EYBL Session III - Evaluations of Kentucky Targets

BRamseyKSR

Kentucky Sports Radio was well represented at Nike EYBL Session III in Indianapolis this past weekend. Jack Pilgrim and Zack Geoghegan were on hand working their sources, interviewing prospects, and gathering valuable recruiting intel. Meanwhile, I had boots on the ground with my pen and paper doing what I do best which is evaluating the on-court talent. While staying busy covering a total of five live period events in the greater Indianapolis area, the majority of my 30+ hours in the gym were spent at the Pacers Athletic Center watching 17u EYBL action.

While my purview was focused within a 45 minute radius, the Kentucky staff was spread out all across the country. Stops were made in Indianapolis (Nike EYBL), Texas (adidas 3SSB), and Kansas (Puma PRO16) from Friday-Sunday. Head coach Mark Pope and assistant coach Jason Hart started in Indy on Friday while assistant coaches Cody Fueger and Alvin Brooks were in Bryan (TX) and Wichita (KS), respectively. Coach Fueger stayed in Texas on Saturday while Coach Brooks joined Coach Pope and Coach Hart in Indy. During the final set of games on Sunday, Coach Fueger traveled to Indy to hold down the fort with Coach Brooks while Coach Pope and Coach Hart went to Texas. It was a whirlwind of a weekend for all parties involved.

For those interested in recruiting scoop and player interviews there are links provided below to some of the great work that Jack Pilgrim and Zach Geoghegan provided from Indianapolis. However, this article will skew more towards the basketball nerd crowd. Let’s put on our scouting hats and dive into evaluations of the Kentucky targets that played in EYBL Session III.

*All player rankings courtesy of the On3 Industry Ranking*

*Also, please note this is not a complete list of Kentucky targets. However, these are the players that I saw enough in person at EYBL Session III to offer a thorough evaluation.*

5-Star Class of 2025 Prospects

AJ Dybantsa | 6-8, 185 SF (Oakland Soldiers)
5-star: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SF

There are several overused phrases in scouting. Three-level scorer, sneaky athlete, long, etc. all come to mind. Another one is seemingly every year having the conversation of just how special the number one prospect is compared to previous top ranked guys. However, with Dybantsa, that conversation feels completely justified. It isn’t about whether or not he is the best prospect in the Class of 2025. Instead, the conversation is who was the last prospect as good as him. He is that special. The 6’8″ wing moves efficiently with the ball, can power his way to the rim with strength and size, or use skill and finesse on the perimeter. Dybantsa would be a productive NBA player if you threw him in a game today.

Cameron Boozer | 6-9, 205 PF (Nightrydas Elite)
5-star: No. 2 overall, No. 1 PF

Sometimes production speaks for itself. Boozer leads the EYBL in scoring (24.4 ppg) and rebounding (12.8 rpg) while his Nightrydas Elite team boasts a 9-1 record. He has a special combination of size, strength, and agility that makes him a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. The 6’9″ forward operates well out on the perimeter with the ability to attack closeouts, make catch-and-shoot three-point shots, or facilitate to his teammates. Then, when he gets around the basket, his strength takes over to make him a high percentage finisher. You can pretty much mark him down for a double-double every game and that will translate even to the highest levels of Division I basketball as a freshman. Even in a class with prospects that have a similar size and athletic profile, you won’t find guys very often at Boozer’s size that can move around in the way he does.

Caleb Wilson | 6-9, 195 PF (Nightrydas Elite)
5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 2 PF

There certainly seems to be an archetype among the top prospects in the Class of 2025. Bigger wings that are incredibly skilled and fluid with the ball. Wilson fits that mold as well as anyone. He has the capability of facing up and scoring from the perimeter either as a catch-and-shoot threat or creating his own shot off of the dribble. Then, around the basket, his size and length allow him to finish. He changes directions effortlessly and is very athletic. The ball-handling ability at his size stands out, but he has proven to be comfortable in the post as well. Incredibly versatile player that is playing his way into consensus number three prospect in the class status.

Jasper Johnson | 6-4, 170 CG (Team Thad)
5-star: No. 10 overall, No. 1 CG

Johnson is a pure scorer. His ability to put the ball in the basket, especially from beyond the arc, stands out right away. What has allowed him to become a legitimate Top 10 level prospect though is his improvements in areas that don’t involve scoring. He now can go help with defensive rebounding, he can facilitate to open teammates, and he can disrupt defensively with his length. When you add that in with high-level shot-making ability you get a really good prospect. The Kentucky native is still a high-volume scorer that turns the ball over too much and needs to get stronger. He is just 41.5% from the field and 30.8% from deep with 26 turnovers in 10 games while averaging 18.1 points. However, he is becoming more consistent and provides the ability to score it in bunches.

Trey McKenney | 6-4, 220 CG (The Family)
5-star: No. 12 overall, No. 14 SG

If you like big, physical guards then you are going to like McKenney. He is a bruising presence in the backcourt that can bully his way to the basket off of the bounce. However, that isn’t to suggest he isn’t skilled. McKenney is a high percentage shooter from three-point range, albeit on lower volume, and is incredibly efficient inside the arc as well. He also brings a distinct toughness to the defensive end and will help rebound. Whatever he may lack in explosiveness, McKenney more than makes up for in strength. With his size, strength, and skill he projects as a guy who can fill any spot in a three-guard backcourt.

