NIKE EYBL - SESSION 1 - ATLANTA, GA
Recapping the Nike EYBL - Session 1 - Atlanta - well actually Emerson, Ga but who is complaining except me who had to make a two-hour trek from Gwinnett County on a Friday in the Heart Atlanta Rush hour just to make it to Lakepointe for the start of the first game. Listed below you'll see a few of the players that stood out to me over the course of the weekend.
Josh Christopher | 6'5 SG 200 | Vegas Elite | C/O 2020
Explosives big guard that played with great intensity and great efficiency the entire weekend. He is dangerous going downhill and very good passer as well. He's a consistent jump-shot away from being the best player in his class.
Patrick Baldwin Jr | 6'8 F 195 | Phenom University (WI) | C/O 2021
Elite Wing Forward with the ability to shoot the ball from deep, he can also put the ball on the floor to create for himself and finish around the rim. He plays with great pace and has a knack for finding open teammates.
RJ Hampton | 6'4 G 180 | Drive Nation (TX) | C/O 2020
Has an Explosive First Step to get to the rim also moves well without the ball. Makes great backdoor cuts for easy layups. Likes to drive to the left even though he's a righty. Decent length to play the passing lanes well for steals to get out in the open-court.
Moussa Diabate' | 6'10 F 200 | NightRyders (FL) | C/O 2021
Looks like a 15 year pro in the NBA, he plays with great poise and direction. he runs the floor like the wind, can knock down open 15-foot jumpers. Can score in the post as well as in Pick n Roll action. Can also finish in traffic around the rim. He is also a very good rim protector, blocking and altering shot on the regular. Look out for him!!!
Emoni Bates | 6'8 F 170 | Bates Fundamentals (MI) C/O 2022
Plays with a smoothness to his game, he looks completely comfortable in his skill and exudes confidence on the floor. He can create off the dribble for stepback 3's, mid-range pull-ups or attacks to the rim. I was most impressed with his ability to get down in his defensive stands and guard a waterbug pg for a quarter and a half. I look forward to tracking his high trajectory path throughout the summer and beyond.
Overall I have to say that I was extremely impressed with the talent level from all the teams that participated. And there is nothing like walking through a gym and seeing Coach K, Roy Williams and Coach Cal just to name a few. It was a star-studded event both on and off the court.
Until next time.....