2025 Derek Studer (Foothills Basketball)
Studer was impressive to start the day off here at the Phenom G3 Live, as the Roanoke commit put on an impressive offensive show. Really was able to showcase his overall scoring ability, operating well down in the paint, finishing and operating with feel and touch, being able to face up and knock down shots, and also finding ways to get to the line. The 6’6 forward displayed terrific footwork, as well as being a presence on the glass.
2026 Gvani Byron (Team Global Select)
Byron is a physical and strong guard who excels in attacking downhill. Time after time, he embraced attacking the defense and getting inside, creating and finishing through contact, getting to the line on several occasions, and being a constant presence overall. Byron was a force throughout the game for his team.
2028 Wilbert Hennegan IV (Triangle Aces 2026)
Hennegan is a new name personally for me, but it didn’t take long for me to see some flashes of his overall presence and impact on the court. Early on, he showed that he was comfortable in operating down in the paint, showing his ability to operate with his back to the basket but also surprised me with his ability to score off the bounce, be comfortable from outside, and impact the game in several areas. A rising prospect to watch out for more.
2029 Gideon Anum (Harvest Development Academy)
A program that continues to bring us intriguing new names, we have yet another prospect that I will be eager to watch develop. A prospect playing up already along with his 6’2 stature, Anum brings you a lot of early tools that quickly grab your attention, but you also see flashes in his game that could make him a name here in NC. Can knock down open shots from outside, score off the bounce, be a versatile piece on the court, and still present a lot of overall potential.
2026 Chaise Smith (Team Wall)
A player that D1 schools should be looking at, Smith is a highly entertaining guard with the ball in his hands. Of course, he can be a true playmaker on the court, scoring extremely well off the bounce, bringing tremendous athleticism to the table, and creating space for his own shot. But one also has to notice his ability to deliver dimes to his teammates. A strong overall playmaker with the ball in his hands for his team.
2026 Ian Bailey (Team Vision)
Bailey continues to shine as a dominant scoring force on the court. Proving once again why D1 schools should be all over his game, especially around the region, Bailey can flourish in so many ways whether it is creating for others, leading the offense, facilitating, or being an assertive scoring presence off the bounce. There is no doubt about it, schools should be looking his way hard this weekend.
2026 Brandon Solomon (Strictly Ballas)
Solomon is one that we have been able to watch a lot over the years, and he started his Live Period off the right way. The 6’3 prospect was able to flourish as the go-to option on the court, whether it was driving and attacking, showcasing his ability to flourish with his physicality, but also making tremendous reads in finding teammates for easy baskets. Really liked his overall presence on the court to start the weekend.
2026 Talla Mbaye (NC Heels Elite)
The big man has continued to have a strong start to the summer, as he has ben one of the most consistent big men to play on the Phenom Hoops platform so far. The 6’10 big man is physical, has a college-ready frame, shows overall potential in his ability to add more to his game, can finish with good touch around the basket, and plays with a lot of energy. Think college coaches should be looking his way this weekend.