Memphis EYBL Session 2: NY 17U Standouts

Nike's EYBL circuit made its second stop of the spring in Memphis this past weekend with hundreds of college coaches converging on Bluff City for the only AAU "live" period of the spring. With prospects from across the country showcasing their talents, the following group of NY-based prospects stood out among the rest in the 17U division.    The Rens came out of the weekend as one of three remaining undefeated teams on the circuit, and the firepower that Jervis brought to the perimeter was a key reason for the 4-0 stretch. The plug-and-play two-way guard was his typically consistent and efficient self, averaging 16.5 points on the weekend while scoring double-figures in every game. Proving himself as one of the premier shotmakers in the country, Jervis converted 14 3's per game at north of a 45% clip. On a team without a true point guard, he showed his versatility and IQ while chipping in as a decision-maker and secondary ballhandler, dishing out a trio of assists per contest. A stout defender with a nose for the ball on the glass, Jervis is one of the more complete guards you'll find in the high school ranks with an increasing list of high-majors vying for his services.     Competition for the #1 ranking in the national class is seemingly wide open, and if conversations throughout the weekend are any indication, Mingo figures to be right in the thick of debates for that top spot if his play in Memphis is a sign of things to come. After taking a backseat to older teammates in the winter, Mingo has been aggressive and mostly dominant on both ends of the floor this spring. This weekend was no different as he averaged 20.5 points on 50% shooting (despite an uncharacteristic 0-for on Sunday), routinely knifing his way downhill as perhaps the most dynamic driver in the class. Mingo still showed his versatility despite the heavy scoring load, sharing primary ballhandler duties while dishing out over 3 assists per game, grabbing almost 3 steals per game, and chipping in on the glass with his frontcourt depleted by injury to the tune of more than 8 rebounds a contest. He didn't have his 3-ball working, which showed signs of improvement during the season and figures to be the key swing in his development if he's to make a push for the claim of top prospect in the class.     Continuing a theme from the prep school season, Morillo has been one of the breakout performers across the first two sessions of EYBL play, really leaving his mark in a highly productive four-game stretch in Memphis. Leading his team across all three major categories, the New York native stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, 7.75 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game while leading his team to a 3-1 record. Versatile and cerebral, he showed the ability to play seamlessly across positions on the perimeter or even out of the high post against zone defenses. His ability to consistently process the floor and make appropriate reads was consistently noted by college coaches on the baseline. If he can show the improving 3-point stroke that he displayed in the winter, it may not be long before Morillo is considered among the upper echelon of perimeter prospects nationally.     Another key piece to the Rens' scorching 7-0 start across two sessions (4-0 in Memphis), Skyers continued to be a consistent sparkplug with his dynamic two-way play in the backcourt. Complementing Jervis' smooth perimeter game, he averaged 11 points per game (51% FG) was aggressive looking to get downhill with an explosive first step, tight handle, and skilled finishing ability. Known as a scorer, Skyers also handled primary ballhandling duties and distributed effectively with four assists per game, though he could stand to improve on his ball security before being asked to run point extensively at the next level. Skyers' two-way energy and aggressiveness have already drawn heavy attention from mid-major programs, with a lack of consistency from the perimeter being the only reservation for high-majors waiting to pull the trigger.     After starting out the spring on the 16U level, Diaz got the bump up to the 17s heading into Memphis and looked increasingly confident over the course of the weekend while contributing effectively to a 4-0 record. While it took him a bit to find his groove as a scorer, the smooth lefty looked confident from the outset when it came to handling pressure and getting to his spots, coming off the bench as a dual-threat scorer and playmaker. Diaz would go on to average 16 points across his final two games of the weekend, highlighted by a breakout 21-point effort against Expressions. He was consistently effective in the floor game, and showed his instincts defensively while hauling in well over 3 steals per contest (at least 2 in every game). Having shown all winter that he can score the ball at a high level, Diaz putting forth such a well-rounded impact while playing up an age group should go a long way in cementing his standing among the top guards in his class nationally.

Nike's EYBL circuit made its second stop of the spring in Memphis this past weekend with hundreds of college coaches converging on Bluff City for the only AAU "live" period of the spring. With prospects from across the country showcasing their talents, the following group of NY-based prospects stood out among the rest in the 17U division.