How Kentucky targets performed at the first four Nike EYBL sessions

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The fourth Nike EYBL session wrapped up in Memphis this past Memorial Day Weekend. It was the final “regular-season” session of the popular AAU circuit as all eyes now turn to the annual Peach Jam Tournament, over a month away in early July. As is the case every year, plenty of Kentucky targets took the floor over the last couple of months.

Not every one of John Calipari’s top high school targets plays on the Nike EYBL circuit, but there was still a slew of highly-ranked prospects that participated across the four sessions, which also made stops in Atlanta, Phoenix, and Dallas. As a note, this past weekend was a quiet period in recruiting, so college coaches were not allowed to attend the Memphis session. That being said, basketball was still played.

With plenty of time between now and the Peach Jam Tournament, let’s dive into some numbers from UK targets on the 2023 Nike EYBL circuit so far. But first, a quick word from our sponsor…

Time for our weekly recruiting update presented by our friend Andy Luedecke at MyPerfectFranchise. Andy is a huge college sports fan and franchise veteran, having owned multiple franchises and businesses. Using his expertise, he helps others find their American Dream through a very thorough consultation and evaluation process.

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*All player ratings are courtesy of the On3 Industry Ranking*

Class of 2024 targets

Tre Johnson (SG, Houston Hoops) 6-5, 180 | Lake Highlands (Dallas, TX) Offered by Kentucky
5-star: No. 1 overall, No. 1 SG –> KSR+ interview

(17 GP; 30.5 MPG) 18.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.9 APG | 41.9 FG%/36.3 3PT%/79.8 FT%

The top-ranked prospect from the ’24 class, Tre Johnson has done exactly what he knows how to do: get buckets. He’s shooting well from all over the floor and even scored 27 points in a comeback win this past weekend. Johnson took an official visit to UK (which made the cut for his top six) in January but does not yet have any other visits on the schedule for this summer.

Karter Knox (SF, Florida Rebels) 6-5, 180 | Tampa Catholic (Tampa, FL) Offered by Kentucky
5-star: No. 6 overall, No. 2 SF

(12 GP; 23.8 MPG) 21.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 1.1 APG | 53.5 FG%/34.2 3PT%/74.2 FT%

Karter Knox wasn’t in Memphis this past weekend due to a family vacation (older brother Kevin Knox posted some pictures to his Instagram if you’re interested) but he’s been lighting up the EYBL circuit thus far. He’s second in scoring and doing so with impressive efficiency on the wing. Although he wasn’t in Memphis, Knox did unveil his top eight, which included the perceived frontrunners: Kentucky and Louisville.

Liam McNeeley (SF, Florida Rebels) 6-7, 205 | Montverde Academy (Richardson, TX)
5-star: No. 7 overall, No. 3 SF –> KSR+ interview

(12 GP; 23.6 MPG) 15.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 1.8 APG | 44.8 FG%/41.7 3PT%/83.3 FT%

Kentucky has yet to offer five-star small forward Liam McNeeley, who is teammates on the Florida Rebels with Knox, but the staff is growing its contact with him. Indiana, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma lead his recruitment at the moment. McNeeley is an all-around offensive weapon, particularly from long range, with great size on the wing.

Boogie Fland (PG, PSA Cardinals) 6-3, 175 | Archbishop Stepinac (Harlem, NY) Offered by Kentucky
5-star: No. 8 overall, No. 1 PG –> KSR+ interview

(17 GP; 27.2 MPG) 15.0 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, 1.7 SPG | 43.5 FG%/33.3 3PT%/77.5 FT%

It’s been business as usual for Boogie Fland, who is arguably the steadiest floor general on the EYBL circuit this year. He dropped 31 points on five made triples in front of John Calipari during the first session in Atlanta and will likely travel to Lexington this summer for a visit.

Isaiah Elohim (SG, Team WhyNot) 6-5, 205 | Sierra Canyon (Kingston, NY) Offered by Kentucky
4-star: No. 13 overall, No. 3 SG

(6 GP; 18.9 MPG) 7.4 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 1.4 APG | 41.4 FG%/0.0 3PT%/57.9 FT%

After receiving an offer from Kentucky last summer, Isaiah Elohim’s contact with the Wildcats has felt sporadic. His play on the court during the EYBL circuit has been equally as inconsistent.

