This upcoming weekend, Phenom Hoops will travel to the Convention Center in the heart of downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, for an event absolutely jam-packed with talent. The Live periods always represent the potential for so many of these young prospects to seize life-altering opportunities. Everyone wants to be seen by college coaches and eventually play at the next level. Well, this is the time for players to perform and separate themselves from their peers. Although we will be in multiple locations (Rock Hill and Raleigh), both sites will host a ton of college coaches with a variety from all levels. We will highlight some of the 17U teams for coaches to monitor, looking at 7th Nation Warriors…
Although there are a lot of quality independent programs throughout North Carolina, few teams are able to match the talent and rugged, physical approach that 7th Nation Warriors consistently highlights. Coach Steven Lawson simply knows how to turn a collection of tough, college-level pieces into a well-oiled machine. For starters, it’s easy to see how much value guys like Zarion Hobbs and Jamarion Washington bring to the table. Hobbs dictates the action in a calm, methodical manner. He’s able to utilize his quick first step and tight, crafty handle to get where he wants off the bounce. Hobbs is a sharp playmaker who sees the floor well, finishes effectively for his size, and knocks down jumpers at a healthy rate. He defends with energy and toughness, and forces turnovers at a solid rate. Similarly, Washington sets the tone through his physicality, smooth skillset, and overall approach. He’s a well-rounded offensive piece who utilizes his strength to power through opponents and put consistent pressure on the rim. Washington finishes through contact, sees the floor to set up others, and spaces the floor at a quality rate. He’s an excellent rebounder and pesky defender who anticipates, sacrifices his body, and makes hustle plays.
While that duo certainly burdens a lot of responsibility, Kannon McBride, Joaliel Caraballo, and Giovanni Driggers each bring their own unique wrinkle to this squad. McBride possesses an excellent blend of perimeter shooting, positional size, and general engagement on both ends of the floor. He displays a high motor defensively and on the glass. McBride moves well without the ball, knocks down jumpers at a high percentage, and is comfortable attacking closeouts and making decisions off the bounce. Caraballo is an extremely tough, rugged guard with nonstop energy and the ability to legitimately cause problems for opponents on both ends of the floor. He does a nice job of filling in the gaps as a reliable offensive cog while suffocating opposing guards and outworking others to do the dirty work. Rounding out this trio, Driggers is a long, wiry athlete who flies around to secure rebounds, block shots, and finish inside. He runs the floor well in transition.
In addition to those five, the roster has a variety of viable pieces like Gavin Brock, Jhayeir Koonce, Mere Hall, and Micah Smith. Brock excels at getting downhill and finishing or scoring with floaters and pull-ups. Koonce is another guy who plays hard and works to be a disruptive piece on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, Hall and Smith do a terrific job of filling in the gaps within the flow of the action.