This weekend, Phenom Hoops is hosting our annual North Carolina Top 80, Sophomore 40, and Freshman 40 Camps at Rise Indoor Sports. These camps bring together top players throughout the state and pit them against each other in competition. There have been countless memorable moments, storylines, and performances over the past decade. However, the emergence of the Sophomore 40 and Freshman 40 has expanded the pool of campers considerably. In preparation for the weekend, here are some potential matchups that could be intriguing. Remember, these are hypothetical matchups, as rosters are still being finalized. Let’s take a look…
“The Bigs” (Tolson O’Daniel, BJ Houston, Kaedyn Cole, and Aiden Thomas)
Given the array of big men slated to attend camp, it’ll be fascinating to see who makes a lasting impression. Each of the names listed represents the four tallest campers (all listed at 6’7). Right now, Cole clearly has the most status and overall polish within his skillset. O’Daniel has shown a lot of intriguing flashes as a middle-school piece. Guys like Houston and Thomas already possess college-level tools despite not yet playing in high school.
Gradyn West vs. Tre Roper vs. Jeremiah Thomas vs. Nicholas Cannon
Arguably four of the most refined campers on the roster, these guys all possess a highly appealing blend of size with versatility. West might be the most underrated of the group, but he’s a very skilled, well-rounded piece. Roper is also very advanced for this stage in his development, both in terms of skillset and physical stature, and he overwhelms opponents in various ways. Thomas is probably the most explosive athlete of this group with flashes of perimeter skill as a bigger piece who can handle, create, and score in various ways. Cannon has a really nice blend of current ability and long-term upside, which makes him as intriguing as anyone on display.
Braeden Greenup vs. All
Personally, the most exciting piece from this camp is Greenup. Given his incredible reputation and production (in addition to a lack of viewings), the intrigue is obvious. He already possesses excellent size with a high motor and a versatile, malleable skillset. This will also be a preview for what Greenup could potentially do as a high school freshman following the departure of key pieces from South Granville.