Amier Ali (SF, The Skill Factory) 6-8, 180 | IMG Academy (Columbus, OH)
4-star: No. 36 overall, No. 13 SF –> KSR interview

(9 GP; 26.1 MPG) 10.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.4 APG | 32.4 FG%/22.5 3PT%/75.0 FT%

You never quite know what you’re going to get out of Amier Ali when he hits the hardwood. His shooting numbers on the EYBL circuit haven’t been promising, but he’s also one hot streak away from dropping 30 points. Kentucky cracked his top eight not long ago, but it’s uncertain if an official scholarship offer has been extended from the UK staff.

Ahmad Nowell (SG, Team Final) 6-2, 185 | Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia, PA) Offered by Kentucky
4-star: No. 45 overall, No. 11 SG –> KSR+ interview

(17 GP; 27.5 MPG) 13.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.8 APG, 1.5 SPG | 51.5 FG%/40.7 3PT%/83.9 FT%

A recent prospect offered by Kentucky, Ahmad Nowell (former AAU/high school teammates with incoming UK freshman Justin Edwards) continues to showcase significant development in his game. His numbers during the EYBL have been terrific across the board and UK is paying closer and closer attention as a result.

Billy Richmond (SG, NJ Scholars) 6-6, 180 | Camden (Memphis, TN) Offered by Kentucky
4-star: No. 78 overall, No. 17 SG –> KSR+ interview

(17 GP; 25.6 MPG) 18.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.4 SPG | 54.0 FG%/25.0 3PT%/66.4 FT%

Like Nowell, Richmond has Kentucky ties already. Both of his former AAU/high school teammates, DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw, are incoming freshmen at UK. Richmond might not be as highly-regarded as his former teammates at this stage, but he’s certainly on the rise. He’s putting up very impressive numbers for the NJ Scholars. Richmond will visit Kentucky sometime this year and should be considered a lean for the ‘Cats.

Class of 2025 targets

Cameron Boozer (PF, Nightrydas Elite U16) 6-8, 210 | Christopher Columbus (Miami, FL) Offered by Kentucky
5-star: No. 1 overall, No. 1 PF

(14 GP; 28.4 MPG) 24.9 PPG, 13.2 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.6 BPG | 70.1 FG%/40.0 3PT%/88.2 FT%

Cameron Boozer might be the best high school prospect in the country, regardless of class. Shooting 70 percent from the floor is no insignificant number. He’s been dominating on the U16 level for Nightrydas Elite (and should probably be playing up at U17) but was in Colorado Springs this past weekend making the cut at the Team USA U16 National Training Camp. Kentucky recently offered Cameron and his twin brother Cayden. They are the sons of former NBA All-Star Carlos Boozer.

Meleek Thomas (SG, New Heights Lightning) 6-3, 165 | Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center (Pittsburgh, PA) Offered by Kentucky
5-star: No. 4 overall, No. 1 SG

(17 GP; 24.4 MPG) 13.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, 1.5 SPG | 48.9 FG%/36.5 3PT%/74.3 FT%

It was a little over a month ago that Meleek Thomas received an offer from the Wildcats and he’s been proving worthy of that honor ever since. Playing up for a loaded New Heights Lightning roster, Thomas is scoring at an efficient rate and knows how to play both ends of the floor. He’ll be a prospect to monitor heavily for the Big Blue Nation moving forward.

Alier Maluk (PF, Team Durant U16) 6-10, 180 | Imani Christian Academy (Pittsburgh, PA)
4-star: No. 21 overall, No. 4 PF –> KSR interview

Statistics not available

For some reason, the EYBL website does not have overall statistics for Alier Maluk, but we do know that he averaged 11.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 22.8 minutes per contest for Team Durant (16U) during the first session in Atlanta. Kentucky has been recruiting Maluk since before he was in high school, although an official offer has yet to be announced. A visit to UK is likely in the future.

Cayden Boozer (PG, Nightrydas Elite U16) 6-3, 190 | Christopher Columbus (Miami, FL) Offered by Kentucky
4-star: No. 22 overall, No. 4 PG

(14 GP; 28.1 MPG) 12.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 8.6 APG, 1.8 SPG | 61.7 FG%/25.0 3PT%/75.0 FT%

The other Boozer twin, Cayden earned his UK offer at the same time that Cameron did. While Cayden isn’t as highly-ranked as his brother, he’s certainly a prized recruit in his own right. He was also in Colorado Springs this past weekend, where he was part of a new 18-man roster that will eventually be cut down to 12. Cayden’s playmaking abilities rival the best in his class.

