Peach Jam: Pool Play Preview

The prestigious Peach Jam tournament kicks off the first July live evaluation period on Thursday morning with Nike’s top 24 AAU teams set to participate. Entering its fourth year serving as the championship tournament in Nike’s EYBL tournament, the Peach Jam will be the top draw for all high major coaching staffs. After four regular season EYBL weekends that took place throughout the US in April and May one final weekend remains to crown a champion. Here is a look at the four pools including favorites to emerge as well as sleepers.

 

Note: All records in parenthesis relate to games against Peach Jam qualifiers only.

Pool A

·        Team Takeover 16-2 (10-2 with one loss coming as a forfeit)

·        E1T1 13-5 (6-4)

·        BABC 11-7 (7-5)

·        Team Texas Elite 10-8 (1-8)

·        All Ohio Red 10-8 (4-4)

·        California Supreme 7-11 (1-9)

The Favorites:

Each 1 Teach 1

Berry and E1T1 are on a hot streak

The Florida based team struggled in the month of April in LA and Hampton, but quickly turned the corner in May. Led by future North Carolina point guard Joel Berry the team added combo guard DeAngelo Russell to the mix at the beginning of the season. Despite the high octane combo, it took a while for the pair to gel as the team lost one game in LA and then went 2-3 in Hampton. In May, E1T1 added an athletic shooting guard in Grayson Allen and a 7’1” shot blocking center in Trayvon Reed. Allen lit it up in Dallas coming off the bench and Reed provided a new interior post presence on the defensive end. E1T1 did not lose in its next two sessions and enters the Peach Jam on a nine game win streak and is one of the most talented teams from top to bottom. In addition to the standouts discussed above, the team also features Boubacar Moungoro, a strong and athletic small forward and Mike Gilmore, an up and coming power forward. E1T1 should have no problem advancing to the Elite 8.

Team Takeover

A talented team that is heavily reliant on its guard play, Team Takeover went 16-2 during the regular season with one of the losses coming on a forfeit. Sharp shooters Dion Wiley and Phil Booth Jr. led their team to wins in their first thirteen games of the EYBL before falling to Meanstreets in the last session over Memorial Day weekend (when Wiley did not play). Wiley and Booth both shot over 48% from the three point line while averaging 14.1 and 12.2 points per game, respectively. Future Georgetown Hoya Tre Campbell handles the point guard responsibilities while Martin Geben and Marcus Derrickson provide strength down low. While Team Takeover lacks the star power in its frontcourt, the team is extremely well coached and knows how to execute in close games as they went 7-1 in games decided by five points or less. After winning the first EYBL championship, this guard heavy team looks to get back on top.

The Sleeper:

BABC

While Team Texas Elite possesses a lot of young talent in Elijah Thomas, Austin Grandstaff, and Matt McQuaid they look to be one year away from doing damage in the Peach Jam as evidenced by their 1-8 record against qualifying teams. Instead it is the Boston based BABC squad that features one of the least talked about scorers in Bonzie Colson. The under-sized forward averaged 18.1 points per game while also adding on 6.6 rebounds. Another double digit scorer for BABC is Tyler Nelson who averaged 12.1 points per game while shooting 47% from the three point line. They might not be the most noteworthy bunch, but they did get wins over their highly regarded neighbor in Expressions Elite as well as Meanstreets from Chicago. They won’t beat themselves and could be there at the end if either of the favorites slip up.

Pool B

·         Spiece Indy 15-3 (8-2)

·         NY Lightning 11-7 (4-5)

·         Mokan Elite 11-7 (5-6)

·         Team Penny 11-7 (6-4)

·         Team Final 11-7 (6-6)

·         STL Eagles 10-8 (4-7)

The Favorite:

Spiece Indy Heat

Based on the EYBL regular season, Indy Spiece is the class of the Pool B and the remaining five teams will be left to fight for the final spot in the quarterfinals. Similar to E1T1, Spiece Indy lost three games in LA and Hampton and then rattled off nine wins in a row. While E1T1 took advantage of AAU free agency, Spiece Indy regained their big man, Trey Lyles from injury. This team has been playing together on the 17U circuit for awhile and is now one of the most experienced teams out there.  Along with Lyles, this team also features recent Louisville commit JaQuan Lyle, sharp shooter James Blackmon, Jr., and Trevon Bluiett. All four players average in double figures and should have an easy run to the Peach Jam quarterfinals.

The Sleepers:

With four teams at 11-7 and one team at 10-8, the competition for the other quarterfinal spot should be fierce.

