Nike EYBL Session 1: Saturday 17U Stock Risers
Day 2 in Dallas at the first session of the Nike EYBL brought on some of the same story lines from the night prior with tons of new prospects in action. Here are a few standout prospects I was able to catch.
Brandon Newman (2019)- Meanstreets 17U
Brandon was electric in his first game and the portion of the second game I was able to catch. He was able to score at all three levels with a sweet stroke and the ability to get to the rim.
Defensively he was stellar both on and off the ball. He clogged up the necessary gaps and shot those same gaps when he saw fit, generally taking calculated risks. It definitely felt like everytime something positive happened for Meanstreets, he was involved.
Brandon currently holds offers from Fort Wayne, Valparaiso, North Dakota, Toledo, and Ball State but this is something that will increase exponentially if Brandon stays this hot.
Cole Anthony (2019)- PSA Cardinals 17U
Cole is ranked as the #5 overall prospect in the Prep Hoops 2019 National Rankings and the first PG on the list. It was easy to see why about 20 seconds into the game against Mokan on Saturday.
With seemingly every coach in the gym spectating, including Coach K, John Calipari, Mike Brey, Frank Martin, and Jay Wright, Cole came out firing on all cylinders.
Multiple three balls that were contested but went in with ease. Once Mokan stepped out on him to take away the long ball, he drove past his primary defender and did a phenomenal job of getting in to the chest of one of the best shot blockers in the nation, N’Faly Dante.
He also had incredible touch with a floater package that gave him range out to 15 feet.
Holding offers from Duke, Oregon, UCLA, Miami, and others, Cole should be able to play anywhere he pleases next year, a sight to watch.
Jaden Shackelford (2019)- The Truth 17U
Jaden came out firing for the Truth Saturday morning, hitting numerous early threes. He is someone who can involve his teammates in the game and be a facilitator or show his slashing/shooting ability depending on the situation.
A high volume shooter during stretches of the game draws comparisons to Nick Young per one former NBA player who was spectating Saturday morning in Dallas.
Jaden has offers from UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State, Montana, and San Francisco and if I were a gambling man, I’d bet that his offers will double during this live period based on his play early.
Joe Toussaint (2019)- PSA Cardinals 17U
Seemingly Cole Anthony’s partner in crime, Joe started the live period looking very impressive. With an ability to beat you from beyond the arc or slice and dice the defense to facilitate or finish, Joe is proving to be an intriguing Division I prospect.
He is perfect for a defensive system that likes to pressure the ball or press, showing effectiveness defensively with quick hands and good lateral movement. He mostly hold low Division I offers currently which will inevitably increase in level as he continues to show his upside.
Cameron Thomas (2020)- Boo Williams 17U
Cameron had two solid games so far in Dallas averaging just over 20 points per game. He was able to do a little bit of everything, scoring from beyond the arc, got to the line consistently, and was still able to facilitate for Boo Williams.
Cameron holds offers from VCU, Virginia Tech, Florida, Creighton and others.
Tray Jackson (2019)- Meanstreets 17U
Tray was a great 1-2 punch with Brandon Newman for Meanstreets on Saturday in Dallas.
At a legit 6’8” Tray showed he was a solid on-ball defender, good rebounder, and someone who can create matchup problems on the perimeter being able to get into the paint multiple times.
Tray had a monster putback in the second game of the day for Meanstreets and right before had a fantastic finish in the paint.
Currently a prospect who holds low major Division I offers, Tray is gaining traction as a national prospect this Spring and it appears that trend will continue after this weekend.