Phenom National Showcase Senior Standouts
Last weekend was the annual Phenom Hoops Report National Showcase at Greensboro Day in Greensboro, NC, bringing teams from all over the east coast together. It was an interesting tournament, which featured a shot clock (not yet in North Carolina high school play), and it featured prospects ranging from nationally ranked to available small school seniors. I spent the day in the back gym while Houston was in the main gym, and while it was the back gym the talent was big time! Here’s a look at some of the senior standouts from the four games I watched.
Damion Baugh | 6’3” PG | Tennessee Prep 2019
One of the premier available point guard prospects in the country, Baugh showed that he can be a two-way impact guy that sets the tone and runs a talented team well making everyone better. He has a strong and athletic frame, he works well off the bounce in isolation and pick-and-roll situations and he can thread the needle to find cutters and shooters for easy buckets. Defensively he was very impressive, with great footwork to stay in front and good instincts allowing him to jump passing lanes for steals. He finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals in their win over DME Academy of Florida.
Trazion Byrd | 6’6” WF | Tennessee Prep 2019
While Baugh set the tone on both ends, Byrd was the guy who brought early scoring and energy to help TN Prep jump ahead early. A super long and bouncy 6’6” wing, he showed that while he’s streaky, he can score in a number of ways and impact the game on both ends of the floor. Byrd came out hot, scoring 12 points in the first quarter while hitting two from deep. He continued that part, finishing with 19 points on the day including going 3-for-6 from deep, and he pitched in 7 rebounds and four steals. His length and ability to play multiple positions makes him a big time available senior right now.
Darrell Belcher | 6’3” WG | Tennessee Prep 2019
Belcher was a breakout guy in TN Prep’s win over DME Academy, and he’s a guy that division one and division two schools looking for an all-around guard should take a look at. Belcher has a good, strong frame that he uses on both ends of the floor and to help on the glass. He has three level scoring ability, moves well and crashes the glass off the ball and he can get downhill and create his own shot as well. He was probably the most consistent and most productive guy for them as he finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Malcolm Farrington | 6’2” WG | DME Academy (FL) 2019
The Arkansas State commit got off to a rough start against TN Prep for DME, but he picked it up big time in the second half, scoring 15 of his 19 points after halftime. A stocky off guard with a quick trigger and great confidence from beyond the arc, once Farrington got it going he was a killer. After shooting 2-for-8 from the field and 0-for-2 from beyond the arc in the first half, Farrington was 4-for-8 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep, showing that he never lost his confidence.
Caleb Fields | 6’0” PG | Aspire Academy (KY) 2019
Fields will be Farirington’s backcourt mate at Arkansas State for the next four years, and they should compliment each other well as they have totally different games. Field’s is more of a ball handler that thrives in transition where he can use his strong frame and athleticism to finish at the basket and through contact. He showed good vision and solid shot making ability, but what stood out more is how he has the kind of toughness and leadership that elevates everyone else to be better with him.
Marcus Henderson | 6’2” PG | United Faith (NC) 2019
Henderson is an Evansville commit who grew on me throughout the game and I ended up loving him by the end of their win over Hickory Grove. A solid all-around point guard, he isn’t the most dynamic athlete but he has all of the tools you like to see out of a winning point guard. He has great vision and passing ability, he can shoot it from deep off the catch and off the bounce and he has a great feel and high IQ for the game. He finished with a solid and efficient 15 points, five assists, three rebounds and four steals.
Sam Wolfe | 6’7” PF | United Faith (NC) 2019
If I’m a division two or division three school I’d be all over Wolfe, who outside of Henderson was probably their best overall player. He’s a mix of a skilled four who can step out and stretch the defense to 15 feet, but he also has some toughness and grit in which he’ll bang in the post with bigger guys and he’ll fight for loose balls and to get extra possessions for his team. He finished with a solid 11 points and seven rebounds for them and was really big in the paint for him.
Max Farthing | 6’5” WG | Word of God (NC) 2019
One of the best available shooters I’ve seen, Farthing has a lethal weapon from behind the arc and he isn’t afraid to use it. He showed effortless range as he canned multiple triples from well beyond the arc, stretching the floor for drivers and making him a threat as soon as he crossed half court. He’s also 6’5” with a 4.0 GPA so coaches if you need a shooter he’s a guy to take a look at.