EYBL Atlanta Standouts Part 1
Lakepoint Sports Academy in Emerson, Georgia was the host of the 2018 Nike EYBL Session 3 for the 2nd year in a row. Nike EYBL this weekend featured almost half of the top nationally known prospects regardless of class. With only one session left, in Hampton, VA during memorial day weekend, there will be several tough and close matchups. There’s always plenty of talent and competition when evaluating an EYBL session but below I have my personal top 5 standouts. NOTE: This is just part one of two of my Nike EYBL Atlanta standouts.
Photo above by OST247
2019 point guard Cole Anthony – PSA Cardinals (NY)/Archbishop Molloy (NY)
Scouts and evaluators have argued that Cole Anthony is certainly and can be the #1 player in the class of 2019 by the end of the summer. Currently sitting at the #6 overall prospect and #1 point guard according to ESPN, Cole has been having a great spring thus far into the EYBL season. Anthony came into this session averaging 24.0 points per game. He is a high IQ point guard but that is not even the best attribute he holds. He is super explosive with crazy athleticism. He has incredible hangtime and bounce, and is one the best pure scorers in the class of 2019. Anthony has a quick first step no matter where he is on the court, with his elite quickness he is able to leave his defender in a blink of an eye. Cole is not that great of a shooter but he can definitely hit his jumpers. Cole and his PSA squad left Atlanta with a 1-3 overall record but Cole leaves this Atlanta session averaging 25.6 points per game overall.
2020 point guard Noah Farrahkhan – Nike Team Florida (FL)/IMG Academy (FL)
One of the quickest point guards regardless of class that I have seen is Noah Farrahkhan of Nike Team Florida. The 2020 point guard from IMG had a real load to carry this weekend while top-10 2020 prospect Scottie Barnes was out this weekend due to an ankle injury. Noah’s high level quickness helps him facilitate and get his jump shot off the dribble against his defenders. He is able to read the defense extremely well and is a dangerous threat once in transition. Noah is still learning how to be an actual point guard but he is certainly a scoring point guard. He has incredible passion for the game and is looking forward to getting his team into Peach Jam in July as Nike Team Florida is sitting at an even 6-6 record through three sessions.
2019 forward Vernon Carey Jr. – Nike Team Florida (FL)/University School (FL)
I think it is very clear who the #1 player should be in the class of 2019, and that is Vernon Carey Jr. Vernon currently sits at the #2 prospect in the nation according to ESPN. Like Farrahkhan, Vernon had a lot to carry this weekend with their leading assist man and rebounder Scottie Barnes out due to injury. Even though his squad went 1-3, he certainly went to work and making his case once again that he is indeed the #1 player in the class of 2019. Carey is so mobile as a big and his soft touch around the basket is fantastic. This weekend he was able to show us his shooting range from mid range jumpers to three point shots. The left handed forward was a hard matchup for several defenders this weekend. Besides his 9 point performance against Meanstreets (IL), Vernon averaged 23.3 points per game through his other three games in Atlanta.
2019 wing DJ Jeffries – Bluff City Legends (TN)/Olive Branch (MS)
The Kentucky commit DJ Jeffries certainly impressed me this weekend with his Bluff City Legends (TN) squad. He is a solid wing scorer with a nice motor on him. He can score on levels and was able to crash the boards as well this past weekend in Atlanta. What stoodout to me the most was his quick second jump he had when rebouding the ball. Jeffries long arms also help him on the glass and also when shooting over his defenders. He is a shot creator and maker and BBN should be excited for this young stud coming into Lexington. With top-25 prospect and elite scorer Tyrese Maxey recently committing to Kentucky, these two will definitely hold things down at Kentucky with their abilites to score the basketball.
2019 guard Boogie Ellis – Oakland Soldiers (CA)/Mission Bay (CA)
One of the best and arguably the best shooter in this year’s Nike EYBL is Boogie Ellis of the Oakland Soldiers. This kid can get hot real quick and is a knock down shooter. Boogie is an elite shot maker from the arc and from the mid range spots. He is able to create his own shot off the dribble at times and can also be known as a catch and shoot shooter. With Scottie Pippen Jr as the Soldiers floor general, Ellis is always able to spread the defense out with his dynamic shooting. We can mark him down as a certified perimeter threat. No question Boogie’s best performance this weekend was his 42 point game against Nike Phamily (CA), where he connected on 8 out of 11 three pointers. The Soldiers will need him big time as they continue to defend their title and make their way to Peach Jam.