Nike EYBL Session II Underclass Standouts!

The 2023 NCAA spring reside interval has come and gone. With all three shoe circuits holding occasions the weekend of April 29-30, I opted to take a look at the Nike EYBL in Phoenix, as did roughly 300 D-1 school coaches. Held at attractive Legacy Park in Mesa, it was a one cease store to see the nation’s strongest shoe circuit all beneath one roof.

There was no scarcity of battles amidst the underclassmen, particularly on the high of the 2025 and 2026 teams. Cameron Boozer and Cooper Flagg are in fixed debate for the highest participant in 2025, whereas A.J. Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes are 1A and 1B in 2026

With this being the primary time that many D1 coaches laid eyes on among the youthful prospects within the flesh, there have been no scarcity of gamers who exploded, in addition to those that cemented themselves amongst the elite of their respective courses. Listed below are just a few of the aforementioned underclassmen who caught our eye:

A.J. Dybantsa, 6’8, PF/SF, Expressions 17U, 2026
It’s actually uncommon that you just see a freshman dominating the EYBL, however Dybantsa is doing that, sitting second in 17U in scoring at 20.4 PPG after two periods. The 6-foot-8 do-it-all ahead makes use of his powerfully constructed body by means of contact, gives potential as a flexible defender, and has developed rather more confidence as a 3-point shooter (34.1 % 3PT). Touted by ESPN because the #1 participant in 2026, there has already been appreciable chatter with reference to Dybantsa touchdown within the class of 2025.

Cameron Boozer, 6’9, PF, Nightrydas 16U, 2025
Thought of by most to be the highest participant within the class of 2025, Boozer introduced the mixture of manufacturing and profitable tradition to justify his lofty rating. Main the E16 in each scoring (27.1 PPG) and rebounding (12.5 RPG), Boozer is solely placing up online game numbers throughout the board. His .784 FG share and .480 3-point share make you suppose they’re typos. The within/out recreation that Boozer gives, his willingness to get others concerned, and his continuous crew success (undefeated in EYBL, again to again state titles at Columbus HS, and so on) place him at high of the category.

Cooper Flagg, 6’9, PF, Maine United 16U, 2025
Maine’s best has lived as much as his lofty fame within the EYBL, tying Boozer for first in scoring at 27.1 PPG and drawing no scarcity of onlookers within the course of. The brand new age ahead scored in any respect three ranges, did a terrific job of using mismatches together with his measurement, and was at many occasions the crew’s facilitator offensively. Flagg definitely lived as much as the hype and reminded coaches, scouts, and followers alike that he is among the finest gamers in highschool basketball no matter class.

Tyran Stokes, 6’7, SF/PF, Vegas Elite 17U, 2026
The main scorer (14.3 PPG) for the one defeated squad left in 17U play (Vegas Elite is 8-0), Stokes confirmed that he has no downside making his influence felt in opposition to older foes. The Louisville native is solely unstoppable in transition, can defend a large number of positions, and saved numerous performs alive together with his exercise on each ends. The flexibility for Stokes to acclimate to no matter scenario he’s put in on the hardwood is among the virtues that make him one of many actually particular prospects within the class of 2026.

Darius Acuff, 6’1, PG, The Household 17U, 2025
Acuff Jr. left Phoenix was one of many hottest gamers within the class of 2025, incomes gives from the likes of Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan State, and a number of others after his monster 30-point efficiency in opposition to MOKAN. The sophomore playmaker is nice in choose and roll play, makes use of completely different speeds exceptionally effectively, and may end by means of contact. Recent off of each a Detroit PSL championship and state title with Cass Tech, Acuff is the following gritty guard from the Motor Metropolis that you just’ll catch at an influence 5 college.

Marcus Johnson, 6’2, PG/SG, Spiece Indy Warmth 15U, 2025
Subsequent up within the Garfield Heights (OH) pipeline is Johnson, an elite shot creator from Cleveland. The lefty is elite at creating separation off of the bounce, is a risk to attain each time that he has the ball in his arms, and has made severe strides as a creator for others. The son of former Ohio Mr. Basketball Sonny Johnson picked up excessive main gives from LSU and Ohio State within the days following EYBL Phoenix.

A’Mare Bynum, 6’8, PF, Mokan Elite 16U, 2025
Bynum definitely isn’t the flashiest within the EYBL, however he’s the kind of old fashioned no nonsense participant who is solely going to win you video games. The lengthy armed ahead punished defenders within the paint together with his capacity to complete by means of contact, managed the glass, and confirmed good imaginative and prescient when hit with doubles. It wasn’t simply me who noticed the potential and upside that Bynum gives, as each Cal and Nebraska put scholarships on the desk for him over the previous few days.

Desmond Bellot, 6’2, PG/SG, Expressions Elite 15U, 2026
A flexible guard, Bellot confirmed that he may play both backcourt spot equally effectively for Expressions Elite all through the E15 session. Enjoying varsity basketball since he was 13 years previous, Desmond exhibits an IQ of somebody effectively past his years, is aware of end with contact within the paint, and was excellent in collapsing protection. Bellot continues to be flying a bit beneath the radar nationally, however has established himself as a widely known commodity within the Northeast.