Phenom March Madness – 16U Standouts

<!-- wp:image {"id":2388532,"linkDestination":"custom"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/image_8e8897.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/03/image_8e8897.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2388532" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was excited to finally tune into grassroots action for the first time this spring, catching games from Phenom Hoops' March Madness event at the RISE center this past weekend. With plenty of 2025s getting their final AAU season underway, we saw a lot of regional talent standing out. Check out five names from the 16U division that were big-time players this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1907233"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"VanWeerdhuizen continues to show off his ability to torch the nets, working as a great floor spacer and perimeter shooter all weekend long for CP3 EYCL. With plenty of ball handlers on his team already, he kept operating as a shooter and playing off the ball most of the time, hitting open shots consistently. Not the biggest guy on the floor or the most disruptive defender, but he holds his own and adds tons of value on the offensive end.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2055545"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Gyabaah was an intriguing prospect that I got eyes on for the first time this past weekend, standing as a long forward with a unique blend of skill and athleticism. His impact is noticeable on the defensive end as a rebounder, shot alterer, and someone who can guard people off the dribble. Offensively he's still growing as a finisher, slasher, and hitting some perimeter/mid-range jump shots. Someone who is improving rapidly, his upside is high and someone to watch.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2449196' first='Malik' last='McCotter']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Chambers","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Team Ish","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"McCotter is an underrated name that made an impact for Chambers this season and now is looking like the star of Team ISH for this spring/summer. He's a scrappy, aggressive guard that puts pressure on his opponents on both sides of the ball. Saw him force plenty of turnovers with his active hands and feet, while looking efficient and good at finishing those turnovers either into fastbreak points or getting to the foul line. Really good at attacking a closeout, getting to the paint, and either scoring or distributing from there.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1832589"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Brooks looked like the man to beat for his [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] Liles group this weekend, as he scored the ball well and looked to be involved in everything the group tried to do. He's got a good scoring touch, hitting shots from all three levels of the court with regularity and looking comfortable in doing so. Good IQ in knowing when to score, move without the ball to help his opposing teammates, or make the simple pass in order to keep the offense moving.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2301227"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Surratt is continuing to blossom into his own, acting as an impressive offensive player for Team Devoe this past weekend. His group was led by him in multiple outings, shooting the ball well off the catch and the dribble/move. I liked his ability to use his above average physicality and size on both ends to make sure the game is played at his speed and tempo, not the opponents. He's a kid that could continue to be an impressive two way presence at the high school level the next two years.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-660327a07bc9d"} /-->