INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA: I was in between both events last weekend. EYBL as usual was off the chains though not the deep talent they usually have. Terrific 24 did not have as many teams, but had some under the radar talent at the event. Want to thank Dinos Trigonis for haivng me at his event. I'll also introduce another Class of 2027 talent in Illinois. Here we go:
NIKE EYBL:
As usual a lot of talent, a lot of guys getting their life ended (dunked on in basketball circles), and some big time performances by some national level players. Here's some of them:
TYRAN STOKES OF OAKLAND SOLDIERS IS AN ABSOLUTE BEAST:
Best player in Class of 2026 and to me not much of a debate. 6'7" wing was excellent in every game I saw which was three of them, but he was just illegal in the Friday night matchup with The Family (MI). The 31 points (12-17 FG, 4-4 3PT) 8 rebounds and 5 assist performance was the best I saw the entire weekend. He had another game where he played only the second half and had 15 points. Team went 4-0 for the weekend.
AJ DYBANTSA OF OAKLAND SOLDIERS HAD A QUIET WEEKEND FOR HIS STANDARDS OFFENSIVELY, BUT WAS LIGHTS OUT DEFENSIVELY:
Considered the #1 player in Class of 2025 by most, 6'8" wing was a steady burn offensively for the weekend. Part of it was his teammate Stokes was just fantastic. He did shut down Class of 2025 5 star Trey McKenney of The Family (MI) on Friday night. Moves feet well defensively, uses his hands well without fouling, contested jumpers and used his length to bother McKenney. Held him to 8 points on 2-8 shooting.
JASPER JOHNSON IS THE #1 POINT GUARD IN THE COUNTRY:
The 6’5” Class of 2025 guard for Team Thad (TN) continues to impress. Best prospect out of Lexington, Kentucky in 50 years, he has upped his athleticism to go along with his scoring ability. Ended a life on Saturday with a nasty tomahawk dunk against LivOn (LA). Made first team for the session. Lefty is smooth shooting the three from deep out to 25 feet consistently. Can get to the basket off the bounce, and score on mid range pull-ups. up and under Euro steps at the rim, with nice finishes, Uses long arms on defense to make life miserable for other guards. Top 10 talent in the class, and has the chance to be the highest rated Kentucky native ever. Son of former NFL and Kentucky defensive end Dennis Johnson.
WILL RILEY CAN RECLASS UP AND PLAY AT ANY POWER 5 COLLEGE IN AMERICA:
The Class of 2025 6'7" UPlay (CAN) star is just a smooth operator. He showed he can play 1-4 spots in high school basketball. He ran point, posted up inside and made a beautiful up and under move in win over Meanstreets (IL) on Saturday. Strokes the three pointer with ease, and has a nasty step back jumper at the mid range. Long arms and great feet make him able to play defense on all the perimeter spots. He may reclass up and go to college this fall, or might stay in the Class of 2025. He's ready for college basketball right now if he chooses to do so. He'll be making some official visits in June. Kentucky and Arkansas are two of the schools in play.
CAYDEN BOOZER IS A TOP PLAYER OF HIS OWN ACCORD:
Yes, the more famous brother is his twin Cameron but he's a top talent on his own. Class of 2025 6'3" point guard knows how to run a team, make great passes, deep shooting from three, and gets into the lane and finsihes at the rim through contact. Has a mid range pull-up jump shot. Should have 5 star status soon if not now. Future pro. Son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.
CAMERON BOOZER WAS A STEADY BURN ALL WEEKEND:
The Class of 2025 5 star 6'9" forward is just steady and consistent. Scores in the post as well as on catch and shoot threes, off the dribble threes. Best outlet passer and takes care of both backboards. Has improved defendng the pick and roll, and as usual rim protect in the paint. Future pro. Son of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.
TRISTAN BECKFORD IS A KING OF BOUNCE:
The Class of 2025 6'6" wing for UPlay (CAN) is a bouncy high flying athlete. He showed it when he ended a life (WATCH YOUR HEAD) of a poor Meanstreets player. He had 14 points and 9 rebounds in the game mostly on exlosive drives to the basket, and finishing in transtition.
EYCL: AB BLACK ELITE 15U HAS 9 MONSTERS ON THEIR TEAM:
This team should be on EYBL Circuit as they have been blowing out most teams on their circuit. They do have one more session in Kansas City to qualify for E15 at the Peach Jam. Here's a synopsis of all 9.
