Nike EYBL DMV City Series: Recruiting Notebook

<p>While EYBL Circuit play began the last weekend of April in Atlanta, four teams opened up their season at Suitland High School in Maryland for the City Series event. While high school recruitment is in flux due to the transfer portal and potential court hearings later this month that will stir ripple effects, there are still college programs embracing the high school route in roster construction not only for the rising senior class, but also establishing early relationships with the rising sophomores by offering scholarships.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'27 Jamaal McKnight | [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</h2>   <p>McKnight put on one of the more entertaining showings throughout the two days in the DMV with his command on the ball and making the game easy for everyone who shared the floor with him. A dynamic, shifty lead guard who plays with a powerful frame, is coming off a junior season at LuHi where he gained valuable experience by stepping in for the injured Dylan Mingo as the starting point guard. The ability to read the floor while picking and choosing his spots when necessary as a scorer helped lead to averaging 14.7PPG, 5.7APG, 3.7RPG and 1.7SPG.</p>   <p>On a recruiting front, McKnight is hearing from Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia Tech. All are no strangers to the DMV area, especially when it comes to recruiting and landing lead guards.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'27 [player_tooltip player_id='1406792' first='Zaahir' last='Muhammad-Gray'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']</h2>   <p>The epitome of a blue collar hybrid forward that impacts winning in a multitude of ways, Muhammad-Gray has developed nicely over his high school career from strictly a dirty work, utility player as a freshman to a guy now who can be a threat from the perimeter. His body reminds you of a linebacker and he uses that frame to present mismatches or toggle positions on the defensive end. His progression in putting it on the deck offensively, hitting open shots with time and space while maintaining his prideful approach to doing the little things are all characteristics that winning programs at the next level will covet.</p>   <p>As the coaching staffs in the college landscape change as drastically as the rosters, VCU has been the consistent program that has been recruiting the Imhotep product. He fits their style and culture pretty seamlessly, but given his college-ready frame, I'd assume a few more programs to get involved here in the coming weeks. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'27 [player_tooltip player_id='2353562' first='Ian' last='Condon'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']</h2>   <p>Condon is a name that I expect to gain more traction with MM+/HM- programs this summer. He's already proven himself, despite being slightly undersized for the 4/5 position at said levels, to be a paint presence with his ability to maintain leverage against bigger frontcourt matchups. Condon's development with his game away from the basket on both ends is what has his name trending in recruiting conversations. He averaged 14.7PPG, 4.3RPG and 2.3APG.</p>   <p>Notre Dame extended an offer to Condon yesterday. California offered back in January and the 6-foot-6 forward took an unofficial visit to Villanova in the winter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'27 [player_tooltip player_id='2353547' first='Jymin' last='Veney'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</h2>   <p>Veney had a productive weekend in helping Durant to a 2-1 showing next to McKnight in the backcourt. He was super efficient from a scoring perspective as he converted his field goals (31 attempts) at a 64.5 percent clip. To help support the efficiency argument here, Veney did a nice job of visiting the free-throw line and taking full advantage going 12-of-13 (92.3%) in the three games. He gets his looks within the flow and makes good decisions in transition, so there weren't many forced or illicit attempts despite the overwhelming pace to some of these games.</p>   <p>In regards to his recruitment, Veney is hearing from Maryland, Old Dominion, St. Joes' and Virginia Tech. Again, all programs with strong DMV ties who have done their due diligence with the St. John's (DC) standout who looks to be a main face of the WCAC next winter.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'27 [player_tooltip player_id='2139297' first='J'Lon' last='Lyons'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover']</h2>   <p>One highly-anticipated aspect of the weekend was Lyons suiting up for his new grassroots program. Takeover had to gut out a double-digit comeback win on Friday night against Melo and would go on to defeat Final on Saturday before dropping their only loss to Durant in the last matchup. Lyons showed his typical flashes of superb athleticism and explosion around the rim. His court vision emerged on paint touches as the defenses collapsed. Tightening up with his outside shooting and ball security though, will be key focal points moving forward in EYBL play and for college programs making the trip out to Memphis next weekend for evaluations. </p>   <p>While the high school recruiting tactics for college programs have changed since the transfer portal introduction, Lyons is one of the outliers that still demands attention for a long list. The programs that have been remaining consistent with him recently include Alabama, Indiana, Louisville, Maryland, Tennessee, VCU and Virginia. Georgia Tech is a new program to enter the mix.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'27 Derek (Beau) Daniels | [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</h2>   <p>Daniels showed an evidence of improvement in his explosive athleticism over the weekend and while he's always been able to deliver thunderous finishes, the twitch he showcased was great to see. His loudest outing came on Friday night where he punished rims and defenders in his way. He'd finish the weekend averaging 9.7PPG and 2.3RPG.</p>   <p>Daniels completed his first season at Montverde this winter playing under head coach Steve Turner, who was also in his first year after a decorated 21-year run at Gonzaga. Maryland, Ohio State and West Virginia are the programs that have been involved here.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'28 [player_tooltip player_id='2450782' first='Rowan' last='Phillips'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']</h2>   <p>Phillips is one of the many major weapons this [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final'] 16s group has as they look to prove themselves as one of the contenders for Peach Jam. Their 3-0 start, all of which were by double-digits, are a good indication of what's to come for the remainder of the spring/summer if all of their main pieces remain healthy. Phillips has great positional size at 6-foot-6 for a combo guard and he makes that advantage known with his ability to get to the rim and finish. Phillips led Final over the weekend averaging 19PPG while converting over 50 percent of his looks inside the arc.</p>   <p>The one program that has stood out for Phillips is the local blue-blood program in Villanova. He visited the Wildcats back in February and should be a priority for Kevin Willard and his staff moving forward.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'28 [player_tooltip player_id='2450669' first='Carter' last='Smith'] | [program_tooltip program_id='2078709' first='Team' last='Final']</h2>   <p>Smith helps form one of the scarier backcourt tandems alongside Phillips and even though he isn't as tall, the 6-foot-3 combo guard is extremely bouncy with a well-rounded scoring repertoire. He was a handful from the point of attack where he can shift his defender and slither into small driving lanes before finishing in a variety of ways. He also proved to be a dependable option with his looks from three, particularly when they came in catch-and-shoot fashion from the corners. Smith posted averages of 17.7PPG, 4.7RPG, 3.3APG and 3.3SPG.</p>   <p>Villanova is making early in-rounds with Smith as well. Notre Dame has been the other consistent program while Kansas State's new staff has quickly jumped into the picture and was in to see the Penn Charter standout in recent weeks.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">'29 Harlem Nunez | [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant']</h2>   <p>Nunez was the 2029 prospect that generated the most buzz at the conclusion of the event. He brings an old-school sense of competitive intensity and pride around the rim that results in a boatload of swats and his fair share of opportunities to flush resounding dunks. Durant's only test of the weekend was against [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'] where it took a buzzer-beating three to come out on top, but the other two games were decided by a combined 46 points to finish a perfect 3-0. The Mt. Zion Prep product averaged 12PPG, 8.3RPG and an impressive 3BPG.</p>   <p>Maryland became the first program to offer on Monday UMass Lowell was not far behind, as they offered the 6-foot-8 southpaw forward on Tuesday.</p>

While EYBL Circuit play began the last weekend of April in Atlanta, four teams opened up their season at Suitland High School in Maryland for the City Series event. While high school recruitment is in flux due to the transfer portal and potential court hearings later this month that will stir ripple effects, there are still college programs embracing the high school route in roster construction not only for the rising senior class, but also establishing early relationships with the rising sophomores by offering scholarships.