The second session of the EYBL took place at the brand new Jonathan Byrd’s Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Here are some of the players who stood out.
Wendell Carter 6’10 255 PF/C – Team CP3 2017
Last year’s Peach Jam MVP led Team CP3 to a 3-1 record in Indianapolis for the second session of the EYBL. Carter gets good lift but displays it more in the half court rather than running the floor to finish in transition; he gets up good when dunking or rebounding. He has a nice combination of strength that allows him to get any rebound in his area that he can get a hand on and finesse where he can finish with either hand around the basket. He has a natural thick build and can be the last one up the floor at times. He has good shot mechanics and doesn’t drift to the perimeter too much. He has a nice behind the back changing direction move in isolation on the perimeter but outside of that he doesn’t try to do too much when handling the ball. He isn’t quick when reacting to contest a shot but does a great job of challenging without fouling in the paint. Carter’s standout game was against Southern Stampede scoring 12 points and pulling down 21 rebounds. Team CP3 is currently 5-2.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 18.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, and two blocks per game while shooting 74.3%. In three of the four games, Carter shot over 80%.
Brian Bowen 6’7 185 SF – Meanstreets 2017
Bowen didn’t play as many minutes as I anticipated but he looked good in the game I got to catch against Team CP3 with 14 points and eight rebounds. He looks much more explosive and aggressive than he did last year. He doesn’t have a great transition handle but he has good 1-2 dribble moves to free himself up for a shot. Meanstreets leave Indianapolis with a 2-2 record and a 4-3 record overall.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 19.8 points and seven rebounds per game.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 19.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per games.
Deandre Ayton 7’0 245 PF/C – California Supreme 2017
Ayton did a great job of staying engaged all game long. He was still quick to pull from three but he didn’t drift out there quite as much. He finished everything around the basket with authority and played through contact. His game against E1T1 may have been the best I have seen from him. He was as active as you can ask; jumping for and securing every rebound, also sprinting to every loose ball, playing like he has something to prove. His jump shot was on point and had more arch than usual. Some have made cases for other player’s being the top of the class but after going to both EYBL sessions and seeing his competition a number of times, Ayton is secure at the top. When he plays his best, it can’t be matched. California Supreme went 4-0 and currently sits at 5-2 overall.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 24.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 70% from the field, 41.7% from three, and 81.8% on free throws.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 19.7 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 65.2% from the field, 35.3% from three, and 80% on free throws.
Brandon McCoy 6’11 220 C – California Supreme 2017
McCoy’s scoring increased throughout the event. Although he doesn’t have a go to move, he’s tough to stop within his comfortable scoring range. He can get frustrated if he doesn’t get the ball and forces shots if he goes through a stretch without a touch. There aren’t many who can match his height, especially playing alongside Ayton, but he gets knocked off balance when trying to post and doesn’t usually have a firm grip on the ball allowing others to knock it away. He showed aggression attacking the basket but he can get tunnel vision at times, charging in, trying to go over and through defenders. Even with his struggles playing through contact, he doesn’t shy away from it, shooting nearly eight free throws per game. Overall, McCoy played well and his best game was against Seattle Rotary finishing with 28 points, 12 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 21 points and 11 rebounds while shooting 54.7%.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 18.4 points and 9.4 rebounds while shooting 51.1%.
Cassius Stanley 6’5 175 SG – California Supreme 2019
Stanley looked much more confident than in Brooklyn. There were stretches where led as a playmaker and setup Ayton to finish. He’s starting to read the floor better, looking for opportunities to displays to display his elite leaping ability, throwing down dunks. He finished off one of the final plays against Mac Irvin Fire with a windmill on the break. He can shoot but hasn’t made a three yet in any of his seven EYBL games, so expanding his range would be another step in his progression.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 7.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting 52.6%.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 7.4 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 52.8%.
Collin Sexton 6’0 170 PG – Southern Stampede 2017
Sexton slashes well off the dribble; he hands well in tight spaces, attacks the paint even against elite big men like DeAndre Ayton and Brandon McCoy, and reads his defender well which allows him to live at the free throw line, where he leads the EYBL with 69 free throws made which is 24 more than second place. He’s quick to rebounds and loves to push the ball. He’s quick and plays at full speed all game long. He leads the EYBL in scoring with 30.1 points per game, while the second place scorer is at 22.7 points per game. He knows how to score but needs to add consistency to his jump shot only shooting 25% from three. His best game was against California Supreme scoring 36 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Southern Stampede went 1-3 over the weekend and have an overall record of 3-4.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 29.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and shooting 13.3 free throws per game.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 30.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and shooting 12 free throws per game.
