EBA Summer League: Week 2 Standout Guards
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Week two has come to a close for the EBA Summer League and it’s time to reflect on some standouts who took advantage of the stage. We’ll start with the guard who separated themselves from the pack. Brendan Johnson Brendan…
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Continue ReadingWeek two has come to a close for the EBA Summer League and it’s time to reflect on some standouts who took advantage of the stage. We’ll start with the guard who separated themselves from the pack.
Brendan Johnson Brendan Johnson 6'4" | SG Calvert Hall | 2024 State MD | Calvert Hall ’24
Johnson has been a consistent presence as a primary scorer for the Cardinals here in summer league. The 6-foot-3 guard is making shots from outside efficiently, but not settling when his defender crowds him as he operates his way in to the mid-range or into the paint for floaters. Leading his team to two wins, Johnson averaged 16.5 points and seven rebounds per game.
Tyrin Bizzelle | Calvert Hall ’24
Having a lead guard at the high school level can make you competitive in a lot of situations. Bizzelle is that for head coach Gary Neal. He’s able to switch his approach based on what the game is presenting. He’s a capable shot-maker, can break his man down off the dribble and operate in ball-screen scenarios. He’s not a tunnel vision scorer on drives. In fact, he makes the defense pay with a habit pass to the big as the deep hole defender slides to help on drives. He’s also a willing passer in transition. The 6-foot lefty averaged 11.5 points, 4.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds per game in their two wins.
Eric Zhang | Dulaney ’23
Similar as Johnson is the primary option offensively, so is Zhang for Dulaney and he’s left a lasting impression throughout the first two weeks. He has good size at 6-foot-3 and a high left-handed release on his jumper that he’s made substantial improvements on, especially from three off the dribble. He has good basketball IQ, doesn’t play outside of his limitations and could be a guy that I see having a long and productive college career at the Division III level. Zhang helped Dulaney to a 1-1 record this week behind 18 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest.
Ashton Kendall Ashton Kendall 5'10" | PG McDonogh | 2024 State MD | McDonogh ’24
Kendall has hit the ground running here in summer league and really asserted himself as consistent scoring presence for the Eagles. He’s more confident overall in his approach and whether it be in catch-and-shoot fashion, stopping on a dime in transition or creating space with crossovers or step-backs, he’s displayed controlled balance while in the air. While going 2-0 for the week, the rising junior averaged 13 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Mason Ellison Mason Ellison 6'4" | SF Loyola Blakefield | 2025 State #280 Nation MD | Loyola ’25
Loyola split their games this week with a win over Towson and a loss to Calvert Hall, but in both games, and both weeks quite frankly, Ellison has gained my full attention. At 6-foot-3, he’s an off-ball guard who can score at a high rate. He has plus length for his size that was showcased in above the rim finishes while in transition, has plenty of confidence shooting from three and is coming around as a mid-range shooter off the bounce. You can tell with his youth, the fluidity off the bounce will come sooner rather than later and his frame should be one that puts on size nicely. Ellison averaged an impressive 19 points per game in week two.
Sincere Barfield Sincere Barfield 5'11" | PG Patterson | 2024 State MD | Parkville ’24
Barfield is a mainstay for these articles thanks to his consistent production for the Knights. His team finished 1-1 for the week, but the 5-foot-10 guard was making his impact felt in the scoring column by averaging 15 points per game. He’s also showed more focus on being a presence on the glass defensively where he averaged five rebounds per game. At this point where Barfield needs to improve is knowing when and what shots to take. He can get trigger happy as the other team is making a run and more times than not, it comes back to bite both he and his team.
Omarr Smith Omarr Smith 6'3" | SG City | 2025 State #319 Nation MD | Curley ’25
There aren’t many players that I enjoy watching shoot the ball over Smith. He has good size for his class at 6-foot-3, a smooth left-handed release and has a cold-blooded mentality with how he makes shots. One thing that I’ve been impressed with over the last two weeks with Smith is his ability to get his own shot off. In an AAU setting, he’s utilized more as just a catch-and-shoot guy, but over the last two weeks there have been plenty of hints that as he continues to polish his game off the bounce, he can be much more than that.