Business As Usual: Nike Announces 2018 EYBL Schedule

Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) has officially has announced its 2018 campaign, culminating with a Peach Jam finale set to take place on July 11-15 in North Augusta, South Carolina.

It is business as usual for one of the top grassroots basketball leagues amid speculation that Nike was going to cease to operate its youth basketball league in the wake of being named in the FBI’s investigation into college basketball corruption.

 

Four notable teams have been added to the roster of the EYBL in 2018, including Russell Westbrook’s new team, WhyNot. Rose City Rebels, Woodz Elite, and Drive Nation were also added this year.

Team Melo, MEBO Elite Team Hood and Uplay Canada will return for their second year in the EYBL.

Full Schedule:

Session 1 – April 20-22: Dallas, TX

Session 2 – April 27-29: Indianapolis, IN

Session 3 – May 11-13: Atlanta, GA

Session 4 – May 26-28: Hampton, VA

Peach Jam – July 11-15: North Augusta, SC

2018 EYBL Teams

​ (17u Division)​

• New York Lightning (NY)
• Indy Heat (IN)
• The Family Detroit (MI)
• MeanStreets (IL)
• All Ohio Red (OH)
• Team Final (PA)
• Mac Irvin Fire (IL)
• Oakland Soldiers (CA)
• A.O.T. Running Rebels (GA)
• Drive Nation (TX) (New Team)
• Pro Skills (TX)
• Playaz Club (NJ)
• PSA Cardinals (NY)
• The Renaissance (NY)
• Albany City Rocks (NY)
• Howard Pulley Panthers (MN)
• Las Vegas Prospects (NV)
• The Truth (CA)
• Nike Phamily (CA)
• Rose City Rebels (OR) (New Team)
• Nike Team Florida (FL)
• Team Melo (MD)
• Team WhyNot (CA) (Russell Westbrook​’s New Team)
• Team CP3 (NC)
• Boo Williams (VA)
• CIA Bounce (CAN)
• Seattle Rotary (WA)
• Each 1 Teach 1 (FL)
• MEBO Elite Team Hood (MS)
• Brad Beal Elite (MO)
• UPLAY Canada (CAN)
• Team United (NC)
• Team Penny (TN)
• Team Takeover (DC)
• Expressions Elite (MA)
• Georgia Stars (GA)
• BABC (MA)
• MOKAN Elite (KS)
• Houston Hoops (TX)
• Woodz Elite (AR) (New Team)

LA Out, Dallas In

The EYBL’s perennial stop in Los Angeles has been left off the schedule this year, in favor of a brand new 91,000 square foot training facility located in Irving, Texas.  Six-time NBA All-Star Jermaine O’Neal has backed the state-of-the-art $10 million dollar facility and his team, Drive Nation, will debut in the EYBL on their home floor.

There is always fierce competition as to who will be the best grassroots circuit.  Typically the EYBL has been seen as the flagship league. But there appears to be a changing of the guard.

2017’s McDonald’s All-American game was predominately made up of Nike players, however there appears to be a shift in power.

Nine 2018 Mcdonald’s All-Americans played in Adidas Uprising circuit last year, up from just one a year ago.  Adidas has announced its Uprising league’s schedule and team roster this week.

Nike EYBL Graduates Show Promise

EYBL graduates continue to shine at the next level. Trae Young,  a former Mokan Elite standout continues to receive a large share of media attention during a record setting freshman year at Oklahoma.  DeAndre Ayton and Michael Porter Jr are projected to be top picks this year in the draft.

Top ​2019 Nike EYBL ​players to watch:

• James Wiseman, ESPN 2019 #1 Recruit  (Team Penny)
• Vernon Carey (Nike Team Florida)
• Chol Marial (Nike Team Florida)
• Cole Anthony (PSA Cardinals)
• ​Jalen Lecque (Southern Stampede)​

Top Teams To Watch:

• ​CP3 – Finished #1 in IndiHoops 16u Final Rankings –
• Team Takeover – Finished #2 in 16 u Final Rankings
• AOT Running Rebels​, Finished #6 in 16u Final Rankings​
  Boo Williams – Finished #7
• Team Takeover – Finished #2 in Final 17u Rankings