EYBL Session 1: Local 17U Notes

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.

NJ Scholars

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. TJ Robinson TJ Robinson 6'3" | PG Immaculate Conception | 2024 State #113 Nation NJ 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. Terry Copeland Terry Copeland 6'8" | PF Legacy Early College | 2024 #130 Nation SC and Khaafiq Myers Khaafiq Myers 5'10" | PG Neumann-Goretti | 2024 State PA 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. Bahsil Laster Bahsil Laster 6'4" | SF Academy of New Church | 2024 PA , Teron Murray Teron Murray 6'3" | CG Camden | 2024 State NJ and Davion Hill Davion Hill 6'0" | CG St. John Neumann | 2023 State PA were critical as well.

Team Final

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). Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6'1" | CG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #54 Nation PA contributed all-around with 15.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5 assists, and a whopping 52.9% (9-17) on threes. Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'1" | PG Montverde Academy | 2024 State #33 Nation FL 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, Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #91 Nation PA 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.

Others

George School’s Christian Bliss Christian Bliss 6'4" | CG George School | 2024 State PA 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.

Brandin Cummings Brandin Cummings 6'3" | CG Lincoln Park | 2024 State #263 Nation PA , 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.

Macon Emory Macon Emory 6'8" | SF Perkiomen School | 2024 State PA from Perkiomen played with Team Melo who went 3-1. He contributed 8.5 points on 31.8% on threes and 5.5 rebounds.

Don Bosco’s Dylan Harper Dylan Harper 6'5" | SG Don Bosco Prep | 2024 State #7 Nation NJ averaged 16 points, 43.8% (7-16) from three, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists with NY Rens. They went 2-2.

North Hills forward Royce Parham Royce Parham 6'8" | PF Western Reserve Academy | 2024 State OH 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.

Tahaad Pettiford Tahaad Pettiford 6'0" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2024 State #26 Nation NJ of Hudson Catholic led New Heights Lightning with 19 points, 3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, on 45.8% from three. 2025 Meleek Thomas Meleek Thomas 6'4" | SF Lincoln Park | 2025 State PA , also of Lincoln Park, plays up with Pettiford and contributed 14.5 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.

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