EYBL Vegas: Front Court Studs

New readers: Use code Proia30     I spent this past week in Las Vegas watching the final live weekend before Peach Jam, zeroing on local prospects but also checking out several national names on different teams. In this article, we'll break down some of the top frontcourt players that stood out from the local AAU teams over the course of the week. Some were more physically imposing while others impressed with their skill level. Let's dive into some observations from watching their games live this week!    Nash 17p 3r 2b (6/8 FG) vs All Ohio   -Our newly minted #1 in the class had a great 2H performance to a win that sealed off a higher seed line in next week's Peach Jam against a scrappy All Ohio group. Avery walked into a 3 off the bounce in the secondary break, hit a face-up 3 off the catch late in the game to put his team up 2 scores, took a defensive rebound coast to coast before he hit a beautiful spin move between two defenders to lay it off the window, rotated over to block 2 shots off the glass as a helper, and cut to the weak side short corner to catch and finish with 2 hands for safety to break the fullcourt pressure from All Ohio. Avery's ability to take over games once he gets himself going is starting to become a more well-rounded affair, with defense leading to offense to get him in a zone to win games for his team.      17p 8r 3a 1s 1b 7/8 FG vs The Family   -My favorite attribute in the rising sophomore continues to be an elite competitive streak that spurs him to success on the court as a 2-way dynamo for a very good Durant 15u group. Nuñez is finding opportunities to play effectively out of either role in high-low post entry feeds as both a play-maker and potent finisher around the rim, is showing a better feel for when to crash the glass to keep driving lanes clear for his guards, is operating with a higher IQ as a mobile connector in the halfcourt that will make unselfish drop-off or kick-out passes for assists to teammates, and takes pride in challenging shots around the rim. The touch is improving with the off hand to finish in tight spaces around the basket and his motor on the offensive glass was crucial for his team this week as its leading scorer.     26p 11r 1a (5/10 3P) vs Nightrydas   -In an offseason where he has seen a ton of coverage as an inside-out dynamo for a good Melo 17u group, Condon delivered a marquee performance in a TV game on the main court vs a Nightrydas team full of top names. Condon knocked down five 3s off the catch, rebounded his own missed 3 and hit a short corner floater, swept through a long closeout to drive baseline and finish with a finger roll before the defense could recover, and hit his defender with an up fake and step through finish move off of an offensive rebound to score at the rim. His ability to make the correct split-second read in perimeter DHOs from the top of the key accentuates both his play-making and shooting ability as a stretch 4 prospect that just continues to outwork and outscore his matchup.     16p 16r 1a 1b vs The Family   -Cook stood out in a matchup with The Family as an athletic W/F tweener that can really affect the game with his motor and frame on the glass. Cook showed the physicality to outrebound double teams around the rim and the IQ to position himself to snag long rebounds in the corners or elbows and immediately get to the rim to score in 2 dribbles or less. Loved his energy and commmunication as a versatile defender for Boo that guarded 3-5 very effectively while sliding on shows in the PnR on guards. His combination of second jump quickness and pivot moves around the rim allowed him to score at will in the key.     13p 7r (6/8 FG) vs Nightrydas   -Nuñez was an absolute matchup nightmare on the low block as an uber-physical forward prospect that does his work early to seal and score from good positions around the rim. His ability to come up with tough catches above his head or below his knees before quickly getting into jump hook or drop step moves made him a tough cover throughout the game for the Nightrydas. If he can add in some counters to accentuate his physicality and size around the rim- he has a chance to cement his status as the top big in the local 2030 class in addition to a national profile.

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