The final four
part installment of the Nike EYBL series comes to a close over Memorial Day
weekend in Oakland, CA. This tournament will take place over four days
(compared to the normal three) with the top 24 teams advancing to the Nike
Peach Jam in July. With many teams jumbled together, some of the final spots
won’t be decided until the last day in Oakland. As each team will be playing
six games this week, Memorial Day could turn interesting. Here is a look at the
top five match-ups of the weekend (Note: All rankings per ESPN.com):
1)
CIA Bounce (14-0) vs. Mean Streets (12-2)
Time: Friday
– 9pm
Notes: The top two teams record wise face off on
the opening day in Oakland (Note: Houston and Mean Streets both have 12-2
records, but since one of the Mean Streets losses came on a buzzer beater
tip-dunk, I will proclaim Mean Streets as the 2nd best for now). CIA
Bounce has been destroying the competition in the EYBL behind the top player in
the country, Andrew Wiggins, along with the point guard play of Tyler Ennis
(2013-#30) and the shooting of Xavier Rathan-Mayes (2013-#20). CIA had a close
call in Dallas against Indy Spiece until Wiggins took over and dominated the
final stretch. On the opposing side, Mean Streets is extremely tough and led by
one of the biggest winners in high school hoops, Kendall Nunn (2013-#55). After
helping lead Simeon to another Illinois state championship, Nunn has helped his
team to a 12-2 record. We’ll see if CIA can hold off Mean Streets at the start
of the tournament and keep their undefeated streak alive.
 |
| Kendrick Nunn just wins |
2)
Mac Irvin (11-3) vs. Texas Titans (11-3)
Time: Sunday
– 5pm
Notes: This game features serious star power,
including the number 1 ranked player in the class of 2013, Jabari Parker versus
the number 2 ranked player in the class of 2013, Julius Randle. While these two
won’t be guarding each other both players will be trying to top one another
throughout the game. These players aren’t the only ones to watch in this game
as Mac Irvin features Jahlil Okafor (2014-#2) and one of the top players in the
spring, point guard Kyle Davis. The Titans also feature sharp-shooter Matt
Jones (#19) who has already committed to Duke. The stars are out in this game
and will draw one of the largest crowds of the weekend.
3)
Mac Irvin (11-3) vs. E1T1 (11-3)
Time: Sunday
– 11am
Notes: While the afternoon Mac Irvin game features
the top two players in the class of 2013, this game could pose as the most
interesting match-up to watch of the weekend. In a battle of 2014 big men,
Jahlil Okafor (2014-#2) goes up against E1T1’s Dakari Johnson (2014-#6). These
big men have been at the top of their class throughout their first two high
school careers (despite the fact that Dakari sat out his sophomore year) and
finally get to go head-to-head. Both players use their power and wide bodies to
get baskets. While scouts consider Okafor the better player, Johnson has been
tearing up the first three EYBL sessions. He is currently averaging 17 points
per game (top 10) and 9.6 rebounds per game (1st). Hopefully the
refs let these two players bang as they both make a claim for top Center in the
class of 2014.
 |
| The big men last battled as freshmen in the City of Palms |
4)
Houston Hoops (12-2) vs. Howard Pulley (7-7)
Time:
Saturday – 12:30pm
Notes: While Houston is the superior team in this
match-up, Howard Pulley has the most talented player. Point guard Tyus Jones
returns to the EYBL after missing the Dallas session due to illness. Jones is
currently the best point guard in the class of 2014, and possibly the country.
He is averaging 20.8 ppg and a league best 6.6 apg. Houston will try to slow
him down behind the wing duo of Justin Jackson (2014-#9) and Justice Winslow
(2014-#11).
*Houston Hoops also features the 9th
ranked player in the class of 2013, Keith Frazier, however he hurt his ankle
during the first Dallas game and is questionable.
5)
California Supreme (11-3) vs. ICP
Elite (7-7)
Time: Sunday
-11am
Notes: This game is featured in the top five due to
the geographical nature of the two teams. As the final regular season
tournament takes place in Cali, it is only right to feature a battle of west
coast teams in the games to watch. Cal Supreme stumbled a bit in Dallas with
two close losses, however with the recent addition of Nigel Williams-Goss; this
already talented team is primed for a deep run in July. The Miles Simon coached
team already featured star 2014 point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright and big
man Marcus Lee (2014-#26). These players will be challenged by the Portland
based AAU squad led by Roshcon Prince, who is currently at school in Long
Beach, CA. Prince has not really come close to making anyone’s top 100, however
he has been one of the top scorers and performers during the first three EYBL
sessions. Prince is averaging 18.1 ppg and getting to the line a league leading
10.4 attempts per game. Prince uses his size and strength to attack the basket
and will be attacking Cal Supreme all night long. While ICP does not have much
depth, Prince could lead them to an upset as he tries to earn the respect he
deserves.
WILL……….
CIA Bounce stay undefeated? They open up with
12-2 Mean Streets from Chicago and finish-up with the 12-2 Houston Hoops squad
on Sunday evening.
James Young continue his dominant spring?
Young vaulted up to the #5 prospect in the class of 2013, but will face some
tough competition over the weekend. He will face off against Team Takeover
wing, Ishmail Wainright (2013-#18) on Saturday morning followed by the Nick
King (2013-#15) and Jujuan Johnson (2013-#54) duo on Saturday afternoon.
Wainwright could be one of the strongest wings in the AAU circuit and King and
Johnson can match-up with Young athletically.
Jabari Parker show why he is the consensus #1
player in the class of 2013?
BABC get one of the last open spots for the
Peach Jam in order to defend their title, sans Nerlens Noel?
Kennedy Meeks show why he is considered one
of the top big men in the country? Meeks only played in 2 Dallas games and goes
against Team Final on Saturday morning.
Freshman Malik Newman and 8th
grader Thon Maker be able to spark the Jackson Tigers again?
All Iowa Attack win their first EYBL game?
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