That 2022 Nike EYBL regular season is one session away from the annual, famous Nike Peach Jam at the end of July in North Augusta, South Carolina. This weekend’s games in Louisville were very competitive, as teams looking to inch closer to securing an automatic bid to the Nike Peach Jam. As always in the Nike EYBL, there were plenty of standout prospects and here we take a look at which prospects had themselves much more of a weekend than others.
2023 PG Aden Holloway (La Lumiere, IN) – Aden Holloway put on an elite shooting exhibition throughout the holiday weekend in Louisville with Team CP3 (NC). The 6-foot-2 guard averaged 20.0 PPG 40% FG 32% 3PT through five games. Aden was able to show off his shot creation skills, converting on multiple jump shots from about everywhere on the floor. He was able to prove he can score at the rim and also be a facilitator when the ball is in his hands, averaging an impressive 7.0 APG. Aden is for sure a big part of the success at La Lumiere last season and will be an important piece for the Lakers coming into his senior year.
2023 C Aaron Bradshaw (Camden, NJ) – The New Jersey Scholars are certainly one of the favorites right now through three sessions to win the Nike Peach Jam title in July. Aaron Bradshaw plays a huge part in their route to the peach. The 7-foot-0 big man has been eye-opening all spring and made it known in Louisville he is one of the better bigs in the class. He averaged 15.0 PPG 55% FG and 7.2 RPG through five games this weekend. Bradshaw is a consistent rim runner, shows good hands when catching passes and/or lobs, a defensive intimidator blocking shots, and had some big time power finishes.
2023 G Trey Parker (Vertical Academy, NC) – Trey Parker, who is coming off a blow up type junior campaign at Vertical Academy (NC), has shown interesting develop playing in the Nike EYBL with Boo Williams (VA). Now his numbers might not look as impressive, but he for sure passed the eye test throughout the weekend. Only playing in three games, he averaged 18.3 PPG 38% FG 33% 3PT. Parker holds good size at 6-foot-3, able to get to his spots when he wants, a prolific scoring guard, and has that unique athleticism. He is still one of the most underrated prospects we have in that 2023 class.
2023 SG Wesley Yates III (Beaumont United, TX) – Yates III probably gets my most valuable player award of the entire weekend. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard averaged 20.0 PPG 52% FG 41% 3PT and 4.8 RPG through five games in Louisville, leading Livon-Fleur De Lis (NO) to a 4-1 record. Coming off another state championship high school season with Beaumont United (TX), Yates III has always been known for his dynamic shooting and he proved he has more in his bag than just shooting. He displayed his float game, in-between game, showcased his rebounding skills as guard, and holds positional size.
2023 PG TyLaur Johnson (St. Benedict’s Prep, NJ) – One of the most undervalued prospects in the class, TyLaur Johnson, hopefully opened eyes for most national scouts that were in attendance in Louisville this weekend. The 6-foot-0 point guard took advantage of the point guard duties this past weekend, averaging 20.8 PPG 40% FG 33% 3PT and 6.6 APG through five games. Johnson exploded for 31 points and 25 points in back-to-back games to kick off his weekend. He is an elite facilitator that has great vision and floor awareness. He has that New York style shiftiness, proved he can score consistently, and a creative finisher.
2023 G D.J. Wagner (Camden, NJ) – D.J. Wagner was in straight attack mode all weekend out in Louisville, helping the New Jersey Scholars reach 11-2 overall in the Nike EYBL through three sessions. Wagner, coming off his best season at Camden High School in New Jersey, averaged 19.0 PPG 49% FG 29% 3PT through five games. The 6-foot-3 guard has an incredible scoring ability. He displayed his in-between game, perimeter shooting, and was able to take bumps while attacking the rim. D.J. has also shown improvements on getting his teammates involved and making plays while the ball is in his hands. Will Louisville be his future home? We will see.
2023 F Devin Royal (Pickerington Central, OH) – Schools like Michigan State, Missouri, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Florida State, Illinois, Virginia Tech, Michigan, and others have offered the 6-foot-7 forward Devin Royal over the last few months. He has been one of the top stock-risers throughout this spring running with All Ohio (OH). Royal had a phenomenal weekend out in Louisville. He averaged 23.4 PPG 66% FG and 5.2 RPG through five games. He plays with good pace, has eye-opening length, so strong for his size, an elite first level scorer, and effective rebounding the ball.
2023 PG Rob Dillingham (Donda Academy, CA) – Coming off his junior season with Kanye West’s Donda Academy (CA), Robert Dillingham showcased his electric scoring skills all weekend in Louisville with Team CP3 (NC). The 6-foot-2 point guard averaged an efficient 22.4 PPG FG 56% 44% 3PT through five games. Like his running mate, Aden Holloway, he displayed his off-the-bounce shot creation, elite quickness, combo dribble moves, and shot making abilities from the second and third level. Dillingham also proved he can finish at the rim with his Kyrie-like layup package. The rising senior is set to make a decision on where he will play basketball in a couple years on June 24th.
2023 PG Layden Blocker (Sunrise Christian, KS) – Layden Blocker is trying to create his five-star narrative status, especially after this past weekend in Louisville with Brad Beal Elite (MO). The 6-foot-2 athletic point guard is coming off a stellar junior season with powerhouse Sunrise Christian (KS). He averaged 19.2 PPG 57% FG 46% 3PT through five games. He is one of the top rebounding guards, one of the most athletic guards, and a very high quality floor general. Blocker scores in a variety of ways, consistently plays with a chip on his shoulder, an elite competitor, and plays with so much toughness.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 