EYBL: Scott’s Saturday Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois and PrepHoops Network had you covered from gavel to gavel with all day action at the Nike EYBL on Saturday from Indy. Here are Scott’s Standouts from the day!
PG Ayo Dosunmu (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
The state of Illinois top prospect started the day off with a bang. Jump shot wasn’t really falling like it usually does, but he was still extremely effective. Ayo split defenders getting in the lane where he made plays at the rim. Great body control at the cup and has the ability to draw contact and finish while still drawing the foul. Great speed in the open floor and change of direction. In front of a ton of college coaches he went for 17 points. Without question the top 2018 prospect in the state of Illinois.
PF Tamell Pearson (Mac Irvin Fire 17U)
Pearson had quite a performance. The 6’8” 2018 power forward from Morgan Park is mostly known as a rebounder that can occasionally contribute an easy bucket or two. He showed much more than that with his play in Indy. Pearson was aggressive when he touched the ball on the block. Couple quick baseline drives and a nice right handed hook shot. Most aggressive we have seen him throughout his career offensively. Snatched rebounds at a solid clip. If he can continue to improve as an offensive player while maintaining his rebounding presence he will be one of the more coveted low-major players in Illinois.
PG Kejuan Clements (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Clements had his second strong day in a row. The Simeon 2019 point guard has quietly become the most productive backcourt player for the Fire 16U squad. He is starting to get the mentality to attack! Clements got to the rack throughout their contest against the Playaz. Played downhill and found the creases in the defense. Clements also rebounded well as he had to have close to double digit boards. Solid distributor that is more of a scoring point at this stage. He had 16 points. Mid-major prospect.
SG Lance Jones (Meanstreets 16U)
Jones saved the best game of his life for a good time. Playing at the main venue in front of 30+ college coaches Jones went off! The Evanston 6’0” shooting guard scored at will! His mid-range jumper was on point from the jump as he was slicing and dicing in the lane then pulling up from 15 feet. Gets elevation off the ground on his shot with sound form. Also attacked the rim strong getting multiple and-1s. Couple nice entry passes, but it is clear that he is not a point guard. Going to have to be an undersized two at the next level. Could potentially be a low-major kid if he continues to play like this. Jones went for 27 points.
PF EJ Liddell (Brad Beal Elite 16U)
The 6’7” power forward from Belleville West is trending toward being the #2 player in the state’s 2019 class in our next update. He showed why against Meanstreets. He had a workman like effort. What he was best at was getting to the charity stripe. Liddell consistently made assertive moves inside that he got fouled on. Didn’t get frustrated, but instead went to the line and made free throw after free throw. Also had several huge slams including one where he sealed his man off and hammered it home. Works well in the pick and roll with his mobility. Solid passer for a post and defensively can block an occasional shot. Will need to continue to bulk up to be able to anchor against college bigs, but he has the frame for it. Liddell had 23 points in the win. High-major recruit.
PG Mario McKinney (Brad Beal Elite 16U)
McKinney is a Vashon point guard that shares the lead guard duties for Brad Beal Elite 16U. The 2019 lead guard can flat out shoot the rock! He was money from beyond the arc as a spot up shooter. McKinney is a plus shooter when in rhythm and his feet are set. Great form on shot. Speed in transition weaving in and out of defenders. This guard has a slender build, but boy can he sure put it in the hoop. McKinney is a mid-major plus/high-major minus guard. He had 17 points.
PG RJ Barrett (UPlay Canada 17U)
Barrett stands at 6’7” out of Montverde (FL) and is the top 2019 prospect in the nation. He is a point forward with his size and length. Has the ability to see the floor. Sometimes turns it over or forces some plays, but there is no denying his ability to impact the game. He gets to the free throw line a ton! Accelerates off the bounce going right at his man. Struggled a bit finishing in the game we saw, but still scored 19 points. Tons of upside here.
PF Jontay Porter (MoKan 17U)
The 6’10” face up forward is extremely skilled. Porter has great size and strength while maintaining quality mobility. He has soft touch around the hoop with his post moves. When he locks in trying to score on the low block he is a load! Passes excellent for a post especially out of the post. At times he can be too unselfish. Jumper is a bit streaky from deep, but can definitely connect from three. Versatile and skilled post had 19 points. High-major target that is heavy Mizzou lean.
PG Tyger Campbell (Spiece Indy Heat 17U)
Campbell put on a show in front of his hometown fans. The 6’0” 2019 point guard from La Lumiere is so quick and shifty with the ball in his hands. Jukes and jives defenders out of their shoes. The lead guard scores in the lane with dribble penetration and keeping the defense off balance with a mix of floaters, layups, short jumpers, and can even hit a pull up three. Excellent vision and flare for passing although he can get a bit wild at times. Campbell is a high-major prospect.
F Keion Brooks (Spiece Indy Heat 17U)
This was my first opportunity to evaluate the 2019 Northside product out of Indiana. First aspect that stands out is his long and lanky frame with great projectability. Explosive around the hoop with a monster second jump on the offensive glass. Had one tip dunk that almost brought the house down. On posts up makes quick and decisive decisions with the ball. Defensively he can swat shots at the rim and contests them as well on the perimeter. He is a no doubt high-major player.
SG Coby White (CP3 17U)
The North Carolina commit brought his A game in front of his future head coach Roy Williams. The 6’5” two guard can really shoot it from deep! Every time it leaves his fingers you think it is going in! Elite catch and shoot weapon from the perimeter. Is more than just a shooter however. Explosive burst with the ball in transition and getting to the cup. Passes it well in the half court for an off guard. Will be an outstanding multi year player for the Tar Heels.
PF Vernon Carey (Nike Team Florida 17U)
Carey stands at 6’10” with a thick body. He moves very well for the size he is carrying. The elite 2019 post creates space tremendously well on the interior. Quick moves in the paint as soon as he touches the ball. Big time rebounder that has a great second jump to go up and get his own misses. Runs the floor well for his size. Shot is a bit streaky, but the lefty has potential in that area. Elite high-major.
PF Marvin Bagley (Phoenix Phamily 17U)
Bagley is the best NBA prospect in high school basketball and it isn’t that close! The 6’11” four man has everything you could want in a future #1 overall draft choice. He is an extremely smooth lefty that has versatility on both ends of the floor. In the post he has solid post moves. They are good now, but with his raw tools he can continue to get even better. Throws down ferocious slams off alley-oops, put backs, and dump off passes. So much power! Bagley is a complete monster on the interior that can also stretch the floor shooting from three on occasion. As a rebounder he is about as good as I have ever evaluated at the high school level. High points balls, snatches them, and starts the break time after time. If he can’t get it clean the post will tap it to himself and go from there. Big time shot blocker especially from the weak side. With the first pick in the 2019 NBA Draft some lucky team will get to call his name.