The 2023 Nike EYBL continued its league games at the SWAC (Carrollton TX) this past weekend and the top storylines include previous league leader 8-0 Vegas Elite stumbling to drop 3 of its 4 games in Dallas to fall to 9-3. Top records in the league (through 3 stops) now belong to Team Final (11-1) and Team Thad, New Heights Lightning, PSA Cardinals and Brad Beal Elite (all at 10-2). Right behind them are a very tough Team Takeover squad (9-3), NJ Scholars (9-3), Florida Rebels (8-4) and CP3 (8-4). The current 17u EYBL standings can be accessed here: https://nikeeyb.com/standings
Despite the slippage last weekend, Vegas Elite remains a legit 2023 Peach Jam contender – anchored by a terrific shooting guard combo of 6-4 2024 Trent Perry (Harvard-Westlake/CA) and 6-1 2024 John Mobley Jr. (Ohio State commit) and bolstered by upper tier high major forwards like 6-10 2024 Aiden Sherrell, 6-7 2026 stud Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep/CA), 6-6 2024 Pharaoh Compton (AZ Compass Prep) and 6-7 2025 Chris Nwuli (Bishop Gorman/NV). Versatile 6-6 2024 Taj DeGourville (who was a huge cog in the wheel for 2023 Nevada state champ Durango/Las Vegas NV) is a jack of all-trades glue guy that makes winning plays and is also averaging a team-high 4.4 assists per game.
Another big story here in Dallas was that somebody in the 16u Division finally knocked off the previously undefeated Nightrydas 16u & 6-9 2025 Cameron Boozer (Columbus/Miami FL) for the 1st time this Spring. Accomplishing that great feat was a very good Team Takeover 16 squad that led for a good portion of the game and had a put-back at the buzzer to finally finish off Boozer and company. 2026 Quincy Wadley and 2025 Derek Dixon both had 17 points for Team Takeover and the hot shooting duo combined to connect for 8 threes (Wadley 5/7 and Dixon 3/6).
With 7 games going on concurrently at the SWAC, it was difficult to catch everybody I really wanted to see but I did witness a good size swath of the action that made my trip to Dallas productive. With that in mind, here are 15 players that caught my attention.
Dylan Harper 6’6” 2024 Don Bosco (Ramsey NJ)
Emerging leader for 2023’s #1 spot is the do it all lead guard from Jersey. Son of NBA great Ron Harper is serving notice that he is at the very top of his recruiting class. Strong and versatile, Dylan can get to his offensive spots on the floor with quickness, strength or craftiness and is a dangerous match-up because he can hurt you from distance, mid-range or at the cup. Dylan doesn’t just beat you with his scoring touch and accuracy (shooting 51.8% FG and 37,8% from NBA 3-point distance/EYBL uses NBA 3-point arc), he also is an excellent playmaker for teammates and his competitiveness and drive is top shelf. Harper’s rising confidence is more than apparent and his fantastic tip-jam on Sunday was of the ESPN Sports Center Top 10 variety. He is tied for #3 in the EYBL17u division in scoring (19.4 ppg) as well as tied for the #5 in assists (4.9 apg) to go along with 6.4 boards per game. Harper’s body of work in Dallas was both consistent and impressive: 25 points against Team Griffin, 22 points (8/9 FG) against Team Why Not, 21 points (9/14 FG) on Florida Rebels and 26 points against Team United. Duke, UCLA, Kansas, Indiana, Auburn and Michigan are among the many schools to offer this 2022 Pangos All-American Camp Top 30 Game selection and 2022 Pangos All-American Festival East team member.
Cameron Boozer 6’9″ 2025 Columbus (Miami FL)
Son of former Duke great and NBA forward Carlos Boozer is an absolute beast on both ends of the floor and its borderline criminal that he is playing 16u instead of 17u in the Nike EYBL circuit. Cameron is averaging 24.9 ppg (good for #2 behind talented Cooper Flagg) and is the 16u division’s leading rebounder (13.2 per game). Quick and thunderous scorer in the paint, Cam is basically automatic when he gets his hands on the rock inside (shooting an awesome 70% from the floor – 131/187 FG). Impressive rim-protector can be inconsistent from the 3-point arc at times (was 1/7 in his team’s only loss so far to Team Takeover but he does have very good shooting range with nice touch and mechanics and is making 40% of his threes so far in the league. Got a feeling once the NBA changes its Draft eligibility rules, he will be a likely HS to NBA lock.