Team Final

With four players averaging 10 or more points per game, Team Final is a very well-balanced team. Malachi Richardson and Mikal Bridges man the wing, but it is point guard Jaquan Newton that could tip the balance in Team Final’s favor. In EYBL play Newton averaged 13.7 points and 4.5 assists per game; however it was his play in June at the NBPA Top 100 camp that turned heads. While he did not win MVP, Newton scored 31 points in the championship game to get his team the victory as he hit from all areas of the court. With a similar performance, Team Final could be sitting in the quarterfinals come Saturday.

Team Penny:

One of the top scoring teams in the league at 69.6 points per game, Team Penny features a plethora of young talent in Skal Labissiere and the Lawson brothers (Keelon and Dedric). Keelon Lawson led the team in both scoring and rebounding with 16.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while Labissiere added 12.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. While they are young and talented, Team Penny is led by a steady point guard in Anton Beard. As a point, Beard knows how to run the pick and roll and attack the defense for open shots. A wise and steady point guard leading a bunch of young athletes sounds like a recipe for success in claiming a quarterfinal berth. In the wide open Pool B.

Pool C

·         Houston Hoops 16-2 (10-1)

·         Texas Titans 10-8 (2-7)

·         Mac Irvin Fire 11-7 (5-5)

·         Boo Williams 11-7 (6-4)

·         Team Scan 10-8 (4-8)

·         Jackson Tigers 8-10 (4-7)

 

The Favorites:

Houston Hoops

After going 16-2 during the EYBL regular season, Houston is looking for a championship. Knowing that a dynamic wing trio in Justin Jackson, Justise Winslow, and Kelly Oubre take the court each time most definitely tilts the odds in their favor. During the regular season Jackson was Mr. Efficient averaging a team high 17.3 points per game on 60% shooting. Oubre was the athletic wing that hit 35% of his team high 94 three point attempts, while Winslow did it all averaging 13.8 points per game and leading the team in rebounding and assists with 7.3 and 4.3 per game, respectively. Houston also relies on Khadeem Latin and his 1.9 blocks per game to control the paint while 2016 standout De’Aaron Fox has increased his point guard responsibilities. Last year, Houston went 4-1 in pool play and was denied a chance to play in the quarterfinals due to a tie breaker, but this year they look to leave no doubt in pool play.

Mac Irvin Fire

The Fire finally got big man Cliff Alexander to suit up for them during the EYBL season. Unfortunately for Alexander and the Fire, big man Jahlil Okafor struggled with injuries and only played in five games. With a healthy Okafor, the Fire look to take advantage of having the top two players in the country (per ESPN) on the court at the same. While Alexander and Okafor plan on dominating down low, it is steady point guard Jalen Brunson that runs the show. The upcoming junior made a smooth transition to the EYBL and averaged 12 points and 5.7 assists per game. While everyone knows the point guard and big men, it will be up to the wings to help the team advance out of a tough Pool C.  Chicago public league rivals Josh Cunningham and Miles Reynolds don’t get as much publicity as their teammates but it will be up to them to hit open shots and slow down the opposing teams best players. Finally at full strength, the Fire look to live up to their potential in South Carolina.  

The Sleeper:

Team Scan

Last year Team Scan was one of the top 16U teams on the circuit and they lost in the 16U semi-finals at Peach Jam. This year despite struggling at times, Team Scan still possesses scary talent and elite big men. The NBPA Top 100 MVP, Chieck Diallo leads the way with 12.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game followed up by the 6’10 Chris McCullough who averages 11.4 points and 7.5 rebounds. On the wing, Terry Larrier gives Team Scan an athletic option that thrives on attacking the basket while Conrad Chambers and Shavar Newkirk fill the guard spots. While this team is extremely athletic, they struggle shooting from the outside and will need to get out on the break and protect the rim in order to advance.

Pool D

·         CP3 All-Stars 15-3 (9-2)

·         Expressions Elite 13-5 (6-4)

·         Oakland Soldiers 10-8 (5-7)

·         Meanstreets 12-6 (7-5)

·         Howard Pulley 12-6 (5-4)

·         Travelers Basketball 9-9 (4-5)

The Favorite:

CP3

Led by small forward Theo Pinson and his 13.8 points per game, CP3 went a quite 15-3 during the EYBL regular season. Similar to other top teams, they dominated play in May going undefeated in Dallas and lost only once in Minneapolis. To go along with Pinson, the team is run by future Wake Forest point guard Shelton Mitchell and has future Hoya L.J. Peak running the opposite wing spot. Also, power forward Gary Clark quietly averaged 13.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. This team likes to create pressure on the defensive end and get out on the break on the offensive end. Last year CP3 advanced to the quarterfinals and now a year later they look to take it a step farther this time around.

The Sleepers:

In such a strong pool, there are four other teams that will make a hard run at the quarterfinals:

Expressions Elite – They won their first nine games before going 4-5 down the stretch. Led by Abdul-Malik Abu, the New England based team will need to regain their early mojo to make it out of this grouping.

