Nike Elite 100: Monday Standouts

Monday night kicked off games for the first session at the Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis.  This is the premier underclassmen camp in the country for the nation's top 2026 and 2027 prospects.  Here we dive into who shined on the first evening of action.   Babatunde Oladotun (James Herbert Blake, MD – 2027)   The top 2027 prospect nationally early on looked in the part in my first look at him.  The 6'9” power forward is a lanky and thin four that can rain in jumpers from all over the floor.  Takes and makes difficult shots, but they go in at a pretty high rate.  Got it rolling in the last game of the night where he hit multiple threes off the catch, turnaround fadeaways, and showed nice passing instincts in some ball screen action.  In his matchup against fellow highly touted Lincoln Cosby he got the best of him impacting on both ends of the floor with his versatility.   Jermel Thomas (Cardinal Hayes, NY – 2026)   Thomas is a combo guard that brings major explosiveness to the table.  He was consistently blowing past guys off the dribble for acrobatic finishes at the hoop.  Creative ball handler that got wherever he wanted.  Sound three point shooter that has three level scoring pop with athleticism.   Anthony Brown (Paul VI, DC – 2026)   Brown was the most productive player in the first game of the night.  The 6'0” point guard from DC was an absolute force on the defensive end locking down opposing guards often turning them into points on the other end.  Good pull up jump shooter that makes shots in rhythm.  Burst with the ball in his hands getting downhill. Electric passer as well threading the needle on dimes.    Jaxon Richardson (Columbus, FL - 2026)   Richardson is an absolute freak show athlete just like his dad Jason Richardson was who is one of the greatest dunkers ever.  He showed that off on multiple occasions on the day including putting on a show in an afternoon impromptu dunk contest.  Then got up high for a massive tip slam where his head was well above the rim.  Plus defender, slasher, and transition player.   Cameron Lomax (Heritage, TX – 2026)   Lomax showed nice instincts at the point.  The Texas native made great reads in pick/rolls and overall in the half court.  Was lethal from mid-range pouring them in one after another in the game we saw.   Chidi Nwigwe (St. Benedicts, NY – 2026)   Wiry wing that made shots at a high clip throughout their second came of the night.  The New York product was best off the catch from three mixing in some pull up twos.   Nicolas Mitrovic (Hoosac Academy, TX – 2026)   Long and lean five man that stands at 6'11”.  Flashed as a finisher in ball screens rolling to the rim.  Hit the offensive glass and overall was a plus rebounder.  Runs the floor extremely well.  Lot of upside here!   Sam Funches (Germantown, MS – 2026)   Funches was one of my favorites from last year and remains so this year.  The 6'10” five man is everything you look for in a new age post player.  Stretches with his lefty shooting stroke, protects the rim as well as anyone, rim runs, and finishes with force out of the dunker spot.  Rebounds well in his area with his +7 wingspan!   Scottie Adkinson (Webster Groves, MO – 2027)   Adkinson is a prospect that has been tearing up the Nike EYBL this spring.  He is a flat out bucket getter!  Such a naturally gifted scorer that was aggressive getting downhill  with his tight handles and burst for scores in the paint or making trips to the charity stripe!   Cameron Barnes (Lee's Summit West, MO – 2027)   Barnes is a 6'6” 238 pound beast inside that plays bully ball.  He knows his game is physicality and uses it to his full advantage throwing guys through the rim and putting them under the hoop for scores.   Jaylan Mitchell (Evansville Reitz, IN – 2027)   Mitchell has been a favorite of mine since last spring.  One of the truly elite 2027s nationally the 6'8 226 pound combo forward reminds me a lot of Paolo Banchero.  He has the same type of build along with the motor and skill set that he did at the same age.  Mitchell can play bully ball powering his way through defenders getting downhill for scores, but also has the touch from the outside with his perimeter jumper.   Mateo Rico (Midland Christian School, TX – 2026)   Rico is a big man that brought the energy early.  Love the length, athleticism, and how hard he plays.  Got on the offensive glass for put backs and was a good screen/roller finishing in the paint.   Lincoln Williams (Kankakee, IL – 2026)   Williams was a late addition, but the way he played this spring he more than earned it.  Shined on the first night of camp with multiple aggressive straight line takes to the cup.  He has a slender build with the ability to get slippery through traffic for scores in the paint.  Also scored on a nice off ball cut.   Christian Collins (St. Bernard's, CA – 2026)   Collins put on an absolute show!  The 6'7” wing has a +4 wingspan with a wiry build.  He brings plus athleticism to the table, but it was his shot making from all over the floor that impressed us the most.  He made three after three along with mixing in some pull ups.  Had the wow factor on night 1!   Anderson Diaz (St. Raymond's, NY – 2027)   This point guard from New York plays with speed getting to the hoop off the bounce.  Wizard with the ball in his hands converting nifty layups throughout the evening.  Really liked how he attacked and maneuvered in among the trees.   Luke Barnett (Mater Dei, CA – 2026)   Barnett had the most impressive shooting display of the first night.  The shooting guard from California was about as lights out as you could be from distance hitting every single shot that he threw up including some after the whistle.  Shooting specialist at the next level that will leave an impact with his long ball.   Oesoemana Sacko (St. Francis Prep, NY – 2026)   Power forward that can stretch some with his shooting out to three while playing with a ton of physicality around the hoop.  Seals well on the block and has a good feel scoring in the paint.  Only 6'5”, but makes up for it with a +5 wingspan along with his big body.   Parker Robinson (OTE, MD – 2026)   Robinson is a great intangibles player.  He defends, plays defense, rebounds, and does the little things that sometimes go unnoticed.  Solid shot maker and cuts well away from the ball.   Tristan Reed (John Burroughs, MO – 2026)   Reed was impressive with what he brought on the defensive end.  The broad shouldered five man stands at 6'8” with a 7'3” wingspan!  Good strength at 231 pounds.  Really impacted on the defensive end with his shot blocking and overall toughness on the interior.  Finished on a nice pick/roll but it was what he did defensively that got our attention.

Monday night kicked off games for the first session at the Nike Elite 100 in St. Louis. This is the premier underclassmen camp in the country for the nation's top 2026 and 2027 prospects. Here we dive into who shined on the first evening of action.