Nike EYBL Session 4 – Saturday Standouts
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While others are grilling out, enjoying time by the pool, or traveling with their family and friends, we are in the gym. That absolutely isn’t a complaint. This is simply what we do at Prep Hoops. Memorial Day weekend was…
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Continue ReadingWhile others are grilling out, enjoying time by the pool, or traveling with their family and friends, we are in the gym. That absolutely isn’t a complaint. This is simply what we do at Prep Hoops. Memorial Day weekend was a perfect time to make the trip down to Memphis for Nike EYBL Session 4. While taking in the action at the Memphis Sports & Events Center I primarily focused on covering the Indy Heat programs plus the other EYBL programs that feature Indiana high school prospects. However, I also took the opportunity to get eyes on some of the other top prospects from around the country. Let’s dive on in and highlight Saturday’s top performers nationally.
A 5-star, Top 10 prospect in the country, Cadeau is committed to play at North Carolina. On Saturday, he was arguably the most impressive guard in the gym among a slew of extremely talented players. The smaller, but powerfully built point guard scored 16 points in an impressive win over the PSA Cardinals and backed it up with 20 points in a tough loss to The Family . He has some real explosiveness with the ball in his hands and can flat out score.
It was a tough day for Indy Heat 17u as they dropped two close games to Paul George Elite and Team Melo. However, this 6’7″ Purdue commit was absolutely lights out. Catchings had his shot-making ability on full display scoring 34 points to go with 7 rebounds in the first game of the day. Then, he came back with 19 points in their evening loss. Most impressively, Catchings produced shooting splits of 20-31, 6-14, 7-7.
Flagg wastes no times proving to you that he is one of the top prospects in the country regardless of class. The 6’8″ forward is incredibly athletic for his size, moves so fluidly around the court, and handles the ball like a guard. Playing at the 16u level with Maine Elite almost seems unfair. He started Saturday off with a 27-point, 17-rebound, 11-assist triple-double in a win over Indy Heat 16u. Then, he poured in 45 points while pulling down 14 rebounds and dishing out 8 assists in a loss to Team United 16u. Flagg is a very, very special prospect.
Johnson is the #1 ranked prospect nationally in the Class of 2024 and certainly showed why with his play on Saturday in Memphis. The smooth 6’5″ guard scored 27 points in game one and 19 points in game two leading Houston Hoops to a 2-0 day with wins over The Skill Factory and Expressions. He plays with such great pace, has the size and length to elevate over the defense, and is a pure jump shooter. Johnson projects as an impactful scorer at the next level from the moment he steps onto a college campus.
Highlights
You’d be hard pressed to find a better shoot in the Class of 2024 than this 6’4″ guard out of Wisconsin. Knueppel started Saturday off by pouring in 30 points including 6-9 shooting from beyond the arc for Phenon U, but they fell at the buzzer to Meanstreets. However, he bounced back with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists in the afternoon as they took down Brad Beal Elite. He is a 4-star, Top 40 prospect with an offer list spanning coast-to-coast.
Highlights
Another super talented Class of 2025 guard playing up with The Family 17u, McKenney put on a show on Saturday evening in a win over the NH Lightning. He scored 27 points to go with 6 rebounds and 3 assists while playing against some of the best guards in the country. Earlier in the day, McKenney had 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in a win over Expressions. The powerful, 6’5″ guard out of Michigan is one of the most highlight sought after recruits for Big Ten schools in the Class of 2025.
McNeeley absolutely shot the lights out on Saturday at EYBL Session 4 in Memphis. The super skilled 5-star forward scored 30 and 28 points respectively for the Florida Rebels in their two games while shooting an incredible 10-16 from three-point range. He arguably played as well as anyone on Saturday while picking up the slack for his 5-star teammate Karter Knox who is on family vacation. McNeeley can do it all on the offensive end of the floor.
An Arizona commit, this 6’3″ guard dominated on the floor while leading Paul George Elite to a 2-0 day. Phillips has elite physical tools and is one of the most impressive athletes that I saw on Saturday. He more than holds his own skill wise as well. The 4-star prospect scored 26 points in their win over Indy Heat and then put up 25 points to defeat Drive Nation. On the day, Phillips was 8-17 from beyond the arc and is now shooting just under 45% from three on the EYBL circuit.
Highlights
There probably wasn’t a prospect that impressed me more on Saturday than this super versatile 6’7″ forward out of Georgia. Reid is a 4-star prospect with a slew of offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State, and West Virginia among many others. On Saturday, he certainly earned the best player on the best team title as he led Team Thad to continued success. They are now 12-2 after defeating ProSkills and Vegas Elite. Reid scored 22 points to go with 6 rebounds and 4 assists in the morning and came back later with 23 points and 8 rebounds. He possesses such a well-rounded skill set.
The top prospect in Maryland’s Class of 2025, Ward showed off his elite athleticism for Team Durant on Saturday. Ward put up 21 points and 11 rebounds in their victory Team United and then went off for 32 points on 12-15 shooting in a comeback win over Indy Heat . He is a 6’6″ two-way wing that lives above the rim, in transition, and by attacking the rim downhill off of the bounce. So athletic!
Team Final continues to have a fantastic spring moving to 13-1 with an incredibly balanced roster. On Saturday, it was Baylor commit Rob Wright III that stood out as a do-it-all two-way point guard. The 4-star prospect scored 16 points while dishing out 11 assists to take down Team Durant 17u in the morning and then had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists in their evening win over Livon. He is a perfect guard for Coach Drew and the Baylor Bears.