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 All Carolina…
After watching this team several times during the spring season, it’s become increasingly clear that All Carolina has a variety of pieces for college coaches to pursue. Like we wrote earlier this week, Jaden McCandies has progressed as much as any player in North Carolina over the last twelve months. Not only has he physically developed, but his game has also visibly grown. He’s a long, wiry shot-maker who can assert himself from all levels and make jumpers off the catch or bounce at a consistent rate. McCandies is an impactful rebounder and defender with still so much upside remaining in those areas. He plays hard, positions himself for success, and is comfortable operating in various roles. Although he’s made massive strides, McCandies’ best basketball is still ahead.
However, guys like Ricco Daniels, Jordan Autry, and Cayden Simmons each bring an extremely valuable dynamic to this group. Daniels dictates the action as a smart, heady floor general who displays IQ, poise, and terrific balance between scoring and playmaking. He touches the paint with regularity and makes quality reads with the ball in his hands. Daniels can also score within the flow of the action, rebound his position, and reliably defend the point of attack. Meanwhile, Autry is a crafty finisher and capable shooting threat who knows how to cut, spot-up, and attack the basket off the bounce. He plays well through contact on both ends of the floor. Rounding out this trio, Simmons is a very steady, well-rounded piece who consistently finds ways to impact all facets of the game. He can initiate the offense, play without the ball, score in a variety of ways, and naturally fill in the gaps on both ends of the floor. Simmons is comfortable in all types of roles.
Furthermore, the likes of Aaron Durant, Jakeis Vernon, and Kingston Hardie only make this squad more appealing. Durant is a tough, athletic piece with quality size and a high motor. He’s able to impact the game with or without the ball in his hands, but finds consistent opportunities as a finisher, rebounder, and transition threat. Vernon excels at doing the dirty work, but can also consistently put pressure on the basket and finish through contact. He’s a tough, scrappy defender and useful rebounder for his size/position. The youngest player on the roster, Hardie, will provide a nice blend of size, skill, and inside-out ability. He’s able to physically make his presence felt as a post scorer and interior finisher, but can also step out to knock down jumpers along the perimeter. Hardie also rebounds his position well.