We had a possibility to observe all three days of the Nike EYBL Session II in Atlanta and got here away with a number of main themes. Certain, there may be loads of expertise on the NIKE circuit every year, and a lot of the nation is aware of in regards to the likes of Cooper Flagg and A.J. Dybansta, so we determined to focus loads of our time on the youthful age teams (16U and 15U).
So far as the journey ball golf equipment on the 17U circuit go, there is just one 6-0 workforce within the Merritt Division and that is California-based Why Not 17U. Coached by Reggie Morris Jr., Why Not upped its document heading into the EYBL’s Reside Interval Session III in Indianapolis (Might 17-19) with a 71-66 comeback victory over Try For Greatness 17U in an all-California Sunday showdown. The star of the sport was 6-foot-5 2025 wing Tounde Yessoufou, who had essentially the most power of all 10 gamers on each ends of the ground, hit a wide range of photographs and made some huge defensive performs en path to a 26-point efficiency. He made 9-of-10 area objectives and 7-of-8 free throws vs. Try and is unofficially tied for first in 17U scoring with 6-foot-6 2025 wing Xzavion Mitchell of Wisconsin-based Workforce Herro at 25.5 ppg.
Workforce Herro is considered one of three 6-0 groups within the Raveling Division, together with New England-based Expressions Elite and DMV-based Workforce Takeover.
For now, let’s check out the highest underclass performers and eye-catchers at Nike EYBL Session II:
2026
Austin Brown, JL3 Elite/Lufkin (Texas) 6-8 SF
This difficult-nosed ahead strikes nicely with out the ball and excels despite the fact that typically JL3 performs at a fast-pacedthat would not all the time swimsuit Brown’s finest attributes. Within the half courtroom recreation, or a good spot, this workforce is aware of who to get the ball to as a result of Brown is aware of find out how to transfer with out the ball and is such a terrific shooter. Brown was flattening the 3-ball with regularity and is very glorious off the catch.
Josiah Cannady, Workforce Durant 16U/St. Francis Academy (Baltimore, Md.) 6-3 PG
We beloved his velocity with the basketball and play-making skill.
Christian Collins, Why Not 16U/Westchester (Los Angeles) 6-8 SF
This wiry athlete performed second fiddle on his earlier highschool workforce at St. Bernard (Playa Del Rey, Calif.) to a gifted graduating senior and Why Not 17s good friend Tajh Ariza, who will be a part of him at Westchester. From a nationwide perspective, nevertheless, was his breakout occasion. We have identified he was a high-major prospect for over a 12 months and a half now, however he is added extra coordination and maturity to his recreation, and is now hitting deep perimeter photographs with ease. The son of 2002 McDonald’s All-American DeAngelo Collins, Christian one recreation the place he canned three consecutive 3-pointers and caught the eye of nationwide scouts and even a number of NBA brass.
Kendre Harrison, Workforce CP3 16U/Reidsville (N.C.) 6-7 PF
Former NBA participant Austin Rivers made headlines earlier this week when he talked about NBA gamers’ skills to play within the NFL. We have been carefully following the nation’s prime Grid-Hoopers for near 40 years and despite the fact that his evaluation was a bit off, there are nonetheless loads of two-sport athletes that play excessive degree basketball that would make a NFL roster. Harrison helped Reidsville to a 29-0 document and North Carolina Class 2A state crown and No. 39 Remaining FAB 50 rating a number of months after main the soccer workforce to a state title in the identical division. Harrison is the nation’s prime tight finish prospect in his class, however boy, he is awfully enjoyable to observe on the hardwood. Not solely does he tear down the rim, he does all the things with good timing and has nice arms as one may think about.
Andrew Hilman, Oakland Troopers 16U/Riordan (San Francisco, Calif.) 6-4 SG
The sport is beginning to decelerate for this slashing wing participant who was typically one of the best participant on a talent-laden Riordan workforce the place a number of bench gamers have legit D1 affords. Hilman is a strider who can get within the lane with ease and likes to spin off defenders. He has good instincts and loves to leap lanes for straightforward run-out buckets. There could also be some extra naturally gifted, however few performed each possession as exhausting as this humble child.
Jordan Hunter, Workforce Takeover 16U/Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) 6-3 SG
An underneath management shooter with vary and self-discipline. Hunter is aware of what a great shot is and the place he desires to get within the half courtroom setting.
Dylan Mingo, PSA Cardinals 16U/Lengthy Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.) 6-4 PG
Repeatedly got here up with robust drives to the basket and his expertise degree stands out. A well-known participant who’s in retailer for an enormous summer time.