Cooper Flagg 6’9” 2025 Montverde Academy (FL)
Super-skilled forward with size and innate feel for the game is averaging a 16u division high 26.8 ppg to go along with 10.9 rpg for Maine United. While he didn’t go for 52 points this weekend like he did the 1st game of the season back in April, he did rattle off 27, 28, 32, 23 and 22 point efforts. With all due respect to Nik Caner-Medley, Cooper is without question the top prospect ever out of the state of Maine and was a force for Kevin Boyle’s Montverde Academy as a sophomore this past season and will only get better.
Jalil Bethea 6’4″ 2024 Archbishop Wood (Philadelphia PA)
Bethea might be the most undervalued scoring guard in the nation despite being
ranked #51 by the 247Sports.com Composite and possessing offers from UCLA, Villanova, Kansas, Pitt, Syracuse, Georgetown and Georgia Tech. Silky smooth shooter was on fire in Dallas – coming quick out of the gates Friday night by scoring 32 points (10/17 FG; 6/10 3FG) in Team Final’s 85-82 win over a loaded New Heights Lightning squad with an elite guard trio of Elliott Cadeau,Tahaad Pettiford and Maleek Thomas. Bethea is averaging 19.0 ppg so far this EYBL season (good for #7 in league) while shooting an efficient 50% FG, 40% 3FG and 84.4% FT.
AJ Dybantsa 6’8” 2026 St, Sebastian (Needham MA)
Big time young swingman is oozing with amazing long-term potential. Unlike many other top young prospects who are playing below the 17u division, AJ threw himself into the fire and immediately made an impact – becoming one of the 17u Top 10 leading scorers (18.5 ppg) and showing how immense his long-term promise is. Signature performance this weekend was a
24 point, 7 board, 5 dime and 3 steal effort in Team Expressions 17u win over Drive Nation. Serious contender for 2026’s #1 spot nationally.
Elliott Cadeau 6’1” 2024 Link Academy (MO)
Super savvy point guard sets the table for teammates like no other and can flush on you if you give him space to elevate at rim. North Carolina-bound playmaker is the league’s leader in assists (10.1 apg) and the nation’s #1 PG in 2024 as well.
Naas Cunningham 6’7” 2024 Overtime Elite (Atlanta GA)
Cunningham has had a big reputation since his freshman year but I’ve not really heard much recent buzz about him to be quite honest. But boy did he shoot the lights out here – going off for 25 points (9-13 FG; 4/6 3FG) in a win over Team Why Not and 23 points (11/17 FG) in a victory over Team United. Wiry small forward has deep 3-point stroke is also a tremendous slasher to the cup.
Karter Knox 6’6” 2024 Tampa Catholic (FL)
High-scoring 5-star wing is currently the league’s top scorer at 21.2 ppg. Karter had three 20 point outbursts this weekend: 28 points vs. ProSkills, 23 points against Team Griffin and 22 points against NJ Scholars. Younger brother of current Portland Trailblazer forward Kevin Knox.
Billy Richmond 6’6” 2024 Camden (NJ)
Assertive and aggressive scorer can score in a variety of ways. Norton Hurd’s Team Thad has not lost many games so far in the league this year but Billy instigated a NJ Scholar W over Team Thad thanks in large part to Richmond’s 20 point (8-12 FG), 9 rebounds and 3 block effort. Father played for John Calipari at Memphis and its no wonder the Wildcats are involved for this HM prospect along with Louisville, Memphis, Alabama and Kansas State.
Maleek Thomas 6’4” 2025 Lincoln Park (Midland PA)
Thomas is the quintessential lead guard that has the whole package. After leading his HS squad to a Pennsylvania state title as a sophomore this past season, Maleek is showing his full skill set at this year’s EYBL for New Heights Lightning – averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 boards and 2.0 assists per game and forming arguably as good a 3 guard trio that exists in the league together with Elliott Cadeau and Tahaad Pettiford. Maleek is (in my opinion) the top lead guard prospect in the 2025 class and finished off this past weekend with 21 points,4 rebounds and 2 assits in a win over Team Melo.
Annor Boateng 6’6” 2024 Little Rock Central (Little Rock AR)
Strong and athletic WF had two impressive signature performances this weekend against loaded EYBL squads: 23 points/9 rebounds versus Florida Rebels and 22 points and 7 boards against NY Rens.
