EYG Skills Clinic 2026: Top Players

Another year and another successful EYG Skills Clinic. Some of the nation's top players convened at South County High School for a full day of skills, drills, and competitive game action spread across three courts, along with a couple of hallway stations.   The well-organized event attracted players from throughout the DMV, with a strong contingent making the trip from North Carolina and nearly 10 states represented overall. With close to 150 players in attendance, there was plenty of talent in the building. Here are some of the players who stood out among the group.    Kyleigh had excellent size inside and used her body well to create space and establish position. When defenders tried to front her, she did a good job sealing them off, using a slight push-off to create a clean target for the entry pass. She finished at a high rate around the basket, even through heavy contact, and was solid on the offensive glass. Kyleigh played with plenty of physicality but remained under control, using her strength effectively without picking up unnecessary fouls.     Kai has been underrated for years, but the ability has always been there for those who have been paying attention. She showed up in a major way at the EYG Skills Clinic, putting her entire offensive bag on display. She made shots from all over the floor and got to the basket at will, showing the versatility that makes her such a difficult matchup.   Kai also looked like she may have grown a little taller than her listed 5'9” height, which only adds to her upside. She will be playing at a new school this upcoming season, and expectations should be high for a player of her caliber.     Mackenzi is a player with a really high basketball IQ. She seems to be constantly reading the defense, identifying weaknesses and then locking in on how to take advantage of them. She has a good shot that she can get off at different points in her dribble, making it difficult for defenders to anticipate when she is going to pull up. Defensively, she can match up with multiple positions, using a combination of strength and quickness to stay in front of her assignment and make things difficult.     Kai showed great athleticism and ballhandling ability throughout the day. She knocked down a couple of highly contested three-pointers with defenders getting a hand in her face during the competitive drill work, showing confidence in her shot under pressure. She also had some impressive drives, slicing through the lane and finding angles to finish at the basket. Once in the paint, she used her pivot foot and fakes well to create space and keep defenders off balance.     Payton initially caught my attention during the break as she casually worked through some advanced moves to get into her shot. She made shot after shot with great form and elevation, making the skill work look effortless. When the competitive play began, she continued to shine with her ability to break down defenders off the dribble and create opportunities for herself. She also showed good court vision, recognizing when the defense collapsed and finding open teammates in position to score.

Another year and another successful EYG Skills Clinic. Some of the nation's top players convened at South County High School for a full day of skills, drills, and competitive game action spread across three courts, along with a couple of hallway stations.