The long and inevitably grueling quest for the Nike EYBL Scholastic championship begins today at the Houston Tip-Off when Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) squares off with AZ Compass Prep, kicking off year two for the country’s most competitive high school basketball league.
Seven teams are represented in both the MaxPreps National Top 10 and the Sports Illustrated/SB Live Top 25 and 10 teams are represented in the BallIsLife FAB 50. Multiple teams are expected to be represented in the ESPN SCNext 25 due out later this month.
The EYBL Scholastic will once again feature 14 teams from 11 states, plus one Canadian-based team, competing in 17 national events stocked full of 77 games.
Last year, Montverde (Fla.) Academy took home the inaugural Nike EYBL Scholastic title, finishing unblemished (12-0) in the league and going on to claim the Chipotle Nationals title, finishing 33-0 anchored by the No. 1 overall prospect in the ESPN 100, Cooper Flagg, now a freshman at Duke.
“Each year is a new opportunity, and we think we have enough talent to be No. 1,” Montverde coach Kevin Boyle said. “But there are multiple teams that could make that argument this year. It’s the best league for a reason, but our expectations are the same every year.”
The league will again bring the star power this season, boasting 35 prospects in the ESPN recruiting rankings for 2025, 2026 and 2027. That depth across the board has opinions abounding on who will ultimately stand atop the Nike EYBL Scholastic when the season concludes in February.
“There’s a lot more parity this season in the league and that’s exciting,” Oak Hill Academy coach Yerrick Stoneman said. “There are no nights off, but that’s what makes it the best league in the country. This is what makes the best players.”
AZ Compass Prep
Key Players: Davis Fogle (Gonzaga commit), Jeremiah Green (Texas A&M commit), Miikka Muurinen, Quincy Wadley, Kaden House, Kalek House.
Brewster Academy (N.H.)
Key Players: Dwayne Aristode (Arizona commit), Sebastian Wilkins, Darien Moore (Seton Hall commit), Ebuka Okorie (Harvard commit), Preston Fowler (James Madison commit).
CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.)
Key Players: Miles Sadler, Aliou Dioum, Jaion Pitt, Paul Osaruyri, Noah George, Rokiem Green.
IMG Academy (Fla.)
Key Players: Darius Acuff Jr. (Arkansas commit), Felipe Quinones, Sadiq White Jr. (Syracuse commit), Kareem Stagg (Georgia), Chase Foster, Jermal Jones.
La Lumiere (Ind.)
Key Players: Jalen Haralson (Notre Dame commit), Darius Adams (Connecticut commit), Chuck Love III (Loyola Chicago commit), Melvin Bell Jr. (San Jose State commit), Jack Smiley (Belmont commit).
Legacy Early College (S.C.)
Key Players: DeZhon Hall, Eddie Cooke (Robert Morris commit), Bryson Wheatfall, Justin Bandy, Lance Barnes, Braylen Langley, Isaiah Angel.
Link Academy (Mo.)
Key Players: Chris Cenac Jr., Jerry Easter, John Clark, Legend Smiley, Malachi Jordan, Keonte Greybear, Andre Igoudala II, Amare Bynum, Davion Hannah.
Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.)
Key Players: Kiyan Anthony, Kayden Mingo, Dylan Mingo, Moussa Kamissoko, Nigel James (Marquette commit).
Montverde (Fla.) Academy
Key Players: Dante Allen (Villanova commit), Trent Sisley (Indiana commit), Mazi Mosley (LSU commit), Hudson Greer (Creighton commit), Kayden Allen, CJ Ingram (Florida commit), Gabe Weis, Javion Tyndale, Dhani Miller.
Oak Hill Academy (Va.)
Key Players: Deondrea Lindsey, DeMarco Johnson, Donovan Williams, Howard Williams, Ethan Mgbako, Jed-Ethan Nansha.
Orangeville Academy (Can.)
Key Players: Sergio Corta, EJ Horton, Isaiah Lukusa, Demetrius Woodard, Harmon Hailemichael.
Sunrise Christian Academy (Kan.)
Key Players: Chidi Nwigwe, Aidan Chronister, Ivan Juric, Noah Hill, Luke Moore, Gavin Placide, Jacob Walker (Sam Houston commit).
Veritas Academy (Calif.)
Key Players: Zion Paleo, Emilis Zibuda, Juan Guerrero Hernandez Jr.
Wasatch Academy (Utah)
Key Players: Isiah Harwell (Houston commit), Katrelle Harmon, Junior County, Augustine Ekwe (New Mexico State commit), Austin Ouko, Sage Hanson, Mariano Manciel.
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