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EYBL Team Power Rankings: Volume 2

05/04/2018, 6:00pm EDT
By D1 Circuit Staff

The first half of the EYBL season is complete, and we have a certified log-jam in the middle of the divisional standings.

Seven squads have a 6-2 record, while 13 teams sit with a 5-3 tally for the season.

Team Takeover separated themselves from the pack during session two, maintaining their undefeated record behind a lethal lineup.

Check out the full rankings below, and check out the EYBL when it is back in action May 11-13 in Atlanta, Georgia.

No. 1 Team Takeover


Record: 8-0
Quality wins (.500+): 6
(City Rocks, MOKAN, UPLAY, Brad Beal Elite, Bluff City Legends, Woodz Elite)

Team Takeover has won eight games this season, and six of them are over teams 5-3 or better. Head coach Keith Stevens had his powerhouse allowing an average of 53 points per game in Indianapolis, easily the best defense recorded in the EYBL's short session thus far. They don't have one star, instead they have nine high-major prospects who take turns handing out the punches. This is the best team in grassroots basketball, and through two sessions, looks to be one of the best squads in Team Takeover history.

No. 2 Team CP3 (NC)


Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 5
(AOT, Oakland Soldiers, Drive Nation, Team United, E1T1)

The defending E16 Champions have made a smooth transition to 17U, led by back-to-back All-Session Second-teamer and MVP candidate Wendell Moore. CP3 currently holds five quality wins through two sessions, showcasing the ability to consistently win close games. The x-factor for this squad is junior BJ Mack. The Oak Hill (VA) product has been excellent through the first two sessions, and the big man will need to uphold that production in sessions three and four.

No. 3 Houston Hoops (TX)


Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(AOT, Team United)

The addition of Tyrese Maxey was an instant homerun for the Hoops, who tallied a 4-0 record in Indianapolis. Maxey hit a game-winner, scored 39 in an overtime win and showcased moments of dominance all weekend. He's back at home with former teammates De'Vion Harmon, Chris Harris, Bryce Okpoh and Dearon Tucker, which essentially is RM5's core rotation from a year ago. They had plenty of success in last year's EYBL, and with Maxey running the show, this is one the of scariest units on the circuit.

No. 4 Oakland Soldiers (CA)


Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 4
(E1T1, GA Stars, Drive Nation, Pro Skills)

The Oakland Soldiers rallied off four straight wins in Indianapolis, winning three close games behind stellar guard play from Gianni Hunt, Scotty Pippen and Boogie Ellis. Much like Takeover, the Soldiers don't have a true 'star', instead depending on a well-built rotation of division 1 talent. They are a solid defensive unit, and improving offensively; the Soldiers scored 80 points or more three times in Indy, after failing to do so once in Dallas. This squad is well-ahead of last year's bunch, which rallied to win Peach Jam. That fact alone should have head coach Marshall Collins breathing easy heading into Atlanta.

No. 5 AOT Running Rebels (GA)

 

Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(GA Stars, Pro Skills)

AOT has started their EYBL run with back-to-back 3-1 sessions. Sophomore point guard Sharife Cooper has been electric through eight games, averaging 20.9 points, 7.0 assists and 4.5 rebounds. Cooper landed on First Team All-Indy, one week after teammate Isaac Okoro made First Team All-Dallas. Throw in Brandon Brandon and Charles Smith, and AOT has more than enough firepower to beat anyone in the country. They're one of the highest-scoring teams on the circuit (77.2 PPG), and we anticipate that number will increase during sessions three and four.

No. 6 Brad Beal Elite (MO)


Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 1
(Seattle Rotary)

Brad Beal Elite (BBE) has impressed through eight games, however their resume is lacking a signature win. Moses Moody, EJ Liddell, Francis Okoro, Mario McKinny & Zion Harmon is a scary starting five, and with Yuri Collins proving to be one of the best facilitators in the division, BBE should have a terrific second half to the season. They have their work cut out for them to match last year's 13-game win streak, but we wouldn't put anything past St. Louis' EYBL representative. 

No. 7 NY Lightning (NYC)


Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 4
(Bluff City Legends, Seattle Rotary, MOKAN Elite, LV Prospects)

Perhaps the EYBL's biggest surprise, the NY Lightning continued their solid start to 2018, picking up two hard-fought wins in Indianapolis. The loss to Team Final was a head-scratcher, but they rebounded to steal wins from MOKAN and the Prospects. Posh Alexander and Dashawn Davis form one of the best backcourt duos in the country, with the former winning MVP during session one. If the Lightning can get more production from their crop of big men, they will be a very dangerous threat for the Peach Jam crown.

No. 8 Indy Heat


Record: 6-2
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(Nike Team Florida, E1T1 United)

Keion Brooks Jr was stellar in Indianapolis, earning session Most Valuable Player award after averaging 23 points and seven rebounds. Those numbers equated to four wins for the Heat, who make a substantial 5-spot jump after the week one rankings. Trayce Jackson-Davis was Robin to Brooks' batman, averaging 19 points and six rebounds while defending home turf. There's a lot to like about this Indy Heat squad, and if Brooks and Jackson-Davis continue their onslaught, head coach Jason Delaney and company will soon have a target on their backs.

