Live Period Notebook: 16U DMV Standouts

The lone live period of the spring is now behind us and with the dust settled, we reflect on the names from various age groups who helped themselves a great deal with their play. For this article, I shed light on the prospects playing on the 16U level who impressed.     <h4 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='2861348' first='Rashard' last='Miller'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'] '28</h4>   Miller took full advantage of the stage in front of college coaches to showcase his intriguing positional size as a hybrid wing and the versatility that he brings at both ends of the floor. When dialed in, Miller is an active body both on the glass and as a cutter. His offensive game has taken real strides over the last six months and that was evident with his 20.5PPG average in Memphis. Miller also hauled in 6RPG in Durant's 3-1 showing. The production in S2 compared to S1 with Miller was night and day. He'll look to sustain this momentum for the remainder of EYBL competition and into June for the scholastic live period.   Eyan Valadez | [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] '28   Valadez continues to put forth productive and efficient efforts this spring and can act as a threat for this Melo team both on or off the ball. I liked the pace that he operated with in Memphis whether it was within navigating ball screens, controlling tempo in the open floor until a mismatch favored his team or simply getting to his spots to get a bucket. He was a solid floor general who kept his defender honest as he's a threat to score it from multiple levels despite struggling to his standards from deep in this last session. Valadez averaged 11.8PPG, 5.8APG and 4RPG as Melo finished 2-2.   [player_tooltip player_id='3336926' first='Jaeden' last='Palmer'] | DC Assault '28   Palmer is on my list for one of the potential breakout prospects over the next few months heading into the high school season. The confidence and steadiness that he's bringing to this very good DC Assault group. They'd finish their showing in Dallas unscathed with a 4-0 record and Palmer's fingerprints were all over the success. Playing on an older Highland team in the winter, the flashes that Palmer showed were somewhat few and far between, but going up against those guys in practice everyday seems to be paying dividends toward his development. He's also been given the freedom and direction, when needed, from head coach Dennis Marshall as Palmer has really proved himself as a lead guard who can control pace, set up others with his court vision combined with feel and is able to tape into his potent outside shot. Palmer received his first offer from Hampton.   [player_tooltip player_id='2273134' first='Braxton' last='Bogard'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] '28   Bogard and this [program_tooltip program_id='2226248' first='Boo' last='Williams'] 16s group have turned heads this spring and boast enough talent, size and depth on the roster to put together a run come July if everyone can stay healthy. One of Bogard's best attributes at 6'7"-6'8" is his motor and mobility running the floor. He isn't a guy that looks to hang court or sneak out of doing his diligence on the glass, but once he locates a guard to throw the outlet pass to, he puts his head down and sprints to the opposite rim. He's a fun option as a guard to play with in ball screen actions given the threat he poses as a rim roller or short roller where he can catch and knock down mid-range jumpers or dissect the floor quickly as a passer. He looks to finish high and strong whenever the opportunity presents and playing alongside the talented guards/wings on this team, those opportunities come often. Bogard averaged 16.3PPG and 6.7RPG in Memphis as Boo currently sits 5-2 overall in EYBL play.   Jaylen Allen | [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'] '28   Allen will make another appearance in the 2028 rankings after transferring back home to suit up for Clinton Grace after spending his sophomore season in Massachusetts. The 6-foot-8 big man had a resounding performance in Durant's one-point win over Scholars with a monster double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds along with five steals. He'd round out the weekend with 9.8PPG, 7.3RPG and 1.5SPG while playing a big role as a defensive anchor his team, who ended S2 on a three-game winning streak.   [player_tooltip player_id='2265685' first='Billy' last='Stanfield III'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] '28   Stanfield closed out his time in Memphis with his best performance this season in EYBL play as Melo beat Expressions by 19 thanks to a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds from the 6-foot-6 hybrid forward. When he's keeping things simple, Stanfield is effective as the second-side swingman who can attack gaps off the bounce as the defense scatters to rotate. He can use his size to rise over the top for mid-range pull ups or get to the cup where he uses the rim as a buffer against shot blockers thanks to his ability to finish with either hand. While Stanfield isn't going to overwhelm athletically, but busts his tail running the floor with purpose and when he has a clear takeoff path, can rise up and throw down. He'd finish the weekend with averages of 11.3PPG, 7.3RPG and 1.3BPG.   [player_tooltip player_id='2731358' first='Eli' last='Farmer'] | DC Assault '28   I've spent some time this spring with my write-ups claiming that I'm one of Farmer's biggest believers as the 6-foot-8 forward has shown drastic progression since the high school season came to a close. He's the paint presence that this DC Assault team leans on and between his length, motor and improved power/confidence, he's stepped in as a true enforcer that can control activity around the basket. A prospect like Farmer needed the playing time and reps that he's getting with this team and it's proving to be a winning formula. He's scoring efficiently while posting 14PPG and getting much better with the timing that's required to swat away shots at the rim without fouling. Farmer is at 4BPG through two sessions on the P32 Circuit and a handful of other events in the books.   [player_tooltip player_id='2494248' first='Abdul' last='Tarawally'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078456' first='DC' last='Premier'] '28   After a loud S1 that included a 40-point outing, Tarawally continued his bucket-getting ways in S2 over the weekend, which took place in Ohio. Through seven games, the 6-foot-4 combo guard is averaging just under 24PPG while maintaining a 59 percent success rate from the field. His contributions aren't limited to scoring as Tarawally leads his team in rebounding and assists through two sessions.   [player_tooltip player_id='3441212' first='Jakai' last='Butler'] | DC Assault '28   Another member of this DC Assault group who has been a critical piece to their success is Butler, a 6-foot-4 Swiss army knife finding his stride within Dennis Marshall's system. More times than not, he's assigned the other team's best guard/wing and makes life hard for them thanks to his size, athleticism and lateral quickness. He makes an impact on the glass and offensively, brings a low maintenance approach as a guy who can create opportunities for himself without the ball as an active cutter.   [player_tooltip player_id='2767938' first='Jordan' last='Costley'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2077005' first='Team' last='Thrill'] '29   Thrill hit a few obstacles throughout their weekend, dropping two games and standing with a 6-2 overall record through two sessions. Costley took advantage of the live period stage showcasing his polished scoring ability from multiple levels. A lethal shooter from deep with a lighting quick release, Costley rained in triples from deep coming off pin downs, DHO's or timely lifts. His attack off the bounce was sharp and in limited dribbles before rising up from 12-to-15 or slicing his way to the rim for lay ins. Through the first six games, Costley was shooting 40 percent from three (30 total attempts) and was tied for first on the team in assists and rebounds. The No. 1 ranked prospect in our 2029 MD/DC rankings received offers from Mississippi State and Villanova thanks to his impactful weekend.

The lone live period of the spring is now behind us and with the dust settled, we reflect on the names from various age groups who helped themselves a great deal with their play. For this article, I shed light on the prospects playing on the 16U level who impressed.