BB Recruiting

Recapping Nike EYBL Session 3 In Dallas

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2023

via Twitter

Over the weekend, Nike EYBL was in effect as Session 3 took place in Dallas. Many players took the floor looking to further prove themselves as a player. With that, a number of Kentucky targets had an impressive weekend. Let’s take a look:

(Note: Rankings via 247Sports)

Class of 2024

Tre Johnson (2024, No. 1 SG, No. 1 Overall)

Kentucky’s top overall target, Johnson had a good weekend showcasing his range and pure scoring ability. His best game over the weekend included 19 points and 5 rebounds against Georgia Stars. Through three sessions, he is averaging 18.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, while shooting 40% from the field.

Kentucky is all-in on the No. 1 overall prospect in 2024. Johnson is expected to make his decision before Peach Jam, which starts on July 3rd. Kentucky is in a battle with Texas and Baylor, Johnson’s home-state schools.

Baylor and Kentucky are seen to be in a close race for Johnson, with Texas behind the two schools.

He recently released his Top 6 schools which included Kentucky, Baylor, Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, and Kansas.

NEWS: Tre Johnson, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class, tells me he’s down to six schools.

Story: https://t.co/lvU26HylHz pic.twitter.com/J8WO2afJ3i— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) May 15, 2023

Karter Knox (2024, No. 5 SF, No. 15 Overall)

One of the more impressive top targets for Kentucky, Karter Knox has been making noise at Nike EYBL. He really filled it up this weekend, proving why he’s one of the top scorers in all of EYBL.

His best game this weekend included 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists against ProSkills. Through three sessions, Knox is averaging 21.2 points, which ranks 1st in 17U, 4.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, shooting 53.5% from the field.

Knox has been proving himself as a top scorer in 2024, with Kentucky very interested in the Top-15 prospect, who has ties with both Kentucky and Louisville, who are the clear front-runners in his recruitment.

Session 3 @NikeEYB Notes

‘24 F Karter Knox has displayed his two-way game late tonight in Dallas. Strong frame & physicality have allowed him to bully opponents and attack in straight-line drives. Has also knocked down a couple of 3’s & has pulled down a few crucial boards. pic.twitter.com/WvZFhwoMDM— Alex Walulik (@alex_walulik) May 14, 2023

Boogie Fland (2024, No. 2 CG, No. 13 Overall)

As Kentucky’s top priority at Point Guard, Fland is proving why he is an elite guard. Showcasing his deep range as well as his pull-up ability, with a knack for scoring. He had a really good weekend, with his best performance being 23 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists against AZ Unity.

Through three sessions, Fland is averaging 16.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists, and is shooting 46.3% from the field.

Fland has a number of suitors including Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Alabama, UCONN, St. John’s, and others. Kentucky is making a strong push for him, which is where he wants to take one of his visits to.

Fresh off a visit to Michigan, he is looking to ramp up his visits soon.

Billy Richmond (2024, No. 18 SG, No. 91 Overall)

Over the weekend, Richmond made his case to receive a huge jump in the next rankings update. His best performance this weekend included 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Through three sessions, Richmond is averaging 16.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting a very efficient 54.6% from the field.

As far as his recruitment, he mentioned Kentucky, Memphis, and Louisville as schools he is wanting to visit among others. He is looking to make a decision during Peach Jam or “right after, he recently told 247 Sports’ Travis Branham.

@NikeEYB Session 3 – Dallas, TX. Update: Scholars (8-2) defeat @TeamThadNation (9-2) 75-72 behind Memphis native Billy Richmond 20 pts. TTN @35Derrion led all scorers with 21 pts.@ColinzCody @MemphoNewsLady @Leontaylor1983 @leroywatsonjr @GoTigers247 @memphispreps @johnvarlas pic.twitter.com/PEoSbvFMh3— Harold Rivera (@memphishoopers) May 13, 2023

Ahmad Nowell (2024, No. 6 CG, No. 50 Overall)

Another player who made a lot of noise this weekend, Nowell is due for a big jump in the rankings.

His numbers have jumped significantly since the first two sessions, which is why his recruitment has really picked up recently.

