EYBL: Top 17U scorers from the 2019 Atlanta session
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Below is a list of the players with the highest scoring averages from the 2019 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League session held in Atlanta, GA last weekend. All players who averaged over 25 PPG at the session are mentioned with…
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Continue ReadingBelow is a list of the players with the highest scoring averages from the 2019 Nike Elite Youth Basketball League session held in Atlanta, GA last weekend. All players who averaged over 25 PPG at the session are mentioned with an evaluation, and a subsequent abbreviated list including all remaining players who averaged over 20 PPG is noted.
Sharife Cooper 2020 AOT Running Rebels (GA) point guard
→ Great body control
→ Slaher
For 6-foot-2-inch scoring guard Sharife Cooper, volume scoring comes naturally. He finished the session with a league-high 31.2 PPG over a four-game stretch, including a high of 37 points. The Prep Hoops No. 6 player in the junior class was unstoppable as the premier on-ball slashing guard for his team; abusing defenses with his ball-on-a-string handles and ability to explode into the dribble from a stationary position. His efficiency was unquestionable as well, shooting 51 percent from the field and finishing well with both hands near the rim. Cooper also shot 80 percent from the free-throw line, and his 84 attempts from the charity strip were a league-second.
RJ Hampton 2019 Drive Nation (TX) point guard
→ Driver
→ Ball-handler
Little Elm star RJ Hampton was the center of attention at the EYBL as Drive Nation found itself at the center of attention each time Hampton stepped on the floor with coaches from across the country sitting-in to watch the junior point guard. Hampton notched 41 points in a big matchup against Phenom University (WI) en route to his 28.8 PPG weekend. Few players receive a greater share of the ball than Hampton, but when you can practically score at will, nobody is going to question your possessions. He shot 36-of-49 from the free-throw line, benefitting from more calls than other player in the league.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim 2020 New Jersey Playaz (NJ) combo
→ Stretch
→ Mr. Everything
When you talk about guys who can do everything, the first name that should come to your mind is Jabri Abdur-Rahim. Abdur-Rahim averaged 28 PPG at the session thanks to his 6-foot-6-inch frame and versatile, yet practiced game. Before you can even talk about his scoring skills, the first layer of his game you have to peel off is his passing. The junior point-forward is an unexpectedly-talented passer who can distribute the ball effortlessly across the half-court or down the floor on the fast-break with near-perfect placement. As a scorer, there are few comparisons that could do his name justice as he can post-up and get a bucket, pull up from mid-range, hit the 3-pointer out of the catch, or create his own shot from the arc.
Daeshun Ruffin 2021 MEBO Team Hood (MS) point guard
→ Ball-handler
→ Shooter
Sophomore Daeshun Ruffin was the star of the weekend for his team as he tied Abdur-Rahim for most 3-pointers-made with 15, as he went on to average 27.5 PPG. Ruffin handles the ball extraordinarily-well with both hands and finds the ideal balance between versed, protected handles and a quick-release shot while contested. He drives well to the hole and can finish at the rim with either hand. The 5-foot-9-inch on-ball guard disproved any doubters at the session.
Cameron Thomas 2020 Boo Williams (VA) guard
→ Shooter
→ Pure scorer
If you’re a spot-up shooter in the class of 2021 or below, you should study and closely examine Cameron Thomas‘s game. The 6-foot-2 junior guard knocked down 12-of-24 3-pointers in his 26.8 PPG outing. Thomas was unstoppable as he shot 49 percent from the field and 85 percent from the free-throw line, nearly placing himself in the 40-50-90 club for the weekend. Aside from his spot-up skills, Thomas is a great mid-range shooter as well and has a lightning-quick release out of the dribble, making him difficult to stop on the perimeter.
Cade Cunningham 2020 Texas Titans (TX) point guard
→ Explosive athlete
→ Playmaker
Montverde Academy (FL) superstar Cade Cunningham had a phenomenal weekend, averaging 25.5 PPG for Texas Titans from the on-ball guard spot. Cunningham has tremendous scoring abilities, and he may be the best all-around scorer at the one-spot in the class of 2020. Cunningham, listed at 6-foot-6-inches, is the ninth-ranked player in the 2020 Prep Hoops rankings, and he defended that title well as he dominated defenders with his ability to score off the dribble with his jaw-dropping lateral quickness and explosiveness.
Ziaire Williams 2020 Oakland Soldiers (CA) wing
→ Pure scorer
→ High-efficiency
Six-foot-7-inch Ziaire Williams was as dominant on the offensive end of the floor as anybody, scoring 25 PPG on 51 percent shooting from the field, 47 percent shooting from the 3-point line and an unbelievable 30-of-32 from the free-throw line, claiming one of two spots in the 40-50-90 club for the weekend. Williams was on fire, using his length to finish near the rim with ease. Defenders must have dreaded defending Williams as he was not only a great scorer, but also a great passer, which only furthered his scoring potential as he was a threat to create plays from anywhere.
OTHERS WHO SCORED 20+ PPG:
Nimari Burnett 2020 Team WhyNot (CA) guard
→ 23.8 PPG
→ 50% FG
→ 83% FT
Josh Cristopher 2020 Vegas Elite (NV) point guard
→ 23.5 PPG
→ 82% FT
Jaylen Murray 2021 New York Lightning (NY) point guard
→ 23.5 PPG
→ 57% FG
→ 90% FT
→ 48% 3P
Micah Peavy 2020 Pro Skills (TX) wing
→ 23.2 PPG
→ 49% FG
Ryan Conway 2021 Team Melo (MD) point guard
→ 23 PPG
→ 51% FG
→ 91% FT
→ 47% 3P
Javohn Garcia 2020 All Ohio Red (OH) guard
→ 22.2 PPG
→ 57% FG
→ 89% FT
→ 42% 3P
Matt Cross 2020 BABC (MD) forward
→ 22 PPG
RJ Davis 2020 New York Renaissance (NY) point guard
→ 21.5 PPG
→ 59% FG
→ 91% FT
→ 67% 3P
DJ Steward 2020 MeanStreets (IL) guard
→ 21 PPG
→ 52% FG
→ 41% 3P
Taryn Todd 2020 UPlay (CAN) guard
→ 20 PPG
→ 87% FT
Jonathan Kuminga 2020 New York Renaissance (NY) forward
→ 20 PPG
→ 48% FG
→ 87% FT
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