2020 Live Period Risers (Part 1)
2020 SF Matt Cross (BABC)- Cross already had a solid list of programs recruiting him heading into the live period, but after last weekend he has just blown up. He received 10+ new offers as a result of his play…
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2020 SF Matt Cross (BABC)- Cross already had a solid list of programs recruiting him heading into the live period, but after last weekend he has just blown up. He received 10+ new offers as a result of his play in Atlanta; schools like Butler, Miami, Indiana, Florida, and Iowa are among those who jumped in. I’ve always liked how tough of a player Cross is since first seeing him in July of 2017, but he has taken things to a new level now. He is built like an ox, providing BABC with a physical force, and has great skill to go with it. He can play inside or out, showing ball-handling ability and is even comfortable shooting behind the international arc that the EYBL uses. Cross is a good passer, finishes through contact, and rebounds well too. He averaged 22 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 3.5 APG for the session, including 29-8-6 in the game I saw against the Georgia Stars. His recruitment should continue to soar, I am looking forward to watching BABC again in Indianapolis.
2020 SG Nahiem Alleyne (Georgia Stars)- With Alleyne’s move to 2020, it was only a matter of time before he got more attention and saw his recruitment pick up. He helped himself during the live period with averages of 16.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.2 APG to lead the Stars in EYBL Session 1. His offensive versatility allows him to adjust and be effective in most situations, which has impressed me the most this spring. I’ve seen games where his outside shot isn’t falling, so he commits to drawing contact in the lane and getting to the FT line. Conversely, he has a confident lefty stroke that has proven to be effective. He shot 40% from 3 last weekend and got particularly hot in the 2nd half of the Stars’ game against BABC. Alleyne is not just a jacker either, he picks his spots well and had a pretty efficient weekend shooting 47.3% from the field. Most notably he was recently offered by Nebraska and had an in-home visit with Virginia Tech. More will come if he continues to produce on the EYBL circuit.
2020 PG Mark Sears (Alabama Fusion)- I’ve become a huge fan of Sears’ game after watching him in consecutive weeks at the Tip-Off Classic and EYBL Atlanta. On two separate occasions during that span, he has gone for a near triple-double. First with 11-9-8 against Atlanta Xpress and then 19-8-9 in a statement win over AOT. Sears is a strong, tough lefty who sets the table nicely for his teammates while also getting his own baskets. He stays in attack mode but makes great decisions, which is evident by his 2.64-1 Assist-to-Turnover ratio at EYBL Atlanta. Sears put up averages of 12.5 PPG, 3.8 PRG, 5.8 RPG, and 2.2 SPG in the 1st EYBL session, helping his team go 4-0 on the weekend. He was offered by UAB following the live period and I think he is deserving of some more in the near future.
2020 W Melvin Edwards (Team Forrest)- Edwards has been steady throughout the spring, impressing whenever I’ve seen him. The Georgia Cup, the HoopSeen Tip-Off, and the OTR Sweet, he produced at each event. Edwards’ performances and tools left me wondering why he didn’t have much going on with his recruitment but that all changed after last weekend. He took advantage of the stage at the Sweet 16 with tons of coaches watching, picking up offers from Kennesaw State and Georgia Southern. Edwards has a college-ready frame and has shown he is a capable shooter at multiple levels, especially from mid-range. He is an explosive athlete in space and understands his abilities, not forcing or overdoing things with the ball in his hands. I always appreciate smart, efficient players like that.