Magnolia Hoops

Nike brought in some of the best EYBL 2019 and 2020 kids to Saint Louis over the weekend. Just a few miles away from the Gateway Arch, Saint Louis University hosted the event. It was no surprise at the level of talent that took the court in the Simon Recreation Center. Most of the top notch and well know guys showed out but there was some surprises that stepped up as well. Here is a couple notes from the event on June 22-25, 2017.
Noah Fernandes 5-11 2019 PG Tabor Academy (Marion, MA): The guard ran his team with full effort. He was all over the place defensively and was full of hustle the whole weekend.

Bryce Cook 5-7 2019 PG South Grand Prairie (Grand Prairie, TX): One of my favorite players to watch at the whole event. The opposing points tried to challenge him every game that I had the opportunity to watch him play. And I say tried. The guards would call for the ball so they could try and challenge him down the court. They got a couple plays down the court then they would be wore out and shy away from it. His on ball defense was top notch. He would get lower than the taller guards and make it hard for them to handle the ball. His speed and toughness allow him to be very pesky and competitive. Offensively, he got the ball down the court fast and he runs his team. He is a bundle of dynamite when it comes to scoring. The lefty can get separation and get his shot off from outside or mid range. He also should he can get acrobatic and finish around the paint.

Sharife Cooper 5-10 2020 PG McEachern (Powder Springs, GA): He is great at getting to the basket and either dishing or kicking out to the open man. He showed he can also finish off the drive too.

Joe Girard 6-1 2019 PG Glens Falls (Glens Falls, NY): He comes from the same school as Jimmer Fredette and holds an offer from BYU. Can we see history repeating itself? Ok, I’ll slow down a little here. He could’ve easily been the best shooter there. I was really impressed with his ability to run the point. He has a very high basketball IQ and made some great passes. He showed the ability to score mid range using pull up jumpers. He was a player that knew his limits and played well within them efficiently.

Avery Anderson 6-2 2019 PG Northwest (Justin, TX): He used his 6-6 wingspan to help finish around the rim. The very shifty and quick point might not have been the most fundamental ball handler there but he showed some very nice moves. His ball handling and passing made him a force over the weekend.

Kira Lewis 6-3 2019 G Hazel Green (Hazel Green, AL): I’ve had the opportunity to watch Kira play several times over the summer and I knew he was fast, but not this fast. He used his built in turbo button on several plays when leaving defenders behind. I also watched Kira transform into a great point over the weekend. He managed to do a bulk of the ball handling and creating for his team. He didn’t score the ball like he normally does but he made up for it on the defensive end with nice on and off the ball defense. He also showed his quickness several times by stopping on dimes and shifty directions. Kira should be looked at now as a top 50 national ranked player.

Tyrese Maxey 6-2 2019 G South Garland (Dallas, TX): Explosive. Very explosive. He finishes strong with his 6-6 wingspan. He can finish around the rim in several ways. Very quick fist step.

Kyle Sturdivant 6-2 2019 PG Norcross (Norcross, GA): He uses his 6-6 wingspan to get in the lane and get his shots off. He can create a shot anytime he wants it.

Mylik Wilson 6-3 2019 G Rayville (Rayville, LA): He knocked three’s down from long range.

Jalen Lecque 6-4 2019 PG Christ School (Arden, NC): The guard can create his shot easy. I was really impressed with his defense. He’s a very good hard nosed defender.

Cole Anthony 6-2 2019 PG Arch Bishop Molloy (Briarwood, NY): Possibly the best player there. He is a very commanding guard that runs his team to precision. He sees the whole court at all times and is a great passer. He had no problem finishing around and above the rim. He shoots the ball really well when he needs to. Anthony guided his team to win the championship. Photo below is from the Championship Game.

Marcus Walton 6-6 2019 SF Buford (Buford, GA): Super strong bodied forward. He shot the ball really well and is a very good all around player. He has a very quick first step. His main strength is getting to the basket and drawing contact. I also was impressed with his leadership role for his team.

Isaac Okoro 6-5 2019 SF McEachern (Powder Springs, GA): He does all the little stuff that other players wont do. He is a garbage man that cleans up the offensive boards and goes for 50-50 balls. It’s also nice to see a 6-5 206 lb guy taking a charge for his team.

