2024 Armani Henderson (BTB 2024): Henderson has had a strong month or so on the Phenom Hoops platform, as he has been putting up some impressive numbers each time he steps on the court. Henderson has such a quick burst, being a tremendous player in getting by defenders off the bounce, finding ways in the paint, scoring over defenders, showing touch, and also hitting shots from multiple levels.
2025 Nicholas Graves (NC Spartans): Have been really impressed with the improvement that he has made over the last year or so. He continues to display how smart he can be on the court, his ability to read the defense and create, he sets up his teammates well, and Graves continues to show how his confidence continues to grow with his shot-making ability. He and his brother are two to really watch.
2023 Isaiah Lewis (TSF): Lewis was one of those players that I watched all weekend long and he impressed me each time he stepped on the court. He is an intriguing guard that can be explosive, attack in the open floor, and is not only able to get inside the defense to finish but also get to his spots to knock down jumpers. Explosive athlete, active on both sides, has the size that you like, and can be a playmaker off the dribble.
2025 Malachi Cooper (Upward Stars Portee): It was a great opportunity to catch up and watch Cooper in action and when sitting baseline, Cooper was extremely effective in leading the charge for his team. He did a great job in mixing it up, much as he has done before, showing not only his ability to create his own space and get by defenders to get downhill but also knock down shots. Cooper does a great job with his pace and change of direction, is able to get inside and to the rim, and making plays in a variety of ways.
2026 Tyson Thompson (Team Shack): Each time I watch this young man in action, I continue to be impressed with his overall improvement in such a little time period. Thompson checks off a lot of boxes early on for his age; he has the size, the physical frame, and he understands how to be an effective big on the court. But what you also have to notice is his expanding game and how well he moves/operates for his position. Though he has plenty of college coaches looking at him already, think that list will only continue to grow as he gets older.
2025 Derek Ross (Wildcats): Ross is a fan favorite on the court and you don’t need long to realize how dynamic of a guard he can be on the court. With the ball in his hands, Ross is an extremely gifted leader and playmaker, strong in the open floor with a tremendous burst to blow by defenders, has good body control in finishing around the rim but just makes everything else run when the ball is in his hands.
2024 Brendan Bailey (NLPB): Bailey is one that many may not know but he has been the definition of physical and production each time he steps on the floor. This young man understands where he excels, and embraces being that workhorse on the court as well as a physical presence. He is relentless in his attack, finishing through defenders, battling all around the paint and basket, and simply outworking his opponents. He has been an impressive double-double type guy over the last month or so, and he backed that up with a strong 31-point game.