The Travel Ball season has come to an end. With the current lull in activity, we thought it worthwhile to highlight some players that played up in age group this past spring and summer.
17U
Nijuan Harris, 6’5 2028, FL Rebels, Boca Ciega HS
EYBL Season Stats: 13.7 PPG; 50.6 FG%; 39.2 3PT%; 66.7 FT%; 6.6 RPG; 1.5 APG; 1.0 SPG; 1.1 BPG
EYBL Session I: All-Underclass
EYBL Session II: All-Underclass; Third Team All-Session
EYBL Session III: All-Underclass; All-Defense
EYBL Session IV: All-Underclass; All-Defense; Third Team All-Sesson
Harris was a key cog in the FL Rebels run to the EYBL Peach Jam Championship as well as the consensus nod as the top travel team in the country for 2026. He was a tough matchup thanks to his strength and frame, bulldozing past smaller defenders or quickly slashing by bigger ones. Harris was effective playing both inside and out, finishes through contact and was a rugged rebounder at both ends of the floor.
Tai Bell, 6’3 2028, Jet Academy, Miami Columbus
UAA Stats (8 games): 16.3 PPG; 40.4 FG%; 30.0 3PT%; 83.9 FT%; 3.4 RPG; 4.8 APG; 1.6 SPG
EYBL Stats (12 games): 17.5 PG; 57.1 FG%; 31.6 3PT%; 83.0 FT%; 4.8 RPG; 4.6 APG; 1.8 SPG;
UAA Session I: Underclass MVP; First Team All-Session
UAA Session II: All-Underclass; Third Team All-Session
EYBL Session III: All-Underclass; Third Team All-Session
EYBL Session IV: Underclass MVP; Second Team All-Session
EYBL Peach Jam: Third Team
Bell split time across the Under Armor and Nike circuits. His numbers were a tad better in the EYBL, but what most be noted is his consistency. Bell has good size, a crafty handle, creative playmaking instincts and facilitated well as a lead guard. He was aggressive at getting to the basket, spent a lot of time at the foul line, and made good reads in ball-screen action. Bell also made an impact with rebounding, defense, and overall toughness.
R.J. Evans, 6’6 2029, SE Elite, Orlando Academy of Central Florida
3SSB Season Stats: 14.2 PPG; 49.2 FG%; 28.6 3PT%; 75.8 FT%; 4.8 RPG; 1.7 APG; 1.0 SPG
3SSB Session I: All-Underclass; Third Team All-Session
3SSB Session II: All-Underclass
3SSB Session III: All-Underclass; Third Team All-Session
3SSB Palmetto Road: Underclass MVP; All-Defense
Evans wasn’t just stellar on the Adidas circuit, he made waves at both USA Basketball and the Adidas Eurocamp. A tantalizing combination of player and prospect, his positional size, length, and explosive athleticism make him one of the better prospects in the country regardless of class. Evans played all out with a high level of competitiveness, confidence, and toughness. He is skilled and has all the tools to be a three-level scorer as well as a versatile defender.
Derwyn Link, 6’7 2028, Showtime Ballers, Bartow
While we don’t have any stats from the New Balance P32 circuit available to us, we’ve seen with our own eyes on multiple occasions what Link can do. He played on both the 17U and 16U Showtime Ballers squads this season. Link’s solid build and top-shelf run/jump athletic ability stood out but he is also reasonably skilled. His perimeter shot continues to improve, he was active on the offensive glass and dynamic in transition. Link displayed a lot of versatility as a defender for the collegiate level.
Moussa Drabo, 6’9, 2028, SOH Elite, Kississimme Central Pointe Christian
UAA Season Stats: 8.4 PPG; 52.6 FG%; 55.6 3PT%; 8.6 RPG; 3.2 BPG
Drabo played on both the 16U and 17U SOH Elite teams in the Under Armor Association. Energetic, athletic, and bouncy, he made an impact on the defensive end as a rim protector and a big that can step out and defend on the perimeter when a switch is called. Drabo ran the floor, scored well around the basket, and made shots to fifteen feet. He finished lobs and offensive rebounds with force.
16U
Josiah Brooks, 6’3 2029, Nightrydas, SLAM Miami
EYBL Season Stats: 15.1 PPG; 46.3 FG%; 30.9% 3PT%; 80.2 FT%; 4.5 RPG; 4.2 APG; 1.1 SPG
Brooks was instrumental in getting the Nightrydas 16U team to qualify for the Peach Jam. He also participated in the USA Basketball Mini-Camp earlier in the spring. He is a strong, physical lefty that got to the rim and finished creatively in a crowd through contact. Brooks played with great confidence and an all-out attacking mentality. He is streaky perimeter shooter that must be respected from deep. Brooks’ length and strength made it tough for opponents to get around him on the defensive end.
Cayden Gaskins, 6’9 2029, Nightrydas/Jet Academy, Miami Columbus
EYBL Season Stats: 10.7 PPG; 45.6 FG%; 67.3 FT%; 7.8 RPG
Gaskins split time between a pair of EYBL teams. Built more like a college senior than a high school sophomore, Gaskins was more than willing to use his frame to punish opponents in the paint. He can face the basket and score with the jumper or the drive from about fifteen feet and is a rebounding presence at both ends of the floor. Gaskins very much has a desire to expand his game to the perimeter full-time. It doesn’t always work out right now, but his game-to-game improvement is noticeable.
Herbert Agamba, 6’8 2029, SE Elite, Davenport Jordan Christian Prep
3SSB Season Stats: 14.9 PPG; 61.1 FG%; 61.5 FT%; 7.3 RPG; 1.8 BPG
Not much “love” gets thrown to the 16U level regardless of circuit. Still, the numbers for Agamba playing up clearly show that had an impact. He swiftly strides the court in transition, finished above the rim, was a constant lob and put-back threat on offense, and is improving as a face-up shooter. Agamba was quick off the floor and with his length protected the rim, arguably changing more shots that he blocked. He has the footspeed and wingspan to step out and guard on the perimeter.
Jalil Hill, 6’9 2029, 1 Family, Fleming Island
ProNxt Stats NA
Hill played across the board for 1 Family this travel season, wherever his size would be of help. A fluid athlete for his age, he moves gracefully on the court. Hill ran the floor, was active on the offensive glass and got easy buckets in both situations. He showed some scoring tools facing the basket but also a soft touch around the rim. Defensively he was solid, challenged shots in the paint and was quick to outlet the ball to start the break.
15U
Zachary Brown, 6’0, 2030, MBJ Elite, HS TBD
3SSB Stats: 8.2 PPG; 2.0 RPG; 1.3 APG
Brown was a good decision maker with the ball, quickly got the ball to open teammates and scored well from the perimeter. He was solid when guarding the ball, read passing lanes well, and was quick to help and recover in double-teams or when penetration broke down the defense.