Phenom Hoops Live Saturday Notebook
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Saturday has been a jam-packed day at the Raleigh Convention Center as over 200 teams played in front of college coaches. As I bounced from court to court checking out the action, I found plenty of talented players. Check some of my favorites out below.
Matheka was a very nice guard for EC Phenomz today, as he showed off his two-way versatility. On offense he was a good shooter, taking the open shot and playing within himself. This was also evident on his drives, where he consistently got to two feet and made the right read, whether it was getting to the rim or passing it out. Defensively he was a pest, and it was not a fun day to be his matchup. He was up in ballhandler’s jerseys and in the passing lanes when his man didn’t have the ball. His biggest knock is his size, but I think he can play the lead guard spot at the next level which negates some of those concerns.
I understand why teammate Maurio Hanson Maurio Hanson 6’7″ | PF JL Chambers | 2024 State NC gets a lot of hype, but its time to put Jordan Patton Jordan Patton 6’5″ | SF JL Chambers | 2024 State NC on your radar if you go and watch Chambers in the high school season. He is a major athlete that can take off from just about anywhere on the court. His speed and leaping ability are on par with guys in college already and he was flying all over the court with Upward Stars Carolinas. He’s a tremendous finisher and scorer in transition/at the rim, but still there are questions about his shot. He looked like he had been working on his jumper when I saw it, but there’s definitely still room for improvement if he wants to get to a high level. Regardless, his leaping and finishing ability is impressive and vaults him ahead of a lot of guys I saw today.
Blake Bartney Blake Bartney 6'2" | CG Millbrook | 2024 State NC
Blake Bartney Blake Bartney 6'2" | CG Millbrook | 2024 State NC
Bartney was the leader of his Up Next Hoops squad today and even though I didn’t catch them in a win, he looked the part. He’s a point guard who plays with poise and toughness, and wasn’t rattled even when things weren’t going his way. He finishes well around the rim and on short jumpers, especially with defenders on or near him. On defense he stayed active and opportunistic, pursuing steals and passes as long as he could. I’m interested to see what his jumper is like as he didn’t establish that much today, but if he does that too, he would be a name for people to get eyes on quickly.
Bailey was a stud today when I saw him and his size and build should make college coaches take notice of him. He seems like a big combo guard at the next level, and at 6’4 should project highly towards a D1/D2 level. I thought he used great body control and length to be able to finish above and through the defense and was hard to stop once he got a head of steam going downhill. He made good reads off the bounce and in the middle of a zone in regards to passing, and he even knocked down some mid-range jumpers. He’s much more of a slasher than a shooter, but his body type and game is pretty unique. Someone who should have more eyes on him as the summer goes along.
Green played for Team Wall this weekend, and the moment I knew he had the tools to play at the next level was when he fired off a smooth pick and pop three and hit nothing but nylon from the top of the key. The kid has real deal tools and can control the game from the post. He’s a big fella but I didn’t feel like he couldn’t run the floor or stay in the game, as he hustled and looked to make winning plays outside of just scoring the ball. He attacked the offensive glass and moved people out of the way well. Inside, he’s got solid moves that still have room for growth, but finishes layups well. It seems that his biggest question mark is his durability and ability to be healthy enough to make an impact, however with how he played today, he showed a healthy Derrick Green Derrick Green 6’9″ | C Fayetteville Academy | 2023 State NC is a dangerous one.
Highlights
Harris is back playing with NC Spartans and showed why it was a great decision, as he put opposing defenders in a torture chamber figuring out how they could stop him. He’s incredibly strong and quick for his size, and profiles more like a wing or a smooth forward rather than someone that wants to go back to the basket the whole time. He’s a fearless runner in transition and goes to the hole with strength and power every time, daring you to get in the way and foul him. Defensively he’s got verticality to be a good weak side shot blocker, and long arms to be a good rebounder. He hit a turnaround 15 footer to win his team the game today, and that kind of composure and smoothness with the game on the line, along with his physical tools, makes me think he’s got real potential at the next level.