Phenom March Madness Standouts: Part I

Team CP3 made an appearance with their 2024 and 2026 teams this weekend, and one of the most impressive guys for them was Juke Harris. He moved incredibly well and looked like he was just hanging out as he was playing; still, he blew me away with his scoring ability. He knocked down jumpers, got to the rim, and made plays in the middle of the floor at will. He seems to have the game moving at a snails pace for him, which lines up with how talented he is. He will be a joy to watch at Wake Forest and on the AAU circuit this year.

Jackson played so hard all weekend as the big for his NC Spartans squad. He’s physical, tough, and has a relentless motor. He may not have a skill that jumps off the page, but his consistency is what makes him special. He seemed to always have the same, high level of intensity every possession, and didn’t back down even when faced with intimidating matchups. Physically, he was ready to dish it out and bang down low with other bigs, and his size (6’7 220) is impressive for a high schooler. He’s really filled out and sturdy in his legs and body, making him hard to move. He’s a guy I’d want in my front court for his solid, all-around game and mentality that he can play with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Haywood filled it up all weekend and had an awesome 34 point performance Sunday, leading his team to a victory. He punished defenses all weekend when they gave him room, knocking down jumper after jumper. However he was able to drive closeouts as well, which made opposing teams afraid of his scoring ability at the rim. I was impressed with his explosiveness, but his jumpshot making prowess was undeniable all weekend. College coaches should take a look at him as a scorer for their senior class.

His team lost the game I watched him in, but Graves was the most intense competitor I saw play the entire weekend. He was locked in every moment he stepped on the floor, and on the court he showed all the tendencies of a lead guard. He made plays for others in the half court and in transition but also was able to get to the rim and finish through contact. Also was impressed with his offensive rebounding with his team down, he got in the mix and ripped rebounds away from much bigger players. He is an absolute gamer, and seems to love basketball so much that he would be an amazing pickup for smaller schools in their 2023 class.

Sanders was impressive all weekend on both ends of the floor, showcasing offensive and defensive versatility. He can really fill it up from deep, getting a lot of shots off open kickouts or other catch and shoot jumpers. He was able to play downhill and in the midrange too, hitting pull-ups and making good passes. Defensively he played with a lot of toughness and intensity, coming up clapping after his team got a turnover or a stop, always happy when someone made a play. He was a great team player all weekend, and his game has a lot more room for him to grow into.