Nike EYBL Scholastic League & Best By State Part V

What is this new league created by Nike?

Author

Griffin Greenberg
December 08, 2023

Strictly BBall Newsletter 10

Nike EYBL Scholastic League Preview and New Top-10!

What were the big games last week in HS hoops?

by Griffin Greenberg on December 8

The past week was a huge one with Nike EYBL Scholastic kicking off their first season, some huge matchups featuring our new top 10, and finishing off the best by state list. Check it out!

THIS WEEK’S TOP STORIES

Updated Strictly BBall Top 10

  1. Montverde Academy (FL)

  2. Prolific Prep (CA)

  3. Link Academy (MO)

  4. Columbus High School (FL)

  5. Paul VI Catholic (VA)

  6. Long Island Lutheran (NY)

  7. IMG Academy (FL)

  8. La Lumiere School (IN)

  9. Dream City Christian (AZ)

  10. Wasatch Academy (UT)

Why is Prolific No. 2? Prolific Prep was in the game of the week vs. Link Academy and beat them, making them the new No. 2! Read more in the next section below about the game.

Why did La Lumiere drop to No. 8? LaLu was taken down by Oak Hill at the Marshall County Hoopfest and dropped to No. 8. Read more in the next section below about the game.

EYBL Scholastic

The National Interscholastic Basketball Conference (NIBC), which was composed of some of the top elite high school teams across the country, has partnered up with Nike, creating Nike EYBL Scholastic.

Teams:

No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL), No. 3 Link Academy (MO), No. 6 Long Island Lutheran (NY), No. 7 IMG Academy (FL), No. 8 La Lumiere School (IN), No. 10 Wasatch Academy (UT), AZ Compass Prep (AZ), Oak Hill Academy (VA), Brewster Academy (NH), Canyon International Academy (AZ), Sunrise Christian Academy (KS), Veritas Prep (CA), Orangeville Academy (CAN) and Legacy Early College (SC).

Nike EYBL Scholastic Showcase in Las Vegas

The NBA and Nike have partnered up and launched the first Nike EYBL Scholastic Showcase in Las Vegas, NV. This event features EYBL Scholastic teams in part for the In-Season Tournament weekend that the NBA has between the Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans. Here are the matchups…

Friday, Dec. 8

AZ Compass Prep (AZ) vs. No. 7 IMG Academy (FL) - 3 PM ET on NBA App

Veritas Academy (CA) vs. Orangeville Prep (CAN) - 5 PM ET on NBA App

No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL) vs. No. 3 Link Academy (MO) on ESPNU

Saturday, Dec. 9

No. 1 Montverde Academy (FL) vs. AZ Compass Prep (AZ) on NBA App

No. 3 Link Academy (MO) vs. Orangeville Prep (CAN) on NBA App

Top HS Matchups From the Past Week

Link Academy (MO) vs. Prolific Prep (CA)

Prolific Prep ended up shaking the Strictly BBall Top-10 rankings with their big win over Link Academy. The nation’s top 2025 recruit AJ Dybantsa has had a big season for Prolific, and poured in 28 points and 8 rebounds against Link. He was doing it all, from knocking down threes to finishing inside. Tyran Stokes was elite inside and scored 20 points. 

Tre Johnson finished with 25 and Jalen Shelley finished with 24 points for Link. 5-star Zoom Diallo had one of his best games this season for Prolific, finishing with 16 points and 7 assists in the shootout.

Montverde Academy (FL) vs. IMG Academy (FL)

The battle of the two top teams in Florida was electric at the Sunshine Classic at Montverde. After a back-and-forth first quarter, Montverde would start to pull away in the second and find themselves up 12 heading into the half. Montverde would take advantage of 4-star Michigan commit Khani Rooths getting into foul trouble and would see 5-star Derik Queen total 25 points and 13 rebounds in the matchup. Asa Newell had 18 points and 5 rebounds, Cooper Flagg had 13 points. On the other side, Syracuse commit Donnie Freeman would lead IMG with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals.

Harvard-Westlake (CA) vs. Perry (AZ)

The defending state champions in California in Harvard-Westlake took on the defending state champions in Arizona in Perry and this matchup did not disappoint. 

Harvard-Westlake would get off to a slow start and find themselves down by 13 in the first quarter. They would then shoot 55+% from the field in the next two quarters and would hold on in the 4th to win. 

This win was thanks to big shots from USC commit Trent Perry who had 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. 2024 Harvard commit Robert Hinton would make a big impact for HW and finish with 19 points and 4 rebounds. 2025 top-5 recruit and Perry forward Koa Peat finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 blocks with Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, Arizona State head coach Bobby Hurley and other coaches attending.

La Lumiere School (IN) vs. Oak Hill Academy (VA)

In another EYBL Scholastic matchup, La Lumiere came into this matchup as our No. 7 ranked team, facing a very high-energy Oak Hill squad. Kaden Magwood would end up erupting for 41 points for Oak Hill in an OT win over LaLu, displaying his three-point shooting and ability to draw fouls and get to the line thanks to his craftiness. 

Highly ranked Darius Adams, Jalen Haralson and Jerry Easter would combine for 56 for LaLu, but Oak Hill pulled away late in OT. Micah Robinson poured in 10 points and 3 steals and Christian Anderson had 12 for Oak Hill in their 79-75 win.

Sierra Canyon (CA) vs. Desert Mountain (AZ)

This game featured the second OT game that Desert Mountain played in at Hoophall West. DM is led by the electric 2026 twin guard duo in Kaden and Kalek House, and also has another impressive twin guard duo in Javon and Jabron Bardwell. The House twins put on a clinic in this game, going back and forth with Justin Pippen and Sierra Canyon. Pippen had a complete game with 23 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 TO, and 4 steals and Noah Williams finished with 23 points as well for Sierra Canyon.

