EYBL: Scott’s Saturday Standouts
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PrepHoopsIllinois was at Nike EYBL all day Saturday where we watched the majority of 17U games with a few 16U contests sprinkled in! See who were our standout performers here!
F DJ Jeffries (Bluff City Legends)
This 6’8” combo forward from Olive Branch High School in Mississippi was an absolute beast for the portion of the Bluff City game we saw in the morning. The Kentucky verbal commit scored in a variety of ways, but was most effective from mid-range with his pull up jumper. Jeffries has a smooth and fluid release on his shot. Can stretch it out to three on occasion, but is most effective shooting from 15-18 feet. Jeffries draws a lot of contact around the rim getting on the glass and making quick moves at the defense. Gets to the foul line at a nice clip! He had 21 points.
C Kofi Cockburn (New York Rens)
Cockburn was a man among boys physically even against some of the premier post prospects in his class. He is just so strong and can maul his opponents on the interior. Cockburn did just that against Bluff City consistently garnering deep post position and then scoring with an array of spins and hooks inside. He is definitely a bully inside, but also has a soft touch around the hoop. Finished with 23 points (10-15 FG) and 7 boards.
PF Trayce Jackson-Davis (Indy Heat)
Jackson-Davis is a 6’9” power forward from Center Grove High School in Indiana. He is a strong post that moves well with the strength he carries. The lefty is extremely skilled on the low block using an array of crafty post moves to score. He has definitely improved as an athlete as that was seen with his ability to play above the rim both finishing alley oop slams along with other dunks as well as high pointing rebounds all game long. Jackson-Davis had 26 points (11-14 FG).
PF Keion Brooks (Indy Heat)
Brooks was equally as impressive for the host team. This 6’8” 2019 power forward is a thin and angular four man that works well when he can face up and use his athleticism taking other posts out of their comfort zone. He finishes well around the rim with big dunks and is an excellent rebounder high pointing balls on a consistent basis. Extremely bouncy post that can stretch out and hit a three on occasion. Also impressed with his passing making quality decisions from the forward spot. Defensively his length plays very well getting in passing lanes and blocking shots. He went for 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 dimes.
C N’Faly Dante (MoKan)
Dante might be the top long term NBA prospect in EYBL. The 6’11” Sunrise Christian center is oozing with potential. He is an absolute man child grabbing rebounds! I mean he grabs anything that is near him! Dante is about as elite level of a rebounder as I have seen on the high school level. The big man is also a major shot blocking presence swatting shots left and right. Great timing and anticipation. Where he has improved most since I last saw him was with his skill. He is much more comfortable scoring on the block with his go to right handed hook shot. Runs the floor incredibly well and with a purpose catching passes in traffic and finishing all in one motion. Dante had a ridiculous 15 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks.
PG Jaden Hardy (Las Vegas Prospects)
Hardy did it again! This 2021 point guard who is actually originally from Michigan put on another show Saturday. Hardy has deep range on his three point shot as he drilled 4-8 from beyond the arc. We wrote about him yesterday, but with another 19 point outing it is worth mentioning.
PF Jamari Sibley (Phenoms 16U)
Sibley shined in the 16U game for the Wisconsin EYBL team. This rangy 6’7” power forward played with a really high motor on Saturday afternoon. He high pointed rebounds throughout the contest. Rim runner in transition. Finished above the rim with alley-oops. The skill flashes hitting a mid-range jumper and working well from the mid-post and in. Sibly had 21 points.
SF Jalen Johnson (Phenoms 16U)
Johnson is among the top 10 2020 prospects in America and it was evident why with his play in front of a host of blue bloods. The 6’7” small forward is an elite passer at his size. He sees the floor exceptionally well getting others involved before scoring on his own. Johnson had an array of takes to the hoop where he uses his combination of power and athleticism to finish through contact. He had 14 points and numerous assists.
PG Marcus Watson (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Watson is a smooth point guard from Morgan Park that plays bigger than his height with his length. The angular guard hit a three early off the catch, but his game is making plays in the lane scoring with runners/floaters or kicking to teammates for clean looks. He is great at using hesitation to keep the defense off balance. Watson is also a plus defender with his anticipation. He had 16 points.
SG Dante Maddox (Mac Irvin Fire 16U)
Maddox is a big time scorer from Bloom and he showed that on the big stage when the 16U played at the main venue. The two guard can really stroke it from three and that is exactly what he did letting it fly from real deep making four triples on his way to 16 points. When his feet are set put it in the book! He has more that he can offer college coaches as a two guard, but his shooting was off the charts in this game.
SF Scottie Barnes (Nike Team Florida)
With his high school running mate and top 2019 prospect Vernon Carey injured this elite 2020 wing stepped up in a major way. Barnes stands at 6’8” with super long arms. He knew how to use that length too scoring on some tough takes where he almost cupped the ball and moved it around George Gervin style for buckets. It was really impressive how he got his shot off in the paint. Barnes scored at will from 15 feet in with quick moves off the bounce. Also hit a mid-range jumper.
PG Noah Farrakhan (Nike Team Florida)
Farrakhan is a stud 2020 point guard prospect. He is a scoring combo that can really get buckets in a hurry! He did that in the first half of their blowout win over The Truth. He got out in transition, scored off the bounce, and hit open shots.
SF Terrence Hargrove (Brad Beal Elite)
It wasn’t a dominant game for the East St. Louis product and current #3 2019 in Illinois, but I liked some of the things we saw out of him against Team Takeover. In nine minutes of play he scored 8 points on 4-5 from the field. Hargrove brought the high energy level that we loved about him early in his career. He played above the rim finishing a couple big slams and also blocked a shot. The skill is still a work in progress, but it was nice to see him get back to what he does best!
PG Anthony Harris (Team Takeover)
This 6’4” point guard from Paul VI was lights out shooting the rock! He was hitting jumpers both off the catch and pulling up at a very high rate in their game against BBE. Harris was straight money over and over again helping them push out to a big lead early and ultimately getting the win. Harris had 15 points.