EYBL Session I: 16 U Ohio/Kentucky Standouts
In this article:
The first session of EYBL play brought top players from across the country to Memphis, Tennessee for a weekend full of exciting action. In this article I’ll break down top 16 U performers from Ohio and Kentucky, the two states…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe first session of EYBL play brought top players from across the country to Memphis, Tennessee for a weekend full of exciting action. In this article I’ll break down top 16 U performers from Ohio and Kentucky, the two states I cover for Prep Hoops.
One of the top ranked point guards in the 2026 class nationally, Johnson had a big scoring weekend for an Indy Heat squad that started slow but ended the weekend strong. Johnson showed off his ability to score while driving to the basket this weekend. When Johnson gets the defender on his hip, he does a nice job creating contact and preventing his defender from recovering to contest the shot. Combine this with his natural touch and ability to finish with either hand, Johnson shoots a high percentage on layups and floaters. Also able to make you pay with pull-up 3-pointers, the threat of the pull-up 3-pointer allows Johnson to get into the lane easier. Efficiency will be the key for Johnson, who scored on volume attempts in the two games I caught.
A player I saw play a little bit before this weekend in spot situations, Berry was a player I was really impressed with down in Memphis. An impressive open court athlete, Berry is explosive when he gets a head of steam and had a couple breakaway dunks. With a quick first step, Berry was able to get into the lane at will. Has some real ability off the bounce with a variety of crossover and change of pace moves to create space. While the speed of the game seemed fast for him in the first half on Friday, Berry settled in and got better as the weekend went on and looked super comfortable by Saturday night and Sunday. Showing the confidence as a shooter on pull-up jumpers, Berry looked for his shot in the 12-18 foot range after he create space using his burst, ball handling and pivot moves. A name to know in Kentucky’s 2026 class, Berry has a ton of upside and looks like a Division I target.
Highlights
One of the top 16 U performers of the weekend, Kendrick did an excellent job leading All Ohio 16 U to three victories this weekend. A big time competitor, Kendrick is always in attack mode and gets a couple easy buckets a game just by simply playing harder than the competition. Skilled getting to his spots off the dribble, Kendrick is able to get into the lane and use floaters and soft touch on layups to finish. Also drawing a lot of contact, Kendrick drew fouls on guards that pressured him too aggressively or shot blockers that swiped at him. Also an internet sensation due to his talent of shooting with both hands, Kendrick did knock down a couple jumpers with each hand which never fails to make me laugh and smile as a fan of basketball. Really my only complaint about Kendrick this weekend was turnovers. With his aggressive style of play and always being in attack mode, you have to live with Kendrick having a couple per game. Finally, I thought Kendrick did a nice job defensively, making opposing guards have trouble due to his active hands and consistent pressure. I thought Kendrick was one of the more productive 16 U players I saw all weekend on the circuit.
After finishing his Sophomore season as one of the top scorers in Ohio, Miles had a solid weekend for All Ohio Red 16 U in Memphis. A power wing who looks to use his body to post up smaller guards and wings that defend him, Miles found success with his back to the basket on the block. After starting slow from 3-point range in the first game I caught, Miles eventually found the range from downtown and hit some big 3-pointers in the second half on Saturday morning and Saturday evening’s win. For Miles, crating space off the dribble was tough for him as he was much more efficient when he shot after being set up by a pass or a screen. I also thought Miles ran the floor well, which got him some easy looks. Miles looked much more comfortable finishing with his dominant right hand at the rim as well. Always good to see how top Ohio talent stacks up with the best in the country and Miles competed well and helped his team win games.
One of the top guard defenders in Ohio, McKinney did exactly that just against top competition in Memphis over the weekend. With excellent anticipation on passes, McKinney can read the opponents eyes and forced a lot of turnovers with his length and natural instincts. Offensively, McKinney is limited off the dribble but I liked that he typically didn’t try to force things. He played his role and knocked down some huge 3-pointers off the catch, showing confidence to shoot it from the outside. Only real critique of McKinney’s game this weekend was he got blocked on a handful of layups, if he’s able to throw in some pump fakes and maybe play off two feet in the paint he could have an easier time finishing against length. Minor detail to fix on a player who impacts winning at a high level and already holds offers from MAC powerhouses Toledo and Ohio University.