The final Nike EYBL session of the 2018 season came to an end Sunday at AAU monument Boo Williams sportplex. The top 2019 prospects from the across the country now focus on the upcoming Peach Jam in attempt to finish out their grassroots basketball journey as a champion. With all that being said, a few players rose to occasion and separated themselves from the pack. We begin with local standouts and finish up with the national cream of the crop from Hampton.
LOCAL STANDOUTS -
Hunter Dickinson - C/ 7'0/ 2020/ Team Takeover / 8.9 points (54% FG, 70% FT), 5.4 rebounds
Heart and soul of Takeover. Dickinson is a problem in the high AND low post where he can finish inside and step out and shoot with consistency from mid range, however his best skill is his passing. He can dominate a game passing due to him demanding a double team at all times being a skilled footer. He has vision and delivers passes in prime position for his teammates to score easily. Teams simply had no answer for the high low game between Dickinson and Armando Bacot. Takeover is loaded depth wise but Dickinson is a force all his own.
EJ Jarvis - PF/ 6'8/ Team Takeover/ 4.1 points (51% FG), 3.8 Rebounds
Bouncy forward did a great job on both ends when he relieved either Bacot or Dickinson. While Jarvis finished decent in his limited offensive opportunities , he made his impact on the defensive end with rebounding and his rim protection.
Gibson Jimerson - SG/ 6'6/ 2019/ Boo Williams / 8.7 points (47% FG/85% FT/ 44% 3FG)
Jimerson, against Houston Hoops which features Kentucky commit Tyrese Maxey, was locked in from deep, scoring 15 points on 5 of 10 shooting. His ability to shoot from outside with range and IQ moving without the ball and craftiness scoring the ball with runners and floaters from all over makes him a constant threat. Solid defender and playmaker, combined with his offensive skills makes up for his lack of athleticism.
James Lee - SG/ 6'3/ 2019/ Team Melo/ 12 Points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals per game
Lee has been a bright spot in an otherwise adversity filled year for Team Melo. The athletic guard was difficult to stop when he attacked the basket, either scoring and or getting to the free throw line. He also brought it defensively with his on ball defense. The thing that's holding him back is being a consistent shooter, once he adds that, he has the tools to be a standout two way player.
Justin Moore - PG/ 6'4/ Team Takeover / 11.9 points (50% FG, 66% FT, 36% 3FG), 4.4 Rebounds, 2.3 assist
One of the top all around guards in the DMV continued his consistent play this weekend in Hampton, once again leading Takeover to an undefeated session. Moores poise and feel for the game is what made him standout. Whenever Takeover appeared to be getting rattled, he would make control the pace to get them back on track. When opponents went on a run, he would score to stop the bleeding. When the team needed a stop, he was usually in the mix getting that. Just a complete guard that continues to improve.
Casey Morsell - SG/ 6'3/ 2019/ Team Takeover/ 12 points ( 50%FG, 80% FT, 44% 3FG)
Morsell has established himself as the go to scorer for Takeover, not just due to his natural ability to score but his efficiency in doing so. He can score from all three levels, get to the line with regularity and is hard to stop off the bounce, making him a perfect compliment to Takeover's dominant post presence. He possibly had the best shooting game out of any guard in Hampton with a 22 points performance on 8-10 shooting in a blowout win over Las Vegas Prospects 108-86. Morsell shot an insane 6-7 from deep (85%). Virginia has a special scorer coming.
Cameron Thomas - PG/ 6'3/ 2020/ Boo Williams/ 19.8 Points (40% FG, 90% FT, 30% 3FG), 2.8 rebounds
Thomas is a crafty scorer who makes his living finishing at the basket and from mid range. He closed the Hampton session on fire with a 31 point performance on 15-25 shooting in a 84-82 loss to Nike Team Florida. Only a junior, if he adds a consistent three point jumper, he will become one of the more lethal scorers not just in Virginia, but nationally as well.
NATIONAL STANDOUTS -
Cole Anthony - PG/ 6'3/ 2019/ PSA Cardinals (NY)/ 26.9 Points (44% FG/ 89% FT/ 38% 3FG), 7.6 Rebounds,3.5 assist
Son of former NBA veteran Greg Anthony has continued his summer long dominance on the EYBL circuit. Three out of the four games this weekend, Anthony scored 31 or more points including a 38 point performance in a win over Team Final. He's a big athletic guard with every skill needed by a point guard. Anthony is tough, smart and most importantly, relentless, if he senses that you're on your heels as an opponent, he will attack without mercy. Hands down the best point guard in the country.
Scottie Barnes - SF/ 6'8/2020/ Nike Team Florida (FL)/ 15 points (54% FG/, 65% FT/ 46% 3FG), 8.1 rebounds, 4.6 assist
His parents knew what they were doing naming him Scottie because his game has traits of the former Chicago Bulls hall of famer Scottie Pippen. Barnes is an athletic point forward who can shoot it, finish with the best of them, defend and pass with precision. His ability to find teammates with his passing is what makes him special. The soon to be junior has offers from Florida, Kansas, Syracuse among others.
Tyrese Maxey - G/ 6'3/ 2019/ Houston Hoops (TX) / 21.9 Points (47% FG, 82% FT, 33% 3FG), 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assist and 2.7 steals a game
Explosive guard who can truly do everything, but scoring is his specialty. While Maxey didn't shoot well, the Kentucky commit got it done when it counted most, leading Houston Hoops to a 3-1 record, including three straight wins. Maxey is gifted, and when he's locked in defensively and hitting shots, he's virtually unguardable.
Wendell Moore - G/ 6'5/ 2019/ Team CP3/ 17.5 points (53% FG, 85% FT), 6.5 Rebounds, 3.7 assist and 1.8 steals a game
The leader behind 13-3 Team CP3, a contender for the Peach Jam crown. Moore is one of the most versatile players, let alone guard, on the EYBL circuit due to his size 6'5, 210 pound frame. His intensity, IQ, ability to score in traffic at will, elite athleticism and 7 foot wingspan makes him a force on both ends. His standout game this weekend was in a win over Mac Irvin Fire where he posted 23 points (7-12 shooting/ 8-8 FT), 11 rebounds, 3 assist and 2 blocks. He was simply dominant all game. Moore has UNC, NC State and Syracuse among others vying for his services.
TOP TEAM -
Team Takeover
Takeover, the top team in the country, finished the EYBL regular season 16-0 after averaging 75.9 points a game on 46 percent shooting from the field, 75 percent shooting from the line (4th in EYBL) and 39 percent shooting from deep ( 2nd in EYBL). They rank second in assist (15.8), ninth in turnovers (10.1), eleventh in steals (6.9) and fourteenth in rebounding (31.2), out of 40 teams.