EYBL Session I: Saturday 17 U Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I attended EYBL Session I this weekend and in this article I'll break down my 17 U standouts from Saturday's action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234125"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c286"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the most creative players in the country, Diaz is a joy to watch work with the ball in his hands. With a special ability to change speeds and directions on the ball, Diaz plays with the New York streetball influence that is dazzling. Diaz is so slippery as a driver as well and took 13 shots at the foul line. I was also impressed by Diaz ability to make passes with his right hand and finish with that hand off spin moves. One of the most talented offensive players in the 2027 class nationally, Diaz will be one high major programs are battling for on the recruiting trail this summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543497"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c31e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A 2026 grad playing as an unsigned senior, Webb stood out with his ability to score working off Diaz. Scoring off a baseline cut and a backdoor cut, Webb has the length and quickness to finish at the rim before rim protectors could rotate over to contest. Add in Webb knocking down a corner 3-pointer and throwing down an alley-oop dunk and he had a nice mix of highlight plays and little actions that caught my eye. Webb impacted winning for one of two teams to go 3-0 this weekend at the 17 U level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3535854"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c379"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the fastest rising 2027 prospects nationally, Uvwo was a player who NBA scouts couldn't stop talking about this weekend. One of the top rim protectors in the country, Uvwo has special physical tools that allow him to explode at the rim and swat shots. Uvwo flew over from one side of the rim to the other to send away a driver at the rim, showing that even when you think he might be taken out of the play he can still make a play on the basketball. As a scorer, Uvwo did almost all of his damage in the paint where he had a couple dunks and putback layups off missed shots. Uvwo packed the stat sheet in the game I caught with 12 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks. Expect to be hearing a lot about Uvwo over the next 12 months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2294409"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c3cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nesmith led Nightrydas in scoring in the win I caught over LivOn as he showed the ability to be efficient from 2-point range while also making plays for others on the wing. Nesmith was 9/14 from 2-point range on the day with a couple transition layups, a dunk where he drove right down Broadway and a nice pull-up mid-range jumper. Nesmith's biggest improvement from the player I've seen in the past was his decision making and passing, tossing five assists in this game, more than the four he had in the other two games combined. That playmaking impact allowed Nesmith to be one of the most productive players on the floor during a game where his 3-point shot wasn't falling. Nesmith did go 7/17 on 3-pointers in the other two contests, making an impact in a different way between the game I saw and the two games I missed. One of the more talented wings in the 2027 class nationally, Nesmith should play a major role for a Nightrydas team that should expect to make a deep run this EYBL season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194651"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c41d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Indy Heat got a big bounce back victory on Saturday with a blowout victory over rival Meanstreets, who they defeated in the Peach Jam tournament last season. While some other Indy Heat players put up more points, Mercer stuffed the stat-sheet with nine points on 4/6 shooting with three steals, two assists and a blocked shot. The best sequence Mercer had all game was a chase down block that his teammate rebounded, got the ball back to him as he came right down the lane to throw down a monster slam dunk. Later in the second half Mercer had another steal that led to a dunk of his own and just showed his physical dominance in transition. After winning 16 U last season, Indy Heat is trying to follow in Brad Beal Elite's shoes in winning 17 U the season after with the same core.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2194328"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c498"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Leading the way with 21 points in the win, Miller shot 60% from the field and can just flat out get a bucket in a variety of ways against elite competition. Indy Heat went on a big run in the second half and Miller scored eight points in quick succession with two 3-pointers and a layup to run Meanstreets out the gym. Miller's ability to knock down set shots while also having the athleticism and ball handling to attack closeouts makes him an extremely tough player to defend with [player_tooltip player_id='2965213' first='Isaiah' last='Hill'] manning the paint and Peyton Kemp setting the table for this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2125674"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69efee649c4ea"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">7th in scoring at the 17 U level this weekend, Kitt was serving out buckets in a variety of ways this weekend. While Meanstreets didn't have the team success they were hoping for, Kitt was certainly a bright spot at the Illinois commit was creating contact first with the ball in his hands before stepping back or going through the chest of defenders for buckets. Kitt also used pump fakes well to get defenders in the air or off balance and has a polished scoring game. It looks like Kitt is a perfect fit for an Illinois team that prioritizes positional size, physicality, feel for the game and offensive skill. Hope to see Meanstreets use their depth of offensive talent to rack up some wins in future sessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->