Which 2029s Impressed at Phenom Rock Hill Live?

USE CODE “baxley30” FOR 30% OFF THE FIRST PURCHASE OF ANY SUBSCRIPTION   While much of the attention at the Phenom Hoops Rock Hill Live centered around the older prospects, several players in the 2029 class quietly showed why the future of basketball in the Carolinas is in good hands. From advanced skill sets to early physical tools and confidence beyond their age, these young prospects turned heads throughout the weekend in Rock Hill. Here is a closer look at some of the 2029 standouts that made strong early impressions.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />    Headlining my list of impressive 2029s at Phenom Rock Hill Live is [player_tooltip player_id='2853393' first='Babar' last='Johnson']. I got to watch two games from [program_tooltip program_id='2078752' first='Upward' last='Stars SE'] 15U this weekend, and it was clear in both games that Babar was the best player on the floor. His scoring ability is his top attribute right now, but he isn't a one-dimensional offensive player. Johnson can use his handle and physicality to get to the basket, plus he is a skilled shooter on pull-ups and step-backs. Babar had multiple 20-point games in Rock Hill, including a 21-point, 9-rebound, and 3-steal performance on Friday.     Jayden is the second Stars SE 2029 standout of the weekend. He is still far from the finished product offensively, but his defensive floor should be something that has college coaches monitoring his growth over the next few years. Nowlin is listed at 6'0", but he has a plus wingspan and might not be done growing yet. He is effective on the ball and in gaps on the defensive end because of that length, and he had 8 steals between the two games I watched in Rock Hill. Jayden also stays active off the ball offensively with smart cuts and offensive rebounding. Keep an eye on this young player out of the Pee Dee.     Another intriguing young Point Guard who impressed me at the Phenom Hoops Rock Hill Live is [player_tooltip player_id='2966988' first='Seth' last='Oparah']. Seth is a true two-way backcourt threat, capable of using his length to make things happen defensively and create shots off the bounce offensively. He showed some spectacular flashes of his potential in an exciting in-state matchup with the Raptors in Rock Hill, racking up 19 points and 5 steals in a win. Oparah can turn defense into offense by jumping passing lanes and picking pockets, but I was most impressed with his ability to break down the defense and finish in the paint on a consistent basis. He's definitely one to watch out of a strong NGNG 15U group.     [player_tooltip player_id='3644822' first='Cole' last='Grueneberger'] was on the other side of the must-watch Saturday matchup. He represents [program_tooltip program_id='2246675' first='Charleston' last='Raptors'], one of the state's best programs, hailing from the Lowcountry. Grueneberger's size at his age is something that stands out right away, but he got more comfortable as the game went on and began stretching his game further from the rim, too. Cole has a really good feel as a screener, mixing in strong roles, slips, and pops to keep defenses off balance. He can also handle enough to attack the basket, finished with good touch around the rim, and knocked down two threes to go for 8 points and 10 rebounds in the game.     There are a few future big-name prospects on Upward Columbia's 15U group, but Sincere was as important to the impressive win over the Pride as anyone. He stepped up off the bench and immediately provided energy and a presence on the glass that helped the Stars turn around an early deficit. Glymph was impactful on both sides of it, limiting second opportunities for the opponent and earning second ones for his team. He finished with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.     Rounding out the list of standout 2029s from the Phenom Hoops Rock Hill Live is [player_tooltip player_id='3644842' first='Myles' last='Priester']. Priester immediately stands out with his size in the 15U division, and he uses it well to impact the game around the rim on both ends of the floor. He is extremely important to his team's defense because of rim protection and rebounding, but he also puts pressure on opposing defenses with a knack for drawing and playing through contact. If Myles continues to grow and develop his overall game, it won't be hard to project him as a dominant player in the Midlands over the next four years.

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