EYBL/EYCL Session One Notes: Forwards

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Session one of the EYBL and EYCL jumped off this past weekend in Memphis, Tennessee. The Northwest had a handful of teams and players in attendance spanning the 17U, 16U, and 15U divisions. Let's jump right in and get to know some of the most intriguing prospects from the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacori Ervin</strong> | NW Rotary Rebels | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ervin just got done helping North Central to one of their best seasons in years and recently announced a move to PHH Prep, reclassifying to the 2025 class. He was able to impose himself throughout the high school season but the EYBL can be a different beast. The 6-foot-11 forward came through big for the NWRR, scoring nine points against Team Herro (4-8 FG) and posting a double-double against Oakland Soldiers (17 points, 11 rebounds) while shooting 7-9 FG. In both contests, he crashed the offensive glass hard and racked up second-chance points. He did a great job of slipping in behind drives to find rebounding lanes and was able to either bring down the board and go back up, or follow in close enough for tip-ins. It was an impressive showing in the opening session.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1485677' first='Garrett' last='Marrs'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2076260' first='FOH' last=''] | 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marrs is a big body with good dexterity and impressed with his decision-making and controlled play. He's strong enough to defend on the blocks without giving up real estate but also proved to be one of the best shooters on the floor in their game against UPlay West. He buried multiple 3s and was able to knock them down from various positions and catches. Another detail of his game that stood out was his intent with his dribbles. He's not going to put it on the floor unless he's using it to get somewhere or create some added ball security and space. He was great at getting a body on guys for boxouts and displayed great skills for a stretch four.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1598394' first='Dominik' last='Robinson'] | NW Rotary Rebels | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another big man who had a nice high school season, Robinson continues to show how he can be a force inside and put in a lot of impressive work on the defensive end in session one. He improved his post game and touch this past year and continues to look more and more athletic, getting a little bouncy in Memphis to swat away multiple shots in by the rim. He had good anticipation to come over from the weak side to reject shots but also showed some strength and balance to chest up defenders and then send shots packing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2140811' first='Drake' last='Penberthy'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2076260' first='FOH' last=''] | 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's a versatile forward who can bring the ball down, splash in 3s, and plays well inside to rebound and contest shots. Of course, he's just a freshman and still has some filling out to do but he shows all the skills to be a high-level prospect who can play inside and out, as well as do a little playmaking of his own. He'll be one to watch in the coming sessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2369753' first='Eesher' last='Sarai'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2076260' first='FOH' last=''] | 2024</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sarai is a lanky forward who excelled in the pick and roll as well as with dives through the middle. He's got long strides, and long arms, and can get to the rim without a dribble almost anytime he catches in the paint. He moves well, gets up the floor in transition, and can convert power finishes with big dunks or slide around defenders and finish with some finesse on the move. That length can sneak up on defenders and lead to fouls, and Sarai has the touch at the line to convert at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->