Phenom’s Opening Session 1 is set to take place on Saturday April 7 in Greensboro, NC. The demand for this event was so high that we had to spread the games out, Proehlific Park and Southeast Guilford High School will be the places to be.
Over 40 teams will play three games in this one-day showcase. Each team will get three games, three opportunities to play in front of the multiple NCAA compliant scouts in attendance, three opportunities to play in front of the nationally read media in attendance, three opportunities to play on the Baller TV live stream that will be broadcast out to college coaches across the country.
Here are some of the matchups to watch out for
Part 1
11:45 AM – NE Guilford (17s)
NC Heat Vs. Durham Hurricanes
Key Players:
Durham Hurricanes
6’4” 2019 Bryant Randleman – Offers: Hampton
6’5” 2019 Xzavier Howard
NC Heat
6’3” 2019 Javon Outlaw
6’4” 2020 Jacari Outlaw
Matchups:
Randleman and Howard are both uniquely skilled players in that they have great size and natural ball skills. Some may even recruit Randelman as a point guard at the next level. Howard can shoot it with range and is a solid athlete.
However, the Outlaw pairing for the NC Heat are college prospects, in their own rights. Javon is a downhill wing with good length and solid athleticism. Jacari is a smooth wing prospect with the ability to handle, shoot and score the ball, creating for himself.
Outlook:
These players should pique the interest of college coaches from the D2 to MM level. These players are very skilled and are able to create offense for themselves and others. Good length and good athleticism across the floor here, will be a fun game to watch.
1:50 PM – Proehlific Park (17u)
Team Loaded 704 Vs. Team Winston
Key Players:
Team Loaded 704
6’9” 2019 Ben Beeker
6’7” 2019 Brice Williams – Offers: Charlotte, Lafayette, Holy Cross
Team Winston
6’3” 2019 Quest Aldridge
6’9” 2019 Owen McCormack
6’3” 2019 Mysta Goodloe
Matchups:
Team Loaded 704 has solid guards but their talent lies with their long wings and sturdy bigs. Ben Beeker is a throw back post player who has touch, hands and footwork on the block. He is also a high academic player, look for a big summer this year with him. Brice Williams is the son of Charlotte’s all-time leading scorer. He is a long wing who has already gathered multiple D1 offers. He continues to get better by the day, including a great showing at the NC Top 80 event in March
Team Winston has great length and good size in their front court but their talent lies with their backcourt. Led by lengthy Quest Adlridge he is one who can slide back and forth effortlessly between the point and shooting guard positions. Very smooth with handle and deep range. McCormack has great size and a solid skill set and touch in a pick and pop role. Goodloe is a tough guard who takes pride in defense and really shows well in transition with his speed and athleticism.
Outlook:
There is a lot of D1 and D2 talent on the floor here. Players who are skilled at every position, offering numerous skill sets. Safe to say the college coaches should be tuning in to the live stream and setting up baseline. It will be interesting to see Beeker player against the varying bigs Winston has and watch for the times Brice Williams and Quest Aldridge are matched up.
3:00 PM – NE Guilford (17s)
NC Heat Vs. Wilson Elite
Key Players
NC Heat:
6’3” 2019 Javon Outlaw
6’4” 2020 Jacari Outlaw
Wilson Elite
6’7” 2020 Trey Pittman
Matchups:
We spoke on the Outlaw’s a bit earlier, but they are out to make a name for themselves here. In this game, against others from their hometown, they should be extra motivated to “leave no doubt”.
For Wilson Elite, Trey Pittman has had a very good last couple weeks with us, first at the NC Phenom 150 Session 2 and then the Stay Positive event (where he played with NC Heat). Pittman is a skilled forward, he can step out and knock down the corner 3, but in the last couple weeks he showed the ability to attack the basket.
Outlook:
This one will be heated as each of these teams are from the same city. These guys play pick up ball at the YMCA and even high school ball together. They are all very familiar with their games and will want to show who the best is in Wilson. Jacari Outlaw and Trey Pittman are high school teammates at Greenfield School. We are eager to see the scrapping and the tough play here.
4:05 PM – Prohelific Park (16u)
Durham Hurricanes Vs. Carolina Wolves NC
Key Players:
Durham Hurricanes
6’8” 2020 Sam Hood
6’1” 2021 Cole Sinclair
6’5” 2020 Drake Thomas
Carolina Wolves NC
6’8” 2020 Josiah Shackelford
6’9” 2020 Amyeric Toussiant
6’7” 2020 Zach Shumate
6’ 2020 Manny Alverado
6’6” 2020 Chazz Banks
Matchups:
Sam Hood is a new name to the table, but is one that coaches need to take immediate attention to. He is a long and explosive. His moves his feet very well on the defensive end and he can shoot/handle the ball extending beyond the 3-point arc. Cole Sinclair has started on varsity since his 8th grade year. He is a throwback point guard who plays mistake free basketball. Drake Thomas is an incredible rebounder and a stout low post presence.
The Shackelford, Toussiant, Shumate grouping up front is as tough as any 16u team in North Carolina. They are each long, athletic and touch. Shackelford may end up one of the fastest rising players in the state this summer. He has all the tools, timing, motor, explosion, length, skill to really take off. Toussiant is very skilled and a good athlete. The game is quickly slowing down for him. Shumate is a brute on the block. Does all the tough guy stuff and can finish at 3 levels. Alverado gets wherever he wants on the floor, off the bounce and scores it. Banks, like Shackelford, is a player who could really explode onto the scene this summer.
Outlook:
This could be the game that people will look at at the end of the summer and have numerous names everyone knows. Right now, no one knows about these rosters. College coaches from the D2 to the HM levels will want to tune in here. Depending on how some of these guys develop they can fall anywhere in that mix. It will be interesting to watch how Sam Hood does against the length of the Wolves front court. Alverado and Sinclair will be good as they are both skilled and really compete. The Drake Thomas and Zach Shumate battle will not be for the faint of heart.