Nike EYBL FinalsJun 30, 2016 by Brett Pickert
Mokan Elite's Duo Looks to Shine in Pool 'D'
Mokan Elite's Duo Looks to Shine in Pool 'D'
By Jordan DivensPool D is filled with talented players on the perimeter, and features five of the top ten scorers in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League
By Jordan Divens
Pool D is filled with talented players on the perimeter, and features five of the top ten scorers in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Two elite teams have a chance to capture the Peach Jam crown: Howard Pulley and Mokan Elite, who have a combined record of 27-5 during the regular season. Team Takeover and Expressions Elite will have to fight and claw to keep themselves in contention to finish in the top two of this rugged group. Although Howard Pulley finished 14-2 during regular-season play, look for Mokan Elite and Expressions Elite to advance to quarterfinal play.
Players to Watch: Gary Trent Jr., Brad Davison, Isaac Johnson, Tre Jones
Summary: Howard Pulley was the last remaining unbeaten team in the EYBL circuit. The Panthers started 11-0 behind the strong play of Trent Jr., who finished third in the EYBL in scoring. Alongside Trent Jr., Davison was a standout performer this summer who put himself on the map. Howard Pulley won Division B despite suffering injuries, and it'll be interesting to see how they bounce back.
Players to Watch: Michael Porter Jr., Trae Young, Carte’Are Gordon, Jared Ridder
Summary: Mokan Elite has the deadliest duo in the EYBL led by Porter Jr. who finished second in the EYBL in scoring, and Young, who finished fourth in scoring and third in assists. Mokan Elite finished the regular season just behind Team Penny in Division D, and will look to make a deep Peach Jam run behind their stars. This team is very dangerous, and with class of 2018's Gordon in the paint, they are a matchup nightmare.
Players to Watch: Chris Lykes, DJ Harvey, Luke Garza, Aaron Thompson
Summary: Team Takeover is led by the ultimate competitor on the EYBL circuit, 5-7 point guard Chris Lykes, who finished eighth in the EYBL in scoring in the regular season. Alongside Lykes in the backcourt is Pittsburgh commit Aaron Thompson and athletic wing DJ Harvey. Holding down the paint for Team Takeover is tough big man Luke Garza. Team Takeover is always a talented team and a tough matchup in the EYBL.
Players to Watch: Kimani Lawrence, Tremont Waters, Nick Richards, Jermaine Samuels Jr.
Summary: Expressions Elite are a dark horse team heading into postseason play that could make a run behind their talented big four. Waters has established himself as an elite guard on the EYBL circuit, and Richards is one of the most promising big men in the class of 2017. Joining Waters on the perimeter, Lawrence and Samuels Jr. will play key roles in a potential run in postseason play.
Players to Watch: Markell Johnson, Kyle Young, Jayvon Graves, Jonathan Williams
Summary: King James snuck into postseason play at .500 and were one of four at-large bids to receive an invitation to the Peach Jam. In the regular season, King James was led by their talented guard play, and Johnson was their catalyst. With his commitment to North Carolina State, his status is unclear for Peach Jam play. Without Johnson, King James will need elevated efforts from their role players across the roster.
Players to Watch: Charles O’Bannon Jr., Troy Brown Jr., O’Shae Brissett, Marcus Shaver
Summary: Las Vegas Prospects are loaded with talented guards led by O’Bannon Jr., who finished sixth in the EYBL in scoring, and Brown Jr., who finished second on the team in scoring, and first in rebounds and assists. The big question for this team is how will they hold their own in the paint. Their tallest player is averaging 15-plus points per game: O’Shae Brissett, a talented wing who stands at just 6-8.
Pool D is filled with talented players on the perimeter, and features five of the top ten scorers in the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL). Two elite teams have a chance to capture the Peach Jam crown: Howard Pulley and Mokan Elite, who have a combined record of 27-5 during the regular season. Team Takeover and Expressions Elite will have to fight and claw to keep themselves in contention to finish in the top two of this rugged group. Although Howard Pulley finished 14-2 during regular-season play, look for Mokan Elite and Expressions Elite to advance to quarterfinal play.
Howard Pulley (MN)
Regular Season Record: 14-2Players to Watch: Gary Trent Jr., Brad Davison, Isaac Johnson, Tre Jones
Summary: Howard Pulley was the last remaining unbeaten team in the EYBL circuit. The Panthers started 11-0 behind the strong play of Trent Jr., who finished third in the EYBL in scoring. Alongside Trent Jr., Davison was a standout performer this summer who put himself on the map. Howard Pulley won Division B despite suffering injuries, and it'll be interesting to see how they bounce back.
Mokan Elite (KS)
Regular Season Record: 13-3Players to Watch: Michael Porter Jr., Trae Young, Carte’Are Gordon, Jared Ridder
Summary: Mokan Elite has the deadliest duo in the EYBL led by Porter Jr. who finished second in the EYBL in scoring, and Young, who finished fourth in scoring and third in assists. Mokan Elite finished the regular season just behind Team Penny in Division D, and will look to make a deep Peach Jam run behind their stars. This team is very dangerous, and with class of 2018's Gordon in the paint, they are a matchup nightmare.
Team Takeover (DC)
Regular Season Record: 10-6Players to Watch: Chris Lykes, DJ Harvey, Luke Garza, Aaron Thompson
Summary: Team Takeover is led by the ultimate competitor on the EYBL circuit, 5-7 point guard Chris Lykes, who finished eighth in the EYBL in scoring in the regular season. Alongside Lykes in the backcourt is Pittsburgh commit Aaron Thompson and athletic wing DJ Harvey. Holding down the paint for Team Takeover is tough big man Luke Garza. Team Takeover is always a talented team and a tough matchup in the EYBL.
Expressions Elite (MA)
Regular Season Record: 9-7Players to Watch: Kimani Lawrence, Tremont Waters, Nick Richards, Jermaine Samuels Jr.
Summary: Expressions Elite are a dark horse team heading into postseason play that could make a run behind their talented big four. Waters has established himself as an elite guard on the EYBL circuit, and Richards is one of the most promising big men in the class of 2017. Joining Waters on the perimeter, Lawrence and Samuels Jr. will play key roles in a potential run in postseason play.
King James (OH)
Regular Season Record: 8-8Players to Watch: Markell Johnson, Kyle Young, Jayvon Graves, Jonathan Williams
Summary: King James snuck into postseason play at .500 and were one of four at-large bids to receive an invitation to the Peach Jam. In the regular season, King James was led by their talented guard play, and Johnson was their catalyst. With his commitment to North Carolina State, his status is unclear for Peach Jam play. Without Johnson, King James will need elevated efforts from their role players across the roster.
Las Vegas Prospects (NV)
Regular Season Record: 7-9Players to Watch: Charles O’Bannon Jr., Troy Brown Jr., O’Shae Brissett, Marcus Shaver
Summary: Las Vegas Prospects are loaded with talented guards led by O’Bannon Jr., who finished sixth in the EYBL in scoring, and Brown Jr., who finished second on the team in scoring, and first in rebounds and assists. The big question for this team is how will they hold their own in the paint. Their tallest player is averaging 15-plus points per game: O’Shae Brissett, a talented wing who stands at just 6-8.