Nike EYBL DMV Preview: 16U

The Nike EYBL is doing something it's never done before, which is host a regional series for four programs to participate in games that will count against their official EYBL record. Suitland High School in Maryland will be the host to <a href="https://prephoops.com/program/team-durant-2/">[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</a> , <a href="https://prephoops.com/program/team-final/">[program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']</a> , <a href="https://prephoops.com/program/team-melo/">[program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']</a> and <a href="https://prephoops.com/program/team-takeover/">[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</a> 's 15s, 16s and 17s teams to play in games Friday and Saturday.   As a preview for this unique setting, I'll preview each age group with key players and others who could establish momentum for the summer as I move onto the 16s.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/04/nike-eybl-dmv-preview-17u/">For the 17s preview, click here.</a>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</h2>   This Durant group has a good semblance of balance and willing role players throughout its roster that should result in different guys having eye-catching outings depending on the matchup. In the backcourt is 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2194782' first='Terry' last='Brooks III'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3565056' first='Elijah' last='Hall'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2882025' first='Khyair' last='Phillips'] and 2028 Jayden Betz among others. Brooks is a lethal sniper who can change the course of a game in 2-to-3 offensive possessions. Hall is a long-term gem who has a chance to pop this summer with a fluid skillset as a secondary playmaker. Phillips can toggle between the two guard spot and the three thanks to his size, defensive instincts and ability to generate offense without the ball. Betz looks to fuse himself into the fold with a well-rounded scoring ability.   As for the forwards and bigs, 2028 Rashard Miller is one I've tabbed to catch momentum this season as an athletic, 6'6" hybrid forward who can score in a variety of ways when he's locked in. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2880738' first='Cole' last='Pierre-Louis'] brings added length and outside shooting for further floor spacing as 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2610833' first='Truth' last='Kelly'] brings the hardhat mentality crashing the glass, securing 50/50s and scoring through contact.   2028 Jaylan Allen provides the paint presence at 6-foot-8 with an intriguing frame that he can use to take up space.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']</h2>   This 16s group is absolutely loaded with talent. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2703264' first='Logan' last='Chwastyk'] is, in my opinion, one of the best bigs in the country for the 2028 class. It seems like with every viewing, the 6-foot-11 Malvern Prep product adds another wrinkle to his skillset.   Chwastyk ranks as the No. 2 prospect in the 2028 PA rankings and following him in both those rankings as well as this roster is 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2450782' first='Rowan' last='Phillips'] (No. 3), 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2450669' first='Carter' last='Smith'] (No. 4) and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2563334' first='Julian' last='McKie'] (No. 5). All of which pose tremendous positional size to go with skill that complements one another's game. Each have ability to impact the game on both ends and at a high level to the point that his group should be a presence in the big picture for EYBL play if all can play to their potential.   Elsewhere around the roster is 2028 Pyrce Alston, who supplies more size in the frontcourt rotation at 6-foot-9. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2563335' first='Justin' last='McKie'] provides further efficiency at the guard spot, particularly with his three-point shot. Look 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2566660' first='Bell' last='Smith'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2450653' first='Ian' last='Smith'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2633150' first='Brayden' last='Erfle'] to shine in their roles as well as we round out the roster.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']</h2>   One of the top prospects in the regions in 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2715192' first='Nash' last='Avery'] leads this Melo group as a prospect with tremendous upside, but already possesses dynamite playmaking ability around the rim. 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2265685' first='Billy' last='Stanfield III'] bring support as a hybrid forward that can knock down shots in the mid-range off the bounce or as an athletic finisher in the open floor. 2028 Jarrell Hurt is the new name to watch with this Melo team as he brings an interesting presence from the block where he can operate and score over either shoulder, finish high and strong on dump-offs or make great reads as a passer with his back to the basket.   The guards consist of 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2194760' first='Chauncey' last='Word'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2546067' first='Aaron' last='Early Jr.'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2234307' first='Eyan' last='Valadez'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='3142764' first='Jaliel' last='Spears'] among others. Early and Word bring a chemistry from their high school seasons at Mount St. Joe and will likely share on-ball duties. Valadez impressed in my last viewing with his decision making when he was operating both on and off the ball while shooting with confidence. It's been well-documented how highly I think of Spears and budding skillset that could result in the start of his name circulating leading up to his junior high school season at St. Frances. All in all, this is a stable of guards who can do damage both as distributors or scorers. It wouldn't shock me if one or two of these guys tried to throw down over a defender this weekend as well.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</h2>   As I stated in my 17s write up, Takeover hasn't participated in any open events early this April, so the roster is still somewhat unknown. The pieces that we expect to suit up for them include 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2453417' first='Jadah' last='Washington'], 2028 Mu'aadh Mohammad, 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2194753' first='Dave' last='Mbuyamba'], 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2524418' first='Jahlil' last='Waheed'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2450699' first='Eric' last='Green'] III.   Washington is the tone-setter as a point guard who is one the better defenders you'll find regardless of class. He's a relentless pit bull who prides himself in the steals category more than the scoring one. Offensively, he can set the table and control the tempo while frequenting the paint. Muhammad struggled with some injuries this season at Mt. Zion Prep, so getting back on the floor to show folks his ability to impact on or off the ball while getting back into his groove as a playmaker will be an aspect we watch closely. Mbuyamba had a strong sophomore campaign for Gonzaga and become one of the more regular double-double presences in the WCAC. Waheed brings the outside shooting and length on the perimeter as well as Green, who's a toolsy wing with a good amount of untapped potential.

The Nike EYBL is doing something it's never done before, which is host a regional series for four programs to participate in games that will count against their official EYBL record. Suitland High School in Maryland will be the host to Team Durant , Team Final , Team Melo and Team Takeover 's 15s, 16s and 17s teams to play in games Friday and Saturday.