Five Things to Watch: EYBL Session 3
DALLAS — Five things we’ll be watching this weekend during Nike EYBL Session 3… Can Phenom University 17U stay hot? Off to a 7-1 start, Phenom University currently stands second in the Nike EYBL power rankings. Phenom is also locked…
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Continue ReadingDALLAS — Five things we’ll be watching this weekend during Nike EYBL Session 3…
Can Phenom University 17U stay hot?
Off to a 7-1 start, Phenom University currently stands second in the Nike EYBL power rankings. Phenom is also locked in a tie with the PSA Cardinals for first place in Division A.
However, some huge matchups await them in Session 3.
Phenom will kick things off Nightrydas (5-3), featuring the loaded 1-2 punch of Isaiah Todd and Scottie Barnes. On Sunday, they’ll take on Micah Peavy and Pro Skills (5-3) as well as Julian Strawther, Jalen Hardy, and Vegas Elite (5-3).
Will the 16U Phenom squad get on the board?
Through two sessions, it’s been a bit of a disappointing season for Phenom University’s 16U squad. Granted, they’ve had to pull up the likes of Ben Nau, Foster Wonders, and Patrick Baldwin Jr. to their 17U team, but Phenom finds themselves off to an 0-6 start.
This group has had some close battles, falling to Mokan Elite and Howard Pulley by five points or less in their last two outings. Can Tyrese Hunter, Kobe Johnson, and others help turn the tide this weekend?
2022 Class Rankings Battles
Phenom University’s 15U squad has a number of top 10 prospects on their roster.
Competing in the top five are Steven Clay (Menomonee Falls), Amari Jedkins (Racine Case), and Maximus Nelson (Appleton North). Meanwhile, Seth Trimble (Menomonee Falls) and Armani Jones (Milwaukee Academy of Science) are top 10 prospects who could do some shuffling as well with good performances.
The biggest individual matchup could be between Nelson, who holds the No. 2 spot versus Jedkins at No. 4. Nelson is a highly skilled big man who can flat out shoot the rock from 3-point range. Jedkins is oozing with upside and potential as a forward who can do damage in transition and play above the rim.
Is Kobe Johnson still on the high major track?
Perhaps the player with the most to gain/prove this weekend is Kobe Johnson (Nicolet).
After a strong start to his spring, we’re eager to see how Johnson performs against some of the country’s best talent. The 6-foot-4 combo guard has picked up offers from Indiana State and DePaul, while Marquette, Iowa, Butler, Wisconsin, and others are expected to continue evaluating this summer.
Johnson has always been a strong defender and facilitator, but his offense has really made gains over the last 12 months. Now an outside scoring threat who can create his own shot, Johnson looks to be trending towards high major offers.
Can Sibley regain the No. 2 spot in 2020?
Jamari Sibley (Nicolet) has been playing some of his best basketball this spring. The 6-foot-9 forward has been shooting the ball much better since the start of the spring/last season.
When it comes to him versus Johnny Davis, Sibley certainly has the advantage in upside. An athletic, plus-length forward, Sibley has a frame that has high major programs drooling and the tools to be matchup nightmare on both ends of the floor.
Through two EYBL sessions, Sibley is averaging over 13 points per game while shooting a blistering 59 percent from the floor.