Michael Porter 6’9 205 SF – MOKAN Elite 2017
Porter showed his ability to catch and shoot as well as clean up around the basket. His length and athleticism make him hard to contain around the basket, his second jump is quick too. I would like to see him be able to create for himself more, outside of elevating and shooting over the defense or out jumping defenders in the paint, he doesn’t score in a variety of ways. He does play well within the offense and doesn’t force much, but doesn’t have a wide variety to his scoring arsenal. Surprisingly, he only made one three pointer in the four games played and is 3-22 (13.6%) overall. Porter helped MOKAN Elite to a 3-1 session 2 record and 6-1 for both sessions combined.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 17.5 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and two steals per game.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 19.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game.
Trae Young 6’1 165 PG – MOKAN Elite 2017
Young didn’t have quite the performance we’ve become accustomed to. His shot wasn’t falling and he turned it over more than usual. A lot of his passes got deflected resulting into fast breaks. He didn’t look like himself until the second half in MOKAN Elite’s third game of the event against PSA Cardinals. He took over offensively, scoring on multiple consecutive possessions. Young had his ups and downs, only scoring six points against Alabama Challenge but he also passed out 11 assists. Although he didn’t shoot well, (8-32 from three and 18-54 from the field) he continues to put pressure on the defense by constantly attacking and finding the open man after the defense collapses.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 13 points, 2.3 rebounds, seven assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 33.3% from the field and 25% from three.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 18 points, 2.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and two steals per game while shooting 45.9% from the field and 33.3% from three.
Trendon Watford 6’7 215 SF/PF – Alabama Challenge 2019
There’s a lot to like about Watford as a scorer; shooting, instincts, and his ball handling can improve but he can use it to size his man up and shoot in the face of the defense. The defense is tense knowing he can shoot at any time so it can free up his drive. Watford’s biggest game was against MOKAN Elite scoring 21 points shooting 5-7 from three. Alabama Challenge finished 1-3 in Indianapolis and 2-5 overall.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and two assists per game while shooting 39.3% from three.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 14.1 points, six rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 34.4% from three.
Cody Riley 6’8 250 SF/PF – Phoenix Phamily 2017
Riley played solid. He didn’t overwhelm or stand out in any area but he makes an impact with his size and rebounding. He occasionally makes a nice pass or shows some touch on a jump shot but not consistently. Most of his points come from cleaning up or catching a pass in the paint. He has good size and draws a lot of fouls, shooting a total of 28 free throws in the last two games. Phoenix Phamily went 1-3 and are currently 3-4 overall.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 15 points and 8.8 rebounds while shooting 43.9%.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 14.4 points and 7.7 rebounds while shooting 48.5%.
Marvin Bagley 6’11 215 PF – Phoenix Phamily 2018
Although Phoenix Phamily is off to a rough start, Bagley has played well. He has shown some ability to score in a few different ways from different spots on the floor. His shot is hit and miss but he shows the ability to step out and make it, he also doesn’t fall in love with the three or settle for jump shots. His running hook/floater can add consistency as well. He also has room to cut down on turnovers, with four per game. While he show signs of being able to do a little of everything; shooting, ball handling, shot blocking, and post-game, he doesn’t excel in any of those areas yet. The potential is there and the tools/talent to reach the potential is there as well. For the most part, he plays hard with controlled aggression but he got flustered with Team Penny’s physicality resulting in a technical foul. Bagley’s two biggest games were against Expressions Elite with 23 points and 12 rebounds, Team United with 25 points and 15 rebounds.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 20.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, two blocks, and 4.5 turnovers per game.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 19.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and four turnovers per game
Mohamed Bamba 6’11 205 PF – PSA Cardinals 2017
Bamba helped PSA Cardinals to a 3-1 record. Although he’s not a bigtime scorer, the defense always keeps track of him. He passed well out of the high post and most of his points came from put backs and easy baskets around the rim. Rebounding and shot blocking continues to be where he excels as he is currently first and second in both categories respectfully. PSA Cardinals are currently 6-1.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 10.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and three blocks per game while shooting 66.7%.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 12.7 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 68%.
Quade Green 6’0 170 PG – PSA Cardinals 2017
Green continues to impress with his passing, with 11 assists per game, where he leads the EYBL. He’s selective as a scorer and a streaky shooter. He’s been reliable at the free throw line shooting 87.9%. PSA Cardinals have a lot of talent and Green is able to bring the best out of his teammates. He’s a good perimeter defender and looks to run after steals. His current assist to turnover ratio is 3.7:1.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 12.3 points, three rebounds, and 11.5 assists per game while shooting 35.3% from three.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 12.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 11 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from three.
