We had a chance to catch the Nike EYBL Session III in Indianapolis over the weekend and wish to spotlight some gamers that stepped up their sport from our earlier viewing or that caught our eye among the many huge quantity of video games and groups we have been in a position to get a take a look at over the weekend.
In Atlanta for session II, we targeted a lot of our time on the youthful age teams (16U and 15U), however for the reason that youthful teams have been taking part in at a special location in Indy, we targeted on the 17U division. We check out 10 gamers (primarily 17U) who’re making strides on the courtroom, which ought to repay on the recruiting entrance within the weeks and months to come back.
Heading into session IV subsequent weekend (Could 24-27) in Kansas Metropolis, Florida-based Nightrydas Elite is first place within the Merritt Convention whereas DMV-based Staff Takeover and NorCal-based Oakland Troopers are tied for first place within the Raveling Convention. All three groups sport 9-1 information.
Let’s check out 10 gamers making strides of their sport and serving to their recruitment based mostly on their play at Nike EYBL Session III in Indianapolis:
2025
Silas Barksdale, Boo Williams 17U/Woodside (Newport Information, Va.) 6-9 PF
This no non-sense performer does his job and does not fear loads concerning the fanfare of the cameras and it is paying nice dividends. Barksdale strikes nicely with out the ball in decide and roll conditions and has a strong face up sport.
C.J. Ingram II, Florida Rebels 17U/Hawthorne (Fla.) 6-5 SF
Grid-Hoop stud was his common energetic self and performed with an additional pop for the Steve Reece-coached group that’s presently tied for second place behind the Nightrydas within the Merritt Division. Ingram assaults the rim with a vengeance and his ability is underrated contemplating the very fact he quarterbacks Hawthorne’s soccer group and spends time away from the sport. He led each applications to FHSAA Class 1A state titles and is a key cog for a top-flight journey membership program.
Jasper Johnson, Staff Thad 17U/Hyperlink Academy (Branson, Mo.) 6-4 SG
He is a prime 10 nationwide recruit, however Johnson simply provides one thing to his sport every time we consider him. The sleek lefty was attacking the paint and ending with smooth contact across the basket. There may be simply loads to love about his general capability.Â
Brandon Lee, NY Rens 17U/The Patrick College (Elizabeth, N.J.) 6-5 SG
He was terrific in Indianapolis and attracts excessive reward from his journey ball coaches for his character and strategy to the sport. Lee has a pleasant pull up mid-range shot, drives arduous to the rack and makes vitality performs that helps his group win, as nicely. Lee can also be a high quality free throw shooter and defender. His supply rely will go method up because the EYBL rolls alongside.Â
Nyk Lewis, Staff Takeover 17U/Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-1 PG
He was not too long ago named an Underclass All-American, so it isn’t like Lewis is not productive. He is bodily ready for the pains of excessive degree ball, regular and unflappable and one of many most important explanation why Staff Takeover is in place to problem for its fourth Peach Jam title for the reason that EYBL was shaped in 2010. Lewis will get into the lane and makes the right reads and is the kind of guard faculties makes use of to make a deep NCAA Tourney run.
Ahziel “JoJo” McIver, Drive Nation 17U/Ellison (Killeen, Texas) 6-2 PG
Terrific mid-major prospect who might push to the following degree if he retains exhibiting like he did in Indy. McIver has a pleasant perimeter sport and does nicely beating defenders to the within from both wing. McIver additionally has fast arms on protection and will get out in entrance of performs. Merely put, he is a winner.
Antonio Munoz, Meanstreets 17U/Whitney Younger (Chicago) 6-6 SF
This athletic small ahead can change the dynamics of a sport with a spectacular end across the rim. He cuts nicely and is a line-drive attacker who’s a load to cease as soon as he will get downhill. Munoz performs arduous on each ends and is monitoring to enhance the extent of his scholarship gives based mostly on what we noticed in Indianapolis.Â
Tae Simmons, Why Not 17U/Heritage Christian (Northridge, Calif.) 6-6 PF
This rugged ahead could also be a bit undersized for the excessive main degree, however boy does he do issues that assist school coaches win and maintain their job. He is relentless attacking the glass or going after an offensive rebound put again and does not want the ball of offense to make an affect. Many D1 faculties in Simmons’ SoCal yard needs to be throughout him with a proposal. Â
Dallas Washington, AZ Unity 17U/Santa Margarita (Calif.) 6-9 PF
He is discovered a pleasant area of interest on a group loaded with particular person expertise and is monitoring upward. Washington additionally performed on a proficient highschool group that was up and down in 2023-24, and his degree of consistency wasn’t the place it wanted to be. This spring, nonetheless, he is beginning to put collectively a string of performances which have turned the heads of faculties coaches on the mid-major and high-major degree. Washington is rebounding arduous and discovering his consolation zone on offense. Â Â
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Imahri Wooten, Metropolis Rocks NY 17U/Putnam Science Academy (Putnam, Ct.) 6-5 SG
His explosiveness jumps out straight away and Wooten has a flexible offensive package deal. Wooten’s sport is maturing and he can maintain defenders trustworthy together with his exterior capturing. The truth is, he reportedly went 6-of-7 from 3-point vary in a single contest and in one other sport we evaluated, he dominated with an array of offensive strikes. The way in which he is monitoring, Wooten needs to be a severe McDonald’s All-American candidate in 18 months.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He will be reached at [email protected]. Do not forget to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
