This past weekend, Phenom Hoops traveled to the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina for our annual Phenom Challenge. The venue holds a lot of history and countless fond memories, and that only continued during this most recent two-day stretch. There was an impressive mix of notable teams and individuals on display, including J’Sean Sanders and everything he showcased as an overall prospect. Folks should already be well-informed of the explosive forward, but he should start to emerge as a real priority for college coaches over the coming months. Let’s take a closer look…
It feels like Sanders might still be somewhat overlooked by college coaches at this stage in his recruitment. However, he truly has all the tools to attract scholarship-level programs throughout the coming months. Sanders is a long, powerful athlete with the ability to physically dominate opponents on both ends of the floor. He’s a strong finisher who can effortlessly play above the rim or through contact. Sanders has a quick second and third jump that allows him to wreak havoc on the glass. He regularly outworks opponents for extra possessions and is capable of securing putbacks or second-chance opportunities at a quality rate.
Although he’s a very useful, low-maintenance offensive piece, so much of his value comes through his motor, physicality, and ability to impact the game without needing to score. Sanders provides a rugged defensive presence with the ability to anchor the paint or guard opponents along the perimeter. He possesses the necessary blend of strength and mobility to actively toggle across multiple positions based on matchup. Sanders anticipates well to force turnovers and knows how to run the floor effectively in transition. He’s also comfortable attacking off the bounce or finding rip-through chances when available. Add in his general upside, and coaches should start prioritizing Sanders sooner than later.