Brayden Burries | 6-4, 185 SG (Strive For Greatness)
5-star: No. 13 overall, No. 2 SG

Burries break out performance came in front of LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony on Sunday morning as he went off for 40 points. He had his pure scoring ability on display putting the ball in the basket in a variety of ways. The five-star California native has a silky smooth jump shot, plays with great pace, and has the positional size to operate on the perimeter. The length and overall frame are very projectable while also being one of the more purely skilled guards in the class. Probably more of a “2” than a “1”, but capable of running the point.

4-Star Class of 2025 Prospects

Will Riley | 6-8, 180 SF (UPlay)
4-star: No. 19 overall, No. 5 SF

One of the most impressive prospects from EYBL Session III. You simply cannot teach the fluidity with which Riley moves as a 6’8″-6’9″ forward. He is similar to Dybantsa, Boozer, and Wilson in that way. However, Riley may be the best of the bunch in terms of changing direction and making multiple moves with the ball in his hands. He truly moves round like a guard. On Friday, Riley went off for 42 points and didn’t look back from there. His scoring ability appears effortless as he makes shots from the perimeter, creates his own going to the basket, and elevates to finish at the rim. There is no play he cannot make offensively. Adding some weight and strength will take his game to the next level.

Tounde Yessoufou | 6-6, 210 SF (Team WhyNot)
4-star: No. 24 overall, No. 7 SF

There may not be a more physically impressive prospect in the Class of 2025 than Yessoufou. He appears chiseled from stone, possesses elite athleticism, and can simply bully his way through contact when needed. Yessoufou operates with a level of physicality on the perimeter that most players simply do not have. However, he is more than just a brute force driver. The four-star wing proved himself as a perimeter threat at EYBL Session III shooting 9-21 from three-point range. He is one of the top scorers of the spring and looks like a potential five-star prospect heading into the summer.

Shelton Henderson | 6-6, 210 SF (JL3)
4-star: No. 49 overall, No. 13 SF

Bigger, physical wings are certainly a common theme among Kentucky’s Class of 2025 targets. Henderson fits that bill as a 6’6″ 210 pound small forward with some special physical tools. He is incredibly strong, plays through contact off of the dribble, and can dominate around the rim when rising up to finish. Expanding as a perimeter scorer and three-point shooter will be key for taking his game up a notch, but his relentlessness of the dribble takes him a long way. Henderson is shooting 56.5% from the field this spring despite being just 4-25 from deep. He is also one of the best rebounders among wings in the Class of 2025. Projects a real two-way perimeter threat.

Acaden Lewis | 6-3, 170 PG (Team Durant)
4-star: No. 89 overall, No. 15 PG

One of the breakout stars of EYBL Session III, Lewis averaged 18 points per game for Team Durant. His strong weekend was capped off by a 26-point performance in a win over The Family on Sunday afternoon that really captured the attention of those still at the event. Lewis is a streaky, high-volume scorer with dynamic playmaking ability off of the bounce. He can create his own shot from anywhere on the floor, has some explosiveness when getting downhill to the rim, and is an excellent passer. Definitely capable of running the point despite his score-first mindset. Projects as a high-level, electric playmaker.

Class of 2026 Prospects

Brandon McCoy | 6-5, 170 PG (Arizona Unity)
5-star (2026): No. 1 overall, No. 1

There is a smoothness to McCoy’s game that you just can’t teach. He is more than capable of running the point where he showcases impressive passing ability, decision-making, and court vision for his age. McCoy processes the game like a lead guard well beyond his years. Then, when you consider the positional size, length, and athleticism it starts to really make sense as to why many consider him the top prospect in the Class of 2026. He will need to develop a more consistent three-point shot (just 4-23 in 10 EYBL games), but the scoring pop is certainly there in other facets. Really high upside prospect with a lot of impressive physical tools and raw talent.

Tyran Stokes | 6-7, 225 SF (Oakland Soldiers)
5-star (2026): No. 2 overall, No. 1 SF

If a rankings update came out tomorrow, it would be hard to not have Stokes at the number one spot in the Class of 2026. First off, his physical tools are nearly impossible to match. Already built like a pro, Stokes stands at 6’7″ and a solid 225 pounds. Then, you consider how athletic he is at that size and you get one of the best prospects in all of basketball. Finally, you mix in an impressive skill level and you start to paint the picture of a potential future top draft pick. He is shooting an incredible 51.9% from three-point range while averaging 19.1 points per game through three EYBL sessions. Playing alongside Dybantsa for the Oakland Soliders, Stokes was one of the most impressive prospects at EYBL Session III.

Jason Crowe | 6-2, 165 CG (Team WhyNot)
5-star (2026): No. 5 overall, No. 1 CG

Playing alongside Tounde Yessoufou, Crowe is another Kentucky target on Team WhyNot. He was excellent on Saturday morning at EYBL Session III scoring 23 points and dishing out five assists in a win over the NJ Scholars. Playing up a year, Crowe experiences some growing pains physically, but his skill level has no issue translating. Right now he is a high volume scorer that needs to become more efficient. However, he is capable of making any shot on the floor and can play both guard spots well. There is time for him to get strong and become a more consistent shooter. Overall though, the talent level is clear and that is why he is a consensus Top 10 player in the Class of 2026. Shifty, quick, and creative with the ball in his hands.