#OTRHoopsReport: Hemi’s Picks from the EYBL Circuit – June 25, 2018

Class of 2019 wing-forward Romeo Weems of Michigan is one of the elite athletes in the country. He is a DePaul Commit. Photo – Jon Lopez

CARTERSVILLE, Georgia – The July viewing period is around the corner for travel teams. It also means that many of the nation’s elite players will square off at the Nike Peach Jam in Augusta, Georgia. We had a chance to take a look at several of these teams during the spring weekends, including the EYBL stop at Lake Point Sporting Facility in May. Here is a list of highlighted players from the Session III stop.

***This is far from a top player list. For instance, we did not include Cole Anthony who is arguably the top player in the class of 2019 and the leading scorer on the EYBL circuit. We have written on Anthony many times including HERE, HERE and HERE. ***

By: @JLHemingwayPSB

DJ Jeffries (Olive Branch, Mississippi), Bluff City Legends – 2019 COMMITTED: Kentucky

Jeffries has one of the best all around games on the wing. The 6-foot-8 small forward plays the game under control, rarely getting sped up into making mistakes. Although a secondary ball handler for the Legends, he proved he could command the break and even work the pick and roll action effectively. If he continues to polish his play-making, specifically his passing skills, he could crack the NBA Lottery as a draft pick in 2019.

Keion Brooks Jr. (South Bend, Indiana), Indy Heat – 2019

Brooks is in the mold of former Kentucky Wildcat Kevin Knox. He is a 4 player that has transitioned to a full time wing. Brooks greatest strength remains his ability to rebound. He play makes in the half court and can lead the break in the open court. By looking at his numbers this year: 20ppg, 7rpg, 36% from 3pt range – the 6-8 lanky framed forward has the attributes that the modern game wants from a wing. His recruiting, per Evan Daniels of 247 Sports: Butler, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue

Isaiah Stewart (Rochester, New York), Albany City Rocks – 2019

Stewart might not be the sexy pick as at the center in 2018, but how can you pass up a guy who posts a double-double nearly every time he laces his shoes up? Sure scouts and fans love the stretchable center who can shoot 3s and play a five-out offense. But do not count out this guy who could fill the needs of a NCAA Tournament caliber team for the next three to four years. He averaged 17ppg and 10rpg while also blocking 1.5 shots per game all while converting 60% of his shot attempts. He also earned a spot onto the USA 17U team last month. The 6-9 post reminds me of Bruno Fernando who heads into his sophomore year at Maryland as a returning double digit scorer. Per his interview with USA Today HSS his recruiting goes as follows: Syracuse, Georgetown, Michigan State, Duke, Notre Dame, Villanova, Texas, Indiana, Louisville and Washington.

Jahmius Ramsey (Arlington, Texas), Drive Nation – 2019

Ramsey is poised for a monster year this high school season. Assuming he returns to IMG Academy next season, he could position himself on the #NaismithWatch preseason list of top 50 high school prospects. He has athleticism and a burst that will remind you of another IMG graduate, Trevon Duval. Ramsey is not quite the passer that Duval became by his senior year, however those skills are there. In a match-up versus the Georgia Stars he showed terrific passing abilities with either hand and found open shooters after he rubbed past a high ball screen. If he can improve his 3pt shooting (27%), we could expect Ramsey to become one of the nation’s top point guards. In an interview with 247 Sports at the NBPA Top 100 Camp, he mentioned Oregon, Indiana, Miami, Virginia and Florida State as places he plans on visiting this year. He has no plans of committing early.

Trendon Watford (Birmingham, Alabama), Georgia Stars – 2019

Watford’s performance at the EYBL stop in Atlanta is notable. His recent performance at the City of Palms almost ensured his 5-star rating. Yet the 6-8 guard/forward has elevated game once again as one of the alpha scorers in the country. In match-up with Drive Nation he dropped 32 points on 12-16 shooting. He handled the ball as a lead handler and used top of the key ball screens to score in an array of ways. He hit transition 3s as well as finishing at the basket. For the year, Watford averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds per game and should be considered one of the elite wing-forwards in the country. Earlier this month Watford released his final eight schools: Memphis, Indiana, TCU, Alabama, Kansas, Vanderbilt, LSU and Florida State.

And then there was 8…??‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZymS5VqNyk

— Trendon Watford (@Trendon_2) June 13, 2018

Romeo Weems (New Haven, Michigan), The Family – 2019 COMMITTED: DePaul

I am buying stock in Weems. Although he was not even his team’s leading scorer, I see skill and physical attributes that could make him a valued player at the collegiate and professional levels. In a match-up versus CP3 he showed play-making skills and passing ability that is rare for a 6-8 wing to show. He averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 steals per game. His shooting percentages still have room for growth, but his form looks to be solid. Although not as accomplished as of yet as Josh Jackson, I see a future comparison for Weems to be an elite 2-way player. He too was named to the USA U17 national team last month.

Blessed To Be Apart Of The USA National Team??Lets Go Get This Gold Again???2x pic.twitter.com/mAO9yMYHSH

— Romeo Weems (@romeo_weems_0) June 21, 2018

Khalil Whitney (Chicago, Illinois), Mac Irvin Fire – 2019

Whitney is another long, athletic wing with elite skill. In my notebook (and many of the national ranking sites) Whitney is a bona fide 5-star recruit. His athleticism and length have been notable in previous evaluations, but he has added dimensions to his game. This has translated into one of the most productive seasons on the EYBL circuit. He averaged 20 points and six rebounds per game. He also notched 37% of his 3-pointers while making close to two threes per game. Per Evan Daniels of 247 Sports, Whitney visited Illinois this week.

Established Prospects

Brandon Newman (Meanstreets) is one of the best shooters on the circuit. He made 53 3-pointers in 16 circuit games while shooting over 40% from the arc. He averaged 18 points per game as well.

Brycen Goodine (BABC) is elite at the point guard position. He averaged 19 points per game while shooting 38% from the arc. He did this while also having a 3:1 assist to turnover ratio. He is a Syracuse commit.

Kyle Sturdivant (Nike Team Florida) answered all the questions this spring. He proved to be a very good athlete and an effective play maker. He filled up multiple boxes on the stat sheet – 16 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists per game.

Wendell Moore (Team CP3) is one of the most versatile guards on the circuit. His style reminds me of Evan Turner in that he can score with jumpers and on the post up. Moore projects to be a more efficient version of Turner as he shot over 50% from the field.

Jonathan Hemingway is a National Evaluator for the OTRHoopsReport. Hemingway serves on the Board of Selectors for the Naismith Trophy. He is also the publisher of CoachHemi.com. He has been involved in the community since 1996 as a coach, camp director and evaluator. You can reach him via email at JonathanHemingway@PeachStateBasketball.com and follow him on  twitter @JLHemingwayPSB