The 2025 grassroots season is in full bloom and we had a possibility to judge all three days of the Nike EYBL Session I in Phoenix and the primary theme of Session I used to be alternative. There was loads of alternative for gifted gamers to show heads, make an impression and probably transfer up within the credible nationwide participant rankings down the road.
Whereas final 12 months, the main focus was on the exploits of prime skills resembling Cameron Boozer and A.J. Dybansta, this 12 months a couple of of the highest rising seniors (2026) had been notably absent and the younger courses (2027 and 2028) do not have slam dunks skills whose spot or standing of their respective class can’t be supplanted. There are terrific underclass prospects, however nobody prospect is head and shoulders above the remaining.
Meaning there may be loads of alternative to excel and be seen on the EYBL circuit. This spring is extensive open for gamers to maneuver up.
We check out the standing of every highschool class, throw in some standouts in every and point out some younger gamers to trace.
2026
With Tyran Stokes of Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) and Brandon McCoy Jr. of St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) absent on the first EYBL session, it took a few of the star energy away from the highest of the rising senior class in Phoenix. There’s some chatter than Stokes may try to re-classify to the 2025 class and that McCoy will re-join the circuit.
McCoy nursed damage throughout his junior scholastic season and lots of scouts and media-types are wanting to see him play. McCoy is specializing in his particular person participant growth and getting his physique proper for the FIBA 19U World Cup tryouts. That occasion will happen June 28-July 6 in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Among the many EYBL individuals, it was tough to not discover the play and depth of Jordan Smith, a 6-foot-3 taking pictures guard for Workforce Takeover 17U/Paul VI (Chantilly, Va.). Smith is a type of uncommon elite skills that by no means takes a play off on each side of the ball. In that sense, Smith evokes photos of 1992 Mr. Basketball USA Jason Kidd. We’re not calling Smith a future NBA Corridor of Fame by any means, however that is how he approaches the sport by way of most effort each play.
A comparability for Smith, one of many nation’s greatest 2026 performers and a great candidate for the 2024-25 All-American Elite Workforce, by way of what he brings to the sport and the way he impacts profitable is Marcus Sensible, the 2022 NBA Defensive Participant of the Yr who led Texas Assault to the 2011 Adidas Tremendous 64 title. Smith guards the ball with abandon, can sky for rebounds, contest the photographs of larger gamers above the rim and is tough to cease when he will get downhill. Smith may deal with the lead guard spot and has a workable bounce shot.
Workforce Takeover completed the week 3-0 and on Sunday Smith willed them to a 82-78 extra time victory over the Utah Prospects with contested baskets and energy performs. In a contest with 29 lead adjustments, he completed with 24 factors, 4 rebounds, 5 steals and two blocks.
One other huge purpose for Workforce Takeover’s 3-0 begin within the Merritt Division was the play of 6-foot-6 2026 Qayden Samuels of Bishop McNamara (Forestville, Md.). The lefty wing with an enormous array of offensive strikes off the triple risk completed with 29 factors. He’s the co-scoring chief in EYBL 17U thus far with a 25.3 ppg common, tying him with 6-foot-3 Jason Crowe Jr. of the Oakland Troopers 17U/Inglewood (Calif.). The Troopers are additionally 3-0 up to now.
One other participant who has an amazing alternative for the highest spot within the ultimate 2026 nationwide class rankings is 6-foot-9 Christian Collins of Workforce WhyNot 17U/St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.). Collins evokes photos of former high-flying ahead Larry Nance, a three-time NBA All-Star and three time all-defensive workforce member. Colins covers floor on his drives and has an improved pull up and switch round recreation to enrich his energetic legs and instincts across the rim and on the glass. Collins has as a lot room for enchancment and as excessive of a ceiling as anybody within the 2026 class.
From the purpose guard place, it was arduous to not just like the work and gamesmanship of 6-foot-5 2026 Dylan Mingo of PSA Cardinals 17U/Lengthy Island Lutheran (Glen Head, N.Y.). Mingo is a pure play-maker who can rating on the transfer in addition to any guard within the nation. Much like Crowe, he is aware of how to attract contact and maintain defenders off-balance. The distinction between the 2 is Mingo’s size and horizontal recreation by way of ending across the basket. Mingo’s arsenal is much like the issues former NBA level guard Rajon Rondo may do by way of number of photographs and ending angles close to the basket. Mingo additionally retains his head on a swivel and delivers the ball.
We’ll have one other report on a few of the EYBL stock-risers on this class.
2027
place to start out with this group is 6-foot-9 2027 Baba Oladotun of Workforce Durant 16U/Blake (Silver Spring, Md.). He’s a deserving No. 1 prospect within the nation along with his upside and ability set at his measurement. Oladotun has a candy trying jumper and might hit it off the catch and off the bounce. He’s a fluid athlete and his recreation will broaden as he features power and fills out. That may even assist his blow-by capacity, which exhibits flashes however is a piece in progress.
Like many younger prospects, Oladotun may work of simplifying his recreation off the bounce and attending to his candy spots, as an alternative of taking pictures contested photographs or falling away. He has the power to stand up over off-balance defenders and easily shoot it of their face excessive. We can’t be shocked if he develops these facets of his recreation and maintains his pole place on this class.