No. 9 Bluff City Legends (TN)


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 3
(Expressions Elite, UPLAY, PSA Cardinals)

The Legends were a popular preseason pick for the Peach Jam crown, and for good reason. They are deep, talented and have terrific team chemistry, all traits that were showcased in Indianapolis. James Wiseman averaged 20 points and seven boards in Indy, displaying moments of dominance that is expected from that nation's top recruit. The versatility of DJ Jeffries and Chandler Lawson makes this team different. They need guards Mark Freeman, Jordan Johnson and Ashton Smith to step up their production in the second half of the circuit.

No. 10 MOKAN Elite (KS)


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 3
(Woodz Elite, PSA Cardinals, Seattle Rotary)

MOKAN had an uncharacteristically shaky session in Indianapolis, losing nail-biters to the NY Lightning and LV Prospects. Big man N'Faly Dante was solid once again, leading MOKAN with four-game averages of 14 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Grant Sherfield is set to join the mix in session three, and with DuJuan Harris and DeAndre Sorrells already playing at a high-level, the additions of the junior guard could help put MOKAN over the top. Malik Hall has yet to perform up to his capabilities, and when he does, MOKAN will be a leading contender for the Peach Jam.

No. 11 Pro Skills (TX)


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 3
(GA Stars, Houston Hoops, Drive Nation)

Pro Skills stumbled to a 1-3 session in Indianapolis. However, all three losses were to good competition, and all three were close games. Justin Webster averaged 17 points a game in Indy, but Pro Skills wasn't able to uncover another reliable scoring option. The are well-coached, take great care of the basketball and play solid defense - three traits that should help them collect more wins in the season's second half. Big men Tylan Pope and J'Wan Roberts have shined bright in the frontcourt, and should only get better as the circuit continues.

No. 12 Drive Nation (TX)


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(Nike Team Florida, Houston Hoops)

Drive Nation absorbed the loss of Tyrese Maxey by moving super-sophomore Cade Cunningham up from 16s to 17s, and the 6-foot-5 playmaker was good enough to earn All-Underclassmen honors in Indianapolis. Top 100 players Jahmius Ramsey, Drew Timme and Samuell Williamson are the leaders for Drive, who prefer to play at the fastest pace possible. Big man Montavious Murphy will be crucial to Drive moving forward, and his 18-point, 13-rebound performance in a win over Nike Team Florida proves that he's capable of some serious production.

No. 13 PSA Cardinals (NY)


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(Woodz Elite, Brad Beal Elite)

Cole Anthony has made his case for best point guard in America. The PSA floor general earned back-to-back First-Team All-Session honors, and is currently averaging 24 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists through eight games. The problem? No one else averages in double figures. Swingman Ismael Massoud (9.1 PPG, 5.1 RPG) has been a solid option alongside Anthony, but PSA will need someone to step up their production in Atlanta and Hampton. That being said, as long as Anthony is happy and healthy, PSA will be a real threat in July.

No. 14 Nike Team Florida


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(Team CP3, Pro Skills)

It's difficult to know which team you're going to get when Nike Team Florida steps on the floor. They hold a win over No. 2 Team CP3, yet lost by almost 30 to the Nike Phamily (1-7). Vernon Carey Jr suffered an injury during session two, and while it doesn't appear to be anything serious, his absence led to an uneven performance in Indianapolis. Sophomore Scott Barnes averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists in Indy, while Kyle Sturdivant continued his strong play (15.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 4.0 APG). NTF will need to maintain their health while improving defensively if they expect to compete for a Peach Jam title.

No. 15 (tie): Team United (NC)


Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 3
(GA Stars, Indy Heat, Oakland Soldiers)

A year removed from going winless, Team United is looking scary heading into the season's second half. Juniors Juwan Gary and Patrick Williams combine to average 30 points and 11 rebounds through eight games, with each holding the ability to take over a game offensively. Their win over the Soldiers to open the year is looking better and better as the season unfolds, and their victories over the Indy Heat and Georgia Stars prove they are for real. Team United doesn't have ideal size, and will be depending on Williams and Gary to help mitigate that issue moving forward.

No. 15 (tie): City Rocks (NY)


​​​​​Record: 5-3
Quality wins (.500+): 2
(NY Lightning, NY Renaissance)

The City Rocks tied Team United for the final spot, narrowly edging out Seattle Rotary Style. The main reason? Isaiah Stewart. The 6-foot-10 big man was on full display in Indianapolis, averaging 19 points and 12 rebounds on 63 percent shooting from the floor. The Rocks' supporting cast is strong, and they have a big reason to be optimistic heading into Atlanta, as sharpshooter Joe Girard started to find his groove in Indy (17.0 PPG). The Rocks have one of their best rosters in years, and will be a favorite to shoot up the ranks after sessions three and four.

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