Jr. EYBL Chicago: Names To Remember In 2029

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chicago, IL — The weekend's inaugural Jr. EYBL Super Regional in Chicago marked an exciting chapter in Nike Basketball's grassroots history. Many elite basketball talents from the United States and Canada gathered to showcase their skills on this inaugural stage. Split between two locations, Chicago, Illinois, and Hampton, Virginia, the event drew significant interest in the world of youth basketball, particularly as Nike-sponsored EYBL programs converged to witness the emergence of the most promising eighth-grade players within their respective organizations. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Although the Jr. EYBL concept is focused exclusively on eighth-grade teams in its opening season, both events simultaneously welcomed several exceptional talents from the Class of 2029 who were allowed to compete based on their advanced talents. In this overview, we delve into a handful of current seventh-grade standout prospects, who left a lasting impression during this milestone event...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2400935,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tyi'Zire Carter","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team Herro","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eTyi'Zire Carter, a 13-year-old 7th grader, showcased remarkable talent and skill this past weekend in Chicago, despite competing against older players at the Jr. EYBL Super Regional. Despite the age and grade difference, Carter demonstrated exceptional basketball prowess, particularly in his vision and ability to facilitate plays for his team. Additionally, he appears to possess the skills necessary to become a capable perimeter shooter in due time. While his physical growth is yet to catch up with his overall skills, Carter's basketball IQ and savvy allowed him to log several positives moments despite being perhaps the youngest player in attendance. Keep an on his continued development, as Carter has the potential to excel further in the near future.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":2400933,"_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Jamal u0022JJu0022 Crawford, Jr.","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"Rotary Style","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003e[player_tooltip player_id='2194480' first='JJ' last='Crawford'], following in the footsteps of his NBA veteran father Jamal Crawford, [player_tooltip player_id='2194480' first='JJ' last='Crawford'] is already making a name for himself in basketball circles. With a strong basketball pedigree, the wiry guard possesses an impressive skill set and the offensive feel necessary to effectively dismantle defenses. During his time in Chicago, he displayed his exceptional ball-handling skills and his versatility enabled him to score from various spots of the court, showcasing proficiency at an advanced level. With his undeniable talent and dedication, [player_tooltip player_id='2194480' first='JJ' last='Crawford'] is undoubtedly a prospect to closely monitor as he progresses through his basketball career, especially within the Class of 2029.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":2400939,"_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Mikhail Francis","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"6'5u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"Genesis Canada","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eFrancis is best characterized as a downhill wing with notable athleticism, and showcased his competitive spirit and energy on both ends of the floor during his time in Chicago at the Jr. EYBL Super Regional. His defensive versatility was evident, contributing to his team's efforts, and he posed a threat on the boards from the perimeter. In transition, Francis displayed his ability to consistently play above the rim, adding an exciting dimension to his game that created an advantage compared to many of his peers. To further his development, Francis must focus on improving his ball-handling skills under pressure and strive for greater consistency with his jumper. These areas of growth should enhance his overall game and make him an even more impactful player on the court among Canada's Class of 2029 prospects.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":2400942,"_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Max Hopkins","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"77247","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"Indy Gym Rats","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eDuring the recent weekend in Chicago, I had the opportunity to observe Hopkins for the second time this month, playing at a higher grade level this time around. Despite being one of the younger players at the event, Hopkins continued to impress with his high motor, particularly displayed in his rebounding ability and efficiency around the rim. His relentless energy translated well, allowing the seventh-grade forward to maintain a high level of performance against older competition. As Hopkins continues to refine his face-up skills, his offensive arsenal will become even more dangerous at the next level. By enhancing his ability to create scoring opportunities from the perimeter and in face-up situations, he will further solidify himself as a potent offensive threat. u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":2400944,"_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"Jordan McDaniel","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'6u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"[program_tooltip program_id='2077030' first='The' last='Family']","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400u0022u003eJordan McDaniel demonstrated his ability to step up and lead The Family during their games in Chicago over the weekend. A player known for his scoring ability, McDaniel has a knack for putting up points in rapid succession, making him a formidable offensive threat. Once he finds his rhythm, he becomes incredibly difficult to contain, showcasing his scoring ability and causing problems for opposing defenses. McDaniel's contributions are expected to be vital throughout the Jr. EYBL season, where his shotmaking ability will undoubtedly play a crucial role for his team, and he'll also be counted on to become a more effective facilitator for his teammates.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649b9f541be59"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stay tuned for more from Prep Hoops Next!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image --> <figure class="wp-block-image"><img alt="" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->