This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled down to Ambassador Christian School in Huntersville, North Carolina, to cover the Cyber Interscholastic Basketball Alliance (CIBA) event. The two-day showcase featured four noteworthy teams in Bull City Prep, Phoenix Montessori Academy, California Basketball Club, and Tennessee Collegiate Academy. The four games allowed us to see a lot of high-level players compete on a quality platform against intense competition. There were several notable standouts and storylines that we will take a closer look at, starting with the emergence of Lincoln Vinson for Tennessee Collegiate Academy.
After a notable twelve months, folks should already be informed of Vinson and everything he brings to a team. He quickly emerged as one of Cannon’s best pieces as a freshman before becoming a focal point for Davidson Day as a sophomore. Between the high school season and his undeniably impressive production with Team Thad, Vinson has only continued to solidify himself as a prospect worth noting.
Now with Tennessee Collegiate Academy, Vinson has no issue finding ways to impact the game. In two games at the CIBA showcase, he posted the following stat lines:
Versus Bull City Prep- 11 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Versus California Basketball Club- 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Despite being the only junior on the roster, it’s easy to see all the ways Vinson makes his presence felt. While it might sound cliché, he truly embodies what it means to be a gamer. Vinson is a bloodthirsty competitor whose motor, toughness, and general involvement can be seen on every possession. He’s a knockdown shooter who can initiate the offense, create for himself and others, or play without the ball. However, Vinson is certainly more than a spot-up threat. He attacks the basket with force and isn’t afraid to meet opponents at the rim for explosive finishes. Vinson is a well-rounded offensive piece who can do a variety of things and operate in various roles on the court. That being said, so much of his value comes from his nonstop energy, adaptable skillset, and powerful athleticism. Vinson is an amazing rebounder, especially for his size/position, and offers terrific physicality on both ends of the floor. Given everything he showed over the weekend, it’s clear that he’s trending in a positive direction for this group.