His best game this weekend included 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. Through three sessions, he is averaging 14.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists, and shooting 54.9% overall.

He most recently received an offer from Kentucky, where he told KY Insider “it feels amazing.” He also holds offers from the likes of Tennessee, Memphis, Auburn, and Kansas among others.

Ahmad Nowell can GO 💨💥 19/5/5 on 4/6 from 3 in Team Final’s win over PG Elite @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/SZeazF1Gri— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) May 14, 2023

Class of 2025

Meleek Thomas (2025, No. 1 PG, No. 7 Overall)

Proving himself as an elite guard, Thomas is showing off his scoring ability on a loaded New Heights Lightning squad in EYBL.

He had an impressive weekend. His best game included 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Through the first three sessions, he is averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, and shooting 51% overall.

His recruitment has taken off since session 2 of EYBL, picking up offers from UCONN, Duke, Tennessee, and Louisville.

Darius Acuff (2025, NR)

Out of players who have proven to be a stock-riser, Acuff was the most impressive. As one of the top scorers in the 17U division, he was very impressive, especially alongside another stock-riser, in teammate Trey McKenney, who recently told KY Insider that Kentucky has “high interest” in him, and that he is expecting an offer soon.

An impressive duo, they are proving themselves as one of the top backcourts in EYBL. Acuff has been on a scoring tear. His best game this weekend included 30 points, 6 assists, and 1 rebound.

Through three sessions, he is averaging, 20.5 points, which is 2nd among 17U in EYBL, 4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds, and shooting 47.7% overall.

He has recently received offers from Kentucky, Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Kansas, and Indiana, and it’s not hard to see why.

2025 PG 6-foot-2 Darius Acuff Jr. has had a stock-boosting spring playing up 17U and one of the top scorers in the @NikeEYB at 20.5 PPG.

An elite 3PT shot maker, plays at his own pace with a mature game, and has displayed his ability to get to the rim @TheFamily_bball. pic.twitter.com/79NkIk9dSM— Samad Hines (@Samad_Hines) May 15, 2023

Class of 2026

Tyran Stokes (2026 F, NR)

One of the most impressive prospects in the class of 2026, Stokes is playing up two levels in 17U and is dominating. He is one that Kentucky really likes, and it’s not hard to see why after watching him.

Although his best game over the weekend was 13 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists, the stats shouldn’t fool you. Whenever he is on the floor, he has the elite ability to take over.

Through three sessions, he is averaging 12.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. Kentucky has not extended an offer to the top-prospect, but they will be keeping tabs on him in the future. Stokes currently holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Arizona State, Louisville, and Xavier.

As one of the top prospects in the rising sophomore class, Stokes will only see his recruitment keep growing.

AJ Dybantsa (2026 SF, NR)

Along with Tyran Stokes, Dybantsa is a top-ranked player in the class of 2026, and is a superstar in the making. Playing up in 17U, he put on a scoring clinic this weekend.

His best game this weekend included 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. He is currently averaging 18.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists, shooting 52.7% overall.

Dybantsa is a future superstar, and he and Tyran Stokes lead the promising class of 2026.

#1 player in 2026 for a reason. AJ Dybantsa was making it look easy this morning.

🥶 20 PTS
🥶 7-10 FG
🥶 5 AST@ADybantsa @ExpressionsBall @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/2x18sTBG5H— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) May 13, 2023

There was plenty to be excited about from the weekend in Dallas at Nike EYBL. Here are some of my biggest stock risers from Session 3:

Great weekend for Session 3 of EYBL!

My stockrisers:

Darius Acuff (@DariusAcuff)
Trey McKenney (@mckenneytrey1)
Ahmad Nowell (@AhmadNowell0)
Billy Richmond (@BillyRichmondI)

Also, Tyran Stokes playing up and dominating 17U is something that shouldn't go unnoticed.— Wyatt Huff (@Wildcat_wave) May 14, 2023

BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From European Big Andrija Jelavic

Published

2 weeks ago

April 12, 2025

Kai McClelland

ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Earlier today, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats received the commitment from Andrija Jelavic, a 6-foot-11 big from Croatia.

