Arizona Standouts Shine at EYBL Session 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The <strong>2026 Nike EYBL Session 1</strong> tipped off <strong>April 17–19</strong>, in <strong>Phoenix, Arizona</strong>. As predicted, the talent level across all three playing tiers was on full display for spectators and college coaches alike. <strong>Nike EYBL</strong> is considered by many to be the premier grassroots basketball circuit in the country. While there was no shortage of elite talent, what stood out was the presence of <strong>Arizona</strong> prospects holding their own - and in some cases, setting the tone against national competition. <br><br>From the 15U through 17U, players with <strong>Arizona</strong> ties showed they belong in these spaces. Here's a look at a few who made a strong impression</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='852321' first='Jaiyana' last='Bogan-Jacobs'] | Why Not Premier 17U EYBL</strong><br>One of the more intriguing storylines of the weekend was how seamlessly Bogan-Jacobs adjusted to the 17U level. The freshman didn't look out of place physically or mentally. She showed she can be effective both on and off the ball, which adds to her long-term value. She consistently attacked gaps, absorbed contact, and finished through it. An underrated part of her game—her willingness to advance the ball—kept the offense flowing and put pressure on defenses early in possessions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='924686' first='Taylor' last='Morris'] | Mountain West Premier 17U EYBL</strong><br>Morris had one of the more impactful weekends among the Arizona group. Her ability to stretch the floor at her size made her difficult to guard, particularly from beyond the arc, where she shot it at a high clip. She didn't stop there—she competed on the glass and made plays defensively. Her presence was felt late, especially through a double overtime stretch against Pro Skills (TX), where she altered the game with multiple blocks in the overtime period alone.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='751754' first='Dashia' last='Richardson'] | Proformance Athletics 17U EYBL</strong><br>Richardson was playing at a high level before her weekend was cut short due to injury. She showed a clear understanding of where she's most effective, consistently getting to her spots and creating for both herself and others. She embraced contact offensively and finished through it, which translated well against physical competition. When she resumes playing, she'll be a name that continues to generate attention.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254008' first='Ava' last='Thompson'] | Mountain West Premier 15U EYBL</strong><br>The Gilbert freshman quietly continues to trend in the right direction. Thompson put together a productive weekend, highlighted by a 20-point outing in a win over Team Durant. What stood out most was her comfort operating in the mid-range. She didn't rush possessions, played at her own pace, and consistently got to her spots. For a young guard, that level of composure is notable, especially on this stage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1262548' first='Romaya' last='Farrington'] | Cal Storm 15U EYBL</strong><br>Maya was one of the more versatile performers in the 15U division. She impacted the game in multiple areas without forcing the issue. Offensively, she picked her spots efficiently and stayed within the flow of the game. Defensively, she showed the ability to guard multiple positions, using her length and awareness to be disruptive. Her overall feel and adaptability stood out more than any one stat.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->