EPL Session 1 Standouts (Part 1)
The Elite Prep League is back for it’s second season, and it has even more talent than the first year! Last year, the Commonwealth Basketball Group put together the Elite Prep League to give some of the top post grad…
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Continue ReadingThe Elite Prep League is back for it’s second season, and it has even more talent than the first year! Last year, the Commonwealth Basketball Group put together the Elite Prep League to give some of the top post grad teams in the mid-atlantic a platform to compete on, and after the huge success of the first year it’s only improved going into year two.
The league has a total of seven teams – Hargrave Military Academy, Fork Union Military Academy, Massanutten Military Academy, Combine, Winston Salem Christian, Mt. Zion Prep and Perkiomen. Six of the teams were in attendance, with Perkiomen being the one team not available for the event.
Here’s a look at some of the VA standouts from session one of the EPL season.
Troy McKoy | 6’5” WG | Massanutten 2024
McKoy finished the session being named MOP as he led Massanutten to a 2-0 record with 34 points in a win over Covenant Prep and 26 points in a conference win over Winston Salem Prep. The returning First Team All EPL wing showed his impressive scoring prowess and played with the high motor we have come to know and love about him, but he also showed improvement in his playmaking ability and leadership as he trusted his teammates and got them easy shots as well. He scored the ball well from all three levels knocking down shots from deep off the catch and using his size to get to the rim and finish, and he was fantastic competing on both ends of the floor too.
Jadyn Harris Jadyn Harris 6'6" | PF Bishop O'Connell | 2024 State #239 Nation VA | 6’7” WF | Massanutten 2024
Harris has been an eye opener in the post grad scene so far in the early season, and while he didn’t have his best showing at Session 1, he still showed flashes of brilliance that makes him such a unique and talented prospect moving forward. The 6’7” wing played on the ball quite a bit handling pressure and getting downhill to finish around the rim, and he also showed his ability to get hot and knock down shots from deep when he gets it going. He has a frame that is ready to play at the next level right away, and his all-around skillset on the offensive end of the floor makes him a matchup nightmare moving forward.
Jordan Reed | 6’6” PF | Massanutten 2024
Reed is going to be an x-factor for this Massanutten group this year, as he brings a unique blend of physicality along with a skillset that will create matchup problems with his ability to step out and knock it down from deep. He’s able to body up and get physical in the post defensively to challenge shots and rebound, he has good touch around the rim and he can step out and is one of the better shooting big men in the league as well. He played really well in their win over Winston Salem, finishing with 19 points.
Nguendeng Ruey | 6’10” C | Massanutten 2024
Ruey is the type of player that will really thrive in the post grad world with the long season, as he’s the type of player that is talented but needs reps and he’s already showing improvement moving forward. The 6’10” big man fits the mold with his long arms and mobility, and while he shows flashes of perimeter skillset with his ability to handle in transition and step out and make shots it’s the improvement in his interior play that has me thinking he’ll be a force come February. He’s starting to catch tougher passes and finish above the rim on dump offs, he shows improvement in his touch with the jump hook and his ability to challenge shots defensively is getting better as well.
Ruey Ruey Ruey Ruey 6'6" | SF Massanutten | 2026 VA | 6’5” WG | Massanutten 2026
Ruey is Nguendeng’s younger bother and one of the youngest players in the EPL, and he’s another one that is starting to turn the corner and continues to get better and better every time we watch him. He’s going to be a big part of Massanutten’s success this season, and in both of their wins he had moments where he completely changed the game with his play on both ends of the floor, and as he continues to grow and get more consistent he’ll be a highly sought after prospect in the next few years. He shoots the ball well from deep and has shown the ability to handle and make plays in transition, he finishes well with both hands around the rim and he has great instincts as a defender both on and off the ball.
Ralph Akuta | 7’1” C | Hargrave 2024
While Hargrave didn’t have their best showing in a loss to EPL foe Combine, they have a good group that will continue to improve moving forward and one of the players showing the most improvement in their big man Akuta. We are familiar with Akuta who played on the NIBC for Bishop Walsh the past few years, and he’s already showing immense strides and a big reason that division one schools are actively recruiting him. He’s a paint clogger who alters shots without having to leave his feet due to his size, he’s improved his hands and timing as a finisher and he is starting to be able to stretch the floor as well.