Which 2029s Made an Impact at the Phenom Queen City Showcase?

<!-- 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 Phenom Hoops Queen City Showcase in Rock Hill marked my first Phenom Hoops event of the season, and it didn't disappoint. Even at the 2029 level, the event showcased a promising group of young talent that competed with energy and confidence throughout the weekend, showing early signs of skill development and feel for the game. While it's still early in their journeys, several prospects stood out with the way they impacted games and embraced the moment. Here's a look at the 2029s who made an impact.</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_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":3602228,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Khalil Epps","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"SandHoke Early College High School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"[program_tooltip program_id='2830220' first='Palmetto' last='Pride']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69ea5e27e682b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Khalil Epps is first up on the list. I was familiar with Khalil from the grassroots circuit last year, and he again caught my eye with [program_tooltip program_id='2830220' first='Palmetto' last='Pride'] this weekend. Epps has some very intriguing length, which allows him to be a major factor around the rim on both ends of the floor as a finisher, lob threat, shot blocker, and rebounder. There were a couple of high-scoring games from Khalil in the Pride's run to the 15U Championship, but when I watched him in game two, it was clear he could impact the game without needing much of the ball, as he tallied 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, and 1 steal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2855071"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ea5e27e68c1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another standout from the 15U Champions is Brockington. Jordan is a true "floor general" style of guard - a guy who lifts the play of others on both ends of the floor. He looked comfortable dictating the pace of play on the offensive end in Rock Hill, pushing the pace in transition or running the offense in the half-court. He has a ton of weapons he can lean on offensively, including a solid jumper of his own, but Brockington will also make plays on the defensive end to lead an effective fast-break. Jordan finished with 15 points, 8 assists, and 4 steals in a win over WBC. </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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Amir Mikell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Cannon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"HYAA Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69ea5e27e69a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Amir is the first of two HYAA Elite 2029s who caught my eye at the Phenom Queen City Showcase. Mikell was really active early in a matchup with USC Unleashed EYCL, patrolling the paint defensively and knocking down a quick mid-range jumper. Despite his lankier frame, Amir can really hold up on the glass. He is also a solid passer for a forward of his age, so he could develop into a unique playmaker as he gets older. Mikell went for 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists in the loss, but he's definitely one to watch out of the Concord area. </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":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Brayden McCrimon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hopewell","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"HYAA Elite","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"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-69ea5e27e6a50"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The second HYAA Elite 2029 who stood out is McCrimmon, a guy who complements Mikell very well to create a formidable interior duo. Brayden has a much thicker frame, and in the 15U age group, he can use it to wear down smaller defenders and kill mismatches in the paint. Although a lot of his work was in the paint or above the rim, Brayden's shot looks sound, and like Amir, he is an excellent passer. He finished with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in the loss to the eventual 15U runners-up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2878202"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69ea5e27e6aa9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rounding out my list of impactful 2029s from the Phenom Queen City Showcase is [player_tooltip player_id='2878202' first='Kayden' last='Keith']. Keith was running with [program_tooltip program_id='2078552' first='WBC' last='Elite'] (Wilmington Basketball Club) and was a true bright spot in a tough loss to the eventual 15U champions, racking up 19 points and 5 rebounds. He has a balanced offensive game that features a strong frame to work from the post, a solid handle in attack, and a developing jump shot. Keep an eye on this Wallace-Rose Hill two-sport athlete to have a bright future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->