcasing this summer on the Phenom Platform. A rising program here in the Carolinas, Bout a Bucket certainly will be a program to watch more and has talent for college coaches to check out. We break down each roster that we saw on display on Wednesday night.
Bout a Bucket 2027 NXTPRO
When you talk about this group, there are a few players who immediately stand out in this roster. 2027 MJ Gladden is the first, as the 6’4 prospect brings big-time athleticism as a driver but is a proven scorer from all over the court. He consistently provides the offensive firepower for this roster and should be on college coaches’ radars more this summer. 2027 David Oates is another consistent presence with a strong build, physical presence inside, and the ability to impact the game in the paint and on the glass. 2027 6’3 Ethan Pack has caught some eyes early on this summer with his blend of size and shot making, displaying confidence from outside but also mixing it up well offensively. He finds ways to contribute in a big way to this team.
Looking down at the rest of the roster, this is a group that offers a lot of guard play. 2027 CJ Miranda is a crafty playmaking guard that displays good feel and unselfishness, as well as the ability to score. 2027 RJ Grier is a strong guard who plays well within the offense and can create off the dribble well. 2027 Ethan Roberts, 2027 Bryce Gary, 2027 Timothy Burris, 2027 Yawasyaf Yohans, and 2027 Adam Miller all help provide valuable depth for this team, whether that consists of creating and facilitating or shot-making ability. Gary and Miller displayed a strong range in their ability to knock down shots from the perimeter when watching. Yohans stood out with energy and motor, playing hard on both ends and looking to be a factor offensively.
We also had a chance to watch 2027 Mach Kul, who should bring physicality to the guard position. Also, 2027 6’5 Gavin Cuvalo, who will bring yet another big prospect to the court that can help in several areas of the court, including on the glass and stretching the floor at times. A new name for this group this season is 2027 6’7 Kumbai Makoi, a big man who brings physicality, strength, a strong motor, and a presence on both ends of the court.
This is a group, though, that has a nice blend of pieces that come together, excelling out in transition and getting to the rim, bringing physicality down in the paint, and also players that can step up when called upon as weapons to bring balance on the floor.
Bout a Bucket 2028 NXTPRO
2028 Logan Campo quickly impressed with his ability to be a creator and shotmaker. He moves well with or without the ball and really shines in his ability to find space and knock down shots. As far as size, 2028 Jamal Mustaf is an intriguing 6’5 prospect that brings a strong frame, size, and the ability to operate from multiple levels; he was able to shine in a variety of ways. 2028 6’5 Sean Johnson is another prospect to watch, as he is coming off a memorable high school season and looks to show more with this group in his ability to be an option inside and out. He can score inside well against smaller defenders but is skilled enough to make plays from outside; also a strong option on the defensive end. 2028 Cameron Richardson was an excellent playmaking guard that you want running the show, creating and keeping defenders guessing, attacking and penetrating, and finding teammates well while also being able to score on drives.
2029 Jeremiah Archie-Stinson, 2028 Tommy Pringle, 2028 Zamauri Mobley, and 2029 Alijah Pegan all will be other key pieces to this team, bringing strong depth to the guard position, the ability to create and make plays for themselves and others, and be active on the defensive end.
Bout a Bucket 2029 NXTPRO
2029 Kevin Roberts Jr. impressed during the open gym, showcasing tremendous energy as well as overall intensity. Strong driver that looks to be assertive off the bounce but understands to take what the defense gives him. Strong playmaking guard off the bounce. 2029 Gregory Lancaster provides strong positional size and the ability to play multiple positions on the court, as well as be a scoring option. 2029 Aristen Castro and 2029 James Powell were two other players who garnered our attention, as they always seemed to find ways to bring production whether it is moving without the ball, scoring when needed, and making plays in other areas of the floor. 2029 Octavio Foster and 2029 Cayden Anthony were a few others who competed well, made the right decisions within the offense, and brought value as a strong glue piece on the court.
Overall, this is a young group with several new names, but they certainly have intriguing firepower that will be worth watching all summer long.