By Jordan Divens

The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League's (EYBL) Pool A is loaded and features the Division C-winning PSA Cardinals, who look like the clear favorite. The group features the Playaz Basketball Club, Meanstreets, and Nike South Beach, which all feature predominantly guard-dominated lineups. Spiece Indy Heat and CIA Bounce are both led by an elite big man. With only two teams advancing out of each pool, PSA Cardinals and Spiece Indy Heat seem primed for the quarterfinal round.

PSA Cardinals (NY)

Regular Season Record: 14-2
Players to Watch: Quade Green, Mohamed Bamba, Brandon Randolph, Cole Anthony

PSA Cardinals won Division C in the regular season with thanks to EYBL assists and steals leader Quade Green and elite big man Mohamed Bamba, who led the EYBL in rebounds through seven games before sitting out their final nine. The PSA Cardinals are led in scoring by Brandon Randolph, who continues to raise his stock, and feature elite class of 2019 guard Cole Anthony, son of former NBA player Greg Anthony.

Playaz Basketball Club (NJ)

Regular Season Record: 11-5
Players to Watch: Leondre Washington, Jamir Harris, RJ Cole, Marcus McClary

Playaz Basketball Club are a scrappy bunch with strong guard play. During the regular season, Playaz Basketball were paced by their four guards (Washington, Harris, Cole, and McClary) who were the top four in scoring, and minutes played on the team during a successful regular season in a tough Division D. Playaz Basketball Club’s only downfall is the lack of size in their rotation.

Meanstreets (IL)

Regular Season Record: 9-7
Players to watch: Brian Bowen, Alonzo Verge, Nojel Eastern, Isaiah Livers

Meanstreets will rely heavily on their leader Brian Bowen, who finished 12th in the EYBL in scoring. After Bowen, Meanstreets have five players averaging between 6.6 and 9.9 points per game who make up their group of key role players. They will need a number of them to step up to have a chance to advance out of Pool play in this year’s Peach Jam.

Spiece Indy Heat (IN)

Regular Season Record: 9-7
Players to watch: Jaren Jackson Jr, Xavier Tillman, Tyger Campbell, Justin Roberts

Spiece Indy Heat are a team that struggled a bit down the stretch, and lost four of their last five regular-season contests. The addition of elite class of 2019 point guard Tyger Campbell will be huge for their Peach Jam run, along with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman on the inside. Jackson Jr. had a breakout summer, and will need to carry the load offensively for a dangerous group in Pool A.

CIA Bounce (Can)

Regular Season Record: 9-7
Players to watch: Simi Shittu, Ignas Brazdeikis, Danilo Djuricic, Howard Washington

CIA Bounce closed out the regular season strong by going 6-2 in their final eight games. They are led by elite class of 2018 power forward Simi Shittu in the paint, and have size throughout their lineup, which allows them to match up with bigger teams down low. CIA Bounce also have solid guard play led by Howard Washington, with Jahvon Blair and Jaelin Llewllyn playing key supporting roles.

Nike South Beach (FL)

Regular Season Record: 8-8
Players to watch: Chaundee Brown, Zach Brown, Zack Dawson, Paul Atkinson

Nike South Beach rely heavily on Chaundee Brown to carry the scoring load, as the team had only two players who averaged double figures. Zack Dawson was the other double-figure scorer, and will need to play a huge role for Nike South Beach to advance out of pool play. The X-factor on this team, however, is Zach Brown, who averaged just 6.8 points per game this season.