Nike EYBL National Championships: Day 1 Trend Setters

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Today was the kick off of Nike TOC, Nike EYBL Nationals, and USJN Nationals taking place at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. This event has brought in around 10,000 players to compete under one roof for a 4/5 day period to end the July Live College Viewing Period. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I have the privilege to be in attendance for the weekend to see some great action. Here are some notes that I ended up taking in real time while evaluating through out Day 1 at the EYBL portion of things. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Thanks for tuning in and enjoy!</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 - Ma'Ryiah Alfred - 2027 - Cy Fair 16U EYBL </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Alfred is a guard with a great feel for the game. Someone that is always trying to make the extra pass for her teammates if possible. In her first game of the day against Drive Nation she was making some crafty no look passes for teammates to hit buckets on buckets on buckets. All while doing a great job of being efficient as she limits turnovers. CY Fair went up early in this one, leading by 15+ at half and never looking back. It was a W from the start. Something you love to see if you are with the CY Fair fan base."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3 - Jezelle Banks - 2027 - Team Durant 17U EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"When players move different than everyone else, it's noticeable. Especially when you are competing on a high-end circuit like in the EYBL. That's what we have here with Jezelle Banks. Banks is nasty. Great feel for the ball, can get to the bucket with a nasty dribble at any given time, can score from all three levels but don't get it twisted, Banks best ability is to assist others. She is averaging almost 6 APG on the EYBL for a reason coming into this event and you can see why after watching her hoop for 5 minutes."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#00 - Cydnee Bryant - 2025 - Why Not Premier 17U EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Cydnee Bryant is legit. No other way to put it. A Forward/Center that has a noteworthy mixture of size, physicality, coordination, and skill next to the hoop. She does her work early on in possessions and that helps her throughout the duration of a long contest. She can catch with her back to the basket and produce offensively, while being a next level rim protector on defense. One of the best Centers I've seen on the season so far."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#23 - Zoey Buckner Franklin - 2027 - Mokan Elite 16U EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"ZBF is so good. She is a next level controller of pace and tempo, usually leading by example each contest. Her game is beyond smooth and it doesn't take long to notice that. She is a three level offensive player, being able to take anyone off the dribble with how shifty she is. She is a sound defender in both the half and full courts. She is also extremely creative with the ball and finding her teammates. Not to mention, she is a lefty. If you know ball, that means something. This morning ZBF has been killing it with nasty takes to the midrange for jumpers, some sweet assists, and a whole lot of effort."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#X - Sigrun Maria Birgisdottir - 2026 - Exodus Europe 17U EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"There is a clear difference when someone comes to America to compete. The type of ball that is player, the tempo, the systems, everything is different. Somethings in small ways, something in big ways. Sigrun Maria Birgisdottir of Exodus Europe is a pro. Someone that understands pressure and how to compete aggressively against others at a high rate as a PG/CG. How prospects hold themselfs compared to others means a lot and SMB walks, talks, and acts like a pro. Stuff you just love to see out of someone going into their Senior year of high school this upcoming Fall/Winter."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#11 - Mya Wilson - 2027 - All Iowa Attack 17U EYBL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>"Wilson helped her 17U Attack team after their slow start on Friday afternoon. She was boarding hard, attacking offensively off the dribble at steady rates, and doing everything in between. She didn't necessarily score a bunch to start but she filled up the stat sheet in other categories because of her mixture of energy, skill, and natural size. Wilson is going to be a killer as a P4 hooper one day with the right guidance. She is playing up with the Attack's Top EYBL team this next few days so we will see what else she can put together but impressive start."<br></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->