EYBL Session I: DMV Headlines and Intel

Session I of EYBL took place in Emerson, GA this weekend and I was on the scene to take in some of the best high schools prospects in the world. Fortunately, there are plenty of highly rated prospects here in the Baltimore and DMV area, so watching [program_tooltip program_id='2077004' first='Team' last='Takeover'], [program_tooltip program_id='2078457' first='Team' last='Durant'] and [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo'] at various age levels can come with plenty of work. For this article, I'll stick to some headlines from Saturday's action and a few recruiting nuggets that were picked up along the way.   Prince-Alexander Moody continues his tear   The Takeover 15U squad is well-oiled machine that has been steamrolling their competition. Leading that effort in a scoring manner has been 2026 Bishop McNamara guard Prince-Alexander Moody. In their three games, the 6'3 combo guard is averaging 19.3 points per game on a blistering 78.1 field goal percentage and a 75 percent success rate beyond the arc on eight total attempts. This 15U team is loaded and really gets after you on the defensive end. When you add Moody's gifted scoring ability to the equation along with others, it's safe to say this spring and summer will consist of winning a ton of games.   Cam Ward gaining blue blood interest?   Ward is our No. 1 prospect in the 2025 MD/DC rankings and he backed that status this weekend with dominant outings. Coming into Sunday's game, the 6'7 wing is averaging 20.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while converting 55.6 percent of his field goal attempts. His two-way impact, endless competitive motor and intriguing long term potential caught the eyes of UCLA staff members. Ward recently took an unofficial visit to Arkansas and received an offer from Maryland, but has yet to gain traction with a blue blood until this weekend. With more of the same production moving forward, that interest could turn to legitimate pursuit. We will wait and see.   Pat Ngongba catches eyes   I recently wrote about Ngongba after catching up with him to discuss his extremely efficient and effective efforts throughout Session I. As a result, expect his recruitment to pick up as more programs will get involved and the ones already recruiting him with amp up their efforts. The 6'9-6'10 big's body looks great in comparison to a calendar year ago, which is evident with his ability to run the floor, react quickly for weakside blocks and snag misses at their peak. Ngongba has made his share of over the shoulder hooks going either way and made several skip passes out of the post to open shooters on the perimeter. As he continues to prove himself in front of power five coaches, it'll be interesting to see if any of the elite of the elite programs begin pursuing him heavily.   [player_tooltip player_id='1702423' first='Dontae' last='Russo-Nance'] gains respect in win   Russo-Nance isn't a name that people haven't heard of, but many aren't as familiar with all that he can bring when he's rolling on all cylinders. The 6'4 lead guard played for Oak Hill in the NIBC this past winter shortly after arriving from New Zealand. He brings a high level of feel with the ball as a playmaker who has vision in the pick-and-roll game. He can deliver sharp pocket passes to rolling bigs, but also sees the floor and anticipates at such as level that he can make the skip pass to the opposite corner off the live bounce. In [program_tooltip program_id='2076999' first='Team' last='Melo']'s win over Paul George Elite on Saturday evening, it was his scoring that stole the show. He registered 19 points on 8-of-15 from the floor while converting on three triples. Russo-Nance showed that he can be a threat to shoot off the catch or effectively get to spots in the mid-range in minimal dribbles before getting into his jumper. It was a big performance in front of a plethora of college staff members and Carmelo Anthony.   Schools moving in on [player_tooltip player_id='1370496' first='Derek' last='Dixon']   It was only a matter of time before programs became aware of Dixon. The 6'4 combo guard acts more of an on the ball presence for Takeover 16s and as coaches see his pure shooting stroke paired with a high level feel as a creator for others at such a mature pace, it doesn't take long to win them over. In three games Dixon is averaging 22.3 points per contest on a ridiculous 63.6 percent on his 22 total attempts from three. He's handled just about all of the primary ball handling duties in his team-high 114 minutes played and has committed just seven total turnovers. Dixon's play turned into earning an offer from Providence head coach Kim English and it won't be the last offer that he receives in the next few days.

Session I of EYBL took place in Emerson, GA this weekend and I was on the scene to take in some of the best high schools prospects in the world. Fortunately, there are plenty of highly rated prospects here in the Baltimore and DMV area, so watching Team Takeover , Team Durant and Team Melo at various age levels can come with plenty of work. For this article, I'll stick to some headlines from Saturday's action and a few recruiting nuggets that were picked up along the way.