Kanon Catchings 6’8” 2024 Brownsburg (IN)
My first look of Kanon was an very good one. Athletic and slashing scorer was terrific in Indy Heat’s win over Georgia Stars on Sunday – scoring 20 points (9/11 FG;1/2 3FG) to go along with 9 boards. Purdue-bound forward is the nephew of WNBA star Tamika Catchings and mom Tauja was a Illinois HS Player of the Year that racked up 1,400 points, 700 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals for the University of Illinois.
Amier Ali 6’8” 2024 IMG (Bradenton FL)
Long and athletic forward with very smooth perimeter stroke was making shots when I was watching against a very tough and well-coached PSA Cardinals squad.16 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Isaiah Evans 6’6” 2024 North Mecklenburg (Huntersville NC)
Smooth and silky swingman glides to the rim in transition, is quick to elevate and finish at the rim and has the tools to be an excellent defender. Top 20 national prospect with Duke, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida State, Auburn, Tennessee and NC State offers had 21 points, 4 boards and 2 steals versus a very good MoKan Elite squad and 19 points in a win over Oakland Soldiers.
Cayden Boozer 6’4” 2025 Columbus (Miami FL)
While brother Cameron rightfully gets tons of accolades, the shortest of the Booozer boys is no slouch himself. Jason Kidd-type lead guard has the strength and speed to get by defenders and is terrific running “pick & roll” action with his brother. Nike EYBL 16u division leading assist leader at 8.6 per game had 4 double-figure assist games (out of 5 games played) this past weekend: 12 assists versus both Uplay and All-Ohio Red and 10 assists against both Houston Hoops and Drive Nation.
Others Players Worth Noting:
Isaiah Abraham 6’7” 2024 Paul VI (Chantilly VA)
Darius Acuff 6’2” 2025 Cass Tech (Detroit MI)
Aleks Alston 6’9” 2025 Kenwood Academy (Chicago IL)
Tyler Betsey 6’8” 2024 St. Thomas More (Windsor CT)
Derek Dixon 6’4” 2025 Gonzaga (Washington DC)
Isaiah Elohim 6’5” 2024 Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth CA)
James Evans 6’7” 2024 West Ranch (Santa Clarita CA)
Boogie Fland 6’3” 2024 Archbishop Stepinac (NY)
Donovan Freeman 6’10” 2024 St. John’s (Washington DC)
Darren Harris 6’6” 2024 Paul VI (Chantilly VA) Duke
Jasper Johnson 6’5” 2025 Woodford County (Versailles KY)
Jeremiah Williamson-Johnson 6’4” 2024 Wasatch Academy (Mt. Pleasant UT)
Larry Johnson 6’5” 2024 Huntington Prep (WV)
Jamier Jones 6’5” 2025 IMG (Bradenton FL)
Mikey Lewis 6’4” 2024 Accelerated Prep (Denver CO)
Alexander Lloyd 6’4” 2025 Westminster Academy (FL)
Khaman Maker 7’1” 2024 Trinity (Las Vegas NV)
Liam McNeeley 6’8” 2024 Montverde Academy (FL)
Mercy Miller 6’4” 2024 Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks CA) Houston
Xzavion Mitchell 6’6” 2025 Oshkosh North (WI)
Tariq Mustaf 6’6” 2024 Carmel Christian (NC)
Ahmad Nowell 6’0″ 2024 Imhotep (Philadelphia
Tahaad Pettiford 6’1” 2024 Hudson Catholic (NJ) Auburn
Labaron Philon 6’4” 2024 Baker (Mobile AL)
Jamari Phillips 6’4″ 2024 AZ Compass Prep (AZ) Arizona
Styles Phipps 6’2” 2024 St. Mary’s (Phoenix AZ)
Drake Powell 6’6” 2024 Northwood (Pittsboro NC)
Jalen Reece 6’0” 2025 Oakridge (Orlando FL)
Joson Sanon 6’6” 2024 Vermont School (VT)
Austin Schwartz 6’4” 2024 Cannon School (Concord NC)
Jalen Shelly 6’7” 2024 Prestonwood Christian (Plano TX)
Jarin Stevenson 6’7” 2024 Seaforth (Pittsboro NC)
Quincy Wadley 6’4” 2026 Bishop O’Connell (VA)
Caleb Wilson 6’10” 2024 Holy Innocents (Atlanta GA)
KJ Windham 6’2” 2024 Ben Davis (Indianapolis iN)
Rob Wright 6’0” 2024 Neumann-Goretti (Philadelphia PA) Baylor
Tounde Yessefou 6’5” 2025 St. Joseph (Santa Maria CA)
