SEPA Spring Grassroots Report: Week 8
[player_tooltip player_id="991341" first="Justin" last="Edwards"] (C/O 2023) of [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] EYBL. Over the weekend many of the grassroots teams from southeastern PA traveled out to the Hoop Group facility in Manalapan, New Jersey for the Jersey Shore Jam Fest…
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Over the weekend many of the grassroots teams from southeastern PA traveled out to the Hoop Group facility in Manalapan, New Jersey for the Jersey Shore Jam Fest tournament. One or two other squads competed at Nike EYBL Session III in Louisville, Kentucky.
Below is a review of several prospects from southeastern PA (and beyond) who impressed with their outstanding play on grassroots circuit this past weekend.
17U (2023s)
Dylan Blair
Dylan
Blair
5'10" | PG
Downingtown West | 2023
State
PA
– 5’10” / Downingtown West / East Coast Cyclones / Point Guard: Blair is coming off an outstanding high school season (21 points & 5 dimes per night) and his recruiting stock continues to soar this spring. This coach on the floor style lead guard owns a well-rounded skill set. Blair can score at all three levels, distribute, run the break, direct a team in the half court and defend for 94 feet. At the Jersey Shore Jam Fest, he guided the Cyclones to a 2-1 record. Their only loss was by 4 points to eventual 17U division runner-up Wiz Kids (NY).
Xzayvier Brown Xzayvier Brown 6'1" | PG Roman Catholic | 2023 State #233 Nation PA – 6’0” / Roman Catholic / K Low Elite / Combo Guard: Brown now holds nine offers including recent ones from USC as well as FGCU and it is easy see to why he is such a hot prospect. Brown is an extremely talented guard who can play assorted styles of ball. He has the speed, handles and finishing skills to kill opponents in up-tempo offense. In the half court, Brown can hit perimeter jumpers all day. Plus, there is a physical aspect to his game that allows Brown to bully guards to get to his mid-range spots. Of course, Brown is an elite facilitator. He directed K-Low Elite to a 3-1 record and a loss in their 17U division championship game.
Adam “Bud” Clark – 5’10” / West Catholic / Philly Pride National UAA / Point Guard: This 1st Team All Philly Catholic League selection was tremendous all weekend at the Jersey Shore Jam Fest. However, he elevated his game to yet another level for the championship contest where he registered 19 points to go along with 4 rebounds and most importantly, zero turnovers. Clark is one of the fastest guards you will ever witness. His speed and elusive handles make Clark impossible to stop in the transition game. His half court game continues to show improvement, especially his mastery of pick & roll action. Clark and company went 3-0 at the Jersey Shore Jam Fest.
Justin Edwards
Justin
Edwards
6'6" | PF
Imhotep Charter | 2023
State
#3
Nation
PA
– 6’7” / Imhotep Charter /
Team Final
EYBL / Wing: The
Justin Edwards
Justin
Edwards
6'6" | PF
Imhotep Charter | 2023
State
#3
Nation
PA
Show continues to roll on. This past weekend at the Nike EYBL Session III (KY), Edwards averaged 13.8 points and 7 rebounds per contest. The athletic phenom steered
Team Final
17s to a 5-0 record against an ultra-competitive slate of games. Edwards’ ability to score at all three levels is impressive. As is his ability to grab a rebound, get downhill and go coast to coast. Edwards can finish with authority on any given play. On defense he can guard 1 through 4 effectively.
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16U (2024s)
Laquan Byrd Laquan Byrd 6'3" | SF Father Judge | 2024 State PA – 6’1” / Father Judge / Team Final Red / Wing: Back in mid-February Byrd posted a 37 points (3 triples) and 10 rebounds double-double. This past weekend at the Jersey Shore Jam Fest he continued to prove that performance was no fluke. Byrd’s ability to score the rock at all three levels immediately grabs the attention of college coaches. However, it is his high basketball IQ, court vision and unselfish nature that separate him from the pack of DI guard prospects on the circuit. We expect Byrd will have an outstanding July period.
Khaafiq Myers
Khaafiq
Myers
5'10" | PG
Neumann-Goretti | 2024
State
PA
– 5’11” / Neumann-Goretti / NJ Scholars Elite / Combo Guard: This past weekend Myers and his Scholars 16s team played up in the 17U age group at the Jersey Shore Jam Fest and won their division. Myers high-level of guard play at both ends of the court was a big reason for their success. On defense, Myers is an on-ball menace who guards all 94 feet. On offense, Myers is a crafty guard who changes speeds and direction extremely effectively. Once he gets into the paint, he is a creative finisher who can play through contact.
Robert Wright III
Robert
Wright III
6'0" | PG
Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024
State
#35
Nation
FL
– 6’0” / Neumann-Goretti /
Team Final
EYBL / Point Guard: Earlier this month Wright was named MVP at the Gym Rats Live event. After a week off, his stellar play continued this past weekend at Nike EYBL Session III (Louisville, KY). Wright averaged 19.4 ppg. and 5.9 apg down in Kentucky as he led
Team Final
to a 5-1 record. Since February, Wright is the 2024 prospect who has improved his recruiting stock the most. His ability to get into the paint and score via a floater or a lay-in is among the best in the state. But there is no way a defender can sag off Wright because he can drain threes all night. He now holds multiple high DI offers.
15U (2025s)
Milan Dean
Milan
Dean
6'3" | SF
Archbishop Wood | 2025
State
#286
Nation
PA
– 6’2” / Archbishop Wood /
Team Final
EYBL / Combo Guard: Dean has been flying under the radar and it looks like Nike EYBL Session II (KY) could go down as his breakout weekend. He has always been an explosive athlete who excels in transition. But of late Dean’s half court skills have taken a sizeable step forward. He now uses the bounce, or a back door cut for a finish at the rim. Additionally, Dean has improved the accuracy and range on his jump shot. His mid-range game is developing nicely as well. Dean helped push
Team Final
2025 to a 2-2 record at this event.
Shareef Jackson
Shareef
Jackson
6'9" | C
Roman Catholic | 2025
State
#249
Nation
PA
– 6’8” / Roman Catholic / NJ Scholars Elite / Power Forward: This past high school season Jackson was a freshman starter for Roman. Now this spring he is “playing up” with the NJ Scholars 16s and having a great deal of success. Jackson is an interior force with an endless motor who makes a living grabbing offensive rebounds and then converting on those second chance opportunities. Additionally, he possesses solid footwork, a nice bag of quick low post moves and is a capable passer. So, if the coach wants to play through Jackson, he can initiate the half-court offense from the low block.