Nike E15 Session 3 Preview
May 12, 2023 by Alex Walulik
Session 3 of the Nike EYBL tips off in Dallas, Texas this Friday and there are plenty of notable & intriguing prospects to watch. Read below to see the list of players looking to make an impression this weekend, whether it be bouncing back from Session 2 in Phoenix or continue raising their national stock.
Trent Perry, Drive Nation: Perry has been a consistent bright spot for Drive Nation on the E15 stage. During Session 2, he averaged 10.8 points per game while shooting 18-32 from the field. Perry has also been an active rebounder, as he totaled 28 rebounds through four games in Phoenix. Perry and Drive Nation will take on opponents PG Elite, PSA Cardinals, and The Skill Factory during Session 3, giving Perry a platform to showcase his skillset against tough competition. With that, and the steadiness Perry’s has displayed throughout EYBL so far, you could pencil him in for a potential major weekend in Dallas.
Tajh Ariza, Team WhyNot: Ariza has impressed in the E15 division so far thanks to his elite size, inside-out scoring ability, and rim protection. Ariza averaged 10 points through four games in Phoenix, and blocked a total of 3 shots during the weekend. He’s been a solid rebounder and passer, as well. He’ll look to continue flashing his all-around skillset while taking the next step in terms of production during Session 3. Ariza currently has offers from UCLA, USC, and Washington. But, expect schools outside the Pac-12 to start getting in the mix if Ariza is able to take another step in Dallas this weekend.
Maximo Adams, Team WhyNot: Ariza’s WhyNot teammate Maximo Adams is also another name to monitor for a potential strong performance in Dallas. Adams’ best game in Phoenix came on Sunday where he put up 19 points and 8 rebounds against UPLAY Canada. Other than that, Adams has been steady but not nearly as productive. Expect that to change and for his production to increase following Session 3. Adams is a major candidate to explode in Session 3 considering he’s been a bit quiet so far, and he’s too talented for it to stay that way. Right now, Adams has a high-major interest and holds offers from Kansas, Kansas State, and Texas, among others. His recruitment could gain a bit more traction with an impressive performance this weekend.
Gavin Placide, Team Griffin: Placide is a prospect that deserves more attention and recognition, despite not putting up crazy numbers in Session 2. Placide didn’t crack 15 points in each of the three games he played in, but he was highly efficient from the field and impacted the game in a variety of different ways. Standing 6’8, Placide has incredible size for his age, and he’s put it to good use so far in the E15 division. There’s a good chance Placide gets going even more in Dallas, and he’s an under-the-radar 2026 prospect to track throughout the weekend.
Darius Wabbington, Arizona Unity: Wabbington is one of the most interesting prospects in the E15 division, largely because he’s playing up as a 2027 prospect. Wabbington was impressive as Arizona Unity’s 6’10” big man. He averaged 9.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in just 17.7 minutes per game in Phoenix. Wabbington’s size for his age immediately stands out, but he’s also getting more comfortable spacing his game out to the 3-point line. In addition to his developing perimeter game, Wabbington is capable of scoring inside with soft touch and footwork. The combination of size and skill for someone this young is highly impressive, and it makes Wabbington must-see TV in the E15 division heading into Dallas.
Brandon Bass Jr., Florida Rebels: Son of former NBA player Brandon Bass, Bass Jr. started off Phoenix strong but his scoring dipped slightly later on in the weekend. His best scoring output came in the first game of the session where he scored 15 points and shot 5-7 from deep. In the following game, he was 4-8 from beyond the arc and then proceeded to go 2-2 in his third game. However, Bass struggled from deep on Sunday against Team CP3. Expect Bass to get back to his strong perimeter shooting ways in Dallas, where he’ll show off his extended range, beautiful shot and soft touch. He most recently grabbed an offer from LSU but once programs see what he’s capable of as a shooter, more will be on the way for Bass.
Deron Rippey, NH Lightning: Rippey has been steady throughout EYBL play, but many are still waiting to see a monster game from him. That type of performance could certainly come in Dallas, where it feels like Rippey could breakout and take the event by storm. In Phoenix, Rippey’s best performance came in the form of a 20-point outing against PG Elite. And, although that’s a solid number, Rippey feels like a player that could go for even more in Session 3. Currently, Rippey holds three offers from Fordham, Hofstra, and Oklahoma State. But, if we expect Rippey to play the way we think he will, that offer-number could skyrocket by the end of next week.
Jaxon Richardson, PG Elite: Richardson, son of former NBA veteran Jason Richardson and brother to four-star 2024 Jase Richardson, Jaxon has been electrifying on the E15 stage. He averaged 14.0 points and 10.3 rebounds during Session 2, all while displaying multi-level scoring and high-end athleticism. Richardson was bound to perform in the E15 division, but Dallas could be a turning point for his recruitment and the overall buzz surrounding him. Many will be in the gym to watch him play, and he’s more than capable of showing those in attendance that he’s a name to be taken seriously considering his talent level.
Paul Osaruyi, Arizona Unity: Possessing insane size and length for a 2027 prospect, Osaruyi has the physical tools that jump off the page. The skill-level is still very much raw, and the production hasn’t necessarily been there, but of the flashes that Osaruyi has shown, there’s a lot to be excited about. He only averaged 17.7 minutes per game during Session 2, so hopefully those watching can see a bit more of Osaruyi and what he brings to the table. It’ll be interesting to see if he can string together some consistency, while building on the brief glimpses he flashed in Phoenix. While he’s still raw and there’s plenty of room to grow, Osaruyi is a name to track this weekend in Dallas.
Marquis Clark, Meanstreets: Clark is an undersized guard, and a prospect that’s largely gone unnoticed during EYBL play so far. Clark averaged 8.5 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds during Session 2 play, and was able to showcase some impressive skills as a playmaker. Clark is a solid slasher in the half-court, he’s capable of turning the corner and possesses deceptive bounce with a 6’2” frame. He’s also a very good ball-handler and routinely showed off a crafty finishing package around the rim in Phoenix. Clark will attempt to put it all together in Dallas and up his scoring output to ensure he receives some more attention, and his skillset projects that he’ll do just that this coming weekend.
Matchups to Watch
Drive Nation vs. PG Elite (Friday, May 12 at 4:00 PM)
Expressions vs. Team Griffin (Friday, May 12 at 4:00 PM)
Boo Williams vs. Arizona Unity (Friday, May 12 at 5:30 PM)
Team CP3 vs. Oakland Soldiers (Saturday, May 13 at 12:30 PM)
Proskills vs. NW Rotary Rebels (Saturday, May 13 at 3:30 PM)
Mokan Elite vs. Team Durant (Saturday, May 13 at 5:00 PM)
NH Lightning vs. All Ohio (Saturday, May 13 at 6:30 PM)
Divisions
Division A
Team CP3
Oakland Soldiers
Livon
Houston Hoops
Division B
NH Lightning
Nightrydas Elite
All Ohio
Team United
Division C
Drive Nation
PSA Cardinals
The Skill Factory
Paul George Elite
Division D
Mokan Elite
Georgia Stars
Team Durant
Team Thad
Division E
Expressions
Mac Irvin Elite
Howard Pulley/Team Tyus
Team Griffin
Division F
Proskills
Team Melo
NW Rotary Rebels
UPLAY Canada
Division G
City Rocks
Boo Williams
Arizona Unity
The Family
Division H
Team Takeover
Florida Rebels
Meanstreets
JL3