DMV Teams Dominate NYBL Session I Make National Statement

For our readers who are not familiar; the National Youth Basketball League (NYBL) is the premier middle school league in North America offering a platform for top teams in the United States and Canada.  The NYBL was formed in 2013 and featured twenty-four (24) sixth grade (Class of 2019) teams. 

In 2014, the NYBL expanded to include thirty-two (32) seventh grade (Class of 2019) teams and sixteen (16) sixth grade (Class of 2020) teams. This year the league opened play at the New 24 facility in District Heights  showcase thirty-six (36) eighth grade (Class of 2019) teams, twenty-eight (28) seventh grade (Class of 2020) teams and twenty-four (24) sixth grade (Class of 2021) teams.

Using a style and format similar to the well-known NIKE EYBL circuit the participants of the league has produced the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) National Champions every year  since its inception in 2013. Carolina Preps (NC) won the 6th grade nationals in 2013. Team CP3 (Formerly Carolina Preps) also won the 7th grade AAU Nationals, while the Oakland Soldiers won the 6th grade AAU Nationals in 2014.

NYBL features the very best in Middle School individual talent with a reported 50 (plus) top 100 players in the Class of 2019 and 25 (plus) top 50 players in the Class of 2020, according to multiple independent scouting sources.

The DMV being a national hotbed and a consistent producer of the nation’s top basketball talent was heavily represented in the various classes.

2019:  New World (5-0), Baltimore Finest (4-1), DC Premier (4-1), Maryland Playmakers (3-2), The District Basketball Club (0-5) 

2020: Team Durant (5-0), Team Takeover (5-0), 023 Feet (3-2) 

2021: New World (5-0), Team Takeover (5-0), Bmore Finest (5-0), Team Durant (3-2), Maryland Playmakers (2-3)

Competing against the nation’s best middle school talent the DMV compiled an overall record of 49 – 18 or a .733 winning percentage and put on some amazing individual displays over the course of the weekend.

Top performers for Class of 2019 were Bishop O’Connell commit, 6-2 WF Jay Heath, who scored 27 points, and is a definite candidate for the All Star Team. Other 2019 standouts included St. Mary’s Rykan recruit, 6-0 G Malik Anderson with two double doubles; McNamara  bound PF, 6-5 BJ Joyner, scored buckets, and showed he was hardnosed competitor and defender, who scored 15 points in the game versus Atlanta; still available Karim Couiliby, F, 6'8, was remarkable and stuffed the stat sheet in every category headlined by 3 20+ point outings which included totals of 25 & 29. 

Playmaking point guard, 6’0 James Bishop, who is headed for Mt. St. Joe’s, led his Bmore Finest squad showing scoring prowess and elite level ball-handling, Good Counsel bound Gerard Mungo, 6'0, G, and Calvert Hall commit Logan Curtis, G, 6'2, provided lock down defense and wing scoring all weekend long, knocking down jumpers as well as being certified problems from the wing off penetration and transition.  

DC Premier played some bigtime competition and Mahki Mitchell, 6'8,F, McNamara, impressed all scouts in attendance with a with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks performance that also include two other 20 & 10 games; uncommitted Marvin Price, 6'4, F, and Christian DePollar, 6'4, F,showed very diverse skills from the wing and baseline attacking off the catch as well as the bounce – these two were difference makers and lit of the crowd with their scoring and tough play during a tough win over Team Texas Elite.  Maryland Playmakers CJ Amsellum, 6’7 C Good Counsel, battled on the boards and was excellent as a face of scorer, changed a lot of shots and show solid lateral movement on MTM defense.  

