2018 Nike EYBL Peach Jam Day 1 Standouts
Augusta, GA – The annual Nike EYBL Peach Jam tournament tipped off yesterday afternoon for the 2018 Nike EYBL season. Every year the Nike EYBL invites the top 20 teams during the EYBL season for a round robin tournament during the first July live period and where some of the top players in the nation compete for one title. The first day was outstanding and featured a matchup between the top two players in the class of 2019 in forward James Wiseman and Vernon Carey Jr. Below you will find who stoodout the most more than others that I’ve witnessed in yesterday’s action.
2019 point guard Cole Anthony – PSA Cardinals (NY)
If anyone is having one of the greatest summers regardless of class it is certainly Cole Anthony. Cole is coming into the Nike Peach Jam tournament after winning a gold medal with the USA U18 national team and also receiving the 2018 Nike EYBL Most Valuable Player award. His first game yesterday was against his former USA teammate, Kentucky commit 2019 SG Tyrese Maxey, and where Cole and his PSA Cardinals squad took a tough lost after losing 68-65 to Houston Hoops (TX). The rising senior still showed college coaches and scouts why he has moved up recently in the 2019 rankings. He is a certified playmaker. Every time Mr. Anthony posses the ball, he is bound to make a play. He is a super quick point guard who can score on all levels and is a tough player to guard no matter what defense the opposing team is in. Cole finished with a game high 27 points with 10 rebounds. College coaches were stacked to the max for Cole Anthony against Houston Hoops.
2019 wing Donovan Williams – Houston Hoops (TX)
Donovan Williams was one of the top standout players I was able to witness in yesterday’s action. During the high intensed Houston Hoops-PSA Cardinals matchup, Williams was able to standout from his hustle and floor awarness he displayed while on the floor. With top prospects like Cole Anthony, Tyrese Maxey, DeVion Harmon, Chris Harris, and others, the 6’5 wing out of Missour City, Texas was able to do what he does best. Donovan basically set the tone for his Houston Hoops squad. Diving for lose balls and being active on defense helped, Williams was able to keep Houston Hoops in the game against PSA early on. He is also able to slash to the basket for back door cuts and was able to impact the glass as well on offense. If Donovan can contiune to play like he did yesterday, he will certainly receive some high major looks.
2019 forward James Wiseman – Bluff City Legends (TN)
The #1 player in the nation, according to ESPN, made his debut against the #2 player in the nation, according to ESPN, 2019 forward Vernon Carey Jr. The Wiseman-Vernon Carey Jr. matchup bought a standing room only gym and with a handful of coaches on hand including Kentucky HC John Calipari and Memphis HC Penny Hardaway, who recently coached Wiseman in high school. The matchup between the two did not disappoint with Wiseman and the crew coming up on top. James was able to display his inside and mid range skills and has always been a force on a defense. He showed scouts and college coaches he is able to connect on mid range jumpers and able to handle the ball in transition. Wiseman was a beast inside around the rim where he finished with a few powerful dunks. The rising senior finished with an amazing 23 points and 9 rebounds against Nike Team Florida and Vernon Carey Jr.
2019 forward Vernon Carey Jr. – Nike Team Florida (FL)
Vernon Carey Jr, like Wiseman, had an outstanding first day at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. Vernon’s matchup against Wiseman might have already been characterized as the top game here in Augusta. Vernon finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds against Wiseman and Bluff City Legends. He is a very strong forward with an incredible offensive game. He is a lefty big with nice foot work and who was able to draw contact and also finishing through that contact in the paint. Carey Jr. woke us up in the second half against Bluff City, where he came through with back to back dunks to get his team going. He is a very skilled and mobile forward who will be an immediate impact on where ever college he chooses. Vernon and his Nike Team Florida squad took the lost to Bluff City at a score of 70-69.
2019 point guard Gianni Hunt – Oakland Soldiers (CA)
Playing on the defending Nike EYBL champs, the Oakland Soldiers, there is a very high standard that you will have to live up too and that is exactly what Gianni displayed in last night’s action against Indy Heat (IN). Gianni set the tone from the tip and where he started off the game with a three pointer. Hunt contiuned his tremondous energy the entire game, snagging down rebounds, pushing the rock in transition, and being super aggressive on the offensive end. He was also create plays for his teammates and conncet on his jumpers. His toughness, along with his backcourt teammates Scottie Pippen Jr and Boogie Ellis, led the Oakland Soldiers to their first win in the 2018 Nike Peach Jam tournament. Gianni also took the task of guarding top-25 2019 prospect Keion Brooks the entire game and where he was very physical with Keion.
Other Nike Peach Jam Standouts in Day 1:
2020 PG Sharife Cooper – Athletes of Tomorrow (GA)
2019 F Jalen Graham – Team Why Not (CA)
2019 W DJ Jeffries – Bluff City Legends (TN)
2020 F Scottie Barnes – Nike Team Florida (FL)
2019 G Kyle Sturdivant – Nike Team Florida (FL)
2019 PG Scottie Pippen Jr – Oakland Soldiers (CA)
2019 G Boogie Ellis – Oakland Soldiers (CA)