AAU season is officially up on us. While there have been a number of outstanding independent AAU events throughout the country to get things going this spring, the circuit truly starts when the shoe companies begin having their events. While Adidas, Under Armour, New Balance all have significant amounts of talent on their respective circuits, there is one league that is usually on a completely different level: Nike EYBL.

Held just outside of Phoenix at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, EYBL Session I offered rising seniors the chance to solidify their reputations in one final AAU go-around. Unlike most other AAU events, players played one game a day, making it difficult to decide which games to watch at times with such a vast amount of talent in the building. Thankfully, the Ballislife team was rolling deep with Ani Umana, Ronnie Flores, and myself all manning different courts to check out the action.

What made the rising sophomore class (2028) in attendance at EYBL stand out was the vast majority of prospects played in their own 15U age group. More often than not, you will see players near the top of the national player rankings playing a year or two up in a travel ball setting. That is usually good for development. For the most part, the group of 2028 at EYBL played their own age, which created no shortage of hyped matchups and gave us a good start to evaluating the class since they were not sitting on the bench of deferring to older talent.  

Nash Avery, 6’8, SF/PF, Team Melo 15U

The definition of a new age forward, Aaron “Nash” Avery produced at a higher level than anyone at 15U in session 1 of the EYBL. Able to play inside and out, Nash created well off the dribble, utilized his size on both ends of the court, and displayed an automatic mid-range jumper.  Posting averages of 22.5 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 blocks per game, it’s easy to see why he is now regarded as a Top 25 player in the class of 2028.

A.J. Williams, 6’6, SG/SF, Georgia Stars 15U

The Ballislife National Freshman of the Year did not disappoint in his opening EYBL session, showing all of the talent that currently has him ranked No. 2 in the nation by ESPN. Williams is a silky smooth 3-point shooter (shot 40% from 3PT), can help on the glass from the perimeter (averaged 9.3 points per game), and knows how to get to his spots to get his shot off with limited dribbles. While there is still plenty of time left to settle the debate, the Georgia product has firmly supplanted himself in the conversation for the top player in the Class of 2028 at the moment.

Erick Dampier Jr., 6’10, C, Alabama Fusion 15U 

The son of 16-year NBA vet Erick Dampier has the physical profile to follow in his father’s footsteps, but is also mirroring that with his play at EYBL. Having played varsity since he was a middle schooler, the second coming of the Dampier family has plenty of experience playing against elite competition. While his offensive game is still developing, he displayed intriguing touch facing the basket and was a threat to be double teamed any time that he got the ball in the pivot.  Where he really made an impact on the game was defensively. Dampier utilized his 7-foot-5 wingspan to protect the rim (3.7 blocks per game), dominate his area on the glass (13.7 rebounds per game), and provide a back line of defense to let his teammates get out and pressure the perimeter. The progression of big men is naturally a bit slower, but Dampier Jr. has also solidified himself in the mix for the top player in the class.

Johnquell Garner, 6’5, SF, AOT 15U 

A player I wasn’t familiar with leading into the Phoenix EYBL session, I walked away loving what I saw out of Johnquell Garner. Constantly in attack mode, the freshman plays with an outstanding motor, can finish through contact when he gets to the rim, and helps out on the glass on both ends of the court. Johnquell is the next in line of AOT products out of McEachern (Powder Springs, Ga.), following the likes of Isaac Okoro, Sharife Cooper, and Ace Bailey.

A.J. Okoh, 6’2, PG, Alabama Fusion 15U 

Playing for Nashville powerhouse Brentwood Academy, Okoh ran with Alabama Fusion for the EYBL and showed why he’s one of the more intriguing young prospects in Tennessee. Okoh shows great patience for a freshman playmaker in pick and roll situations, possesses deep range on his jumper, and is a scoring threat any time that he has the rock. A.J. finished the weekend with averages of 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds playing alongside Erick Dampier Jr., marking himself as a serious prospect to watch in his own right.

Bryson Jatta, 6’2, PG/SG, AOT 15U 
The leading scorer of the EYBL’s 15U Division, Jatta was a no-nonsense guard who just got it done on the hardwood. The sturdy combo guard finished through contact at the rack, was constantly in attack mode, and showed the he was capable of playing either backcourt spot.  Also a football standout, he brought that gridiron toughness to the hardwood and it showed with his production to the tune of 23.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game throughout session one.