Phenom Hoops traveled to Mooresville, North Carolina, this past Sunday to attend the Team Loaded Middle School Combine, spearheaded by Sherod McCormick. The event welcomed more than 100 players in grades four through eight.
Campers were organized into their respective age groups before rotating through stations focused on fundamentals and skill development. Each division then transitioned into games, giving players an opportunity to apply those skills in a competitive setting.
Here is a look at several players who stood out:
Max Cardwell (2031) — A skilled, crafty guard with an advanced basketball IQ for his age and class. Cardwell plays at his own pace and consistently finds ways to be effective. Despite his size, he continues to produce at a high level and competes with confidence. He also shoots the ball well from the perimeter, making him a threat from beyond the arc.
Aiden Wright (2032) — Wright is a name to know in the 2032 class. He possesses good size and versatility for his age and creates well off the bounce. He plays with tremendous pace and consistently gets downhill, where he can create opportunities and finish at the basket. His overall feel for the game stands out, and he has plenty of upside and long-term potential.
Jagger Polite (2033) — A skilled, quick playmaking guard who excels when attacking downhill. Polite has the ability to create for himself as well as his teammates. He consistently gets paint touches and makes good decisions with the ball in his hands. He also shoots it well from the perimeter, adding another dimension to his offensive game.
Sebastian McCormick (2034) — A talented, crafty, and shifty guard who plays well beyond his age. McCormick excels when attacking downhill and in the open court, but he can also knock down shots from the perimeter. He plays with plenty of confidence and swagger and already shows an advanced offensive skill set for his class.
Zamari Hendrix (2034) — A smart, high-IQ guard with a strong understanding and feel for the game. Hendrix shoots the ball well from the perimeter and brings consistent energy on both ends of the floor. He does a good job of making winning plays and finding different ways to positively impact the game.
Jamison Rader (2034) — Rader has good size and impressive footwork for his age and class. He finishes well around the basket and displays soft hands when receiving drop-off passes. He is active on the glass and uses his body well to carve out space, creating opportunities for offensive rebounds and putbacks.
Brison Toney (2034) — A quick, electric guard who consistently puts pressure on the defense. Toney excels at getting paint touches and has the ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. He impacts the game both on and off the ball, showing impressive court vision and a strong basketball IQ for his age. Defensively, Toney can apply pressure to opposing ball handlers and displays good anticipation in the passing lanes.