Phenom Challenge: Saturday’s Biggest Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 Phenom Challenge took place at the Upward Star Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Prep Hoops SC was in attendance for Day One, evaluating some of the best the state has to offer. These five prospects are just that - and stood out above the competition on Saturday. 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":["2418912"],"_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":2848973,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680da2deec932"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">First up on my list of Saturday Standouts is [program_tooltip program_id='2163938' first='Next' last='Level Elite']'s [player_tooltip player_id='2418912' first='Syncere' last='Williams']. Williams is a Freshman Guard who has been on my radar since last summer, and he put up a strong performance in my first check-in with him this summer. He is a creative playmaker - particularly at the rim and in making plays for others. Syncere displayed controlled footwork in attack mode, a nice float game, and knocked down multiple threes in the win over Cap City Charlotte.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":2848988,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"JT Carter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_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":"Daniel","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2163938' first='Next' last='Level Elite']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680da2deec9f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">JT is the other part of NLE 2028's stellar backcourt. He also had a key showing in Saturday's win. However, Carter is more of an aggressive, slashing Guard who is scoring-minded and especially good at speed. JT is a blur with the ball in his hands and was always looking to push the pace in transition. He had several tough finishes there, including a floater with soft touch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1806931"],"_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":2848982,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680da2deeca51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1806931' first='Isaiah' last='Scott-Palacios'] was running with 3D Elite on Saturday in Spartanburg, and he was fantastic in the first game of the morning. Isaiah went for 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals to help boost his team to a win over Upward Upstate. He started the game with an instinctual defensive play, followed by a pair of threes. As the game went on, he was able to score around the paint more, but his defense never wavered. Isaiah looked strong through contact and showed no signs of rust from a knee injury last winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2314654"],"_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":2848983,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680da2deecaa6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Copeland is a hometown prospect, attending High Point Academy and playing for [program_tooltip program_id='2822367' first='Spartanburg' last='Prime'] on the Grassroots Circuit. He came out on a mission in Game Two, going for 13 points in the first half. Chris is a slashing wing who strongly favors his right hand, but opponents struggle to keep him away from it. He has a killer crossover and can get to the rim or the free-throw line at will. Copeland is also a high flyer and had a few highlight plays as part of his 21-point, 3-block game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2819110"],"_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":2848987,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-680da2deecaf9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out my list of standouts from the Phenom Challenge is [player_tooltip player_id='2819110' first='Kevin' last='Butler']. Although he is on the thin side, Butler has gifted length that helps him affect the game in multiple ways. He has an efficient lefty stroke from the outside, a floater with soft touch on the inside, and can make life difficult for opponents on the defensive end. Kevin also has terrific instincts for the ball - both on the glass and in passing lanes. Butler went for 17 points in a loss to Stars Gold. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->