Kyree Walker 6-6 2020 G Hillcrest Prep (Phoenix, AZ): One of the most competitive guys there. He had a really strong will to win and he wanted the ball in his own hands in clutch time. Good size, strong body guard.

Malik Hall 6-7 2019 SF Sunrise Christian Academy (Wichita, KS): Great all-around player that is a scoring machine. He just seemed to show up all the time making offensive plays.

Josh Taylor 6-6 2020 SF Columbia (Atlanta, GA): Another player that was doing all the hustle plays all weekend. He used his 6-10 wingspan to hit open mid range jumpers all weekend. It was very reassuring to see a player take advantage of the lost art of 15 footers.

Chandler Lawson 6-9 2019 F East (Memphis, TN): Chandler didn’t have the best weekend but he did answer several questions that I’ve had about him. He showed that he can play the 3 or 4 and he also might be able to grow a little over the next few years. He had the largest wingspan at the event at 7-6.

Cade Cunningham 6-5 2020 SF Bowie (Arlington, TX): A do-it-all type of player. He was the best surprise at the event. He is a good passer wit ha very high basketball IQ to go with a good motor. He crashes the boards on both ends. He showed that he can score easily above the rim and can shoot outside. He will rise up the rankings as he goes forward. His 7-0 wingspan is a very good added bonus.

Roman Wilson 6-10 2019 F/C Park Hill (Kansas City, MO): His 7-2 wingspan allowed him to block and change shots all weekend. His motor was crazy high on both ends of the court. In one play on the court, he got a block, ran the court to get an offensive board and finished it with the put back. Very impressive defender.

Keion Brooks 6-8 2019 G/F North Side (Fort Wayne, IN): He started the weekend showing that he can run some point and play a 2. He didn’t shoot very well but rumor has it that he can stroke it with the best of them. He changed his game and moved to a 3 and 4 the rest of the weekend. He really showed out from mid range knocking down everything he shot. He finished good around the basket and he crashed the boards hard.

D.J. Burns 6-9 2019 C York Prep (Rock Hill, SC): Nice big body post that played some solid defense all weekend.

Malcolm Dandridge 6-8 2019 F/C East (Memphis, TN): Malcolm didn’t have a super great weekend but he played very consistent and proved that he can hang with the big guys. He also measured in with a 7-2 wingspan.

D.J. Jeffries 6-7 2019 G/F Olive Branch (Olive Branch, MS): D.J. handled the ball fairly well when needed to and his passing was good as always.

Trendon Watford 6-8 2019 PF Mountain Brook (Mountain Brook, AL): He picked his moments and shined when he needed to. A great finisher above the rim that stepped out and played a little outside the paint. Measured in at 7-2 wingspan.

Luke Anderson 6-8 2019 PF Lakeland (Lakeland, FL): He was in on every play it seemed like all weekend long. He was all over the place and his fingerprints were on loose balls and passes consistently. A very smart player.

David Roddy 6-5 2019 F Breck (Minneapolis, MN): The super strong forward has a 6-11 wingspan that he uses to make plays above the rim. He was very solid all weekend on both ends of the court.

Moulaye Sissoko 6-7 2019 F/C Central Park Christian (Birmingham, AL): Moulaye showed some great offensive moves this weekend from the low block. His offensive production was a pleasant surprise.

Mahamadou Diawara 6-9 2019 C Hamilton Heights (Chattanooga, TN): He used his 7-1 wingspan to contest plenty of shots. He was a very good defensive player.

Aidan Igiehon 6-10 2019 C Lawrence Woodmere Academy (Woodmere, NY): The best big man there. He used a very good assortment of moves on the offensive end to score. He could score whenever he wanted to. He was the best passing big man. He ran the floor very hard on the breaks. His defensive motor was high and he crashed the boards on both ends.

Kofi Cockburn 6-10 2019 C Christ The King (Middle Village, NY): If not for Aiden, he would’ve been the best big there. He looked like a man playing with boys in the three on three skills sessions. He is a very bruising post that can get to the basket. He ruled the boards with his bullish frame.

N’Faly Dante 6-9 2020 F/C Sunrise Christian Academy (Wichita, KS): Dante was slowed all weekend and didn’t have the performance he was hoping for. He sported a 7-5 wingspan on his tall lanky frame. Expect him to be a force in the upcoming years for Coach Barnwell.