It is that time of the year to give out some awards and recognize some outstanding performances from this travel season.  The first category is Most Outstanding Player in each age group (Classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027).  The MOP is simply based on who performed the best regardless of team success.

2025 – Cameron Boozer, Nightrydas Elite: Hmmm…Let’s see…What did the 6’9 forward out of Christopher Columbus in Miami accomplish this spring and summer?  Well, he led the EYBL “regular season” in both scoring (24.5 ppg) and rebounding (13.4 rpg) as well as finished in the top 30 in assists.  For that, he was widely lauded as the MVP of the EYBL.  In June, Boozer led Team USA to the FIBA 17U World Championship Gold Medal and was designated the MVP of that tournament as well, over teammate and supposedly top player regardless of class, A.J. Dybansta.  Boozer then led his Nightrydas team to an 8-0 record in the prestigious Peach Jam, winning the event for the third straight year in their respective age group.  In the Peach Jam, Boozer averaged 20.3 ppg, 10.1 rpg, and 3.5 apg.  Just as impressive, in Peach Jam bracket play, Boozer averaged 17.6 ppg, 10 rpg, and 5.3 apg.  All of the national recruiting sites tabbed Boozer as the MVP of the event.  Boozer only recently turned 17, so he might as well be considered to be “playing up” a year.  He is arguably the most decorated player to date in the EYBL era.

2026 – Caleb Gaskins, Nightrydas 16U: The 6’7 Gaskins spent his sophomore season at Montverde Academy and was often the seventh man in a six-man rotation for a dominating national championship team.  So most can be forgiven if they were surprised by his production on the EYBL 16U circuit.  Gaskins finished in the top thirty in scoring at 16.0 ppg and was #9 in rebounding at 7.4 per contest.  In one notable EYBL game, he scored 29 points and grabbed 20 rebounds in a two-point win over the Indy Heat.  Gaskins was one of only three 15 year olds to be invited to participate in the team trials for Team USA’s 17U FIBA World Championship team.  While he did not make the team, many national scouts thought Gaskins to be one the better players to not make the 12-man roster.  The Nightrydas 16U team did not qualify for the Peach Jam.  Gaskins played up on the 17U team that won the event, coming off the bench to provide an interior presence whenever Cam Boozer or Caleb Wilson needed a breather.  Many believe his play this spring and summer will lead him into a primary role for a Montverde team that is reloading for this coming season.

2027 – Cayden Daughtry, Florida Rebels: A 6’0 (maybe) guard out of Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian, Daughtry could be considered Exhibit A (B & C) on the effect Steph Curry has had on this generation of ballers.  Daughtry had multiple games over 25 points on his way to being the #3 scorer in the 15U division of the EYBL.  He also finished #5 in steals at just over two per contest and was in the top twenty-five when it came to assists at just over three a game.  A couple of national outlets deemed Daughtry as one of the EYBL’s top underclassmen.  Daughtry was also very successful outside the EYBL, leading his team to a division championship at the Section 7 team camp in Arizona, considered to be the top team camp in the country.  From reports, high major coaches praised his ability to run a team, get to his spots with either hand, and score from different points on the floor.  As one scout noted, “[Daughtry] is a prime example of how skill is capable of outweighing physical advantages”.