MVP Candidates & More: Top Storylines & Matchups Going Into EYBL Session IV
MVP Candidates & More: Top Storylines & Matchups Going Into EYBL Session IV
The final EYBL session before Peach Jam is here. Who are the viable MVP candidates? Which teams have already made the cut?
The Nike EYBL series wraps up this weekend in Hampton, Virginia, and FloHoops will have you covered with live-streaming of all the games.
Here are some of the top storylines and matchups headed into the weekend.
1. Who's in and who's out for Peach Jam?
There's a lot on the line this weekend as only six teams have clinched bids to Peach Jam, and only five have been eliminated, according to d1circuit.com. Twenty-nine programs are competing for the remaining 18 bids to Peach Jam (July 11-15). For teams like the NY Rens (5-7) and the PSA Cardinals (6-6), there is work left to do.
The Rens, who feature class of 2019 stars Kofi Cockburn and Jalen Lecque, likely need to go at least 3-1 to make Peach Jam.
"We gotta push through it and I feel like I've gotten better because I've been home a lot more," said Lecque, who is averaging 13.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on the EYBL circuit.
2. Who are the favorites for Peach Jam?
The six teams that have qualified so far include Team Takeover (12-0), AOT Running Rebels (10-2), City Rocks (9-3), CP3 (9-3), Houston Hoops (9-3), and Drive Nation (9-3). They figure to be the early favorites to take home the Peach Jam crown, but don't discount outfits like the Bluff City Legends (7-5), Nike Team Florida (6-6), or Team WhyNot (5-7), which are loaded with star power.
Bluff City, which features class of 2019 big man James Wiseman, plays the City Rocks among its opponents this weekend. Nike Team Florida, which features Scottie Barnes and Vernon Carey Jr., plays AOT Running Rebels in a critical game this weekend. Cassius Stanley, whom we profiled here, and Team WhyNot take on Drive Nation, among others.
3. Who is the regular-season MVP?
Heading into the final session, several candidates have emerged for MVP honors, including Cole Anthony (PSA Cardinals), Tyrese Maxey (Houston Hoops), Wendell Moore (CP3), Isaiah Stewart (City Rocks), Jaden McDaniels (Seattle Rotary), Isaac Okoro (AOT Running Rebels), Keion Brooks (Indy Heat), and Kahlil Whitney (Mac Irvin Fire).
The answer seems obvious: Anthony, out of heralded Archbishop Molloy in Briarwood, NY, leads the EYBL in scoring at 25.6 points per game to go along with 7.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists. He's being courted by an impressive list of suitors, including Duke, Kentucky, Louisville, Kansas, and Oregon.
Cole Anthony really been the best player out here ? @The_ColeAnthony @PSACardinals pic.twitter.com/Sp3yOuuIHK
— Overtime (@overtime) April 30, 2018
4. Who's in the mix for Jalen Lecque?
The 6-foot-4 point guard from the NY Rens has earned the nickname "Baby Westbrook," and you can read more about him here. He recently added offers from Kentucky and Indiana to go with previous suitors like Villanova, Oregon, NC State, Tennessee, and others. Lecque plans to cut his list soon. Who will make the cut?
"It's looking like I'm going to cut my list down soon," he said. "I'm still deciding with my parents and stuff like that."
5. What's the latest on Vernon Carey Jr?
The 6-11 class of 2019 power forward from Nike Team Florida and the University School recently trimmed his list to five big-time schools. Carey is down to Duke, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, and North Carolina.
Coaches from all of those schools watched Carey at the EYBL stop in Indianapolis and figure to be all over at Peach Jam, assuming his team makes it. Kyle Sturdivant, his EYBL teammate, believes Nike Team Florida has as good a shot as anybody once they get everyone healthy.
"We just have to get healthy," he said. "Everybody's just gotta play together but I feel like we're going to be really good."
6. How many EYBL stars are also in the mix for USA Basketball?
A slew of the top names from the EYBL circuit will follow their Hampton experience by heading out to the USA Basketball headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO, next week for the U18 trials. A who's who of big names from the EYBL circuit are in the mix including Cole Anthony, Armando Bacot, Keion Brooks, Hunter Dickinson, Joe Girard, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jalen Lecque, Tyrese Maxey, Justin Moore, and Trendon Watford.
In addition, a slew of players is in the mix for the USA Basketball U17 pool, including Scottie Barnes, Vernon Carey Jr., De'Vion Harmon, Zion Harmon, Wendell Moore, Isaac Okoro, Jahmius Ramsey, Jeremy Roach, Isaiah Stewart, and James Wiseman.
Related: Nike EYBL Session IV Watch Guide
Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who runs ZAGSBLOG.com and contributes to The New York Times. Follow Adam on Twitter.