EYBL Sacramento: Stock Risers

The first EYBL of the 2014 season took place in Sacramento and drew college coaches from all over the country. While the overall talent level might have been down a bit from last year, the overall talent pool increased. In just under 48 hours numerous players significantly increased their stock and / or college offer list. Here are a six: 

Stock Risers:

Kenny Williams, 6’3”, SG, L.C. Bird (VA), Boo Williams

2015 SG Kenny Williams shot 62% from 3

Williams gave all of the coaches that stayed around for the final game on opening day a treat. Despite severe jet lag, Williams went 6-9 from behind the arc in a loss to the NY Lightning. His hot shooting didn’t stop after this game as the talented shooting guard shot 62% from behind the line over a four game stretch. More than just a three point specialist, Williams showed off his one dribble jump shot and quick feet on the defensive end. Shaka Smart is recruiting Williams hard and the guard had initial offers from VCU, William & Mary, Old Dominion, George Mason, and Hofstra. Now he has additional offers from Richmond, Virginia Tech, Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Memphis along with interest from UNC, Indiana, Wichita State, and Temple. Last year VCU was on Devin Robinson and Robert Johnson before losing out on them, will the same happen to Williams? 

Deyonta Davis, 6’9”, Muskegon (MI), Spiece Indy

The future Michigan State Spartan certainly made quite an impact in his first EYBL experience averaging 19.5 points and 7.8 rebounds as Spiece Indy went 4-0 despite a completely new team from last season. In his first game, the sinewy forward recorded a double-double which made most of the college coaches in attendance extremely jealous of Tom Izzo. Davis has long arms and is a quick leaper which led to some tremendous throw downs in the paint. He is more than just a dunker though and went 2-4 from the three point line as well.

Quinndary Weatherspoon, 6’5”, SG, Velma Jackson (MS), Jackson Tigers

On Saturday night, Weatherspoon was on fire hitting NBA style three’s and picking up and-one’s while driving to the basket. Against Team United he scored 23 points on 9-13 shooting and drew several oooh’s and aaah’s from the crowd. While Weatherspoon averaged 18.5 points per game, he struggled with his outside shooting in the other three games. Despite making 4-6 in his efficient performance against Team United he finished the weekend just 5-27. Weatherspoon picked up his first offers from Mississippi State and Middle Tennessee State after the Real Deal In the Rock tournament but now has interest from Tennessee and Wake Forest.

Brandon Austin, 6’4”, SG/SF, GW Carver (AL), Alabama Challenge

Out of all the athletic wings in Sacramento, Austin might have been the most explosive. He threw down a few nasty dunks, including one on DJ Hogg and just like Deyonta Davis, an extremely quick leaper. While not a knock down shooter from the outside, Austin did average one made three per game. Over the four game stretch he averaged 12 .2 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. He committed to Anthony Grant and Alabama last summer.

Jahshire Hardnett, 5’10”, G, Gulfport (MS), Team Louisiana

In his first game Hardnett put up one of the most impressive performances of the weekend against Playground Elite. The 5’10” lightning quick guard scored 30 points on 11-12 shooting in a six point win. He drained both of his three’s and beat his man off the dribble time and time again. He might be short, but with his speed and explosiveness got a good look any time he wanted. Hardnett cooled off after his initial explosion but still averaged 17.8 points per game. He has offers and initial interest from Ole Miss, South Alabama, Middle Tennessee, Murray State, Clemson, Florida State, UTEP, and Penn State.

Levan Alston, 6’4”, SG, Haverford (PA), Team Final

While he did not hit as many three’s as Williams, Alston shot a sizzling 87% from behind the arc. In a double overtime win on Friday night, Alston scored 28 points while going 10-15 from the floor and 5-5 from behind the arc. On Saturday he went 2-4 from three in a loss to CIA Bounce but then went 6-6 in a win over rival NJ Playaz. Alston has an extremely quick release and is also able to hit a pull-up jump shot if his defender gets too close. Before the EYBL, the Philly product had local offers from Penn, LaSalle, Saint Joe’s, and Temple along with Rhode Island, ECU, Penn State, and Harvard. After the explosion Alston also heard from VCU, Wichita State, Seton Hall, Notre Dame, and Western Kentucky.