Jordan Smith, Workforce Takeover 17U/Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.) 6-4 SG
Taking part in up, Smith was one of many standouts of the weekend, as Workforce Takeover stays unbeaten in EYBL play. He’s the workforce’s catalyst along with his motor, physicality and talent. The truth is, his mixture of these three attributes may need been one of the best we noticed in Atlanta. Smith is a ferocious on-ball defender and did a terrific job on The Household’s Darius Acuff Jr. in a key win. Smith additionally has strong play-making expertise to create and likes to take it down the center for robust finishes or a monster flush.
Jahda Swann, New Heights Lightning 16U/Jefferson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 6-4
A sleeper who has loads of long-term potential. Swann is simply coming into his personal and we appreciated what we noticed along with his exterior capturing and modern body. Swann can knock down the nook shot, strikes his toes nicely on protection, and is artistic off the dribble. He is underneath the radar, however his teammate Oesoemana Sacko (6-8, 2026) is perhaps one of the best 2026 prospect in NYC at St. Francis Prep (Queens, N.Y.).
Cameron Williams, Vegas Elite 16U/St. Mary’s (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-10 PF
He could not dominate immediately, however boy, the potential is off the charts. Williams can face up and rating and when the talent degree and power meet on the body he possesses, he will be a legit NBA prospect. After final weekend, eager NBA scouts know who Williams is.
Clyde Walters, Nightrydas Elite 16U/Pinson Valley (Ala.) 6-7 SF
His workforce had an abundance of expertise, however we wished to level out his good really feel on the basketball courtroom. Walters has alot in his offensive bag with the ball.
2027
Brock Bass-Browner, Georgia Stars 15U/North Cobb Christian (Kennesaw, Ga.) 6-7 PF
Athletic ahead who is aware of what he’s. Excels at ending off off decide and rolls and has strong contact as a lefty huge.
Anderson Diaz, NY Rens 15U/St. Raymond (Bronx, N.Y.) 6-1 PG
Of all of the 15U video games we evaluated, Diaz may need had one of the best burst with the ball from a stop-start place. His first step is nice, however Diaz additionally appeared underneath management after we watched. Likes to get in the important thing with the flexibility to do it, then make a fast dish to both facet for a high quality shot.
Amir Dockery, New Heights Lightning 15U/Eagle Academy (Brooklyn, N.Y.) 6-0 PG
A throwback NYC level guard with all of the trimmings and fixings on his plate: retains the dribble alive with a artful deal with, will get by means of tight areas, can cut up double groups and fishing with a powerful lay-up bundle. Freshman starter for his highschool workforce that captured the PSAL, title whereas he was named the Public League’s freshman of the 12 months.
Cole Holden, Why Not 15U/Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.) 6-2 CG
This membership was unbeaten till its final recreation on Sunday and it is easy to see why while you look of the make-up of the roster. The workforce makes use of teamwork and good ball-movement to punish foes and Holden is likely one of the ring-leaders. He and Why Not teammate Pierce Thompson (6-2, 2027) performed JayVee for the CIF Open Division champions and it is easy to see how practising in opposition to these skilled gamers helps him on the 15U degree. Holden is a assured ball-handler and as soon as the sport slows down for him, he will be a terrific contributor for among the best highschool applications on the West Coast. On this workforce, he has loads of weapons round him and is studying when to assault and when to get them concerned.
Jeremy Jenkins, FL Rebels 15U/Riviera Prep (Miami, Fla.) 6-7 PF
His power and talent at his age (turned 15 final month) stand out immediately. He is bodily and might deal with the trials of big-time ball. Already thought of one of many nation’s finest prospects within the 2027 class. Jenkins’ entrance courtroom mate Jonathan Watts (6-8, 2027) additionally strikes nicely and challenges photographs on the rim.
Dooney Johnson, Workforce Herro 15U/Juneau (Milwaukee, Wis.) 6-4 PG
We love the identify and the sport much more, as Johnson is likely one of the finest 2027 prospects within the Midwest Area. He will get downhill in a rush and might change path nicely with the deal with.
