Last weekend, Phenom Hoops hosted our annual Memorial Day Classic in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The event featured a variety of intriguing individuals and teams across all age groups (including an abundance of noteworthy talent in the girls’ division). While the oldest players typically receive the majority of the attention, there were plenty of standouts across the board. Among those teams was Upward Stars—one of the top programs in the region. Let’s take a closer look at a few of their pieces…
While others on the roster likely have more long-term upside, it’s safe to say that Brice Wiersma is easily one of the most consistent producers on this team. We featured him yesterday, stating, “On an Upward Stars team loaded with high-level prospects, Brice Wiersma consistently shines through his production and leadership by example. It’s pretty uncommon to see a glue-guy from the forward/post position, but that’s exactly the type of identity he brings to the table. At 6-foot-7, Wiersma is a very skilled, fundamentally sound piece who simply knows how to impact the game. It’s fair to say that Wiersma isn’t the quickest or most explosive athlete, yet he manages to consistently outperform his matchup on either side of the ball. He displays touch with either hand, polished footwork on the block, and floor-spacing ability along the perimeter. Wiersma sees the floor well as a passer and operates very well in two-man actions. He’s a great screener with a sturdy frame and the ability to roll, pop, or make decisions in a short roll. Although very skilled, Wiersma also impacts the game through his scrappy defense and presence as a rebounder. He plays hard and utilizes his body well to outwork opponents on the glass. Wiersma positions himself well to make an impact defensively. While he still has upside remaining, it’s already easy to appreciate all the ways he affects a game.”
Although it wasn’t the most efficient weekend for Antoine Caughman, it’s easy to see the makings of a high-level player. He’s a phenomenal shot-maker with a crafty nature, polished creation skills, and the ability to fill it up in a variety of different ways. Caughman has the handle and vision to reliably generate clean looks for himself and others. He possesses a nice combination of size, length, and athleticism for his position. Caughman sees the floor well as a passer and is willing to make the right play with the ball in his hands. However, his assertiveness as a scorer allows him to consistently take advantage of what the defense gives him. He mixes it up from all levels and applies terrific pressure in transition. He’s a capable playmaker who sets up others at a solid rate. Caughman already impacts the game defensively, but still has plenty of upside on that end of the floor. All signs point to him being a notable prospect, assuming he stays on his current trajectory.
Rounding out this group, CJ Moore might have the most potential of anyone on the roster. He’s still just starting to truly harness his long-term abilities, but he’s already a long, athletic 6-foot-6 piece who can impact the game on both ends of the floor. Moore is a developing offensive player who primarily finds success through his ability to finish and outwork opponents for extra possessions. However, he made a lasting impression with his presence as a defender and rebounder. Moore plays with solid energy and understands how to use his physical tools to his advantage. His length naturally overwhelms opponents and allows him to force turnovers or block shots with regularity. Should he continue to progress, Moore has the potential to be a very intriguing talent.