Phenom March Madness – 17U Standouts

<!-- wp:image {"id":2388532,"width":"474px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><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" style="width:474px;height:auto" /></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 17U division that were big-time players this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Malachi Tate","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Grace Christian (Raleigh)","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"DB Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Tate was instrumental in guiding his DB Elite squad to the Orange division title this weekend, and every time I saw him he was making an impact, but in various ways. He showed off a great defensive acumen in some games, hounding the ball handler and forcing various mistakes and turnovers. Offensively, he did a bit of everything, hitting jump shots, attacking the painted area, and finding his open teammates. Someone to monitor out of the Raleigh area this grassroots season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["2093879"],"_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":"Lyerly was an interior presence to admire this weekend for Carolina Charge, as they made the finals of the Orange bracket. He's a burly 6'6, with plenty of strength and physicality to help bury people in the post and under the rim. Showed off his ability to act as a post passer and facilitator with his back to the basket as well. Really good touch around the basket, with an ability to either get to the cup or hit short jumpers out of the post.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1832580"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Keegan is part of a very balanced [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] Henderson attack, but he was hot all weekend which caught my eye. His perimeter shooting was a strength this weekend, hitting shots from all around the arc and benefitting from great ball movement from himself and his teammates. In regards to other parts of his game, he really knows how to make the winning play, hustle hard, and play with energy and positivity whenever he takes the court. A glue guy to know in the central part of the state.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2448909' first='Derek' last='Studer']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"West Stokes","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Studer is gaining steam as a forward to know with [program_tooltip program_id='2078512' first='NC' last='Spartans'] Henderson, a strong forward with great feel for the game and defensive IQ. He's a plus rebounder who uses both his size and intelligence to box guys out, make the right play, and either get himself or a teammate a rebound. Also a plus rim protector/defender that alters shots with verticality and length. Offensively solid, working as a screener and finisher at the rim.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["2306038"],"_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":"Howard is part of a loaded NLPB 2025 team to monitor this spring/summer, but made his mark known with big shots and tough, hard-nosed defense on his opponents. He made big time jumpers later on in their games to put teams away, as well as scoring the ball in a versatile manner. Was impressed with how he guarded up with active feet and hands, disrupting opposing guards/ball handlers all tournament long.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6600b39d5ea8f"} /-->