By Jordan Divens

What an incredible regular season for the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL)! Four Division winners finished 14-2, Southern Stampede star Collin Sexton broke the regular-season scoring record with an average of 31.7 points per game, and nine players averaged double-doubles for the year.

This week, Session 4 closed the regular season with a bang—multiple individuals shined, bubble teams battled, and top teams tuned up for postseason play:

Four-Way Tie at 14-2 atop the EYBL Regular-Season Standings:
The Nike EYBL regular-season standings finished with a 14-2 team in first place in each of the four divisions: Team CP3, Howard Pulley, PSA Cardinals, and Team Penny.

Team CP3 is tied with Team Penny as both teams currently ride 12-game winning streaks heading into Peach Jam play. Team CP3 has been dominant behind their star big man, class of 2016's 6-10 Wendell Carter, who is averaging a double-double on the year. Team CP3 has used a balanced attack behind Carter to win Division A with five players averaging nine-plus points per game.

Howard Pulley was the last undefeated team standing in EYBL play at 11-0 on the season before they lost their first game in Session 4, 69-60, to CIA Bounce. The Panthers slowed down a bit in Session 4, going just 3-2. But they still won Division B comfortably by three games behind their star guard, Gary Trent, Jr., who averaged 22.2 points per game.

PSA Cardinals won Division C despite not having the leading rebounder of the EYBL, Mohamed Bamba, for the last two sessions—they went 8-1 in his absence. Quade Green has been dominant for PSA, averaging 14.1 points, 10.5 assists, and 2.9 steals per game. They roll into postseason play with confidence because of strong perimeter play from Green, Brandon Randolph, and Cole Anthony.

Team Penny, similar to Team CP3, ride a 12-game winning streak heading into the Peach Jam. John Petty, Jr. is averaging 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game since joining the team and PJ Washington finished a strong regular season by averaging 17.4 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Team Penny won Division D outright with tough two point wins over Spiece Indy Heat and Mokan Elite in back-to-back games in Session 4.

Session 4 MVP: Collin Sexton | 34.6 points, 5.4 rebs, 13.4-15.6 FT, 52% FG
Collin Sexton had an incredible fourth session—his scoring output topped 30 points in four out of five games (35, 34, 44, 25, 33). He was a force to be reckoned with, and averaged 15.6 free throw attempts per contest in his final five games of the regular season. His signature performance of the session was against the Georgia Stars; he went off for 44 points and 10 rebounds while going 12-22 from the field and 18-20 from the free throw line. Sexton was the leading scorer in the EYBL, averaging 31.7 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Honorable Mention: Mitchell Robinson | 20.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4 blocks, 72% FG
Pro Skills big man Robinson put up a number of dominant performances in the final session to lead his team to a Peach Jam berth. Robinson recorded impressive regular-season numbers by averaging 15.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game. These numbers were inflated in the final session when it mattered most for his team, and he led Pro Skills to wins in their final three contests.

Peach Jam Qualifiers:

Division A:
Team CP3, Team Takeover, California Supreme, Albany City Rocks, Meanstreets
Division B:
Howard Pully, Each 1 Teach 1, CIA Bounce, Pro Skills, Nike South Beach
Division C:
PSA Cardinals, Expressions Elite, BABC, The Rens, Phoenix Phamily
Division D:
Team Penny, Mokan Elite, Playaz Basketball Club, St. Louis Eagles, Team Final

The Bubble: (four remaining at-large spots)

Spiece Indy Heat (9-7)
Should easily clinch a berth in the Peach Jam as the only team above .500 on the bubble.

King James (8-8)
Another team that should get into the Peach Jam because of their record, as they are the only team that sits at .500 on the bubble.

Southern Stampede (7-9)
Had the leading scorer in EYBL history in Sexton, who averaged 31.7 points per game on the season.

Georgia Stars (7-9)
The defending champions of the EYBL Peach Jam. Will they get the nod to defend their title?

The Family Detroit (7-9)
The hottest team of all bubble teams, The Family went 5-0 in Session 4. They started at an abysmal 2-9. Will they give Cinderella a shot?

Houston Hoops (7-9)
Didn’t live up to expectations this season, but still have a chance to be selected into postseason play.

Las Vegas Prospects (7-9)
Living up to their nickname, they have three strong prospects on their team in Charles O’Bannon, Jr., Troy Brown, Jr., and O’Shae Brissett.

Team Portis Wings Elite (7-9)
Won three straight to end Session 4 at 7-9 in the rugged division D, which included tough wins over St Louis Eagles, and Spiece Indy Elite.

Top 5 Regular-Season MVP Candidates:

2017 6’ 2” PG Collin Sexton 31.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, .457 FG%
2017 6’ 9” SF Michael Porter Jr 22.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, .587 FG%
2017 7’ 0” C DeAndre Ayton 19.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, .602 FG%
2017 6’ 10” PF Mitchell Robinson 16.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, 4.1 blocks, .734 FG%
2017 6’ 0” PG Quade Green 14.1 points, 10.5 assists, 2.9 steals, .881 FT%

Other Top Candidates:

2017 6’ 2” PG Trae Young 21.3 points, 7.1 points, 1.9 steals, .857 FT%
2017 6’ 10” PF Wendell Carter Jr 16.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, .709 FG%
2017 6’ 6” SG Gary Trent Jr 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, .853 FT%
2017 6’ 11” PF Marvin Bagley III 20.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, .523 FG%
2017 6’ 8” PF PJ Washington 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, .619 FG%