In Atlanta for session II, we focused much of our time on the younger age groups (16U and 15U), but since the younger groups were playing at a different location in Indy, we focused on the 17U division. We take a look at 10 players (primarily 17U) who are making strides on the court, which should pay off on the recruiting front in the weeks and months to come.

Heading into session IV next weekend (May 24-27) in Kansas City, Florida-based Nightrydas Elite is first place in the Merritt Conference while DMV-based Team Takeover and NorCal-based Oakland Soldiers are tied for first place in the Raveling Conference. All three teams sport 9-1 records.

Let's take a look at 10 players making strides in their game and helping their recruitment based on their play at Nike EYBL Session III in?Indianapolis:

2025

Silas Barksdale, Boo Williams 17U/Woodside (Newport News, Va.) 6-9 PF
This no non-sense performer does his job and doesn't worry a lot about the fanfare of the cameras and it's paying great dividends. Barksdale moves well without the ball in pick and roll situations and has a solid face up game.

C.J. Ingram II, Florida Rebels 17U/Hawthorne (Fla.) 6-5 SF
Grid-Hoop stud was his usual active self and played with an extra pop for the Steve Reece-coached team that is currently tied for second place behind the Nightrydas in the Merritt Division. Ingram attacks the rim with a vengeance and his skill is underrated considering the fact he quarterbacks Hawthorne's football team and spends time away from the game. He led both programs to FHSAA Class 1A state titles and is a key cog for a top-flight travel club program.

Jasper Johnson, Team Thad 17U/Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) 6-4 SG
He's a top 10 national recruit, but Johnson just adds something to his game each time we evaluate him. The smooth lefty was attacking the paint and finishing with soft touch around the basket. There is just plenty to like about his overall ability.?

Brandon Lee, NY Rens 17U/The Patrick School (Elizabeth, N.J.) 6-5 SG
He was terrific in Indianapolis and draws high praise from his travel ball coaches for his character and approach to the game. Lee has a nice pull up mid-range shot, drives hard to the rack and makes energy plays that helps his team win, as well. Lee is also a quality free throw shooter and defender. His offer count will go way up as the EYBL rolls along.?

Nyk Lewis, Team Takeover 17U/Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) 6-1 PG
He was recently named an Underclass All-American, so it's not like Lewis isn't productive. He's physically prepared for the rigors of high level ball, steady and unflappable and one of the main reasons why Team Takeover is in position to challenge for its fourth Peach Jam title since the EYBL was formed in 2010. Lewis gets into the lane and makes the correct reads and is the type of guard colleges utilizes to make a deep NCAA Tourney run.

Ahziel "JoJo" McIver, Drive Nation 17U/Ellison (Killeen, Texas) 6-2 PG
Terrific mid-major prospect who could push to the next level if he keeps showing like he did in Indy. McIver has a nice perimeter game and does well beating defenders to the inside from either wing. McIver also has quick hands on defense and gets out in front of plays. Simply put, he's a winner.

Antonio Munoz, Meanstreets 17U/Whitney Young (Chicago) 6-6 SF
This athletic small forward can change the dynamics of a game with a spectacular finish around the rim. He cuts well and is a line-drive attacker who is a load to stop once he gets downhill. Munoz plays hard on both ends and is tracking to improve the level of his scholarship offers based on what we saw in Indianapolis.?

Tae Simmons, Why Not 17U/Heritage Christian (Northridge, Calif.) 6-6 PF
This rugged forward may be a bit undersized for the high major level, but boy does he do things that help college coaches win and keep their job. He's relentless attacking the glass or going after an offensive rebound put back and doesn't need the ball of offense to make an impact. Many D1 colleges in Simmons' SoCal backyard should be all over him with an offer. ?

Dallas Washington, AZ Unity 17U/Santa Margarita (Calif.) 6-9 PF
He's found a nice niche on a team loaded with individual talent and is tracking upward. Washington also played on a talented high school team that was up and down in 2023-24, and his level of consistency wasn't where it needed to be. This spring, however, he's starting to put together a string of performances that have turned the heads of colleges coaches at the mid-major and high-major level. Washington is rebounding hard and finding his comfort zone on offense. ? ?

