With all the hype coming in, Night 1 of Phenom’s National High School Showcase lived up to the expectations. The elite players played in an elite manner, the crowd was excellent and there were numerous get off your feet type plays.
Here is what we saw …
Jaden Bradley is THAT DUDE
The lead up all week to this event was how Jaden Bradley is the nation’s top point guard in his class, well he played on night one and showcased exactly this. The game is so easy for him, be it the way he touches the paint or the way he always makes the right decision. Bradley is a throwback point guard, who plays unlike any of the high-level point guards North Carolina has seen in recent memory. All of the national scouts and college coaches left Day 1 of the event saying he is “an eventual pro”, and there is “not really a discussion for top point guard in his class”. 27 points, 5 assists and an MVP award in the win, a lot of talent in this sophomore’s body
Moravian Prep is a Nationally Relevant Team
Sure MaxPreps ranked them at 42, but they are better than that. Now with 6’10” senior Javarzia Belton back, you have 5-star Josh Hall playing at an all-time level, Shakeel Moore is the best on the ball defender in the country, Jamahri Harvey is knocking down shots and their depth all gets in and defends. With their type of aggressive defensive mindset and players who are lengthy, athletic and have a skill set this team is playing their way into a more prominent national position. Watch for this team’s ranking to continue to rise, also look for Josh Hall and Shakeel Moore’s national ranking to continue to rise as well.
Oak Hill Bounced Back in the Best Way Possible
Oak Hill took on a very good Crestwood Academy team out of Toronto, Ontario. Crestwood is led by an all-world talent in the top 2023 prospect Elijah Fisher, as well as a handful of other D1 prospects. 6’8” 2020 4-star Jamari Sibley led the way in the first half, with his ability to make shots and create havoc on the defensive end, moving his feet and getting his length into the passing lanes. 5-star Cam Thomas closed the game for Oak Hill in the second half, with an incredibly impressive onslaught of scoring. Thomas has been widely talked about as the top scorer in the country, and he lived up to this. Sibley showcased why he is a highly sought after prospect ranked among the nation’s Top 100. Add in Bradley Ezewiro attempting to rip the rim off at every chance, Darius Maddox filling in the gaps all over the floor and KK Robinson ability to defend the point of attack and run the team and you see a program who looks like their pre-season Top 10 ranking suggests.