EYBL Atlanta Day 2 Standouts
Emerson, Georgia – Day two of the Nike EYBL was loaded with talent and great matchups once again. National media, famous college head coaches, and video productions were all over the Lakepoint Sportcenter and local high schools. Here we take…
Access all of Prep Hoops
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingEmerson, Georgia – Day two of the Nike EYBL was loaded with talent and great matchups once again. National media, famous college head coaches, and video productions were all over the Lakepoint Sportcenter and local high schools. Here we take a look at which prospects stood out in day 2 of the first session of the Nike EYBL.
2022 F Emoni Bates of Bates Fundamentals (MI) – pictured
The nations number one prospect in the freshmen class, according to ESPN, put his talents on display early this morning with his hometown team of Bates Fundamentals. Coming off his 30 point game the night before, Emoni started off the day with a 30 point and 10 rebound performance, in front Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo. He is a 6-foot-9 prospect with a solid handle for a young kid his size. Recently winning Michigan’s Gatorade Player of the Year, Bates already holds that scorers mentality and certainly has that competitive edge in him. He can score the ball on many levels and as you can see, he is effective on the glass.
2020 F Jaemyn Brakefield of Phenom University (WI)
Playing on a star studded squad, Brakefield was able to standout more than his other talented teammates today with Phenom University. At 6-foot-9, Brakefield is a fabulous finisher around the rim and is able to run the floor pretty well. He is able to utilize his size down low with smaller defenders or even the bigger defenders. Jaemyn is patient offensively and helps crash the boards as well. A solid outing today for the top-50 junior forward out of Huntington Prep (WV).
2021 PG Zion Harmon and 2020 SG Cam Thomas of Boo Williams (VA)
The Boo Williams backcourt of Zion Harmon and Cam Thomas will cause major problems this season in the Nike EYBL. Harmon (12.1 points per game through 3 games), was able to score the ball efficiently while dishing out a few assists. He is certainly showing more confidence in scoring the ball since I last seen him play in person. His backcourt teammate, Cam Thomas, is proving why he should be considered one of the top scorers in his class. Thomas, who is averaging a team high 24.0 points per game, is an elite scorer who is able to score on all levels. He has a quick, smooth release on his jumper and has solid range from beyond the arc.
2022 C Jalen Duren of Team Final (PA)
Meet the nations number two overall prospect in the freshmen class, according to ESPN, Jalen Duren. At first glance you would not even think Mr. Duren is a freshmen. With his physical built and size, Jalen is literally a man amongst boys. He is already playing up in the 16U division, so if he is impressing there then the sky is really the limit for the young big. The 6-foot-9 big man holds tremondous upside. He is a shot blocker, has great hands, a powerful finisher inside, and could be considered a rebounding machine. Jalen has a solid timing when going after blocked shots. This young man is a beast and will receive much more attention as the AAU season goes along.
2020 SG Nimari Burnett of Team WhyNot (CA)
Russell Westbrook’s Team WhyNot (CA) grassroots program made their Nike EYBL appearance last spring and made their appearance in last year’s Nike Peach Jam championship. This year’s squad will be led by junior two-guard Nimari Burnett out of Prolific Prep (CA). Burnett showed out in his big time matchup against top-10 2020 SG Brandon Boston Jr. He was aggressive offensively, hit a couple three point shots, and showed he is one of the best defenders in that 2020 class. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard out of Chicago is currently averaging 19.0 points per game thus far in Team WhyNot’s two games.
2020 PG Sharife Cooper of Athletes of Tomorrow (GA)
Georgia’s own AOT Running Rebels have gotten off to a rough start to their 2019 Nike EYBL season after going winless in day two. After finishing the regular season 13-3 and making their appearance in the Nike Peach Jam, junior guard Sharife Cooper and Brandon Boston Jr. have returned and will be looking to get back to North Augusta in July. Cooper, personally, is off to a great start and right where he left off last season. After scoring 35 points in AOT’s opener, Cooper displayed his uniquely talents in front of a dozen college coaches today. His quickness and change of speed continues to impress and his ability to score is just so impressive.
2020 F Addison Patterson of Team WhyNot (CA)
The Canada native Addison Patterson played well today as well alongside his teammated Nimari Burnett. Patterson was in attack mode all game long in their matchup the AOT Running Rebels (GA). The 6-foot-6 forward holds great size and strength at his position. Once he attacked, Patterson was always able to make his way to the basket and was capable of either drawing contact or finishing the play.