Gabriel Nesmith, Nightrydas Elite 15U/Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) 6-6 SG
You may be hard-pressed to discover a higher efficiency by a 15U participant than the one we noticed from Nesmith on Saturday afternoon. It was just one recreation and we won’t wait to guage Nesmith extra, however throughout the first 10 seconds of watching him we knew what sort of expertise he was and what degree he’ll ultimately be recruited it. He hit a mid-court crossover and coated tons of floor to get in assault place in that time-frame and his fluid physique actions, strategy and confidence stood out immediately. Nesmith has the size you search for in a high-major wing and might shoot the deep ball out to 25 toes with ease. The mechanics and rhythm look nice, too. Do not be shocked if he challenges for a prime 3 spot within the 2027 class within the remaining rankings that matter on the finish 4 years from now.
Marquis Newson, Workforce Remaining 15U/Sanford Faculty (Hockessin, Del.) 6-3 SG
A workforce with an ubundance of particular person expertise that we appreciated, Newson is a high-level athlete who can get downhill with loads of horizontal pop. He is a prototypical wing prospect with a excessive talent degree that prime majors will monitor down the road.
Babatunde Oladotun, Workforce Durant 15U/ Blake (Silver Spring, Md.) 6-8 SF
Oozing with potential and expertise, some well-known evaluators peg this lanky wing as the highest prospect within the 2027 class. He wasn’t our production-based Nationwide Freshman of the Yr, however we perceive the emotions of inserting him on the prime. There’s nonetheless a protracted methods to go, however Oladotun clearly has the scale and measurables to be a terrific and dominant highschool participant. At this degree, he can dominate with array of shot-making expertise, step backs and size. He must work on getting in a stance and taking the optimistic area in entrance of him, as a substitute of counting on the adverse area that he can have at any time in opposition to lesser skills.
Zaiyir Phillips, Workforce United 15U/Hunter Huss (Gastonia, N.C.) 5-10 PG
This lefty simply retains attacking till he will get to his spot on the ground. It is refreshing to see his talent degree mixed along with his need to make successful performs. Phillips is deft on the right away jumper and shoots a excessive share off the catch. Phillips has the qualities coaches love of their younger guards.
Delton Prescott, AZ Unity 15U/Sunnyslope (Phoenix, Ariz.) 6-0 PG
This quarterback helped a terrific highschool workforce within the winter as a ninth-grader and is a pacesetter on among the best 15U groups within the nation. Prescott is past his years in the case of understanding and seeing a play forward. He is additionally a terrific passer in numerous conditions.
Clarence Rosser Jr., Workforce United 15U/Northern Nash (Rocky Mount, N.C.) 6-9 PF
He’s the kind of participant that stands out immediately along with his size and dimension, however Rosser has already developed a pleasant array of talent. Rosser makes good excessive submit passes and has some persistence in his assault. He can shoot the deep ball with confidence and his potential is off the charts. As soon as he learns find out how to take area and canopy floor with the dribble, be careful as he’ll be a High 20 kind prospect when it is all stated and carried out. His entrance courtroom teammate Charles Pur (6-9, 2027) is one to observe as nicely.
Jymin Veney, Tea Melo 15U/Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-3 SG
We adore it when younger gamers can get their toes underneath them on offense and keep in management off the dribble and Veney can just do that. He can play the lead or off the ball and is a terrific shooter, with a pleasant array of pull-ups. Keep watch over him down the road.
2028
Adan Diggs, AZ Unity 15U/Arizona 6-4 SG
The state of Arizona is has an abundance of high quality younger gamers and Diggs is correct up there as one of the best of the lot. He has terrific dimension and body for his place, and strikes nicely with our with out the basketball. Diggs’ athleticism can be high-major and he is a shot-maker with loads of confidence. With pure development, he’ll be on the recruiting record of Blue Bloods sooner or later.
Jakyi Miles, Oakland Troopers 15U/Arizona 6-3 CG
When one talks about scoring, some simply had that innate really feel and intuition for it and “KyiKyi” is likely one of the finest. The truth is, as a rising ninth-grader he is among the best we have seen come down the pike in a very long time. Final season he performed on AZ Compass Prep’s highschool workforce and was most likely ok to play on the EYBL Scholastic workforce. He dropped 35 factors in a recreation vs. Babatunde Oladotun and Workforce Durant and was terrific within the recreation prior that we additionally had an opportunity to guage. Miles had nice skill to get by defenders whereas overlaying floor, can shake them with significant dribbles and already possesses a easy pull-up recreation from mid-range that the majority elite highschool gamers would kill to have of their arsenal. Sprinting right into a pull-up just isn’t simple and Miles already has that in his instrument field. Be careful for Miles on the elite highschool degree.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He will be reached at [email protected]. Remember to comply with him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
