The past weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual Team Camp in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Between the individual talent, collection of teams, and overall competition, there were a lot of meaningful takeaways. College coaches were in attendance from start to finish, and several players made lasting impressions with their play. Several teams stood out across the weekend, which certainly includes South Meck and their intriguing group of talent. Let’s take a closer look at their primary duo…
6’4 ’26 Ben Houpt
With Peter Moye (and Anderson Skelton) gone, Houpt has clearly asserted himself the main leader of this team. Whether through his communication, making the right play, or ability to step up in critical moments, his leadership can be seen in various different ways. Add in his production, and this group shouldn’t miss a beat. In our viewings with NC Spartans, Houpt typically stands out through his smooth, efficient scoring arsenal. However, he does absolutely everything for the Sabres. Houpt sets the tone with his smart, unselfish, well-rounded identity. He dictates the offensive action as a primary ball-handler and creator while consistently highlighting the ability to generate clean looks for himself and others. Houpt scores the ball effectively from all levels and is more than comfortable applying pressure as a spot-up threat. However, he also displays great vision and instincts as a playmaker. He utilizes his length and positioning very well to contain opponents defensively. Houpt is active on the glass and looks to push the break in transition. He’s already clearly a college-level player who understands how to make the game simple and doesn’t require flashiness to be impactful. Expect his stock to continue trending upward.
6’4 ’26 Jim Gatehouse
His running mate, Gatehouse, also showcases a lot of ability with this group. He’s another highly smooth, skilled wing with great positional size and the ability to make an impact with or without the ball in his hands. Gatehouse is an excellent shooter and useful creator who applies pressure in a variety of different ways. He understands how to attack closeouts and score or make reads as a passer. Gatehouse highlighted motor and toughness defensively while consistently battling for rebounds and loose balls. He does a phenomenal job of picking his spots and asserting himself within the flow of the action, but can also take over when needed. Like his cohort above, Gatehouse has already solidified himself as a college-level player but has the tools and upside to continue warranting attention.