Nike EYBL Dallas Preview

The third installment of the Nike EYBL begins this weekend in Dallas, TX. Here is a preview of some of the top games to watch and individual match-ups:

#1) E1T1 (8-1) vs. California Supreme (8-1)

Time: Saturday – 6:30pm

Notes: There is currently a four way tie in Division C for first place and this game features two of these teams in a cross-country battle. Besides the fact that these are two of the top teams in the EYBL, there are two individual match-ups to keep an eye on. 

Both teams are led by their star point guards from the class of 2014. E1T1 is led by Joel Berry (#32) who is currently averaging 11.3 ppg and 4.3 apg. Berry has been getting a lot of interest from UNC and other top programs during the spring recruiting period. California Supreme is led by Parker Jackson-Cartwright (#25) who is currently averaging 10 ppg and 4.1 apg. Despite being listed at 5’9, Jackson-Cartwright has been receiving lots of attention from the premier programs on the west coast.

Joel Berry

There is also the big man match-up to watch down low which features one of the top players in the class of 2014, Dakari Johnson (#6) for E1T1 and one of the fastest rising players in the class of 2013, Marcus Lee. Johnson sat out his sophomore year at Montverde after transferring; however he has been dominant throughout the first two sessions of the EYBL and is currently averaging 16.7 ppg and 8.6 rpg. While Johnson was well known before the spring AAU circuit started, Marcus Lee (#54) was an unknown commodity nationally. After his play in the first two tournaments he has shot up the recruiting ranks and received offers and interest from schools such as Duke, Kansas, and Indiana.

Also, keep an eye on Cal Supreme guard Jordan Matthews who is averaging 17.2 ppg. Matthews has been receiving interest from some Pac-12 schools along with various schools from the MWC. His father is an assistant coach at UCLA.

#2) Indy Spiece (6-3) vs. CIA Bounce (9-0)

Time: Saturday-12:30pm

Notes: CIA Bounce is currently undefeated in the EYBL and the only game they lost was in the Milwaukee Swish N Dish without Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins is the top ranked player in the class of 2014 and is in discussion as the top ranked player in the country. CIA Bounce is also led by one of the top point guards in the country, Tyler Ennis (#21) and one of the top shooters in the country, Xavier Rathan-Mayes (#66). Despite all this talent, CIA Bounce could receive a challenge on Saturday when they face Indy Spiece. Spiece is led by a trio of 2014 standouts from Indiana: Trey Lyles (#9), Jayquan Lyle (#15), and Trevon Blueitt (#47). CIA Bounce could be on upset alert in this game. 
Andrew Wiggins - EYBL Minny 

#3) Mean Streets (8-1) vs. The Family (7-2)

Time: Friday – 9pm

Notes: A Midwest match-up between teams from Chicago and Detroit. Mean Streets is led by the Simeon High guard combo of Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate. Nunn is currently averaging 13.4 ppg and is ranked #22 in the class of 2013. Mean Streets also features a top 30 player in the class of 2013 in Paul White. White is a talented forward that has nice ball handling skills for a player his size. The Family is led by the hottest player in the class of 2013, James Young. Young was ranked in the 20-30 range before the spring season started, but has vaulted up the ranks due to his dominant performances in Minnesota, Hampton, and Forty Wayne. Young is currently ranked 9^th in his class, but might be climbing higher by the time the AAU season is over. He is currently seventh in scoring at 18.7 per game and fourth in rebounds with 8 per game. The Family also features E.C. Matthews and Wes Clark. This could be the most entertaining game of the day. The Family is the highest scoring team in the EYBL with 74.7 ppg and Mean Streets averages 65.7 ppg.

#4) Howard Pulley (5-4) vs. Boo Williams (4-5)

Time: Sunday – 11am

Notes: These two teams are currently sitting around .500, however this game should provide the top point guard match-up of the weekend. Howard Pulley is led by Tyus Jones (#4-2014) who was one of the top performers during the Minnesota and Hampton tournaments. Jones, who some consider to be the top point guard in the country is currently 4^th in the EYBL in scoring at 20.7 ppg and 1^st in assists with 6.7 apg. Boo Williams is led by the ultra-athletic Anthony Barber (#13-2013). Barber currently leads Boo with 12.3 ppg. It will be interesting to see how Jones deals with the length and quickness of Barber during this game.   

#5) CP3 (5-4) vs. BABC (5-4)

Time: Saturday-11am

Notes: Another game that will be fun to watch based on the individual match-up involved. CP3 is led by 6’5 wing, Theo Pinson (#14-2014) and BABC is led by 6’4 wing, Wayne Selden (#13-2014). While both are wings ranked in the top 15 of their class, Pinson and Selden are very different players. While Selden relies on his brute strength to get to the basket, Pinson relies more on his elite athleticism and solid mid-range game. Both players have the top schools in the country coming after them.

WILL…..

CIA Bounce lose its first game?

All-Iowa win its first game?

Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins take control of the top spot in the country?

Troy Williams break out of his slump?

Anyone catch fire like Jujuan Johnson did in Hampton?