EYBL Vegas: 16u Forwards and Centers Who Impressed

LAS VEGAS — EYBL made its lone west coast stop last weekend at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Nike-based circuit had its teams inside a 20-court facility as some programs sharpened up for Peach Jam and others battled it out to earn a spot in the summer's most prestigious club/travel event. Below are the top 16u forwards and centers we were able to get eyes on.    Berrouet is the definition of a walking double-double and he goes about that production with a business-like approach that was refreshing to watch. The physical 6-foot-8 forward has traditional post feel with back to the basket moves and touch and fundamental footwork when sealing position and making his moves. Berrouet also stepped out to the perimeter where he knocked down catch-and-shoot threes and attacked less-athletic defenders in bad closeout positions. Defensively, Berrouet showed great instincts as a shot blocker, stayed down on shot fakes and contested shots around the rim without fouling. The Texas-based power forward averaged 18.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game during Session IV.     The simplest way to describe Lusakueno's game is skilled and versatile. The 6-foot-9 four-man has the ball skills, shooting ability, interior offensive feel and fluid athleticism to play a variety of scoring roles. Lusakueno was best as a transition rim-runner and finisher where he scored with touch or power finishes on the rim but he also impressed with his face-up driving ability out of the mid-post and three-point shooting off the catch.     There are no "bigger" class of 2028 big man than Betts who boasts a 7-foot-2 frame with elite length, impressive hands and touch around the rim and a strong set of hands. The Colorado-native is a natural rim protector thanks to his size and does have good mobility and instincts when tracking the ball and positioning himself in the right spots. Offensively, Betts was nearly unstoppable when he got a touch in the post due to his overwhelming size, understanding of keeping the ball high and streamlining of his post moves into quick, simple and efficient touches.     Dampier is a traditional-style post player with obvious NBA bloodlines that showed in his measured and mature approach to both ends of the floor. His combination of size, strength and physicality led to him sealing deep post position where he showed the ability to score with footwork and finesse or with bully-ball power finishes at the rim. Dampier also flashed impressive passing ability where he found open shooters and cutters for open looks. Dampier averaged a double-double with 12.7 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.     Edwards was very effective in Vegas with his ability to generate offense from the four and small-ball five spot. Rotary played a 5-out style of offense where Edwards operated as a trigger and creator from the top of the key where he used his mobility, physicality and passing vision to break down defenders and make plays for teammates. Edwards is a tough, skilled and high motor two-way imapct guy who averaged 10.2 points, 7.6 rebounds and three assists per game during Session IV.     In the game we watched, Julius' combination of energy and effort to go along with his next-level size and athleticism led to him posting a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double where he went 8-for-11 from the field. Julius is a mobile and coordinated transition rim-runner and finisher who looks to dunk everything around the rim. What stood out most about his game was the fact that he knows the type of player he is and played to his strengths.     Sheppard had his hands in every aspect of the game where he scored and made plays for teammates with efficiency. The 6-foot-8 forward used his combination of ball skills, mobility and skilled footwork and touch to finish his at-rim shots at a high clip. Sheppard can put the ball on the deck and attack the rim on straight-line drives and also has impressive touch on floater. The No. 2-ranked junior in Southern California had his dribble, pass and shoot skill-set on full display.

LAS VEGAS — EYBL made its lone west coast stop last weekend at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The Nike-based circuit had its teams inside a 20-court facility as some programs sharpened up for Peach Jam and others battled it out to earn a spot in the summer's most prestigious club/travel event. Below are the top 16u forwards and centers we were able to get eyes on.