By David Cordova
This weekend at the Boo Williams Sportsplex in Hampton, Virginia, many of the best AAU programs from around the United States and Canada came out for the third session of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, which is regarded as the most elite of the the three summer circuits.
There was plenty of elite level talent in the building. Unlike the previous two sessions, both of which were in New York City and Indianapolis, respectively, there were no college coaches present due to the quiet period established by the NCAA. Therefore, it gave many of players on hand a chance to freestyle their talent and also compete for a chance to qualify for the biggest stage on the Nike circuit, the Peach Jam, which will take place July 6-10, in North Augusta, South Carolina.
The Peach Jam, in which the top twenty-four programs, will qualify for the chance to play in four pools, which will then result in a single-elimination tournament, all for the chance to be crowned champion.
A lot of the teams that stood out over the weekend were: Howard Pulley Panthers (11-0), PSA Cardinals (10-1), MoKan Elite (10-1), Team Final (9-2), Team Penny (9-2) and Albany City Rocks (8-3).
Standout players from Session 3:
Matt Coleman, Oak Hill Academy (VA)/Boo Williams, Class of 2017, Guard
Coleman is a guard that has a lot of playmaking ability and is known scoring as well as distributing the ball a lot. He also has the ability to break down defenders with his ball handling skills and is good for his passing. He averaged 13.2 points, 4.4 assists and 4 rebounds in all four games over the weekend, including 21 points and 5 assists against California Supreme.
Brandon McCoy, Cathedral Catholic(CA)/California Supreme, Class of 2017, Center
McCoy is a very active player on both ends of the court. He is a very active low-post presence and has shown that he can be a very dominant player. He averaged 16.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.7 rebounds in all four games. His best game was against Houston Hoops with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Kevin Knox, Tampa Catholic (FL)/Each 1 Teach 1 United, Class of 2017, Forward
Knox is a very versatile forward with a lot of size. He knows how to take over a game and makes his presence felt on the offensive end. Has great shot selection and a nice shooting touch, as well as great athleticism. He averaged 22 points and 8 rebounds in four games, with his best performance being 28 points and 9 rebounds against All-Ohio Red.
Brandon Rachal, Nachitoches Central (LA)/Elfrid Payton Elite, Class of 2017, Guard
Rachal is a guard that makes good moves to the basket and is also a great rebounder. He also makes a lot of good hustle plays and attacks the basket with efficiency. He averaged 16 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. His best performance was against the NY Rens with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
Gary Trent, Jr., Apple Valley (MN)/ Howard Pulley, Class of 2017, Guard
Trent is a dangerous outside shooter with unlimited range and also has an affinity for scoring points in bunches. He is also a great defender and can be very athletic when it comes to getting towards the basket. He averaged 24 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game, with his best performance against Southern Stampede with 46 points.
Brian Bowen, La Lumiere (IN)/Mean Streets, Class of 2017, Forward
Bowen is a swingman with plenty of athletic movement that can score and can also deliver blocks due to his leaping ability. He is also a player that is a workhorse on the boards. He averaged 22.5 points and 7.2 rebounds in four games, with his best performance being 22 points and 13 rebounds against ProSkills.
Michael Porter, Jr., Father Tolton Catholic (MO)/KD MoKan Elite, Class of 2017, Forward
Porter is a very versatile player that can play the shooting guard, small forward and power forward positions. Has a nice shooting touch, but also plays above the rim. He also fights for rebounds. He averaged 25.6 points and 14.3 rebounds in three games. His best performance was against the NY Rens with 30 points and 17 rebounds.
Trae Young, Norman North (OK)/KD MoKan Elite, Class of 2017, Guard
Young is a flashy, but quick and deceptive guard that knows how to run a team, distribute the ball and score. He is very efficient with making passes that lead to assists and is a true floor general. He averaged 25.7 points, 8.7 assists and 6.2 rebounds in four games, with his best performance against Phoenix Phamily with 36 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds.
Jordan Tucker, Archbishop Stepinac/NY Rens, Class of 2017, Guard
Tucker is a guard with size that is known for his shooting and can out-maneuver smaller guards. He averaged 16.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in four games, with his best performance against MoKan Elite with 29 points.
Hamidou Diallo, Putnam Science Academy (CT)/NY Rens, Class of 2017, Guard
Diallo is an athlete with plenty of explosion. He makes quick moves to the basket, which produced highlight-reel dunks. He averaged 17.5 points and 5 rebounds in four games, with his best performance against Team Penny with 24 points and 6 rebounds.
Marvin Bagley III, Sierra Canyon (CA)/Phoenix Phamily, Class of 2018, Forward
Bagley is a player that is powerful in the paint and can muscle his way to the basket. He also can step out and shoot jumpers from long range. He also has plenty of athleticism and can play above the rim and also gets rebounds. He averaged 19.7 points and 11.2 rebounds in four games, with his best performance against the St. Louis Eagles with 19 points and 16 rebounds.
Quade Green, Neumann-Goretti (NY)/PSA Cardinals, Class of 2017, Guard
Green is a floor general that is known for scoring and also distributing the ball. He is efficient at getting to the basket and playing strong defense. He averaged 13.5 points and 8.7 assists in four games, with his best performance against Team Portis Elite with 17 points and 11 assists.
Aljami Durham, Berkmar (GA)/Southern Stampede, Class of 2017, Guard
Durham is a guard that can score in bunches. He runs the floor well and and attacks the basket whenever he gets the opportunity. The Indiana commit averaged 21.2 points and 6 rebounds in four games, with his best performance against Each 1 Teach 1 United with 25 points.
Collin Sexton, Pebblebrook (GA)/Southern Stampede, Class of 2017, Guard
Sexton, the leading scorer in the EYBL, is a deceptively quick player that can play both guard positions and is an offensive threat. He averaged 31.2 points and 6.5 rebounds in four games, with his best performance against Each 1 Teach 1 United with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
davesjoint.net 