Howard Pulley Survives Scare at Nike EYBL Session 3

Howard Pulley Survives Scare at Nike EYBL Session 3

Nike EYBL Session 3 has ended and we recap all the action that went on from Boo Williams in Virginia.

May 19, 2016 by Brett Pickert
Howard Pulley Survives Scare at Nike EYBL Session 3
By Jordan Divens

Despite contesting some close games during Nike Elite Youth Basketball League's (EYBL) third session, Howard Pulley eked out unscathed to remain undefeated. Here are some additional highlights and accolades from Session 3:

Most Dominant Teams: 
Howard Pulley 11-0, PSA Cardinals 10-1, Mokan Elite 10-1, Team Penny 9-2, Team CP3 9-2, E1T1 Elite 8-3
Howard Pulley is the only undefeated team in the EYBL. They continued their dominance in Hampton, Virginia, despite playing in two tight games. PSA Cardinals went 4-0 without star big man Mohamed Bamba, and Mokan Elite continued their excellent play as well. Team Penny added We All Can Go transfer John Petty, Jr. and dominated the court, while Team CP3 took sole possession of first place in Division A with a perfect weekend. E1T1 United also got a key addition as Bruno Fernando joined their squad to make them a formidable power—their undefeated weekend brings them to a strong 8-3 on the season.

MVP:
2017 6’ 2” PG Trae Young (Mokan Elite) 25.8 points, 8.8 assists, 6.3 rebounds per game
Young led Mokan Elite to a perfect 4-0 record in Hampton. He averaged 25.8 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game in the third session and recorded the first triple-double in the EYBL circuit. Young also captured the first triple-double of the EYBL season in a 91-52 blowout win against Team United, during which he scored 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. But his most impressive performance of the third session was his 36 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds in their final game against the Phoenix Phamily. After Young’s dominant weekend, he brought his averages up to 20.8 points, 7.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game on the EYBL circuit.

Breakout Performer:
2017 6’ 4” SG Al Durham Jr (Southern Stampede) 21.3 points, 6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals per game
Durham, Jr. provided the Southern Stampede with a much-needed second scorer behind the EYBL’s leading scorer, Collin Sexton. If he continues his strong play, he may be just what the Southern Stampede need to get off the bubble and clinch a berth in the Peach Jam. Overall, Durham, Jr. averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game on the EYBL circuit for the Southern Stampede.

Fresh Face:
2017 6’ 10” PF Bruno Fernando (E1T1 United) 10.2 points, 7.0 rebounds per game
After de-committing from SMU and deciding to take a year at Montverde Prep, Bruno Fernando joined E1T1 United on the EYBL circuit. The 6-10 high major big man added a much-needed presence to the E1T1 front line and put up a solid 10.8 points and 7 rebounds per game. Fernando helped E1T1 United to a perfect 4-0 record in Session 3, and helped put E1T1 in the mix of top teams on the EYBL circuit. Fernando could help put E1T1 United over the top in Peach Jam play.

Biggest Transfer:
2019 6’ 0” PG Tyger Campbell (Spiece Indy Heat) and 2017 6’ 6” SF John Petty Jr (Team Penny)
Campbell and Petty, Jr. both left a struggling We All Can Go team and transferred to Peach Jam contenders. Campbell took over as the starting point guard for the 8-3 Spiece Indy Heat and Petty, Jr. provided 9-2 Team Penny with a much-needed second scorer next to PJ Washington. Petty, Jr. gave Team Penny the extra kick they needed, and helped lead them to an undefeated weekend in Hampton. Campbell and Petty, Jr. are both huge additions moving forward.

Peach Jam Bubble:
There are 13 teams who appear to be in secure positions to make the Peach Jam in July. 24 teams earn a bid in the Nike Peach Jam, and there are currently 6 teams that sit at 6-5 and would make the Peach Jam if it started today (BABC, Expressions Elite, Nike South Beach, CIA Bounce, Team Takeover, Meanstreets). After the 6-5 teams, there are only 5 spots left for six teams who sit at 5-6 through three sessions (Georgia Stars, King James, Pro Skills, Las Vegas Prospects, Oakland Soldiers). Other teams that can’t be counted out are the teams who sit at 4-7 through three sessions, these teams are technically only one game behind the group of six teams that would currently make the Peach Jam if it started today. This group of teams includes New York Lightning, Alabama Challenge, Phoenix Phamily, Houston Hoops, All Ohio Red, and Mac Irvin Fire.

Related: The 5 Best Performances from Nike EYBL Session 3