Phenom Challenge: 17U Orange Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 Phenom Challenge took place this Saturday and Sunday at the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. [program_tooltip program_id='2163938' first='Next' last='Level Elite'] Poole dominated Carolina Raptors 78-57 to take home the 17U Orange Bracket Championship, getting a well-balanced effort each game. These six prospects - including three from that Championship Game - stood out amongst the competition during the tournament. Check them out below:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2023007"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2420345,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='2023007' first='Devin' last='Swindler'] headlines our list of standout prospects from the 17U Blue Bracket. He had a terrific weekend helping his squad go 5-0 and win the Championship. Devin is a terrific athlete and has a very strong frame. He uses those attributes to make an impact on both ends of the floor, guarding multiple positions, finishing at the rim, and even shooting with efficiency from the perimeter. He had a dominant game in the First Round against Shelby Sports Academy, putting up 18 Points (4 3PM), 11 Rebounds, 9 Assists, and 2 Blocks.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1985871"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":2420346,"_player_evaluations_1_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Reese was one of the Top Shooters from the Phenom Challenge 17U Blue Division. He is a consistent perimeter threat from all areas on the floor, but his ability to connect from the corners is most important to the spacing of the Carolina Raptors offense. Walter can also make plays for himself and others when run off the three-point line and has great instincts on the defensive end.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["2078979"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":2420347,"_player_evaluations_2_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Thomas was impressive as a 2026 Playing up in the 17U Division at the Phenom Challenge. He is a scrappy guard who balances scoring and facilitating well. Thomas has a beautiful pull-up game, hitting several shots from the mid-range throughout the weekend. D'Marcus is solid on the defensive end as well, keeping opposing guards in front, contributing to rebounding, and fighting for loose balls. In a tight matchup with Hoop Love Elite on Saturday, Thomas had a solid performance with 10 Points, 7 Rebounds, 5 Assists, and 2 Steals.","_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":2420348,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2457406' first='Eli' last='Brown']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77243","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Chesnee","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2163938' first='Next' last='Level Elite'] Poole","_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":"Brown is another prospect from the 17U Blue Champions. Eli is the big in this NLE Poole lineup and had to play more minutes than in previous tournaments due to injury. He is a very skilled big and often finds himself around the perimeter. Brown handles the ball well and can score from the inside or outside, but he is also a great passer. His most balanced performance also came against Shelby Sports Academy in the First Round where he had 10 Points and 4 Assists, but he was also important in the First Half of the Championship game against Carolina Raptors to help his team build a big lead.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2422736' first='Gavin' last='Brown']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Newberry","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"Masked Men","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Brown is another intriguing young guard from the 17U Blue Division. He is effective when playing on or off the ball and brings good energy to the floor. When he has the ball in his hands, he reads the floor well and finds teammates even through tight windows. When he is playing off the ball, Gavin is a very consistent shooter with a good jump-shot mechanics.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6627db03d7615"} /-->