EYBL Session 2: Local 17U Notes
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Session 2 of Nike’s EYBL took place in Phoenix, Arizona. There was a three hour time difference but that didn’t stop teams and players from NJ and PA from making some noise. NJ Scholars The Scholars played well again, going…
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Continue ReadingSession 2 of Nike’s EYBL took place in Phoenix, Arizona. There was a three hour time difference but that didn’t stop teams and players from NJ and PA from making some noise.
NJ Scholars
The Scholars played well again, going 3-1 and progressing to 7-1 overall. With their three victories each coming by 9 points or less, they showed the ability to grind it out in crunch time. Billy Richmond III Billy Richmond III 6'6" | SF Camden | 2024 State #21 Nation NJ was their closer. The powerful slasher averaged 16.8 ppg and 6 rpg. He also got to the line 25 times, where he shot 76%. TJ Robinson TJ Robinson 6'3" | SG Immaculate Conception | 2024 State #163 Nation NJ continued his display of high level shot-making with 18.8 ppg. He hit 47.8% of his threes (23 attempts) and 93.3% of his free throws (30 attempts). Terry Copeland Terry Copeland 6'8" | PF Legacy Early College | 2024 State SC ‘s usage was pretty low but that didn’t stop him from making an impact. He averaged 9.3 ppg and 7.5 rpg, featuring a 16 and 15 performance verse NY Rens.
Advancing to 7-1 overall, Team Final went 4-0 over the weekend. They were book-ended by performances from Ahmad Nowell Ahmad Nowell 6'0" | PG Imhotep Charter | 2024 State #36 Nation PA and Jalil Bethea Jalil Bethea 6'4" | SG Archbishop Wood | 2024 State #5 Nation PA and steered by Robert Wright III Robert Wright III 6'0" | PG Montverde Academy (FL) | 2024 State #35 Nation FL . Nowell had another of his efficient games Friday night with 18 points on 4-of-7 threes, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists against Indy Heat. And though his shots didn’t fall as often in the other three games, he made connective passes and played tough defense. Wright III wisely picked his spots and performed at a consistent level throughout each game at 12.8 ppg and 4.8 apg. He and Bethea led them back from a double-digit deficit versus AZ Unity. While Wright III was steady, Bethea went federal, scoring 34 points on 14-of-17 from the field and 5-of-5 from three.
Others
All Ohio Red’s Brandin Cummings Brandin Cummings 6'3" | SG Lincoln Park | 2024 State #132 Nation PA was one of the most productive scorers with 21.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from 3 on 4 attempts per game.
Dylan Harper Dylan Harper 6'6" | SG Don Bosco Prep | 2024 State #3 Nation NJ of NY Rens was an unstoppable force at times. He put up 18.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, and 3.8 apg.
Macon Emory of Team Melo was mostly used as a key defender but shot 41.6% from three on 12 attempts in 3 games.
New Heights Lightning went 3-1 in session 2 and 7-1 overall thanks to help from Tahaad Pettiford Tahaad Pettiford 6'1" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2024 State #27 Nation NJ and Meleek Thomas Meleek Thomas 6'4" | CG Lincoln Park | 2025 State #5 Nation PA . First in both points and assists, Pettiford and Thomas contributed 15 and 14 points, respectively.