EYBL-Dallas - Day 2 Continued

While Tyus Jones and Joel Berry were going head to head and Malik Newman was going off for 36 points there were numerous other standouts throughout the 40 games that went on during Day 2 of the Dallas EYBL. 

Theo Pinson, 6’6”, 2014, CP3

In the first set of Saturday games, Theo Pinson made his presence known on both sides of the ball early and often in helping his team to a 13 point halftime lead against Team Texas Elite. Pinson went 5-9 in the first half including 1-2 from the three point line. Outside shooting is usually the main weakness associated with Pinson, but he showed off an improved form in this early morning tilt. From the start Pinson had shots go in and out from fifteen feet and the top of the key. Despite the close misses, Pinson didn’t lose confidence and shortly thereafter knocked in a twelve foot jump shot and a three from the right wing. On the defensive side of the ball, Pinson forced two early turnovers and converted both of those steals into a fast break dunk and lay-up. In the second half, Pinson added in eight more points for good measure as CP3 became the only team in the tournament to break 100 points in a 35 point win. Pinson finished with 19 points on 8-14 shooting and added seven rebounds. 

Gary Clark, 6’7”, 2014, CP3

Clark had a very efficient game in the morning set scoring 17 points on 7-9 shooting. Several times, CP3 ran specific play sets to get Clark the ball in the low post and he responded with a few quick right handed hook shots and also a face-up medium range jump shot. Clark showed off a soft touch, good hands, and quick moves when catching the ball in the post.

Matt Mcquaid, 6’5”, 2015, Team Texas Elite

While the young Texas Elite squad was overwhelmed against CP3, the skinny sophomore took charge in the first half attempting to keep his team within striking distance. After miss-firing on his first two outside shots, Mcquaid calmly drained four three pointers in the first half including one he hit from the left corner while getting fouled. After knocking in his first three, he gained confidence and became more aggressive calling for the ball and moving through the half court sets in an effort to get open looks. Mcquaid ended up going 5-9 from behind the three point line throughout the game. 

Justin Jackson, 6’7”, 2014, Houston Hoops

In one of the most anticipated match-ups against Expressions Elite the lanky forward got off to a slow start but quickly caught fire during the middle of the first half. After starting out 1-4, Jackson hit his patented floater from seven feet out and added in a three pointer from the top of the key while also hitting several baskets down low off of drives or basket cuts. With the score tied 36 all at the half, Jackson continued his stellar playing scoring 16 second half points as his Houston Hoops team ended up winning 81-65. Jackson added seven rebounds and played hard on both sides of the ball throughout the contest. 

Kelly Oubre, 6’7”, 2014, Houston Hoops

Another one of the talented Houston Hoops wings, Oubre scored 17 points on 4-9 shooting. Oubre hit two threes from the corner and also used his size and athleticism to get to the free throw line nine times. Oubre was very active on the defensive end and also helped with ball handling duties on occasion. The size and strength combination that Oubre possesses makes him one of the most challenging covers in the circuit.

Abdul Malik Abu, 6’7”, 2014, Expressions Elite

Malik-Abu struggled mightily with his shooting during the game against Houston going 3-19, but he also managed to grab 14 rebounds. Malik-Abu is one of the strongest forwards in the country and showed off his power and athleticism with a violent dunk off a stand still jump at one point early in the second half. 

Aaron Falzon, 6’8”, 2015, Expressions Elite

Falzon looks a bit like Klay Thompson and while he does not have the same shooting ability he did manage to knock in four three pointers throughout the game. After forcing a bad shot from the top of the key to start the game, Falzon settled into the flow and went for 14 points and 7 rebounds. With Expressions Elite trying to make a comeback at the end of the game, Falzon turned into the go-to guy on offense as his teammates tried to find him for open looks behind the arc as he showed off range from several feet behind the arc.

Grayson Allen, 6’4”, 2014, E1T1

Allen continued his hot shooting off the bench in a blowout win against Howard Pulley to cap off the Saturday morning session. After scoring 30 points the first night, Allen went for 17 points on 6-8 shooting. Playing off the ball, Allen wasted no time getting into the action as he fired up shots the first two times he touched the ball resulting in two swishes. Allen got to the basket a time or two and even lofted a nice alley-oop to Trayvon Reed after working his way into the lane.

