We had a chance to catch the Nike EYBL Session III in Indianapolis over the weekend and wish to spotlight some gamers that stepped up their sport from our earlier viewing or that caught our eye among the many huge quantity of video games and groups we had been capable of get a take a look at over the weekend.
In Atlanta for session II, we centered a lot of our time on the youthful age teams (16U and 15U), however because the youthful teams had been taking part in at a special location in Indy, we centered on the 17U division. We check out 10 gamers (primarily 17U) who’re making strides on the courtroom, which ought to repay on the recruiting entrance within the weeks and months to return.
Heading into session IV subsequent weekend (Might 24-27) in Kansas Metropolis, Florida-based Nightrydas Elite is first place within the Merritt Convention whereas DMV-based Group Takeover and NorCal-based Oakland Troopers are tied for first place within the Raveling Convention. All three groups sport 9-1 data.Let’s check out 10 gamers making strides of their sport and serving to their recruitment primarily based on their play at Nike EYBL Session III in Indianapolis:
2025Silas Barksdale, Boo Williams 17U/Woodside (Newport Information, Va.) 6-9 PFThis no non-sense performer does his job and does not fear so much concerning the fanfare of the cameras and it is paying nice dividends. Barksdale strikes properly with out the ball in choose and roll conditions and has a stable face up sport.C.J. Ingram II, Florida Rebels 17U/Hawthorne (Fla.) 6-5 SFGrid-Hoop stud was his ordinary lively self and performed with an additional pop for the Steve Reece-coached group that’s at present tied for second place behind the Nightrydas within the Merritt Division. Ingram assaults the rim with a vengeance and his talent is underrated contemplating the very fact he quarterbacks Hawthorne’s soccer group and spends time away from the sport. He led each packages to FHSAA Class 1A state titles and is a key cog for a top-flight journey membership program.Jasper Johnson, Group Thad 17U/Hyperlink Academy (Branson, Mo.) 6-4 SGHe’s a high 10 nationwide recruit, however Johnson simply provides one thing to his sport every time we consider him. The sleek lefty was attacking the paint and ending with comfortable contact across the basket. There may be simply loads to love about his general potential.
Brandon Lee, NY Rens 17U/The Patrick College (Elizabeth, N.J.) 6-5 SGHe was terrific in Indianapolis and attracts excessive reward from his journey ball coaches for his character and method to the sport. Lee has a pleasant pull up mid-range shot, drives onerous to the rack and makes vitality performs that helps his group win, as properly. Lee can also be a high quality free throw shooter and defender. His provide rely will go method up because the EYBL rolls alongside.
Nyk Lewis, Group Takeover 17U/Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-1 PGHe was not too long ago named an Underclass All-American, so it is not like Lewis is not productive. He is bodily ready for the pains of excessive stage ball, regular and unflappable and one of many major explanation why Group Takeover is in place to problem for its fourth Peach Jam title because the EYBL was fashioned in 2010. Lewis will get into the lane and makes the right reads and is the kind of guard faculties makes use of to make a deep NCAA Tourney run.
Ahziel “JoJo” McIver, Drive Nation 17U/Ellison (Killeen, Texas) 6-2 PGTerrific mid-major prospect who might push to the subsequent stage if he retains exhibiting like he did in Indy. McIver has a pleasant perimeter sport and does properly beating defenders to the within from both wing. McIver additionally has fast arms on protection and will get out in entrance of performs. Merely put, he is a winner.Antonio Munoz, Meanstreets 17U/Whitney Younger (Chicago) 6-6 SFThis athletic small ahead can change the dynamics of a sport with a spectacular end across the rim. He cuts properly and is a line-drive attacker who’s a load to cease as soon as he will get downhill. Munoz performs onerous on each ends and is monitoring to enhance the extent of his scholarship gives primarily based on what we noticed in Indianapolis.
Tae Simmons, Why Not 17U/Heritage Christian (Northridge, Calif.) 6-6 PFThis rugged ahead could also be a bit undersized for the excessive main stage, however boy does he do issues that assist school coaches win and preserve their job. He is relentless attacking the glass or going after an offensive rebound put again and does not want the ball of offense to make an influence. Many D1 faculties in Simmons’ SoCal yard ought to be throughout him with a proposal.
Dallas Washington, AZ Unity 17U/Santa Margarita (Calif.) 6-9 PFHe’s discovered a pleasant area of interest on a group loaded with particular person expertise and is monitoring upward. Washington additionally performed on a proficient highschool group that was up and down in 2023-24, and his stage of consistency wasn’t the place it wanted to be. This spring, nonetheless, he is beginning to put collectively a string of performances which have turned the heads of faculties coaches on the mid-major and high-major stage. Washington is rebounding onerous and discovering his consolation zone on offense. 2026
Imahri Wooten, Metropolis Rocks NY 17U/Putnam Science Academy (Putnam, Ct.) 6-5 SGHis explosiveness jumps out straight away and Wooten has a flexible offensive package deal. Wooten’s sport is maturing and he can preserve defenders trustworthy along with his exterior capturing. In truth, he reportedly went 6-of-7 from 3-point vary in a single contest and in one other sport we evaluated, he dominated with an array of offensive strikes. The best way he is monitoring, Wooten ought to be a critical McDonald’s All-American candidate in 18 months.
Ronnie Flores is the nationwide Grassroots editor of Ballislife.com. He may be reached at [email protected]. Remember to observe him on Twitter: @RonMFlores