Brewster Academy (NH) vs. IMG Academy (FL)

Brewster and IMG were in a close battle from start to finish, with IMG coming out on top by four. 2025 Dwayne Aristode was impressive for Brewster getting to the hoop and making an impact inside as he ended with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Nojus Indrusaitis knocked down shots and had 16 points. IMG would end up getting it done behind the arc, with 2025 5-star Darius Acuff knocking down 4 threes and finishing with 24 points and 4 steals, and Donnie Freeman having another efficient game with 16 points, 12 rebounds and 3 steals.

Strictly BBall Player of Week

Boogie Fland - 27 PPG (47% FG and 42% from 3), 3.5 RPG, 3 APG, 2.5 SPG

Fland’s electrifying playstyle went a long way for Archbishop Stepinac who traveled to Hoophall West in Scottsdale, Arizona. Stepinac played two elite public high schools in Perry (Gilbert, AZ) who is led by 5-star Koa Peat and Centennial (Corona, CA) who is led by 5-star Carter Bryant. 

Fland displayed some impressive shot-making in each game, and made a big impact defensively against Perry, leading his team to 18 points off turnovers. Against Centennial, Stepinac would hold Bryant to 2-9 from the field and win by 10. Fland plays downhill a lot and gets to his spots seemingly with ease. He fades away making a lot of his attempts unguardable and has a smooth handle in his game.

The Best by State

South Dakota - Dakota Valley

Dakota Valley is looking to three-peat as 4A state champions this season, but will have to do so without their leading scorer from last season in Isaac Bruns who now plays with his brother at the University of South Dakota. However, they still have a strong team with Jaxson Wingert back for his senior season and Luke Bruns, Logan Collette and Luke Anema.

Tennessee - Brentwood Academy

Brentwood Academy is set for another big season after their 30+ win season recently. 2024 Vanderbilt commit Tyler Tanner should lead this squad, and makes a great dynamic duo with George MacIntyre, a top-10 2025 quarterback for BA’s football team.

Texas - Lake Travis

Lake Travis is coming off of a 26-8 season and has already had a strong start to this one. Taking down who many believed was the state’s top team in Oak Cliff Faith Family by more than 20, Lake Travis has a big shot at taking home the title. Their one loss has come to an undefeated Stony Point squad in a controversial buzzer beater ending. Lake Travis is led by elite top-30 2025 forward Hudson Greer, who is averaging 23 PPG and 7.7 RPG so far, and has seen a good amount of production from senior Jayden Thomas thus far.

Utah - Wasatch Academy

Wasatch is the nation’s No. 10 team currently and has a strong team that plays nationally and in the Nike EYBL Scholastic league. Wasatch is led by 2025 5-star wing Isiah Harwell, a player who can get a bucket at will, impacts games in multiple ways and is very explosive. They also have 4-star Ohio State commit John Mobley Jr., a shooter that runs the offense, San Diego State commit Taj DeGourville, a guard that does it all with his high IQ and playmaking, wing Bhan Buom, 4-star Chris Nwuli, and TCU commit Malick Diallo (who is currently nursing a knee injury).

Vermont - Vermont Academy

Vermont Academy has a talented team all-around and plays on a national schedule. Top-10 2025 recruit Joson Sanon is an elite shot-maker that leads the team and gets to his spots whenever he pleases. Towson commit Chike Ndefo has looked very good early in the season, doing a lot of damage inside. Mantas Zilys and Jayden James have also contributed a lot and should continue to do so for Vermont Academy.

Virginia - Paul VI

Paul VI is our No. 5 ranked team and is the top team in an elite hoop state. They have a shot at winning a national championship. Their roster includes 4-star Duke commit Darren Harris that is always on go and one of the best shooters in the class, big man 5-star Duke commit Patrick Ngongba who is an interior force, UConn commit Isaiah Abraham who is a very well-rounded wing, floor spacing big Notre Dame commit Garrett Sundra, explosive Rhode Island commit Ben Hammond and more. This team has the edge over Bishop O’Connell for best team in the state and we’ll luckily get to see a matchup between these teams next month.

Washington - Eastside Catholic

Eastside Catholic won the Metro League title last season and returns their top player in 4-star Virginia commit Jacob Cofie. Cofie is a versatile big that can score at all levels and even handle the ball well. Alongside him is senior Nate Krohn, junior Alex Elston, and sophomore big man Yeabsera Aklog. EC has a good chance at winning another Metro title and can redeem themselves in the WIAA Hardwood Classic where they fell short last season.

West Virginia - Huntington Prep

Huntington Prep was previously ranked top-10 nationally before a couple of losses, but is still the top team in West Virginia. They are led by 2025 No. 3 recruit Darryn Peterson and have a very strong surrounding team. That includes 2025 4-star Oklahoma State commit Carlsheon Young, 2024 3-stars Dillon Tingler and Anthony Gilkes and 2025 Micah Tucker.

Wisconsin - De Pere

De Pere had a 30-0 season last season to win the D1 state championship. Despite last year’s senior guard John Kinziger graduating, they have a strong team that can come out on top once again. 2025 Wisconsin commit Zach Kinziger, 2024 Northern Iowa commit Will Hornseth and Pryce Gregoire will all be instrumental in the success for De Pere this season.

Wyoming - Riverton

Riverton finished with a 21-6 record last season and has a chance to go very far this season. Parker Paxton is returning for his senior year after averaging 18.5 PPG and Darrick Devries is also back after averaging 14 PPG and 6.4 RPG. Riverton has a very realistic shot at a championship as they’re the current top team in the state.