Dawson Battie, 6'8" wing is a Top 10 talent nationally and is the best talent on the squad. He can score at all three levels, has the ball handling to get by defenders and get to the basket. He hits catch and shoot threes, and a smooth mid range game along with finsihes at the rim. Rebounds at a high level. He can also post up and score on mismatches on the block. Do it all talent.
Beckham Black, 6'2" point guard is the floor general. Two end force as he makes opposing guards life miserable by pressuring them moving his feet, and using quick hands to get steals. Knows how to play pssing lanes. Uses nice dribble moves and his eyes to move the defense. Makes nice pocket passes, gets to the basket and finishes at the rim. Nice step back mid range pullup.
Josiah Jones, 6'0" combo guard can run a team as well as hit threes at a high rate whether off the dribble or the catch. Can get wherever he wants off the dribble with a nice crossover. Another big time physical defender on the perimeter who can get into you for 94 feet.
Duece Hunt Jr, 6'0" combo guard is a lefty sniper from very deep behind the three point line. He can hit them in bunches and change the game. He can also get high and play at the rim. Can get to the basket off the dribble with a variety of moves. Another player who gets into you defensively on and off the ball, and has quick hands and quick feet.
Marri Wickware, 6'5" athletic wing who can get to the basket and finish at the rim with strength and athleticism. He has shown he can score at the mid range. Can get the defensive rebound and push the ball up the court comfortably.
Jaden "JD" Davis, 6'6" forward is a powerful force in the paint. He uses his strength to play through contact in the post and finish strong with a layup or a dunk. Rim protects on the other end more with his physicality than actually blocking a bunch of shots.
Kellan Catrell, 6'2" combo guard is a big time sniper from three. Can hit them off the catch, step back, or off the dribble. He's not just a stand still three point shooter, so don't let that fool you. He can create his own shoot off the dribble, and push the ball in transition and find teammates for nice passes.
Kaden Harris, 6'4" combo guard can do a little bit of everything. Hit threes off catch or the dribble, score off the dribble, hit the glass, make quality passes, and defend multiple positions.
Cam Edwards, 6'3" combo guard is another do everything player. Scores at all three levels, defends on the ball and in passing lanes, gets rebounds on both ends. Can fill in at any position and a jack of all trades basketball player.
9 absolute dogs on the court that have everything covered. No real weakness on the team. Versatile players at every spot, size, speed, athleticism, all can dribble, pass, and shoot. If this team stays together will do some great things.
CHICAGO AREA TEAMS HAD MIXED RESULTS:
Meanstreets 17U went 1-3 on the weekend, but competed very well in a couple of games. E16 went 1-4 though Class of 2024 6'2" point guard Marquis Clark was solid the entire weekend. E15 went 3-2 and will go into Quinton Kitt's performance over the weekend. They lost to Team Herro for a second time on the Circuit.
Mac Irvin Fire 17U was 0-4 on the weekend and 0-10 on the circuit. They've had a lot of turnover on the team and it's been rough interchanging players and trying to get team chemistry. E16 went 2-2 on the weekend. E15 went 1-4 on the weekend.
QUINTON KITT IS ETCHING HIS NAME INTO CLASS OF 2027 CONVERSATION OF TOP PLAYERS:
Meanstreets E15 6'5" wing's game is rounding out nicely. He's showing he has a perimeter game being deadly with corner threes specifically. He's also attacking the basket off the boucne and finishing. This has added to his high level rebounding and is showing he can defend and move his feet on the perimeter. Averaged 13.8 points per game over the weekend with a couple of 20 point games.
TERRIFIC 24:
Once again Dinos Trigonis has some big time players not many know about.
Top game: George Hill All-Indy 2025 beats Belmont Shore 17 in double overtime. Game was decided on a step back three at the buzzer by Class of 2025 Cayden Loescher.
Young & Reckless 17 is coming around as a team. They have a ton of talent 9 big time guys and has a chance of being best 17U team in Illinois by end of July. Had some late additons in the Spring and they are working those guys in.
CKY Basketball Club 16 (KY) is from my neck of the woods based out of Springfield, KY where my Mom is from. Had to check them out. They defintely have some under the radar talent that should be checked out by college coaches. I'll get into a couple of them in a minute.
