ND Phenom 2027: Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">PHD is back for another Team Preview. We are highlighting an elite program, [program_tooltip program_id='2075741' first='ND' last='Phenom']!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>This piece will focus on NDP's 2027/16U squad. Nate Symens is the head coach. This team will be fun to watch. These ballers all had standout high school seasons and their future looks extremely bright. We also expect them to put on a show this spring/summer on the Prep Hoops Circuit!</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">This weekend, NDP will compete at their first event of the spring season in Woodbury, MN.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"normal","fontWeight":"100"}}} --> <p style="font-style:normal;font-weight:100">See below for player comments, the schedule, and a Q&amp;A session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">Best of luck to NDP this weekend at the Scheels Series!<a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/NDphenomPHCIRCUIT.jpg"></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2853750,"width":"313px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_005ce8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_005ce8.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2853750" style="width:313px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player Comments from Coach Symens</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1863062' first='Najeh' last='Boyd'] - 5'10" Point Guard - Bismarck</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Najeh blends speed, shooting, and leadership into an athletic body.&nbsp;He is a highly efficient guard.&nbsp;Had a great season for Bismarck.&nbsp;Teams that Najeh plays for always seem to win a lot of games.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237725' first='Madden' last='Skunberg'] - 5'10" Guard - Jamestown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Madden is a 3 and D guard. He can pick up full court. Very efficient. Plays with a chip on his shoulder.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1657451' first='Brooks' last='Armstrong'] - 6'0" Guard - Saint Mary's Central</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Brooks is a strong combo guard with an impressive handle. He thrives in the paint but also has the ability to score from the perimeter.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237731' first='Nolan' last='Schmidt'] - 6'3" Wing - Our Redeemer's</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Nolan is a jack of all trades. He can score from 3 levels but thrives as a slasher. Great defensively. Leads by example. High school team lost 3 games total.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651920' first='Owen' last='Terras'] - 6'5" Wing - Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Owen is a prototypical high IQ 3 and D wing. Long arms. Pretty shot. Makes intelligent plays. Had a great season for Horace.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237681' first='Eli' last='Undlin'] - 6'4" Forward - MLS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Eli had an incredible season in a loaded Class B region. All-Region for the 2^nd consecutive year. Can score at all levels. High motor. Plays above the rim. Lockdown defender. Undlin is a gamer.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2237726' first='Oakley' last='Trueblood'] - 6'8" Forward - Minot</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Oakley has the ability to score at all levels. Great shooter with a high release. Plays above the rim. Coaches will want to take a look. Very high ceiling.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2116300' first='Ahmi' last='Spears'] - 6'8" Forward - Bismarck Century</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Ahmi was part of a State Championship team. He certainly looks the part of a future college player. Great length. Impacts defensively. Expanding offensive game.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Schedule</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2853886,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_485354.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_485354.png?w=825" alt="" class="wp-image-2853886" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Q&amp;A with Nate Symens</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What has you excited about this team/roster?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We found success last season and feel that with who we have returning and the additional pieces, we could find even more success.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: How often will your team practice/work out?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We have skill workouts 3 times per week and get together on a few weekends.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are your goals for this team?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We want to compete possession to possession and expand the recruitment process with the players.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What are a couple of your strengths as a team?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We seem very connected as a team defensively at this point. We shoot it well overall. The group is unselfish.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What style of basketball will you play on offense?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We blend an inside-out motion with a good number of sets as well.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What brand of defense do you foresee your team playing? </span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We will pressure and play man. We have the ability to switch to some zone as needed.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Is there an event/tournament you are most looking forward to?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>I have never coached in Indianapolis and I do not believe any of the players have played there. That should be a good time.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Who are a couple of underrated players on your team?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Everyone on our team can be a star in their role. [player_tooltip player_id='1863062' first='Najeh' last='Boyd'] may be overshadowed by the other talented guards at Bismarck right now. He is a future college player.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: What do you foresee being the identity of your team?</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>Unselfish offensive play and connected defensive play.</em>"</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">PHD: Feel free to add anything else about your team that you find relevant.</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"<em>We found a lot of team success in our scrimmages against college players and hope to find that translates to success on the court in 16U divisions."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"20px","fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"1000"}}} --> <p style="font-size:20px;font-style:italic;font-weight:1000">BEST OF LUCK TO ND PHENOM!!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2853750,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_005ce8.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/image_005ce8.png?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2853750" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->