Bryce’s EYBL Notebook: Opening night favorites
Below is a list of a few of my favorite players from the opening night of action of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in Atlanta. Players listed are athletes I was able to watch, exclusively, and are named in…
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Continue ReadingBelow is a list of a few of my favorite players from the opening night of action of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League in Atlanta. Players listed are athletes I was able to watch, exclusively, and are named in no order, regardless of class or division.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim 2020 Playaz Club (NJ) combo
Six-foot-6-inch point-forward Jabri Abdur-Rahim was a sight to see Friday night. When you talk about a walking highlight reel, Abdur-Rahim is your man. The junior swingman can stretch the floor with the 3-pointer, lay down a dunk from the high-post, and swat shots out of contention near the rim with thundering denial.
Josh Christopher 2020 Vegas Elite (NV) guard
I heard that Vegas Elite junior Josh Christopher was a talented athlete and a great player, but I still found myself in awe on multiple occasions by his playmaking abilities. Cristopher took little time to impress as he took the introductory tip into the lane, finished the mid-range shot and drew the foul, familiarizing himself with the scoreboard before onlooking spectators could get settled in their seats. Cristopher has a silky-smooth shot and is as relentless and scrappy as they come at this level.
KJ Adams 2021 Team Griffin (OK) forward
If KJ Adams was tense from the competition, it only drove him to swing harder. Adams was relentless from the tip from rebounding to attacking the rim. He sought nearly every available opportunity to rebound the ball and compete in the paint. As a scorer, he got put-backs and made moves in the post to finish with 15 points. Adams is best when he is aggressive, and he seemed to be lacking little or none in that department.
Zaon Collins 2021 Vegas Elite (NV) point guard
It takes a special talent to play up a division at the EYBL, but that is exactly what Vegas Elite 17U got from its sophomore. Zaon Collins is a great, intention ball-handler who gives all of the moves he needs and none that he doesn’t. He’s comfortable and controlled at high-speed and was great at finding teammates out of motion and making plays players quick out of movement, perhaps a nod towards his team’s chemistry. He finished well at the rim Friday night and revealed the contents of his bag with a euro that was unstoppable.
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