PHL Finals: The Last Ride

<!-- 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 final weekend of July marked the end of an era for the Class of 2027, as the Phenom Hoops League Finals closed the book on their travel ball careers. For many rising seniors, it was one last opportunity to compete alongside longtime teammates, make a lasting impression on college coaches who were tracking from afar, and finish their AAU careers on a high note. Several South Carolina prospects and one Tennessee prospect embraced the moment, delivering strong performances and reminding everyone there's still plenty to like before the high school season tips off. </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":["3266567"],"_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":3704808,"_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-6a67c0789effc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading off the list is [player_tooltip player_id='3266567' first='Chase' last='Hoover'] of [program_tooltip program_id='2415221' first='Upward' last='Stars Upstate']. Hoover has had an excellent summer, and he capped it off with another impressive shooting display at the Phenom Hoops League Finals. He had 7 3PM in a matchup with Tennessee Travelers, lighting up the opposing defense whenever he had a look. Chase is one of the state's premier catch-and-shoot weapons, particularly in the corners, in transition, and on designed plays. If Hoover can add another piece to his offensive game to give defenses another thing to think about, he could be a really good two-guard at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2810140"],"_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-6a67c0789f11b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another Upward Upstate shooter who impressed this weekend was Humphries. Grayden was a late add for the Stars in July because of a high school baseball playoff run in the spring, but he proved to have good chemistry with a lot of his teammates from the jump. He is an excellent shooter off the dribble, both on the perimeter and in the mid-range. Humphries' handle is an underrated piece of his game and allows him to play both on or off the ball. He finished with 10 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the round one loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2887395"],"_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-6a67c0789f22c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From an exposure standpoint, [player_tooltip player_id='2887395' first='Ford' last='Stratton'] had as good a summer as anyone in the state. He was one of the best players in the Phenom Hoops League and earned a pair of D2 offers thanks to his strong showings. Standing at 6'6", Stratton has a very enticing combination of size and shooting prowess, but he's proven to be more than just a spot-up option as the season has gone on. He has shown an ability to put the ball on the floor and get to the rim or make the right pass versus a rotating defense, which should give him another level to his offensive game once he gets to college. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2449207"],"_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-6a67c0789f313"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Georgiana-Richardson has been a staple for [program_tooltip program_id='2078753' first='Upward' last='Stars Columbia'] over the past few years. He is a guy who you can count on to show up and play hard every weekend, on both ends of the floor. Avery has a strong frame and excellent athleticism, plus he has shown lots of progression with his perimeter shot over his time as a Star. He is now a guy you can't leave open from deep, plus he isn't shy to attack the rim and finish around bodies or get on the rim in transition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3704646"],"_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-6a67c0789f3f8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Nation Ford guard is someone I became familiar with in June and got to check in with in July with 1 of 1 Regional. Heredia is a nice piece in both settings, proving to be a versatile player on both ends of the floor. He can handle the ball and make things happen off the dribble or be a spot-up guy and work off rotations, plus he can guard multiple positions defensively. Zadrian will also make hustle plays to swing games like chasing long rebounds and drawing charges. Keep an eye on him to be a key veteran for a young but talented Falcons squad in the winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2350372"],"_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-6a67c0789f4e0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='2350372' first='Brady' last='Harris'] rounds out this group. Brady and [program_tooltip program_id='2410691' first='Tennessee' last='Travelers 2027'] had the deepest run of any one on this list, winning three games to make it to the Final Four of the 2026 Phenom Hoops League Finals. He was a key player throughout, including an impressive showing in the opening round against Upward. Brady's positional size allows him to get easy looks inside the perimeter, plus he holds up well defensively and is an active rebounder. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->