Highlights and Recap of EYBL Session 1

 

Anthony Bennet

Hampton, Va. The second year of the Nike EYBL got under way.  This year there are 40 teams participating in the league, all competing for a shot to travel to the Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia in July for a chance to get seen by major college coaches as they watch teams battle for the coveted league championship. Friday night there were 19 games that took place on 6 courts.  Each court was full of talent that would make any Division I coach smile.  If you looked at a list of the top players in the country you would find many of them here this weekend.  Ricardo Ledo, Brandon Ashley, William "Shaq" Goodwin, Thomas Hamilton, Tony Parker, Marcus Paige, just to name a few.

It was only fitting that we started off the day The defending league champions team Takeover out of DC started their journey to repeat as champs with a win over CP3 who was lead by Louisville commit Rodney Purvis.  Dematha guard James Robinson drew the defensive assignment to guard Purvis, but had to hit the sidelines due to two quick fouls. Purvis took advantage of his absence, but as usual Takeover's group came together and executed behind the play of sophomore big man BeeJay Anya and combo guard Kethan Savage.  Look for Team Takeover to once again make a strong push for another EYBL Championship.  Coach Keith Stevens has a group of new guys, but you can always count on his teams to play hard and make plays in the clutch.  Keep an eye on junior small forward Arnaud Adala Moto, who many people think will emerge as a high major prospect throughout the summer.

WHO GOT NOTICED

Anthony Bennett CIA Bounce: Bennett showed a whole lot considering the fact that at Findlay Prep he is primarily a rebounder and space eater.  Bennett is a wide body that moves around very well whether he's around the rim or at the top of the key.  Throughout the game he showed his outside touch, knocking down countless open looks from the perimeter.  Always one for the power dunk, he gave us a couple of those including a few splashes down the middle of the lane after the catch in transition.  Bennett is a hard nose player that shows he enjoys the game by being vocal and cheering on teammates that made good plays.
Aaron Gordon Oakland Soldiers: Before his game I talked to a veteran scout that said he felt Gordon would have a break out summer, well he started his breakthrough last night against the Arkansas Wings.  His combination of athleticism and relentlessness on the boards was no match for the front line players of the Wings.  He was in attack mode on both ends of the floor, getting deflections on defense and being the finisher of some dump off passes on offense.  Gordon has good ball handle skills, after grabbing couple of rebounds he started the fast break with a bust out dribble and capped it off with a dunk one possession and a behind the back dime on the other.
Rodney Purvis CP3:  They say this summer he will be playing a lot of point guard, but his mentality was still in scorers mode yesterday.  He started his day off with back to back dunks and followed with his signature slashing and finishing.  He operates better when he catches on the wing, but he did make some plays, mostly for himself with the ball in his hands.  I feel at the next level he will excel at Louisville where he will be allowed to run up and down in a system that favors those with extreme athleticism and body control.
BeeJay Anya Team Takeover:  The sophomore big man used his wide body to his advantage over much smaller the smaller big men from CP3.  He doesn't get much lift, but when he catches opponents on his back he can make them pay by playing the angles.  He showed good hands and feet in transition making tough grabs and even spinning off of a few players to convert reverse layups.  Anya had a huge tip dunk with 3 minutes remaining that basically stopped CP3's 2nd half run.
Zach Peters Texas Titans:  Despite a rough night for the Titans, Peters continued to play hard and not look up at the score board.  He used his muscular frame to battle 7'5 Sim Bhullar for rebounds all night.  Peters made a couple of moves with his back to the basket, but fared better when he was facing the basket.  You will love his frame and his motor, and he has decent range out to 17ft.
Brandon Ashley Oakland Soldiers: A top five recruit nationally Ashley looked good playing along side Aaron Gordon where they could take turns rotating on the block, high post, and the wing.  The 6'8 forward does a good job of getting his long arms in the middle of plays to disrupt defenders or tip home misses.  Ashley looked to have a more fluid face up game, always catching a holding the ball in triple threat before he made sharp moves.  He and Gordon worked the pick and roll in the 2nd half where he popped for short jumpers if he set the pick, when coming off of the screen he successfully turned the corner and finished at the cup.

Day One Top Performers

Ricardo Ledo Albany City Rocks: 29pts

William Goodwin Memphis YOMCA: 25pts 11-13 FT

Steve Walker Mac Irvin Fire: 28pts 5reb

Anthony Bennett CIA Bounce: 23pts 7reb

Nerlens Noel BABC: 20pts 13reb

Ricardo Gathers Louisiana Select: 25pts 11reb

Rodney Purvis CP3: 31pts 7reb

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