EYBL Session 1: Local 17U Notes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nike's Elite Youth Basketball League kicked off its' season with session 1 down in Atlanta, Ga. Here are brief notes on how the two EYBL teams from the area fared, plus notable local prospects on other 17U teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>NJ Scholars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For a team without any consensus Top 50 players and no grassroots buzz surrounding them, the Scholars exceeded expectations, going 4-0 over the weekend. They did it by stating connected on both ends. They didn't shoot well overall from three (28%), but they took care of the ball and gang rebounded, with five guys averaging 3 or more boards. [player_tooltip player_id='1050393' first='TJ' last='Robinson'] and Billy Richmond drove their offense. Robinson, the Louisville-commit, averaged 16.3 points and 4 assists while shooting 33.3% from deep and 75% from the line. Richmond put up 15 points per. [player_tooltip player_id='1050396' first='Terry' last='Copeland'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1123910' first='Khaafiq' last='Myers'] were the two other key contributors. Copeland averaged 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds as their force down low and Myers added 7.5 points, 3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists running point. [player_tooltip player_id='1279636' first='Bahsil' last='Laster'], [player_tooltip player_id='1273900' first='Taron' last='Murray'] and [player_tooltip player_id='991331' first='Davion' last='Hill'] were critical as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Team Final</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The main takeaway from this weekend for Final is that they can flatout score (3rd overall). They had four guys average double figures and shot the three ball well at a high volume (33.7% on 31-92 attempts per). [player_tooltip player_id='1281786' first='Ahmad' last='Nowell'] contributed all-around with 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and a whopping 52.9% (9-17) on threes. [player_tooltip player_id='1116063' first='Robert' last='Wright III'] steered the ship, giving them 16.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists, shooting 33.3% (4-12) from three and 94% (17-18) from the charity stripe. Despite an off weekend as a shooter, [player_tooltip player_id='1189096' first='Jalil' last='Bethea'] led them in scoring (17.8 points) by drawing fouls and converting 91.3% (21-23) of his free throws. Sorber anchored them inside with 10 points and 6.8 boards. They're still figuring things out on defense with their lineups and rotations, but, based on their 3-1 outing, they can and will get better.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George School's [player_tooltip player_id='1285466' first='Christian' last='Bliss'] ran with PSA Cardinals (NY) who went 2-2. He averaged 13.3 points, 50% (6-12) from three, 81.3% (13-16) on free throws, 3.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='991401' first='Brandin' last='Cummings'], the 4A state champ from Lincoln Park, played with All Ohio who went 2-2. He put up 16.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1589152' first='Macon' last='Emory'] from Perkiomen played with Team Melo who went 3-1. He contributed 8.5 points on 31.8% on threes and 5.5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don Bosco's [player_tooltip player_id='1153959' first='Dylan' last='Harper'] averaged 16 points, 43.8% (7-16) from three, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists with NY Rens. They went 2-2.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Hills forward [player_tooltip player_id='1173989' first='Royce' last='Parham'] went 2-2 with Team Durant (MD). Parham averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 boards, and shot 88.2% (15-17) from the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1050389' first='Tahaad' last='Pettiford'] of Hudson Catholic led New Heights Lightning with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, on 45.8% from three. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='991408' first='Meleek' last='Thomas'], also of Lincoln Park, plays up with Pettiford and contributed 14.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For more hoops coverage, follow me on socials @ CGraham_Sports</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->