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NIKE EYBL SESSION #2 – BOO WILLIAMS (DAY II)

By Brian Bosworth, National Recruiting Analyst

After a short day on Friday, the Boo Williams Invitational found its sea legs with a long day of hoops of Saturday. Action was fast and furious with the majority being the 17U Nike EYBL games with a little bit of 16U and 15U sprinkled in. Mobs of players had big performances in the star filled field and here are a few that NBE had the pleasure of viewing.

Top Performance of the Day:

Tyus Jones (Howard Pulley Panthers 2014) – Jones is the best point guard in America and showed all the reasons why in a masterful performance on Saturday night. A college head coach will be able to turn the ball over to Jones immediately as a freshman and be able to completely trust the young man. He plays with a maturity that is almost surreal for such a young player seemingly making the correct decision with the basketball every time down the floor. Jones can shoot it with range but only does so when the defense calls for it. He can slip passes into the tightest of windows on the money but only does so when the defense takes away an easier option. Perhaps most impressive was how every one of Jones’ passes seemed to land right in the hands of his teammate putting them in a position to score. Jones has a unique understanding of exactly where his teammates want the ball and he puts it right there. His recruitment with be crucial to the entire 2014 class because elite players are going to want to play alongside the elite playmaker. Tyus Jones is a bona fide stud.

Sleeper Performance of the Day:

Darien Williams (California Supreme 2013) – Holding no scholarship offers entering play on Saturday, Williams is the definition on a sleeper. All that should change very soon as the 6’7” big man was dominant in his team’s win over Team Final. Williams has a great motor and used his activity in the lane to control the glass and score inside. He also made 15 foot jump shots, and showed skill off the dribble after pump faking that same jump shot. Williams is a constant ball of energy whose teammates rally around him and could help just about any team at the next level. Colleges would be well served to start lining up and do so quickly so that they’re not behind the pack.

Other Top Performances:

Cliff Alexander (Mac Irvin Fire 2014) – Alexander was too strong for any defender on the 16U level owning the paint on both ends of the floor. He dunked everything in sight and forced All Iowa to settle for outside shots because they were afraid to challenge him inside. Alexander’s performance confirmed his status as one of 2014’s elite.

Marcus Lovett (Mac Irvin Fire 2015) – The young lefty point guard was in complete control for his squad slicing into the lane for kick outs or finishing with floaters himself. He also showed a smooth jump shot with range out to the 3 point line and is a clear high major prospect.

Kevin Zabo (CIA Bounce 2014) – Like the Mac Irvin Fire duo, Zabo was simply too good for the 16U competition. The NY Lightning didn’t have a defender that could stay in front of Zabo and once he realized this constantly attacked the rim. He’s also very fast end to end with the ball and pushed tempo for CIA leading to a plethora of easy buckets.

Joel Berry (Each 1 Teach 1 2014) – Berry started slow but took over in the second half and led his team to a morning victory. Most of his success came on right handed drives that he took all the way to the rim and finished himself. Berry also showed an ability to finish through contact over bigger defenders inside and create for others. He’s a top 50 player in 2014 in my mind.

Jarquez Smith (Georgia Stars 2013) – Smith isn’t an overly well known name nationally and that fact needs to change. He has incredible talent as the 6’9” forward went 6-11 from long distance and also plays way above the rim inside. Smith will need to add strength and become more willing to mix paint touches with his perimeter stroke but is someone that high majors in the Southeast and nationally need to start jumping on.

Jalen Lindsay (Georgia Stars 2014) – Lindsay showed the complete offensive skill package that he will need to excel at the small forward position. He has a smooth stroke from beyond the 3 point line, an explosive first step, and big time athleticism around the rim. Consistency on both ends and being a little more assertive offensively will jump his game up another level.

Trevon Blueitt (Indy Spiece 2014) – In the best game I watched today, Blueitt was the star among stars. The 6’5” physical wing buried countless jumpers and also mixed it up in the lane. He’s a pure scorer in every sense always looking for his shot but not in a selfish way. Blueitt understands his role and plays to that role by putting the ball in the basket through any means necessary.

Trey Lyles (Indy Spiece 2014) – verbal to Indiana - Considering he stands 6’10” 230 pounds, Lyles’ skill level is basically unfair. He has legit 3 point range, strong handle, and a variety of moves on the block. Lyles is also an excellent rebounder using his wide frame to create space and eat up rebounds. Indiana will be able to feature him as a low post scorer very early in his Hoosier career.

Keith Frazier (Houston Hoops 2013) – Certain players were born to score the basketball and Keith Frazier is one of those players. He’s an elite long range shooter with range to 25 feet and can also put it on the floor and attack the rim. When he gets in a rhythm which he did at times today, Frazier is completely unstoppable. He projects as a top scoring option at the high major level.

Justice Winslow (Houston Hoops 2014) – On a team loaded with guards, Winslow’s flexibility really has a chance to shine. The small forward plays point guard much of the time with this group and did so with great success today. He’s too powerful for almost any perimeter defender but way too quick for posts making him a major problem. The question is not whether Winslow will star at the high major level but just what position he’ll play when he’s doing so.

