Phenom Hoops had a great weekend of basketball, joining up with USA Basketball for the US Open Basketball East Championships. Teams from all over came to Bermuda Run (NC) to compete and take home a championship, and we were able to learn about several prospects. Patrick O’Brien was on deck throughout, and these were the players that left the biggest impression on him.
2029 Carib Morris (Legacy Carolina)
Possibly the best overall player at the event, Morris had scouts from Phenom Hoops mesmerized with her overall skill set. Again, only an eighth grade,r but it was clear that Morris is going to be a national name and a highly touted prospect in the coming years, possibly one of the top overall prospects in the country. As a 6’2 prospect, she has an incredible feel for the game, displaying potential in making plays off the bounce, operating with excellent footwork in the paint, and was one of the best shooters I’ve seen in quite some time at her age. A pure shooting stroke from all levels, you are more surprised when she misses than when she makes it. Morris makes it look effortless on the court and is an absolute scoring power, along with a high IQ feel to the game.
2028 Xavier Hall (Mentality Elite)
Hall is a big man that we have had a chance to watch this summer a lot more and he continued to be such a strong presence here at the US Open. Hall, who stands around 6’8 or so, has the frame that allows him to operate and bully opponents down in the post, with strong hands and great touch. He can have a huge impact on the glass on either side, as he is tough to move in the paint with his frame. Defensively, that is where he stands out a lot early on, as he has great timing in altering or blocking shots, simply making it tough for opponents to have any success around the basket. Hall looks to be one of the premier big men in the Class of 2028 here in North Carolina.
2029 Ricardo Oriol (Apex Spurs)
Oriol is a new prospect who really earned my attention all throughout the event. A young point guard who has a great feel for the game, whether leading the offense, being a playmaker on the court for teammates, and finding ways to score effectively. Oriol is a crafty and creative guard with the ball in his hands, weaving through defense, making good reads, and making high IQ decisions overall. He finds success in making plays off the dribble, scoring with touch around the basket, but also doesn’t force much, finding his teammates extremely well on the floor. I will be eager to see how he grows and develops, but he left a lasting impression throughout the event.
2029 Jordan Corbin (Team Push)
Coming out of Virginia, I have to believe Corbin will be a name you will be hearing a lot about in the coming years. She is an absolute force on the court and was hard to slow down with her offensive production. Corbin operates well down around the basket, showcasing strong feel, embracing physicality, finding ways to get to the line, and is relentless on the glass to create extra opportunities. She scores with great touch, and her team understands how much of a force she can be. No matter what game she played, she was one of the go-to options and looks like a young player to really watch out for in the coming years.
2030 Londyn Carter (Team Thrill)
Lastly, Carter was yet another player that I had so much fun watching and I’m eager to see how she continues to grow and develop. She is a scrappy, tough, young guard who really understands the game well, and knows how to create for herself. Time after time, we watched Carter attack off the bounce, making plays, getting paint touches, and finishing strong downhill for her team. She plays with poise and excellent feel as a prospect who hasn’t reached the high school level yet. However, we believe that if she continues to develop, she is going to be a name to know in the Class of 2030.