As first reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Jelavic is one of the most highly regarded European prospects that is taking his talent to the NCAA.

Soon to be 21 years old, Jelavic averaged 10.8 points per game on 60% shooting from the field to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game for Mega Superbet, the same club that NBA Champion and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic played for.

As a shock to most, who were expecting Pope’s next commit to be a guard of some sorts, international players can now sign lucrative NIL deals. Kentucky, along with several of the elite colleges, are now in the European market.

Jelavic, with shades of current European big men, can do just about everything on the court. He can shoot, dribble, pass, finish at the rim, etc. With a very relevant comparison, Jelavic plays almost perfectly in the replacement role of Andrew Carr.

His commitment now makes him the fifth member of Pope’s additions this offseason, joining Kam Williams, Jaland Lowe, Mouhamed Dioubate and Jayden Quaintance.

With a 7’2” wingspan, joining an already impressive Kentucky frontcourt, it’s safe to say for certain that this new team will not lack in that department.

Next year’s roster was loaded with talent already, but now with the addition of Jelavic, lots of questions are arising: Who will start? How many more players is Pope going to add? What will happen with the walk-ons?

There’s plenty to think about for Pope and his staff before the season starts, but like he said back when he introduced himself to Big Blue Nation, “We’re here to win banners.” He’s going to make the moves he thinks will do just that for the Wildcats.

BB Recruiting

Four-Star Guard Acaden Lewis Suddenly Decommits from Kentucky

Amidst a recent wave of positive recruiting news for Kentucky, the surprising decommitment of Acaden Lewis is an unfortunate wrench.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 10, 2025

Lane Mills

2025 four-star point guard prospect Acaden Lewis has decommited from Kentucky.

UK Athletics

In a shocking, late at night turn of events, four-star freshman Acaden Lewis has decommitted from Kentucky.

Lewis, a 6’3” point guard out of Washington, D.C. first committed to the blue and white in November of last year, following an in-person visit with Mark Pope in his hometown.

Since then, he’s made multiple appearances in Rupp Arena, been featured in photo shoots with his fellow incoming recruits, and spoken on multiple occasions about his excitement to join the team for the 2025-26’ season.

To say this development is surprising would be a serious understatement.

Lewis released a statement following the announcement, “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I have to do what’s best for my future,” he said. “Thank you to Coach Pope and the whole Kentucky staff for all they’ve done for me so far.”

While the loss of Lewis is certainly disappointing, there is still much to look forward to next season for Kentucky, who maintain one of the highest rated transfer classes in the nation – and it likely isn’t finished.

To that point, if any reason can be derived immediately for Lewis’ decommitment, it may be found in the same place that Mark Pope and staff will be going to look for answers: the transfer portal.

BB Recruiting

Top 10 Transfer Prospect, Former Wildcat Recruit Jayden Quaintance Commits to Kentucky

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2025

Tristan Pharis

2024 five-star big man Jayden Quaintance has commmitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats

UK Athletics

Two days into the week and two booms for the Kentucky Wildcats as Jayden Quaintance announced his commitment to Kentucky on Tuesday morning.

NEWS: ASU transfer Jayden Quaintance, a projected top-5 pick in 2026, has committed to Mark Pope and Kentucky, his father Haminn, told ESPN.

Quaintance decommitted from Kentucky precisely a year ago after John Calipari left for Arkansas.

STORY: https://t.co/BXza2vhqzX pic.twitter.com/woe1gvYD6T— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 8, 2025

If the Quaintance name sounds familiar, it should. He was originally committed to play for the Cats out of high school last season as a five-star recruit. While he was interested in staying at Kentucky following John Calipari’s departure, even meeting with Mark Pope, he elected to play for Arizona State.

In his one season with the Sun Devils, Quaintance averaged 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 2.6 BPG, and earned Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive honors.

The one concern for Quaintance is that he had surgery to repair a torn ACL, which could keep him out for the entire offseason and potentially into the season. That said, the expectation for a return is September, and at just 17 years old, there is so much untapped potential.

Get to know the newest Wildcat commit!