Saturday Storylines: EYBL Session Four
May 28, 2023 by Travis Graf
It was an eventful Saturday slate in Memphis, Tennessee for the EYBL’s fourth session, but some performances stuck out above all of the others. Below are four quick-hitting storylines from the first day of action.
Tyler Jackson Shines In EYBL Debut
2025 guard Tyler Jackson made his EYBL debut this weekend, and he started off with a bang. In his first two games for Team Melo, the rising junior averaged 37.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, and also had shooting splits of 55/47/78 on high volume. Jackson scored from all three levels but excelled in outside shooting off of the bounce and getting to the rim, showing why he’s one of the nation’s best in a statement weekend.
Jasper Johnson’s Second Half Outburst Lifts Team Thad
Jasper Johnson started off the game in foul trouble, picking up three fouls early against Vegas Elite and having a pedestrian first half for Team Thad. However, when the game got tight in the second half, Johnson put the team on his back in the fourth quarter to give them some separation with a personal double-digit scoring run. During that time, Johnson hit three three-pointers, hit a floater, and threw down a transition dunk to seal a knockout blow to the opposition.
Cooper Flagg Continues To Dominate
Watching Cooper Flagg play basketball never disappoints, and he continued his 16U dominance this weekend. In one matchup, Flagg scored 45 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and dished out eight assists while accounting for a plethora of stocks. In the other, he finished with a triple-double, tallying 27 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists while loading up on stocks as well. It was yet another impressive two-way showing for the top-ranked player in the 2025 class, whose blend of offensive skill, defensive chops, athleticism, and IQ has continuously shown to be off the charts this spring.
Knueppel, Catchings Impress In Losses
Two of the most impressive outings from Saturday’s slate came from a couple of losing efforts. Team Phenom’s Kon Knueppel continued to show why he’s regarded as one of the top players in the country, and one of the best shooters, as he tallied 30 points and knocked down 6-of-9 threes in a buzzer-beating loss to Meanstreets.
Indy Heat’s Kanon Catchings was fantastic in his team’s loss to PG Elite, finishing with 34 points that were scored from every level. He was efficient from the field and from the line, where his aggression earned him many trips. Catchings’ combination of size, skill, DNA, and potential make him one of the most highly-regarded prospects in the 2024 class.