Top players:
CASPIAN JONES NEEDS TO GET MORE LOVE:
The 6'8" wing from Belmont Shore can do a little bit of everything. Hit threes, get to the basket and score at the rim, has a nice step back mid range jump shot. Runs the floor for transition baskets scoring on hanging layups. Showed he can defend on the perimeter.
JAISON JOYCE IS ANOTHER ONE TO WATCH:
The 6'8" wing is an athlete who finishes high at the rim showing his bounce. Gets out in transition for baskets, rebounds at a high rate, can defend from the 1-4 spots on the court. Slasher extraordinaire from the three point line to the rim.
DENIS WOODS II IS A FLOOR GENERAL:
The 6'3" point guard ran the team, getting guys into position and getting them the ball in their sweet spots for scoring. Defends opposing point guards with his long arms and getting up nto them. Oh and he showed three level scoring at the rim, mid range, and three point line. Above average athlete.
AOT 2025 STILL HAS SOME TALENT:
ADDISON DYER is a 5'11" point guard playing up as he's a 2026 talent. Floor general who made good passes into shooting pockets of his teammates. Showed his quickness in getting by guards and getting into the paint. Hit a couple of threes to keep defenses honest.
JEREMIAH BOWMAN a 6'7" wing might be the best three point shooter in the country. He shot 48% from three in the high school season and showed his sniper abilites here. He was hitting them from the corners, but did show he can hit them in other spots. Father is former NBA player Ira Bowman.
JOHN CHAPPELLE is a 6'8" jumping jack forward who can hit both backboards. He has a great second and third jump to get offensive rebound put backs. Changes ends very well and scores baskets in transition.
CHRISTOPHER JONES, AJ BOUYE (GA) 17U GOLD 6'4" wing is a King of Bounce who ended a life of a Young & Reckless defender. Another one who gets rebounds with his quick second and third jump off the floor. He handles the ball well enough to bring it up in transition.
TERRENCE SMITH IS AN IMPROVED BASKETBAL PLAYER BUT WHAT SPORT WILL THIS KING OF BOUNCE PLAY???:
This young man for Young and Reckless 17 is a 6'5" wing who's improved his skill in this sport. Very good at feeding the post, has an improved mid range jump shot. He finished well at the rim end a life of an unsuspecting AJ Bouye defender, and did it with two hands. Had 20 points and 8 rebounds in the win. He defends 1-4 at the high school level very well, moving his feet and showing quiick hands for steals. Also jumps passing lanes and gets steals, finishing with rim rattling dunks. He's a three sport star. He's a 4 star wide receiver with multiple Power 5 offers. He's a track and field athlete who's made the state finals in the jumps (long jump, high jump, triple jump). I was told by a friend who has played in the NFL, he talked to his buddies in the NFL that say barring injury this young man may end up playing on Sunday's barring injury. So which sport is it going to be young man?
MAKAI KVAMME HAS TAKEN YOUNG AND RECKLESS 17's TO ANOTHER LEVEL:
This is what happens when you add a true floor general and winner to your roster. He's a 6'2" point guard who's a two time state champ at DePaul College Prep (Chicago). He's a 4.0 student and looks to pass and set up teammates first and foremost. He also defends on and off the ball at a high level. He can score from three and on drives to the rim finishing with a variety of moves when there. It took them a week to get things together but they are humming right now.
BRADY SEHLHORST IS A SNIPER FOR YOUNG AND RECKLESS 17'S: It's easy pickings for him on this team when you have Kvamme getting him open looks as well as Smith kciking it to him. The 6'7" wing just hits catch and shoot threes like they are layups and he's improved his rebounding. He can attack the basket off the bounce now which accentuates his long range shooting.
EJ MOSLEY'S SCORING CHOPS IS HELPING THIS TEAM TOO:
He's a 6'0" combo guard for Young and Reckless 17's which is what he does best. Folks wants to make him a point guard, which he has shown he can do. He is at his best though scoring as he hits threes, and is a killa in the mid range specifically in the lane.
JAZIAH HARPER'S PREP SCHOOL YEAR HAS ROUNDED OUT HIS GAME:
He's another Young and Reckless 17 talent. The 6'7" wing has gotten stronger and he's better at finishing at the rim. The lefty has always had a sniper clip from three point range but it is now accentuated by his attacking at the rim. Former Oak Park River Forest standout.
