Nike EYBL DMV Preview: 17U

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 [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'], [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'], [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] and [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']'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, starting with the 17s.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</h2>   Head coach Andre Williams enters this spring/summer with an intriguing roster comprised of speed, athleticism and balance within his immediate rotation. 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353561' first='Brandon' last='Woodard'] will be the supplier of countless poster finishes above the rim and in events/scrimmages leading up to this weekend, he's already stacked his fair share. Woodard will have multiple guards who can serve as table-setters with their ability to touch the paint and open up opportunities for lobs in 2027 Jamaal McKnight, 2027 Kye Gray and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney'].   McKnight is a downhill menace who thrives in isolations or in the open floor where his twitch and end-to-end speed establish regular advantages. He gained valuable experience playing with Lu-Hi this winter and will look to showcase his skillset as more of a general of the offense while picking his spots. Veney is coming off a stock-rising season at St. Johns' (DC) where he led them to a DC State title and near WCAC championship in a classic against PVI. Like McKnight, college coaches and evaluators are looking forward to see the growth in his ability. Gray will be the one that is overlooked, but will demand attention with his two-way productivity. The 6-foot southpaw is as tough as they come and wired to win.   On the wings and forward spot you have a nice trio in 2027 Christian Proctor, 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353558' first='Isaiah' last='Carpenter'] and 2028 [player_tooltip player_id='2209002' first='Tyler' last='Royal']. Carpenter and Proctor will bring the positional versatility on the defensive end as well as some versatility in the scoring category. Carpenter is more of a slasher that can get to the rim and finish emphatically with a clear launching pad while Proctor has built some value as a floor-spacing threat who can get to spots attacking closeouts when necessary. Royal brings the muscle inside, but has also shown progression with soft touch stepping away from the bucket when he has time and space.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']</h2>   Final boasts the No. 1 ranked prospect in Pennsylvania in Jaydn Jenkins. The 6-foot-9 forward spent his junior season at Archbishop Wood proving why he's one of the premier defenders in the national 2027 class. His instincts around the rim both as a shot blocker and rebounder will be key in Final's success this summer as he takes on some of the other best bigs in the country. Offensively, there's been evident progression as a rim-runner where he has an edge with the mobility for his size.   Jenkins' teammate at Wood, [player_tooltip player_id='2206834' first='Caleb' last='Lundy'], will be one of the lead guards for this group and like Jenkins, he showed maturation in his game this winter. A 6-foot-3 combo guard with length, Lundy has shown improvement in his change-of-pace ability, getting to his spots while scoring from multiple levels and expanding his floor vision as a passer.   6-foot-7 forward [player_tooltip player_id='1406792' first='Zaahir' last='Muhammad-Gray'] has been a favorite of mine since seeing him as a freshman and it all starts with his competitive motor. Since then, he's added polish to his skill as well as muscle to his frame that results in a mismatch on both ends of the floor. He has the unique ability to take what the defense gives him and when he needs to, can impose his will by getting to the rim and embracing contact through the act.   Others such as 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2421234' first='Shakur' last='Starling'], 2027 Mekhi Robertson, 2027 Andrew Kretkowski and 2027 Blake Hargrove are candidate to have breakouts and get their summer started off in a loud fashion.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']</h2>   This Melo team will be a fun watch thanks to their dynamic backcourt rotation that's comprised of 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2454534' first='Terence' last='Jones III'], 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2878470' first='Carter' last='Fisk'], 2027 Corey Dixon and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2954433' first='Chance' last='McCoy']. Expect Jones to do much of the primary ball handling where he can act as a maestro in ball screen actions or a sniper from three. Fisk proved his worth as one of the more dynamic guards you'll find in the DMV area with St. Frances this winter alongside Jones and McCoy. Dixon brings the fluid shot-making off the catch as well as efficiency using his dribbles to get to spots and survey the floor with high IQ.   Also, 2027 Will Braun-Duin is a name to monitor. He didn't play in the scrimmage we were in attendance for against New World, but can really get it going from three and brings a toughness should mesh well.   The aspect of this team that I look forward to most is their frontcourt duo in 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353562' first='Ian' last='Condon'] and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353549' first='Jordan' last='Taylor']. For those who judge evaluation based on warmup lines, the low-hanging fruit observation will be that they don't have the elite size, but both bring a much bigger presence than their height. Taylor is one of the more explosive athletes that you'll find at 6-foot-5, especially when he plays off two. Condon uses his broad shoulders and strong frame to establish/maintain leverage inside and gather rebounds. Offensively, both are efficient and while Condon's outside game has taken massive strides in the last year, Taylor is starting to show some ability to knock down face-ups with regularity as well.   Look for 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2353535' first='Izzy' last='Tchoubfong'] to be a swing piece for this group. His blend of size and versatility will be key as the EYBL is littered with talented perimeter playmakers.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</h2>   Takeover always keeps their rosters close to the vest until the first event, so I admittedly don't have a full roster on file, but what we do know is they'll have the top-ranked 2027 prospect in MD/DC in [player_tooltip player_id='2139297' first='J'Lon' last='Lyons'] running the show. Lyons has gained national traction with his junior season at Clinton Grace and received an invite to Team USA Minicamp earlier this month.   They'll also have the No. 1 prospect in the 2028 class for MD/DC in [player_tooltip player_id='2194788' first='Xavier' last='Skipworth'], who proved his worth as a primary playmaker for Bullis this season playing the majority of his minutes on the ball and controlling the offense. It's also believed that 2027 Brian Mitchell Jr. will be running with this group after a breakout winter for PVI. A sturdy, 6-foot-3 guard who can really shoot it from deep and guard his position well.   The frontline rotation should feature 2027 Simas Kacerauskas, 2027 Danny Abass and 2027 [player_tooltip player_id='2802627' first='Jared' last='Jeffers']. Kacerauskas is a skilled big who can be somewhat of an offensive hub with his passing ability from both the perimeter or the block. Abass brings more of a threat as a driver from the perimeter who can catch, rip and get downhill as well as pose as a threat in pick-and-rolls. Jeffers is a high-ceiling prospect who is starting to put it together with consistent production. His length and verticality at 6-foot-9 will be critical as a rim presence.

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.