There’s many in line to problem, and some had been on show in Phoenix. One participant who’s big-time already and makes a huge effect on 16U video games is 6-foot-7 2027 Marcus Spears Jr. of Drive Nation 16U/Dynamic Prep (Dallas). Spears performs with an edge and is a locked in gamers by way of affecting the sport on each side of the ball. Spears is aware of learn how to get in a stance on the wing and up entrance and might beat gamers to the spot. Offensively, he has a wide range of strikes and finishes across the basket to enrich his lefty triple risk recreation.
One of many highlights of the weekend was his matchup with 6-foot-9 2027 C.J. Rosser of Workforce United 16U/Northern Nash (Rocky Mount, N.C.). Rosser is longer than Spears and is oozing with upside due to that size and scoring capacity. Rosser additionally has good defensive timing and simply wants so as to add power in an effort to maintain lesser defenders from getting him off steadiness. The decision of the matchup was Spears is healthier now and shall be a terrific highschool participant the following two seasons, whereas Rosser might be the one to problem Oladotun for the highest spot There was a couple of veteran coach and scout who stated he might be the perfect long run prospect of any participant in attendance.
Rooser’s teammate King Gibson, a 2027 6-foot-4 shooing guard from Montverde Academy (Fla.), additionally turned heads along with his regular recreation and scoring capacity. He was greater than strong all weekend lengthy. Spears’ teammate on the Nike EYBL and within the scholastic ranks, 6-foot-6 2027 wing Ryan Hampton, is highly-regarded however must work on his effectivity and shot choice.
He might not attain the rankings top of a few of the beforehand talked about on this class, however 6-foot level guard 2027 Cayden Daughtry of the Florida Rebels/Calvary Christian Academy (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) should be talked about for his standout play. He places stress on defenses along with his scoring drives and artful strikes and skill to stand up for a high quality bounce shot. Daughtry would not have lots of wasted movement in his recreation and might rating at a excessive charge across the basket. He can also rating in bunches or facilitate equally effectively.
2028
It is nonetheless early for this class and the key recruiting networks haven’t but positioned a pecking order for it, however a couple of have already got a nationwide title on this class, together with those not on the EYBL circuit. Few prime 2027s and 2028s are taking part in up on the EYBL, so it will likely be some time earlier than we create a pecking order or anoint somebody the participant to catch on this class.
place to start out is 7-foot 2028 Bamba Touray of Tre Mann Elite 15U/IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) on the Pro16Circuit. He has all of the makings of a prime prospect, however there are loads that have already got made an even bigger impression on the scholastic ranks.
Amongst those that are within the vary of Touray embody 6-foot-7 A.J. Williams of Georgia Stars 15U/Dutchtown (Hampton, Ga.), 6-foot-4 Adan Diggs of All In Elite 17U/Williams Subject (Gilbert, Ariz.) on the UAA Circuit, 6-foot-5 Miles Simpson of Brad Beal Elite 15U/Webster Groves (Mo.) and 6-foot-1 Machai White of Metropolis Rocks 17U/St. Benedict’s (Newark, N.J.).
All 4 of them made a big effect on the scholastic stage and we’ll be monitoring their recreation all spring and summer time.
Williams averaged 19 ppg for Georgia Stars and White 3.5 ppg for Metropolis Rocks in Phoenix. Clearly Diggs and White might take their lumps on 17U, however in addition they will profit down the road from the expertise.
Most of the time, we expect the elites profit from taking part in on the 17U stage and get the good thing about the doubt over these dominating on the 15U stage.
Youth Is Served
We centered on the 17U and 16U video games in Phoenix, however did catch some youthful stage video games and listed here are 5 gamers that caught our eye.
Shilou Brown, Gen Basketball 14U (Toronto, Canada) 2029 5-9 PG
A terrific guard prospect who can rating from deep and make pin-point passes with both hand. The video games comes simple for Brown by way of instincts and if he continues to develop bodily, be careful.
Quali Giran, Paul George Elite 14U (Carson, Calif.) 2029 6-1 SG
This PGE membership has loads of well-known gamers, and Giran stood out within the matchup with Gen Basketball. He had some athletic finishes and is aggressive with a nostril for the ball. Giran likes to compete.
D.J. Hunter, Paul George Elite 15U (Las Vegas, Calif.) 2029 5-7 PG
One of many quickest and greatest play-makers we noticed all weekend was this dynamo from Sin Metropolis. Hunter adjustments route like a seasoned highschool participant and clearly has realized the sport effectively from his father, former UNLV participant Demetrius Hunter.
Myan Walker, Vegas Elite 13U/Workforce Vacation (Gardena, Calif.) 2030 5-6 PG
Scored loads by breaking defenders down within the recreation we evaluated and has a sophisticated really feel at his age. Walker additionally has a aggressive edge and good instincts.
Will Fox, Vegas Elite 13U/Workforce Vacation (Manhattan Seashore, Calif.) 2030 5-7 PG
Walker’s teammate can successfully play on or off the ball and is aware of learn how to transfer and get to his spots.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He will be reached at [email protected]. Do not forget to comply with him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