Oakland Soldiers – The defending champions struggled at times during the regular season but Stanley Johnson is looking to win a second consecutive championship. Johnson is one of the toughest players to guard on the circuit and could easily put the Soldiers on his back. Big man Ivan Rabb controls the low post.

Meanstreets – The Chicago based team gave CIA Bounce its first loss last year and it did the same with Team Takeover this year. Led by one of the top floor generals in the country in Tyler Ulis, this team could easily make a run. To go along with Ulis, Meanstreets features combo forward Paul White and high school teammates Vic Law and Charles Matthews. 

Howard Pulley – This team relies heavily on its top two players, but luckily they are Tyus Jones and Reid Travis. Jones is the top point guard in the country and averaged 22.8 points and 6.9 assists per game while Travis averaged 18.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. These two can’t have an off game or else it will be the last EYBL action for Jones in his third year of action.

Predictions:

Pool A: No upsets here as E1T1 and Team Takeover advance

Pool B: Spiece Indy takes care of business while Team Final rides the hot play of Jaquan Newton

Pool C: Houston Hoops and Mac Irvin Fire advance

Pool D: CP3 and Meanstreets advance

Vic Law: Fireworks in Evanston

In a surprise 4^th of July commitment, Vic Law, a 6’7” small forward out of St. Rita’s committed to Chris Collins and Northwestern. Not only is Law the first recruit to sign in Collins’ brief tenure but he is also the first Chicago kid that happens to be ranked in the top 100 by all major recruiting services.

Despite playing in the Big 10 it is rare for Northwestern to sign a player of Law’s caliber. As a Chicago kid both Collins and Law hope that this commitment begins a nice pipeline from the city to the northern suburbs. Last year, first year coach John Groce signed guards Kendrick Nunn and Jaylon Tate out of Simeon, the top public school in Chicago. Now it is another first year coach in Chris Collins making the splash by signing a kid from St. Rita’s, one of the top Catholic schools in the area.

As a junior, Law averaged 14 points and nine rebounds per game in his third season on the varsity squad. His team was upset early on in Sectional play, but he still teamed with upcoming junior Charles Matthews to form one of the most entertaining teams in the Chicagoland area. 

During the spring AAU season, Law started for the Meanstreets AAU team that went 13-6 in the Nike EYBL regular season and advanced to Peach Jam in July. Law averaged almost six points and four rebounds a game during the spring AAU season. In June, Law played in the NBPA Top 100 camp and while he had to leave early due to an injury he managed to have his best game with 12 points against talented wings such as Keita Bates-Diop (Ohio State), Isaac Copeland (Georgetown), and Theo Pinson (UNC). 

While his ranking dropped a bit (ESPN #66, Scout #70, Rivals #80) his defense has stayed strong as Law has the height, length, and athleticism to guard out on the wing and occasionally in the post.

With AAU play about to pick up again, Law can try to spread the word about Northwestern to his current teammates. Right now Collins is also targeting combo forward Paul White out of Whitney Young and point guard Tyler Ulis out of Marian Catholic. White has been on the national stage since he started high school while Ulis is one of the best floor generals in the country. 

While the Wildcat coaching staff is ecstatic with this commitment, coaches from VCU, Dayton, and Georgia Tech have to be disappointed. Shaka Smart and VCU worked hard on Law following him around in LA and Hampton during the first two open recruiting sessions. They recently had him on campus for a visit and the coaching staff hoped that his commitment would open up a Chicago pipeline to Richmond, VA. 

Fireworks will be bright in Evanston, IL tonight as the newly formed coaching staff celebrates their first commitment, while other coaching staffs will regroup to update their July viewing plans.

A Surprise Decision: L.J. Peak to Georgetown

One year in Chicago was enough to send L.J. Peak, a talented 6’5” wing scurrying back to warmer weather in South Carolina in order to finish off his high school career in Gaffney. Unfortunately for South Carolina Gamecock fans, Peak’s return home will only last one year before he packs his bags again for Washington D.C. and the Georgetown Hoyas. 

L.J. Peak - Georgetown

In a surprise announcement at his high school gym, Peak chose to spend his college career as a Hoya after narrowing his choices down to Georgetown, South Carolina, and Florida State. To the delight of the crowd, Peak put on a Gamecock hat before flipping it off and replacing it with a Hoya hat. The in-state Gamecocks were rumored to be the front runner, but Peak chose the Hoyas despite recently cancelling his visit to the campus. 