The standouts for 2020 were Jeremy Roach, who is receiving early interest from Bishop O’Connell and Bishop Ireton, displayed three-point marksmanship and scored the ball from all over the floor notching 15+points in 4 out of 5 games, 6-1 2G Jordan Toles maintained his national profile fighting foul trouble throughout to notch double figures every time he stepped onto the floor – which also included two double figure rebound games, he was exciting and effeceint and is being looked at by every school in the DMV; Tyler Brelsford was exceptional from the lead guard position running hitting 13 threes on the weekend while dishing out just over 6 assist per game with a 2.5 to 1 assist-to-turnover ratio, F Cameron Byers, 6’5, impressed shooting a high percentage and putting on a show on day 1 with a 15-point, 14-rebound effort, physical specimen, 6-4 F Montez McNeil, battled an injury sustained in the first game to put up a great 12 points, 7 rebounds along with multiple double figure efforts – also average 2 BPG over the weekend

Terrance Williams, 6’6, F, scored double figure each time he took the floor with multiple 20+ point performances with a game for the ages dropping 33pts & 16 rips, Williams is still available and being heavily sought after by many of the areas WCAC institutions, Cannin Reynolds, G, looked very smooth especially in the halfcourt distributing as well as banging in some timely 3-pointers, while Ishmael Leggett, G, got to any where he wanted on the court setting up himself as well as his teammates, Leggett is quickly becoming one of the top guard prospect on the DC side of the area, look for him to receive a lot of attention moving forward, Hunter Dickinson, 6’9, C, did some good things around the basket and rebounded but was eye catching with his fluidy at the free throw line, he looks more comfortable away from the basket facing up and has very nice touch on his jump shot,  Chuck Harris, G, proved he is a big time scorer and wow us while dropping 18 in a tough day 1 match up, Isaiah Folks, showed some flashes of different high level skills, at times putting the ball in the hole and at other distributing he was a catalyst for a lot of hockey assist and proved he can effect a game in many ways, Josiah Hardy, F, guarded all 5 positions this weekend a feat that deserve credit and attention, was solid on the boards, and did some very nice things around the hoop and as a face up, looks like he is almost ready to be stretched out.

 At the 2021 level there were also some very special performers, Zion Harmon, G, was found running with the Oakland Soldiers and had two 17-point outings, along with usual 20+- point performances, he doesn’t miss a beat when it comes to scoring, Jalen Hall, G, is quickly becoming a national name putting up some impressive scoring totals from all three levels – an underrated facilitator he was truly fun to watch his talent is undeniable, Trevor Keels, F, was a dominating force notching 3 20-point performances showing excellent touch and range while also impacting the boards and acting at times as a primary ball-handler, 

Rodney Rice, G, shot well, and Darius Johnson,G, was very strong handling the ball and distributing he also was very good on the ball as a defender, Jalen Miller, G, was finally allowed to run free and he took full advantage clearly proving he is a force to reckoned with in the age group, put us some very nice scoring numbers with the defense geared to stop him he is clearly a force in the league and the age group,  Jake Koverman, F, came into his own this session highlighted by his 14-point and 16-point outing, new find D. Johnson is one of the most athletic players in the group and he pulled down double figure rebounds in each game combine with a few double figure scoring performance this kid is one the area should keep an eye on as he is a very intriguing talent, Ahmad Harrison was a consistent multi-category contributor and impacted possessions on both ends, the shooting of Chris Winborne, G, was something to note and he worked well with the dribble drive offense displayed by the Baltimore group, Christian Moore is a special player and has to be in the discussion as one of the best natural scorer in the area he continued to put up some impressive scoring totals and was especially effective of penetration and off  pull-ups.

Other players deserving mention include but are not limited to:

2019: Jaylen Wiggins, Albert Jackson, Jordan Miller, Christopher Margaritas, Anwar Gill, Casey Morsell - 2020: Justin Lewis, Keyshawn Johnson, Jarred Cross – 2021: William Margaritas, AJ Thomas, Stalin Oaks, Airial Gorrat

The NYBL will include three more sessions for 2015: Session 2 - Richmond, VA (April), Session 3 - Pigeon Forge, TN (May) and Session 4 (June-Championship Round) - Columbus, Ohio.  Stay tune for continued coverage throughout the season.