It is that time of year once again in the grassroots world, the famous and annual Nike EYBL Peach Jam is back. The Nike EYBL Peach Jam, year after year, brings out some of the best prospects in the country for a few days for one of the biggest tournaments in their young basketball careers. NBA scouts were in attendance with all 30 NBA teams. I had the pleasure of covering the annual event for the first three days this week and the talent in the building was overwhelming, but in a good way. Here we take a look at some of the standout prospects from the first three days of the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.
2026 Tyran Stokes (Prolific Prep, CA) – Tyran Stokes had himself an excellent start to the Nike EYBL Peach Jam and while playing up two grade levels with the 17U Vegas Elite team. Stokes is a 6-foot-7 phenom out of Louisville, who just recently helped the USA U16 National Team secure a gold medal just last month. He showed NBA scouts on why he is considered one of the top prospects in the country regardless of class. The rising sophomore holds an already college ready frame, elite explosiveness, athleticism, and has the ability to do multiple things on the court. He was able to showcase his unselfishness making the right passes, power finishes at the rim, and ability to knockdown perimeter jump shots. Stokes holds crazy upside and caught the eyes of the NBA scouts in attendance.
2024 Morez Johnson (Thornton, IL) – The future of Illinois looks like they are in great hands with forward Morez Johnson coming on board in about a year. The 6-foot-9 forward is a walking double-double down in North Augusta, averaging 18.7 PPG shooting 62% from the field and 14.7 RPG through 3 games so far. He is a work horse on the glass, consistently runs the floor, and has an extremely high motor. Johnson has been able to also showcase his agility and athleticism, finishing at the rim efficiently as well.
2024 Robert Wright III (Montverde Academy, FL) – Robert Wright III consistently proves why he is considered one of the top point guards in the country. The rising senior is averaging 19.0 PPG shooting 45% from the field while shooting 61% from the perimeter, 3.6 APG, and 5.3 RPG through 3 games so far. He is a high quality point guard with a silky smooth game that you love to see from your floor general. Wright’s ability to get to the rim, score from all levels, and facilitating abilities have been on display throughout his time in North Augusta. The future Baylor Bear is going to fit right in under Scott Drew and his system.
2024 Jase Richardson (Bishop Gorman, NV) – Jase Richardson has been playing his best basketball down in North Augusta, South Carolina at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. He is averaging 20.7 PPG shooting 62% from the field while shooting 57% from the perimeter. Richardson has shown improvement in his jumper, finishing at the rim through contact, and making plays on the defensive end as well. He is one of the underrated prospects in the 2024 class. Makes smart plays with the basketball in his hands most of the time.
2024 Isaiah Evans (North Meck, NC) – Duke commit forward Isaiah Evans has been on one hell of a run to start his 2023 Nike Peach Jam, averaging 20.0 PPG shooting 50% from the field while shooting 46% from the perimeter. He has been able to showcase to the NBA scouts in attendance his all around game, which included being more than just a scorer. Evans showcased his ability to score consistently and proved he can make plays with the ball. Isaiah’s passion and competitiveness for the game never goes unnoticed.
2025 Trey McKenney (St. Mary’s, MI) – Trey McKenney has shown impressive maturity, not just throughout Peach Jam so far, but throughout the grassroots season overall. The 6-foot-4 point guard is averaging 17.6 PPG shooting 42% from the field while shooting 38% from the perimeter. McKenney plays at his own pace, a consistent shot creator, and utilizes his size at a high rate. The rising junior is an elite quality point guard who can also make his presence known on the defensive end as well disrupting passing lanes. Trey has had himself a stock-boosting type of grassroots season all spring, summer.
2025 Cooper Flagg (Montverde Academy, FL) – One of the nation’s top prospects regardless of class, Cooper Flagg continues to showcase to NBA scouts what he will be able to bring to the highest level in a few years. There is not an event Cooper goes too and not be one of the standout players on the floor. His matchup against Cameron Boozer bought out some of the best basketball in him as he was able to finish with 21 points while shooting 38% from the field, 10 boards, and 7 assists. Cooper’s elite versatility always goes unnoticed with his ability to showcase multiple different things. His instincts on both ends of the floor, athleticism, shot creation, and playmaking has all been on display at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam in North Augusta.
2024 Jalil Bethea (Archbishop Wood, PA) – Jalil Bethea continues his incredible stock-boosting grassroots season with his play down in North Augusta at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam. The 6-foot-4 shooting guard is currently averaging 20.7 PPG shooting 61% from the field while shooting 52% from the perimeter. Jalil has been one of the most efficient scoring guards in the country and makes a plethora of shots on a consistent basis. His ability to space the floor with his perimeter shooting, making plays for his teammates for scoring opportunities, and being aware on the defensive end has all been showcased from the rising senior guard in the first three days.
The Grind Hoops by Samad Hines 