Rashad Figures (NJ Playaz 2014) – Figures showed the complete package offensively scoring from all 3 levels at times loudly like when he banged a massive dunk on an unsuspecting defender. His deep jump shot was his most consistent weapon but Figures also used 1 dribble midrange pull-ups and forays all the way to the rim. One of the schools recruiting him is sure to pull the trigger on an offer soon if today’s effort becomes the norm.

Chris Atkinson (Team Scan 2015) – Only 5’8”, Atkinson makes up for his lack of size with overflowing confidence. The undersized point guard made multiple deep jumpers off the dribble and was completely unstoppable in screen and roll sets. He was quick enough to turn the corner every time and then used slick bounce passes to get layups for rolling teammates. Already a fringe high major prospect, if Atkinson grows any more he’ll become a high major priority.

Devonte Green (Team Scan 2016) – Green’s skill set isn’t fair for an 8th grader. He already has a complete offensive package and showed in all off in a blowout win. His defense stood out most to me as he had multiple steals jumping passing lanes and used strength to lock up his opponent in one on one situations. He is a potential top 5 player in the 2016 class.

Marcus Lee (California Supreme 2013) – It was my first look at the west coast big man who has become a hot name in recruiting circles and it was easy to see why he’s suddenly so popular. A slender 6’9”, Lee battles bigger opponents in the lane and makes explosive plays above the rim. With some time in a college weight room he could blossom into a star on the block for any and every high major program.

Shaqquan Aaron (Oakland Soldiers 2014) – Aaron had one of the better performances I’ve seen from him by being more aggressive than normal attacking the basket. The long, slender wing was active on the offensive glass and slashing along the baseline creating easy shots for himself and others. His jump shot fell at times but needs more consistency to become a truly dangerous weapon.

Reggie Cameron (NJ Playaz 2013) – Eventually the rest of the country is going to learn what the Northeast already knows that Reggie Cameron is a big time scorer. The 6’8” forward has one of the smoothest jumpers in America and is comfortable with it well past the college 3 point line. His basketball IQ also stands out as he has excellent footwork and sees the floor very well. Quickness remains an issue but is something that Cameron is constantly working on to improve his overall game.
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Coaches Corner:

College coaches were out in full force again Saturday. Here’s a breakdown of which college programs were following which games today.

Each 1 Teach 1 vs. Georgia Stars – Coaches from Providence, Boston University, Georgia Tech, Florida State, and Oklahoma were in attendance.

Houston Hoops vs. Indy Spiece – Coaches from UNC, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ohio State, Texas, Mississippi State, Baylor, Arizona, Washington, Duke, Florida, and Notre Dame were in attendance.

Nike Team Florida 16U vs. NJ Playaz 16U – Coaches from Memphis, Pittsburgh, Florida, USF, Rutgers, Minnesota, and Villanova were in attendance.

Team Scan 15U vs. CIA Bounce 15U – Coaches from UNC, Florida, and Iowa State were in attendance.

California Supreme vs. Team Final – Coaches from Arizona, Duke, Washington, San Diego State, Providence, Indiana, UCLA, Seton Hall, Long Beach State, Villanova, Memphis, Louisville, Baylor, and Iowa were in attendance.

Howard Pulley Panthers vs. Indy Spiece – Coaches from Duke, Ohio State, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan State, DePaul, and Louisville were in attendance.

Oakland Soldiers vs. NJ Playaz – Coaches from Rutgers, Arizona, Washington, Pittsburgh, California, Minnesota, San Diego State, Towson, Fairfield, Vanderbilt, and Michigan were in attendance.
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Recruiting Updates:

Jarquez Smith (Georgia Stars 2013) – Smith holds offers from Florida State, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee along with interest from North Carolina, NC State, and Missouri. He acknowledged Florida State and Georgia as the leaders for his services at this point because of their focus and understanding in helping him become academically eligible.

Jaquan Lyle (Indy Spiece 2014) – The highly touted point guard already holds offers from Kansas State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Indiana, Purdue, Illinois, Xavier, and Louisville with interest from UCLA, Georgetown, Butler, Kentucky, and Kansas. Lyle has a tentative visit to Butler planned for this upcoming Friday but that is still subject to change.

Trevon Blueitt (Indy Spiece 2014) – Blueitt holds offers from Florida, Indiana, Xavier, Butler, Ohio State, Michigan, and Michigan State. Of that group he acknowledged Indiana and Butler as the schools recruiting him the hardest. He also said that Duke is his dream school and one that he would like to get involved with his recruiting.

Rashad Figures (NJ Playaz 2014) – Figures is yet to earn his first scholarship offer but is receiving strong early interest from Rutgers, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Iona, and Akron.

Tyus Jones (Howard Pulley 2014) – Jones mentioned offers from Minnesota, Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan State, Marquette, Duke, Ohio State, Baylor, Arizona, and Providence among others. He stressed that he is taking his time and in is absolutely no rush in his recruiting process. In order he listed academics, the coaching philosophy, and other potential recruits joining him as his 3 main keys when it is time to pick a college destination.

Reggie Cameron (NJ Playaz 2013) – Cameron’s offer list is constantly growing and now stands at Miami, Villanova, Florida, Xavier, Cincinnati, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall, Providence, Northwestern, and newly received West Virginia. He is also receiving new interest from Michigan who had an assistant on hand watching his game against the Soldiers.

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