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The 1st ever Nike EYBL Champion was crowned yesterday in Augusta, Ga. at the Peach Jam. It was the Virgina/DC based Team Takeover who walked away with the trophy over the Saint Louis Eagles. Takeover was lead by a pair of guards in Duke commit Michael Gbinije who posted numbers of 19 points and 5 rebounds, but it was rising junior James Robinson who controlled the game from the point guard slot with 24 points and 8 rebounds. In a losing effort Brad Beal netted 26 points for the Eagles.
Robinson is a big point guard in the form of a Deron Williams in that he uses a combination of size and speed to get it done. His strength makes him an excellent rebounder and a tough shot maker because he can finish in traffic. As a floor leader he gets the job done, always putting his teammates in the right spots when its time to run sets and you want the ball in his hands at the end of the game because he knocks down free throws going a perfect 10 for 10 in the title match. It will definitely be his show next season at storied Dematha High in DC, with the recent transfer of back court mate Quin Cook, Robinson will be called upon to carry the load.
Throughout Week
Six of the nations top 20 players in the class of 2011 were present in the Semifinals of the EYBL Championships. Kentucky pledges Mike Gilchrist and Marquis Teague, Florida bound Brad Beal, Duke Blue devil Michael Gbinije, Rakeem Christmas, and Ben Mclemore round out the bunch.
Saint Louis' Ben Mclemore is oozing with talent. The 6'5 guard shows glimpses of greatness every game, but at the same time he hasn't put it all together just yet. This summer is the first time he has ventured out side of the city limits to put his game on display and it is doing wonders for his skill level as well as his confidence. He has the build and the tools to be an NBA shooting guard, and hopefully with the right coaching he will get there. He is as athletic as they come, able to just raise above opponents to rattle the rim and protect it as he did in a heated battle against the Oakland Soldiers were I counted four shots that he pinned against the glass including two that he ran down in transition.
Up in Boston there is a kid that proved his worth all week in Augusta. BABC's Michael Carter-Williams was the scoring leader this past week with an average of 27.3ppg. He will fit right into Syracuse's scheme of things as he makes that infamous zone look even longer with his wingspan.
Tony Parker, Marquis Teague, James McAdoo, Mike Gilchrist, Brad Beal, and Justin Anderson all flew in early Tuesday morning to compete in the EYBL after winning Gold for the USA at the FIBA 17U World Championships in Hamburg, Germany.
Point guard Julius Brown of Mean Streets left Augusta with his name on a few more coaches list than when he flew in. This was truly his best outing of the summer and it came at the right time. Brown showed how much of a complete point guard he is as he played extremely well this week. Mid Major schools should be giving the steady guard a ring real soon.
Antonio Wilson is a player that coaches look for to do all the little things. His post defense and rebounding were key in Spiece Indy Heat's run to the Final Four. He is 6'8 bouncy and not afraid to mix it up.
Athletic wings were on display all week long. Dominique Pointer has been steady thus far this summer. Against Albany City he had 24 points 7 rebounds on 8 for 16 shooting from the field. Pointer who attends Quality Education in NC has that Detroit toughness mixed in with high flying. His in between game is getting better, defensively he could be a gem. |