AZAVIER ROBINSON AKA STINK WAS ATTACKING AND DRAWING FOULS THE ENTIRE GAME:
The 6'2" point guard and longtime George Hill Indy 17 standout usually has his outside shooting game to help his nasty drives and finishes at the rim. It wasn't falling so he kept attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and shooting a bunch of free throws in win over Belmont Shore 17.
KYLE GUY ELITE 2025 HAD SOME STANDOUTS TOO:
ROGELIO RIVERA is a 6'2" point guard who ran the team with aplomb in their win over Beyond Ball 24K 17U. He scored when neeeded, set up his teammates when needed, and hit some outside shots to keep defenses honest.
COLBY HALL is a 6'6" wing who was a force inside and out as he scored in the paint and on three point zhots in win over Beyond Ball 24K 17U.
BRYCE RENN is a 6'10" center who scored in the paint, rim protected, rebounded, and hit some step out three point shots in win over Beyond Ball 24K 17U.
CHUDER DORAR is a 6'11" wing you see that correctly, wing for Beyond Ball 24K 17U. He brings the ball up, sets up the offesne, shoots mid range shots, threes, and attacks the basket on drives to score at the rim. On defense he's an elite rim protector, and hits the glass. Played well in loss to Kyle Guy Elite 2025.
CKY 16U:
JAYLIN CRANE IS ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS IN CLASS OF 2026 IN KENTUCKY:
The 5'11' point guard is a three level scorer and showed it here. He hits long threes, attacks the basket and finishes at the rim in a variety of ways with the left or the right. Penetrates to either score or set up teammates for layups or kick out threes. He gets after it on and off the ball on defense. Had 20 points in game vs YBA 2026.
JAGGER MARDIS had 12 points vs YBA 2026 in win and hit a couple of threes in game.
CARSON NICHOLS is a 6'3" combo guard who showed he can hit threes as he had 2 in win over YBA 2026.
JERRICK MARTIN is a 6'5" guard that showed he was an inside/out force hitting outside shots as well as being a rim protector in win over YBA 2026.
HAMZA ZAHRAN of NYBA ELITE (TN) is a 6'7" forward who scored inside and out in game vs Belmont Shore 17.Hit 6 threes to go with his 24 points in the game.
DHANI FLANAGAN of NYBA ELITE (TN) is a 6'0" combo guard who is working his way back to his scoring chops as he's headed to prep school after injuries derailed his recruiting at his regular high school in Indiana.
LADARRIUS BROWN of TEAM IMPACT/NXT PRO PUMA 17 is a 6'3" combo guard who had 12 points vs Meanstreets Black National 17U.
MIKELL LEWIS of TEAM IMPACT/NXT PRO PUMA 17 is a 6'5" wing who had team high 12 points vs Mesntarteets Black National 17U.
BRIAN JOHNSON of MEANSTREETS 17U BLACK NATIONAL is a 6'1" combo guard had 10 points in win over Team Impact/NXT Pro Puma 17.
INTRODUCING 6'1"POINT GUARD DEMARCO AKA "DEMARCO POLO" KING IN CONVERSATION OF TOP GUARDS IN CLASS FOR 2027 FOR ILLINOIS:
Time to add this young man to the mix of Jaxson Davis, Davion Thompson, Devin Cleveland, Michael Woods, and Jayden Taylor. Demarco King may end up the best of them all. It was a great decision at Meanstreets to have this young man play for this team. Would have been a traffic jam at Meanstreets 15U EYBL team with Jaxson, Davion, Josiah Harrington (#1 2027 in Iowa). He's playing against guys at least 2 age groups up here. He can score from three as I've seen him multiple games hit them from at least 25 feet out. He has the ball handling and quick first step to get into the lane and cause havoc. He has one of the nicest floaters in the lane I've seen from a young player in awhile. He can finish at the rim with Euro steps, up and unders with either hand. He's more dangerous as a passer as he can pass to teammates shooting pockets for open threes. He's very good at pick and roll dropping passes to rolling bigs right in their hands so they can just finish the layup or the dunk. He plays good on the ball defense, gets a lot of deflections and steals. He jumps passing lanes off the ball to get steals. Needs to get stronger but that will come as he's learning to play through contact against older players. No one knows about him because he plays at King College Prep (Chicago) in the Chicago Public League White Division. The same King that used to be a national powerhouse. I will get over to see a few of his games next season. Some of you Chicago Area Hoopheads and college scouts should too.
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