2026

Imahri Wooten, City Rocks NY 17U/Putnam Science Academy (Putnam, Ct.) 6-5 SG
His explosiveness jumps out right away and Wooten has a versatile offensive package. Wooten's game is maturing and he can keep defenders honest with his outside shooting. In fact, he reportedly went 6-of-7 from 3-point range in one contest and in another game we evaluated, he dominated with an array of offensive moves. The way he's tracking, Wooten should be a serious McDonald's All-American candidate in 18 months.

Ronnie Flores is the national Grassroots editor of www.ebooksnet.com. He can be reached at?[email protected]. Don't forget to follow him on Twitter:?@RonMFlores

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Sunrise Backcourt Provide Offensive Jolt in Win vs Orangeville?

Kansas State signee David Castillo and 2025 high major prospect Jeremiah Green made key shot after key shot in Thursday’s 59 - 58 win versus Orangeville Prep of Canada. Castillo, known as a marksman from deep showed more of the off the dribble creation and scoring. He didn’t have the best shooting outing, but he still won closeouts by knocking down catch-n-shoot threes and by attacking it and getting to the foul line. Castillo seemed to show more of an emphasis to keep the defense honest by diversifying his shot selection. He finished with 13 points, two rebounds, two assists, while going 6-of-6 from the foul line.?

Green got to his spots and showed three level scoring. The shooting mechanics look cleaner and he’s making more shots off the catch. That’s allowing the driving lanes to open up because there’s more respect for him as a shooter. Green was loose with the ball at times, but it was him trying to make a play. Nonetheless, he competed and made key shots down the stretch vs length on drives. Green had 18 points, four rebounds and four assists on 63 percent shooting. 

Notables From The Game?

Spencer Athens, 2025 6’8 PF - Sunrise Christian: Showed offensive versatility with his size. Completed finishes while fouled, made a trail three, hunted and gathered offensive rebounds. Spencer played a huge role and finished with 15 points, five rebounds on 85 percent shooting?

?Josh Ibukunoluwa, 2024 6’10 C/PF - Orangeville: The High Point Commit orchestrated a great game on Thursday. Finished inside with either hand, rebounded and found the guards cutting when he was operating from the top of the key. He checks a lot of boxes and will be an immediate contributor at High Point.?

Tre Johnson, Jasper Johnson, Labaron Philon Lead Link Year vs Oak Hill

Was a one to two possession game in the second half in this one but FAB 50 No. 9 Link Academy (Branson, Mo.) held on and won 63-61. Texas signee Tre Johnson was huge in this one. The way he generates space off the dribble and scores. it translates to the next level (23 points). Johnson also blended the scoring with play-making and ended with five assists. He’s added noticeable muscle to his frame, he knew when to take more of an initiative on offense when the game was close and he hit big shots down the stretch.?

Junior (2025) Jasper Johnson provided quality offensive out put as well. The lefty guard with a quick trigger for a jumper showed off his shot creating and overall scoring. Shifty with handle and doesn’t need a lot of space to launch and connect. Finished with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting with five rebounds.

2024 Kansas commit Labaron Philon did a good job as a floor manager. Picked and chose when to hunt for his, but did a fine job getting the ball to others in spots for them to score. Also thought Philon did a good job as an on-ball team defender. he used size to alter shots on the perimeter and used length to gather steals. His line was nine points, six assists, and four steals.

For Oak Hill, 2025 Kaden Magwood showed off how well of a scorer he is. Made deep threes, got to the rim and showed he knows how to navigate around the bigs when attacking the basket. He finished with 15 points and three rebounds.

TCU signee Micah Robinson didn’t have a good shooting night but he was productive, nonetheless. When jumper didn’t fall, he got to the rim which subsequently led him to the foul line. He rebounded, defended and looked to make an impact outside of scoring. He was able to orchestrate a 16-point, 13-rebound double double.?

Was impressed with 2025 Deondrea Lindsey. Strongly built forward that has an intriguing offensive game. Can make the open triple, but also embraces the physicality and looks to complete shots in the paint. I thought he was productive and looks to be a player that can provide inside-out scoring.?

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