Phenom National Showcase Standouts (Part 1)
We were in attendance for the fourth annual Phenom National Showcase featuring some of the top private schools from across the country and Canada last weekend. There were numerous high major prospects and coaches in attendance, and seeing some of the top matchups will be some of the most fun we’ll see all year, and most high schools haven’t even started playing yet. Here’s part one of our standouts, featuring six of the top performers from the weekend.
- Ignas Brazdeikis | 6’8” WF | Orangeville Prep (Can.) 2018
One of the more offensively gifted players at the event, Brazdeikis put up huge numbers in both of Orangeville Prep’s going for 31 points and 8 rebounds in their day one win over Word of God and following it up with 25 points and 11 rebounds in their win over Mount Mission on the second day. He’s big, strong, athletic and can shoot it. He can create his own shot and has range out to 25 feet off the bounce, and he has great instincts both in the half court and in transition where he can score it efficiently. The University of Michigan commit was as close to unguardable as it can come, and he torched whoever was put in front of him.
- Jalen Lecque | 6’4” PG | Christ School (NC) 2019
He may not have put up the huge numbers that Brazdeikis did, but Lecque was the talk of the tournament with his highlight finishes and rapid growth as a prospect. The New York native transferred to Christ School and since last summer he has seen his stock soar. At 6’4” he has great size and he’s uber talented offensively. He has good burst, he’s unbelievably explosive vertically and he’s a strong finisher around the rim. He makes contested shots look easy and he has good vision, although the knock on him may be his decision making at times. Still, he’s a high major two way impact player that had the biggest of college coaches, including UConn, NC State and UVA, all salivating over him from his play this past weekend.
- Flo Thamba | 6’9” C | Mount Mission (VA) 2018
Mount Mission had the unfortunate draw of playing Athlete’s Institute and Orangeville Prep of Canada over the weekend, two of the more talented teams in the event, and despite losing both games available senior big man Flo Thamba showed that he’s turned the corner and is ready to play high major basketball next year. He’s seen his recruitment pick up with recent offers from Virginia Tech, TCU, Memphis and others, and he posted double-doubles of 20 points 16 rebounds and 15 points 11 rebounds this weekend. He was all over the glass at both ends, showed a soft touch on his jump hook and got to the line and shot a high percentage there throughout the tournament.
- Devon Dotson | 6’1” PG | Providence Day (NC) 2018
While Lecque got much of the attention, Dotson was hands down the most dominant point guard at the event. The Kansas native was impossible to keep out of the lane, and while he only stands 6’1” he plays and finishes like he’s 6’5”. He’s so dynamic off the bounce with great burst, and he changes speeds so effortlessly it’s tough for anyone to stay in front of him. He constantly put pressure on the defense both in transition and in the half court, and he showed improved shot making ability from 20 feet and out. He’s grown so much since the first time I saw him his sophomore year, and while he has to continue to improve on his playmaking ability he could arguably be the most college ready PG in the entire country right now.
- Luguentz Dort | 6’4” PG | Athlete’s Institute (Can.) 2018
Another high major point guard that showed great versatility, the Arizona State commit was the straw that stirred the Athlete’s Institute team that went 2-0 with easy wins over Mount Mission and Heritage Academy. A big point guard with a great frame, high level athleticism and playmaking abilities, Dort both dominated offensively and showed the ability to make everyone around him better as well. He thrives in transition where he can use his strong frame to finish in traffic, but also exhibited great vision and a high IQ as he showed good passing ability and created opportunities for his teammates as well. He’ll be a guy to keep an eye on in the PAC 12 moving forward.
- Jairus Hamilton | 6’7” WF | Cannon School (NC) 2018
Hamilton, who is one of the best available prospects on the east coast, showed his tremendous versatility in two wins for Cannon School. The 6’7” wing can do it all offensively as he’s a natural scorer from all three levels. He can put it on the deck, shoot the deep ball and the midrange both off the catch and the bounce, is a good scorer on the low block and he’s an athletic and strong finish in traffic. His body allows him to be a mismatch, as he’s stronger than most wings and quicker than most posts, and he’s a high level rebounder that keeps plays alive and can start the break. He listed Boston College, Mississippi State and Maryland among the schools he’s considering.