Scouting Report:

Despite a recent drop in the recruiting rankings (ESPN #54, Scout #68, and Rivals #82) L.J. Peak is one of the most well rounded shooting guards in the class of 2014. He can check off all of the boxes necessary for an elite shooting guard: height, athleticism, an ability to score from all three levels, defensive intensity, and an ability to perform under the spotlight. This past season Peak scored in a variety of ways against opponents from all over the country. He attacked the basket off the dribble or on the break often finishing with powerful dunks. He hit mid-range jump shots off the catch or the bounce and also showed off a short floater at times. Peak also proved more than capable from behind the three point line as he usually knocked in shots from either wing position. On the defensive side, Peak used his height and quickness to disrupt players on the perimeter and forced steals that led to easy fast break points while also rebounding well from the guard position. 

While Peak can score in bunches as noted below there were also times where he disappeared for long stretches while watching his talented teammates takeover. In one City of Palms’ game, Peak went 0-8 from the field and in the AAU setting he had several games where he took less than five shots. Peak was a solid performer during the spring AAU setting, but given his high school success a more dominant outing was expected.

Background:

South Carolina

Peak rose to prominence during his time in Gaffney, South Carolina and started to hear from high major colleges early on in his career while receiving his first scholarship offers from South Carolina, Clemson, and Tennessee as a freshman. Although he received offers during his first year of high school, he played a part in a state championship run as an 8^th grader in 2010 before playing a lead role in another state championship as a sophomore in 2012. During his second state title run, Peak earned all-state honors while averaging 17.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game and was rated 21^st in his class by scout.com.

Illinois

While Peak won a lot of hardware in the state of South Carolina, it was this past winter where he got to test himself against national competition. After winning a South Carolina state title as a sophomore, Peak’s family packed their bags and moved to Chicago, IL as he suited up for Whitney Young.  Peak teamed up with fellow juniors Jahlil Okafor and Paul White to turn an underachieving squad into Chicago public league champions. Throughout the year, Peak got a chance to test himself against the top players in Chicago as well as the country’s top teams in tournaments held in such places as Florida, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and West Virginia. 

Playing alongside the top big man in the country in Okafor, Peak introduced himself to the Chicago hoops scene with a 17 point, 6 rebound performance against Dematha in his first game. In the City of Palms tournament in December, Peak averaged 10 points and four rebounds in three games. As the missing piece for the Dolphins, Peak helped propel his team to a top five ranking in the country heading into a game against another local power, Simeon. 

On a cold January night, Peak showed off his skills to a nationally televised audience on ESPN as Whitney Young took on Jabari Parker and Simeon, the three time defending state champions. While the game highlighted the superstars in Parker and Okafor, it was Peak who stole the show. In the third quarter Peak brought his team back from a nine point halftime deficit by scoring 14 points. His points came off dunks, deep threes, and mid-range jump shots. While his talented teammates did not rise to the occasion, Peak was aggressive throughout and attacked the seniors on Simeon while looking like the best player on the court at times despite the loss.

In a sign of things to come, Peak rose to the occasion in big games as the spotlight grew brighter. He played an integral part in an overtime win to give Whitney Young the Chicago public league championship with a win over Morgan Park and then followed that up by once again stealing the show in the Argo Sectional Semi-Finals against the Curie Condors. 

In front of a packed house that came to see Okafor battle another talented Curie big man in Cliff Alexander, it was Peak who scored 23 points in a winning effort. In a back and forth affair, Joseph Stamps made the mistake of talking trash to after a made shot. Right after the trash talking began; Peak scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and took Stamps’ soul while scoring on him possession after possession. 

One day after this win Peak’s season and time in Chicago came to an end at the hands of Simeon in the Sectional finals. Peak kept his team in the game with a hot first half, but it didn’t last as Simeon was on a mission to get back to the state finals. Despite a blowout loss, Peak finished with 20 points and 7 rebounds against the eventual four time state champion.

AAU:

With his transfer back to the southeast, Peak recently joined up with the talented CP3 All-Stars on the Nike EYBL circuit. During the four regular season sessions, CP3 went 15-3 as Peak teamed with Theo Pinson and Shelton Mitchell to form a talented and athletic backcourt. Through 18 games Peak averaged almost 12 points a game and 4.3 rebounds while shooting 52% from the field. Next week he will have a chance to add to his high school hardware with a Peach Jam championship in his native state of South Carolina.

The Future:

Overall, Peak is a perfect fit for Georgetown’s Princeton offense and he also adds another skill set to the Hoyas already talented 2014 recruiting class which includes combo forward Isaac Copeland and point guard Tre Campbell. In JTIII’s offense, there are many backdoor cuts for lay-ups and dunks in Peak’s future not to mention open jump shots from the wing and corners. The multi-dimensional scorer should thrive in this type of half court offense. 

Back in the comforts of Gaffney, SC with his college commitment out of the way, Peak will look to close out his high school career with one more state championship. After a brief pit stop in the Windy City, fans in South Carolina will get one last chance to watch their star player before he brings his diverse skill set up north to Washington D.C. and the Big East.