Cole Anthony 6’2 170 PG – PSA Cardinals 2019
Anthony’s production has significantly increased since Session 1. He continues to get to the rim to challenge big men and drew numerous fouls. He was tested against the more experienced Trae Young and he played well. Although he finished with six turnovers, it was his highest scoring game so far with 19 points, which was his point total for all three games in Session 1. Anthony is coming along well and provides a solid combination to run with Quade Green.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 14.8 points and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 40% from three.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 11.1 points and two assists per game while shooting 40% from three.
Troy Brown 6’6 210 PG/SG – Las Vegas Prospects 2017
Brown didn’t have his best performances but still an impact player. He moves well without the ball and stays active without trying to do too much. He didn’t shoot well against PSA Cardinals missing some open looks and was bothered by Mohamed Bamba’s abnormal length on drives. Even when Brown doesn’t play great he still has that ability to make plays happen when it looks like nothing or make plan B better than plan A when his initial play gets cut off. However, he is somewhat passive and lets the game come to him so if he’s on a team that’s not trying to run the offense through him, he can get be significantly less of an impact. Las Vegas Prospects finished 1-3 and 2-5 overall.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 13.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and two assists per game.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 13.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
PJ Washington 6’8 220 PF – Team Penny 2017
Washington had a big game against Phoenix Phamily with 30 points and 15 rebounds. He was all over the offensive glass and attacked the bigs, even after a few of his shots were blocked he didn’t quit on the play. He also shot very well from midrange. Washington helped Team Penny to a 3-1 record and a 5-2 record overall.
·Session 2 averages (4 games): 22.3 points and 12.5 rebounds while shooting 68.5%.
·EYBL averages (7 games): 20.1 points and 11.4 rebounds while shooting 67.5%.
RJ Barrett 6’6 170 SG/SF – UPLAY Canada 16U 2019
Barrett scored well against Alabama Challenge. He stood out athletically, drawing numerous fouls, and finished well through contact. He looked to play in transition at every opportunity. His ball handling can improve as well as his shot but he has a lot of natural ability. He finished with 23 points and five rebounds to beat Alabama Challenge. He struggled to get it going against Team CP3; they forced him to shoot from outside and did a good job contesting his shots when he drove. He finished with 15 points (5-18 shooting) and ten rebounds in the loss.
Khaleem Bennett 6’4 190 SG – UPLAY Canada 16U 2018
Bennett loves to attack. He stayed aggressive all game long, looking to dunk at every opportunity. At times he
drove without a clear path but he is not afraid of contact. He can shoot a little bit but has much room to improve. Bennett finished with 12 points, three rebounds, and three assists against Alabama Challenge, also 11 points and four rebounds against Team CP3. Bennett played a limited role for Prolific Prep this past season but we can expect it to increase next year.
Andrew Nembhard 6’3 160 PG – UPLAY Canada 16U 2019
Nembhard only had four points in the easy win over Alabama Challenge but he was much more productive against Team CP3. He’s pass first and plays under control. He doesn’t attack much and is selective as a shooter but shoots well when he pulls up. Nembhard finished with 14 points and six assists losing to Team CP3.
Will Dillard 6’3 170 SG – Team CP3 16U 2018
Dillard had a big game in the win over UPLAY Canada. He utilized his deadly elevated pull up jumper from midrange. He’s an aggressive score with a strong body tallying 18 points on 9-12 shooting also grabbing five rebounds. He has good court vision and passes well. He didn’t come close to matching that performance the next game against All Ohio Red, only finishing with two points, five rebounds, and four turnovers before fouling out.
Wendell Moore 6’5 175 SG/SF – Team CP3 16U 2019
Moore is very mature for a young freshman as he will turn 15 in September. He has good upper body strength and likes to post up smaller guards. He keeps his game simple not trying to do too much. He can get to the rim a little bit but likes to drive to the middle and kick to an open teammate on the perimeter. He’s able to keep track of all four teammates at all times. He doesn’t take many jump shots and he could look to score for himself more but still provided when needed. Moore finished with 16 points while making all eight free throws and ten rebounds against UPLAY Canada. He followed up with eight points, five rebounds, and two steals against All Ohio Red.
Coby White 6’3 170 SG – Team CP3 16U 2018
White has the ability to make difficult shots, sometimes he attacks without knowing where he’s going with it, but he can score in situations that don’t look possible. He plays well through contact as well as attacking and shooting from midrange. He finished with 17 points and four rebounds against UPLAY Canada. White tried to ignite the offense against All Ohio Red but struggled a bit scoring 11 points (4-14 shooting), five rebounds, and three assists in the loss.
John Newman 6’5 180 SG – Team CP3 16U 2018
Newman was a consistent scorer for Team CP3. He’s active and moves well without the ball. The lefty provided 15 points, four rebounds, and three steals against UPLAY Canada. He’s a pretty good athlete and shoots well too. He got it going a little too late against All Ohio Red finishing with 16 points and three rebounds. He has long arms and defends well but it can get him into foul trouble.
