By Jordan Divens

After two days of play, there haven’t been many surprises at the 2016 Nike EYBL Peach Jam. But the biggest surprise came from the defending Adidas Gauntlet Finale champions, The Rens, who began the Peach Jam 3-0 after a mediocre 8-8 regular season.

“The thing we tell our kids is, we are a July team, and they buy into it and believe it and you can tell," said head coach Andy Borman. "The one thing our kids never do is they never quit, they’re not perfect and they make mistakes but they play their tails off and they never quit which is part of the reason we are 3-0 right now."

Pool A

The PSA Cardinals are rolling through, and sitting at 3-0 behind the stellar play from their big three: Mohamed Bamba, Quade Green, and Brandon Randolph. Tied atop Pool A is the Meanstreets, and won their first three games behind Brian Bowen’s dominant play. Playaz Basketball Club, CIA Bounce, and Spiece Indy Heat all have major ground to make up on day three as they sit at 1-2. Nike South Beach was eliminated from quarterfinal play after starting 0-3.

Pool B

Team Penny and California Supreme stormed out of the gate in Peach Jam play, and started 3-0 behind their dominant big men. The Phoenix Phamily, St. Louis Eagles, and Albany City Rocks had a rough start to Peach Jam play—they started just 1-2, and are hoping things fall into place to give themselves a chance to advance to Saturday’s elimination round. Pro Skills wasn’t able to capture a win in their first three games of play and will compete for pride in Friday’s set of games.

Pool C

The Rens started a surprising 3-0 and sit in a strong position atop Pool C after defeating tough foes Team CP3 and E1T1 United. Team CP3 and Team Final will battle it out on Friday for second place in Pool C, but with a beat-up Team Final playing without Cameron Reddish and Daron Russell (who re-injured his ankle) they will have an uphill battle to fight. E1T1 United and BABC cling to a small hope of advancing after 1-2 starts. Houston Hoops, which is missing key pieces, are eliminated from advancing to the next round after starting 0-3.

Pool D

Mokan Elite may have gotten off to the strongest start of any team in Peach Jam play behind their deadly duo of Michael Porter Jr. and Trae Young. Expressions Elite and Howard Pulley sit right behind Mokan at 2-1, and since Expressions Elite defeated Howard Pulley, they now are in control of their own destiny heading into the last day of pool play. Team Takeover and King James stumbled a bit early, but remain alive at 1-2, while the Las Vegas Prospects couldn’t gain their footing, and began the Peach Jam 0-3.

Top Day 2 Performers: (No Order)
Brian Bowen (Meanstreets): 36 points, 10 rebounds
Michael Porter Jr. (Mokan Elite): 33 points, 13 rebounds
Gary Trent Jr. (Howard Pulley): 33 points, 7 rebounds
Marvin Bagley III (Phoenix Phamily): 27 points, 15 rebounds
DeAndre Ayton (California Supreme) 23 points, 18 rebounds
Mohamed Bamba (PSA Cardinals) 20 points, 16 rebounds
Lonnie Walker (Team Final): 26 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
Jayvon Graves (King James): 25 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists
Marcus Santos-Silva (BABC): 27 points, 9 rebounds
Quade Green (PSA Cardinals): 26 points, 8 assists