Jasper Johnson (CG, Team Thad) 6-2, 165 | Wooford County (Lexington, KY) Offered by Kentucky
4-star: No. 26 overall, No. 5 CG –> KSR+ interview

(16 GP; 22.7 MPG) 12.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.5 APG | 51.0 FG%/39.7 3PT%/83.3 FT%

A local prospect that we’ll hear more and more about, Jasper Johnson (whose father played football at UK) has held a Kentucky offer for a few weeks now. The Woodford County product has been a star playing up a year on the EYBL circuit for 14-3 Team Thad, shooting the ball incredibly well from all areas. Considering he lives about 15 minutes from the UK campus, he’ll be in for a visit sooner rather than later.

Jayden Quaintance (C, Team Thad) 6-10, 225 | Word of God Christian Academy (Cleveland, OH)
4-star: No. 28 overall, No. 3 C

(11 GP; 22.5 MPG) 9.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.6 BPG | 45.1 FG%/10.0 3PT%/61.5 FT%

Teammates on Team Thad with Johnson, Jayden Quaintance is only beginning to hear from Kentucky. He’s certainly worthy of it, too. Quaintance joined the Boozer twins in Colorado Springs over the weekend and also made the cut down to the 18-man roster. He plays for Word of God Christian Academy (NC), the same high school John Wall attended.

Kaden Magwood (CG, Team United U16) 6-2, 160 | Oak Hill Academy (Louisville, KY)
4-star: No. 71 overall, No. 9 CG

(13 GP; 17.2 MPG) 10.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, 2.1 APG | 41.4 FG%/48.0 3PT%/90.0 FT%

Another nearby prospect, Kaden Magwood transferred from Western High School in Louisville to Oak Hill Academy (VA) this past season and is having a modest run for Team United (U16) this year. There is minimal contact with UK at this moment, but with his ties to the Bluegrass State, he’s worth monitoring moving forward.

Darius Acuff Jr. (PG, The Family) 6-1, 175 | Cass Technical (Detroit, MI) Offered by Kentucky
Unranked –> KSR+ interview

(17 GP; 28.8 MPG) 20.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.4 SPG | 43.6 FG%/35.9 3PT%/82.4 FT%

He might be the only unranked player on this list from the ’24 and ’25 classes, but don’t get it confused — Darius Acuff Jr. is going to be a top-20 recruit in the very near future. Kentucky offered over a month ago and he’s been thriving on the EYBL circuit (while playing up a year) ever since. He ranks fourth in overall scoring and is doing so with impressive efficiency. A visit to UK for the summer or fall is in the works.

Class of 2026 targets

AJ Dybantsa (SF, Expressions Elite) 6-7, 185 | St. Sebastian’s (Needham, MA)

(13 GP; 26.1 MPG) 17.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.6 APG | 52.7 FG%/32.7 3PT%/89.3 FT%

Player rankings for the 2026 class have yet to come out but don’t be shocked when AJ Dybantsa is the clear-cut No. 1 prospect. Playing up two years on the U17 level — where he’s been dominating for Expressions Elite — he wasn’t in Memphis this past weekend, instead making moves for Team USA where he also made the cut for the Team USA U16 National Training Camp. Just check out his numbers one more time from the EYBL circuit and remember he should technically be playing at the U15 level. Kentucky should be all over Dybantsa in the very near future.

Tyran Stokes (SF, Vegas Elite) 6-7, 225 | Prolific Prep (Louisville, KY)

(10 GP; 22.7 MPG) 12.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 3.0 APG | 57.5 FG%/30.8 3PT%/63.5 FT%

The other notable ’26 prospect playing up two years is actually from the city of Louisville, although he now plays for California’s Prolific Prep. Tyran Stokes is another rising high school sophomore who should earn five-star status from the jump once those rankings are eventually released. Expect UK to follow him closely throughout his recruitment.

Jayden Johnson (SG, Brad Beal Elite U16) 6-5, 180 | Trinity (Bowling Green, KY)

(8 GP; 24.4 MPG) 10.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 1.1 APG | 37.3 FG%/32.4 3PT%/83.3 FT%

Jayden Johnson won’t be as highly ranked as Dybantsa or Stokes, but he’s still an impressive local prospect suiting up for Louisville’s Trinity. He’s playing one year up for Brad Beal Elite and putting up modest numbers. Kentucky has already begun to reach out.

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