D’Angelo Russell, 6’4”, 2014, E1T1

The first two EYBL sessions were a struggle for Russell as he tried to adapt to a new team and new system. His game against Howard Pulley could potentially signal his turnaround. Russell went 6-7 from the floor including 3-4 from behind the line. It seems as though Russell’s favorite three-point spot is a few feet below the free throw line extended and this is where he did his damage. After Russell knocked in a three over Tyus Jones, he started to show off a little of his helter-skelter type game that made him one of the top players on the 16U Adidas and UA circuit last year. He also added in 7 rebounds for good measure. 

Trey Lyles, 6’9”, 2014, Spiece Indy

Despite an early deficit due to the 36 point Malik Newman point barrage, Spiece Indy stayed within striking distance and eventually took the lead in the final minutes. This was in large part due to the play of their big man Trey Lyles who is one of the smartest big men on the circuit. Lyles knew he had a strength advantage down low and went to work. Lyles backed his man down for baskets coming off turns to both the right and left shoulder near the basket and also hit a few five to seven foot jumpers when given space. 

Ivan Rabb, 6’10”, 2015, Oakland Soldiers

Rabb showed off why he is considered to be one of the top players in the class of 2015 playing against Athletes First from Oklahoma. The tall and lanky big man can run the court and finished in the low post. Rabb got his Oakland squad off to a quick start scoring six early points down low off of offensive rebounds and quick post moves. He finished the game with 12 points and 10 rebounds on just seven shots. 

Stanley Johnson, 6’7”, 2014, Oakland Soldiers

Johnson was unstoppable at the end of his second game and wouldn’t let Athletes First back into the game. In the last few minutes Johnson isolated his defender(s) at the top of the key and scored several times off of simple crossovers at the three point line. After getting his defender to switch directions, Johnson used his strength advantage to bully his way to the basket. He finished with 22 points on 7-12 shooting and got to the line 12 times. Overall, Johnson is one of the toughest covers in the game. 

Rashad Vaughn, 6’6”, 2014, Wisconsin Elite

Vaughn had another sub-par shooting effort going 4-12, but managed to get to the line 11 times where he converted eight. After taking the EYBL by storm and cementing his rep as the best shooting guard in the country, opposing teams have started to make it harder on Vaughn to get open looks. On Saturday afternoon, Team Louisiana employed a box and one approach on Vaughn which kept him from getting into a rhythm. Vaughn often brought the ball up the court in the second half but was forced to play distributor as he often had two defenders on him anytime he got close to the three point line. At the end of the day, Vaughn finished with 18 points 8 rebounds, and only one turnover. Most importantly his team got the win.

Tyler Ulis, 5’8”, 2014, Meanstreets

Meanstreets was in dire need of a win after starting play in Dallas with a 0-2 record. With a one point lead at the half against Team Final, Ulis seized control in the second half and led the Chicago based Meanstreets to a 75-69 win. Despite his size, Ulis controls the game better than any point guard on the Nike circuit. He hit open three’s when his team needed a bucket (2-4 3-pt) and got into the lane for floaters and foul shots at will. He went 11-11 from the line and finished with 23 points and 8 assists.

Mikal Bridges, 6’7”, 2014 and Malachi Richardson, 6’5”, 2015, Team Final

These two wings scored 16 and 13 points respectively in their loss to Meanstreets. The talented and lengthy wing duo each hit a combined six three-pointers and provided Team Final with offensive miss-matches throughout the game. While both players can shoot the ball, they also possess the athleticism to get to the basket and impact the game in other ways as they combined for 10 rebounds.

Luke Maye, 6’6”, 2015, Team United

An under-sized power forward, Luke Maye can put up points in a hurry. Despite starting his last game of the day against 7’1” center Trayvon Reed, Maye was active on the offensive end getting 23 shots up for a total of 23 points. Maye has a quick release and a high arc on his jump shot which allows him to turn and face against almost any defender. He also doesn’t tire easily and was constantly crashing the boards looking for put back opportunities. 

Kameron Chatman, 6’7”, 2014, ICP

Chatman led ICP to a close rivalry win with Seattle Rotary scoring 16 points including several baskets as the game winded down. Despite sitting out this past high school season, Chatman got the best of another high profile wing in Shaqquan Aaron who did not score until the final shot of the game. Chatman performed well in all of his games and benefited from an influx of Southern California talent to improve the competiveness of his team.