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 and storylines, as rosters are still being finalized. Let’s take a look…
Best Shooter in the Gym?
Although it’s a question that could garner a ton of answers every weekend, the Top 80 simply has too many notable players to ignore. Guys like Ayden Johnson, Cash Hall, Dane Cassada, DJ West, Hunter McGrath, Jacob Mills, Jeremy Duhon, Julian Lowe, Max Van Weerdhuizen, Nolan Ericson, Owen Calvert, Ryan Chen, Trevor Manhertz, and Tyrin Graham could each have a case for being the top marksman on display. These players should legitimately fill it up from beyond the arc, but who will stand out above the rest?
Can RJ Moore Run it Back?
After a phenomenal showing at last year’s camp, Moore returns with even more tools at his disposal. Anyone who followed him over the last twelve months should already know that he’s taken yet another step forward as a prospect. Moore possesses excellent size with the IQ, athleticism, and creation polish to get whatever he wants on the court. He effortlessly fills it up from all levels as a scorer and is capable of heating up in a hurry. Moore is the type of guy defenders simply hope to contain, as shutting him down is a highly unlikely outcome. The leading scorer from last year, Markus Kerr, is no longer in the state. So, can Moore (the second-leading scorer) take the scoring title this year?
Who Will Benefit Most from Camp Play Style?
For starters, it’s worth noting that anyone can benefit from camps. However, as we’ve previously mentioned, certain archetypes definitely have more advantages than others. The up-and-down style definitely aids transition athletes, shot-creation guards, and rim-running big men. Shooters will also see plenty of open kickouts. Versatile players who can produce in various roles typically stand out as matchup problems for opponents. There are a ton of different examples, but guys like Ayden Johnson, Bradley Floyd, Brayden Gatling, CP Perry, Ian Bailey, Noah Dobyns, and various others should stand out.