Derrick’s Dimes – Nike EYBL Saturday Standouts
Derrick’s Dime’s – Nike EYBL Saturday Standouts Westfield, Ind.. — Prep Hoops Illinois was back at the Pacers Athletic Center to check out day 2 of Nike EYBL session II. It was a full slate of games with both…
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Continue ReadingDerrick’s Dime’s – Nike EYBL Saturday Standouts
Westfield, Ind.. — Prep Hoops Illinois was back at the Pacers Athletic Center to check out day 2 of Nike EYBL session II. It was a full slate of games with both Chicago based teams playing twice and some 15 and 16U teams here at the main site as well. The main event took place at 1 PM when Lebron James son Bronny James and his SFG team faced the young phenom Emoni Bates from who is in the class of 2022 and considered the top prospect in his class. Here are some of the top standouts from Illinois as well as some national standout performances, from games I saw.
Saturday Standouts –
2020 – 6’3’’ G DJ Steward – MeanStreets
Whitney Young G – Dj Steward put on a show in both games I scouted. Friday Steward’s shot wasn’t falling as consistent as he would have liked but he still played well attacking the rim. Saturday he wasted no time getting the shot back on track. The ultra-quick combo guard was locked in and is best when the MeanStreets are pushing the tempo and out on the break. He can score from all three levels and is just a good off the dribble from deep as he is off the catch. He has gotten stronger finishing at the rim and although he still has a slender frame made some nice baskets through contact. He really put his team on his back in a win over Team CP3 where he had 37 points on 12-22 FGA and 8 rebounds. The 8 rebounds were impressive and when he gets a defensive board that often leads to fast break opportunities for him or for him to dish it out to his teammates. Steward also finished with 29 points in a loss to team Final. Steward certainly was the Top Illinois performer on the day and has really been on a scoring tear this spring.
2021 – 6’4’’ G Brandon Weston – Mac Irvin Fire
Playing up with the 17U Fire team, Weston came off the bench to provide a major spark. I really like Weston’s game he has really solid fundamentals and nice size from the guard spot and has a knack for making really good basketball plays, he rotates on defense gets 50/50 balls etc. Weston showed some versitiblity on offense by not just setting for his jump shot but also getting to the rim where he would draw fouls and get to the lane and convert. Was a major factor in Mac Irvin Fire win over Bluff City Legends. He finished with a team high 18 points 4 stl and 2 rebs.
2021 -6’10’’ F Michael Foster Jr. – Mac Irvin Fire
For the second day in a row the Forward out of Milwaukee put on a show. In the early morning game he kicked off the game with a big time dunk. He showed a soft touch again around the rim again and was a man on the glass. Foster is very physical and can run the floor but also is fluid out on the break can handle the ball on the perimeter. Needs to me more consistent on the outside shot, and if he can do that he will be even more dangerous. He has 23 points in a win over UPlay Canada
2022 – 6’9’’ G/F Emoni Bates – Bates Fundamentals
I had the chance to check out Emoni Bates out of Michigan around 1 PM when his team faced off against SFG and Bronny James, and he was as advertised around 6’9’’ and only 15 years old he has a super smooth game but plays with a high motor. He can shoot it from deep is a good athlete and oh did I mention just 15. Sky is the limit and I’d say at this stage Emoni Bates is one of the top prospects I’ve seen. Still has a long way to go but if he continues to develop watch out. He poured in 43 points in front of a packed crowd which included Lebron James.
2021 – F 6’7’’ Bryce Hopkins – MoKan Elite
The Fenwick forward made the move over to MoKan and it was a smooth transition Hopkins showed a smooth shot from deep hit a couple nice corner three’s and used his size and frame to get into the lane. Major upside for Hopkins you looks to take that next step heading into his junior year. He finished with 22 points in a win over THE FAMILY EYBL. He had at least 12 in the game I scouted before I hopped over to another court. Already getting the attention from several high major programs including Northwestern who recently offered.
2021 – 6’0’’ G Jaden Rogers – Brad Beal Elite
My first time checking out the 2021 guard from Louisville, KY a lot to like here Rogers is a true lead guard who can facilitate, controlled the game and played a good pace. Showed a high basketball IQ and has a nice skillset on offense which allows him to be a threat to score from all three levels. He is another prospect to keep an eye on. Overall came away impressed and don’t be surprised if you hear his name often down the line.
2021 – 6’3 G Ahamad Bynum – Mac Irvin Fire
One of the most electric players to scout, when Bynum gets hot watch out he has a true scorers mentality and knows how to get buckets. I saw him twice on Saturday and both times he was in attack mode. He really went off against Indy Heat when Bynum got hot from deep he was 7-8 on 3PA and had 23 points before I left for the night. He was able to get his shot off even with defenders on him and does a good job at creating space.
2021 – F – 6’10’’ Moussa Diabate – Nightrydas (FL)
I caught Diabate against Nike MeanStreets and he is a long lanky forward who is developing a outside game but was a force down low in the paint. Runs the break and finishes with authority, was having his way around the rim. High major prospect who will have a no shortage of college suitors.
2022 – 6’7 G/F Amari Bailey – Mac Irvin Fire
Hard to believe the UCLA commit is in the class of 2022. Has been playing up an age on the Mac Irvin Fire the last two years. I really like his skillset. Bailey is starting to fill out and the size he has added helps him finish around the rim where he can score with either hand. Very solid defender who can guard multiple positions and rebounds at a high rate.
2022 – 6’3’’ G/F Nick Smith Jr. – Brad Beal Elite
Another young prospect to watch is out of Little Rock (AR) Nick Smith Jr. is a combo guard that was scoring at all three levels for BBE 16U. Really fundamentally sound jumpshot and once he started to hit from outside that opened up his dribble drive gme where he displayed solid handle. Like the upside and he is another 2022 prospect to track.
2020 -6’7’’ G Brandon Boston – AOT
The shooting guard out of Norcross, GA was big in a win over Brad Beal Elite he finished with 20 points and was 10-10 from the free throw line to lead AOT to the win. Like his length is a matchup problem and has a smooth game. Can beat you so many ways. Plus athlete that fluid out on the break with great control. Really high basketball IQ easy to see why so many top programs are in pursuit of Boston.
2020 – 6‘7’’ G – Camron Fletcher – Brad Beal Elite
We saw a glimpse of the potential Camron Fletcher has against AOT. The SF out of Vashon in St. Louis. Lead BBE with 21 points and showed the ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting and make moves off the bounce. You could tell once he saw the ball go in the hoop in the 2nd half the light went on and he gained confidence in his shot which lead to opening up his all around game. When he locks in and plays with a high motor he is one of the top wings in the country. Just need to be more consistent on both ends of the floor.