2025 NIKE GIRLS EYBL SESSION 1 | HAMPTON VA: Gone Are the Good Old Days!
Isabella Sangha of Miami Suns 17U - rare two sport major D1 recruit.
These players stood out during the NCAA Eval Weekend.
May 9, 2025
Call it as written above or call it 2025 NIKE Boo Williams Hampton, this event had plenty of talent by today’s standards, but not the punch of the now gone (after 40 plus years) Boo Williams Invitational, where everybody who was anybody longed to be present in Hampton. This successor event consisted of half of the EYBL teams (16 in each of divisions of 17u, 16u and 15u), a similar setup of the new Champions League (EYCL) and half of the Junior EYBL (14u, 13u) again with similar numbers in Phoenix, Arizona. A total of 208 teams (all under the NIKE banner) registered to play in Hampton. The event was hosted by the Boo Williams Summer League (BWSL) and presented by Fundamentally Fresh Sports and Entertainment. Approximately 180 college coaches (close to all NCAA Division 1) attended one or more days of the event which ran from April 25-27 at the Boo Williams Sportsplex and Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Virginia.
What’s new in EYBL-land?
NIKE has added a second girls’ circuit called the Champions League often referred to as the EYCL, not to be confused with the big sister EYBL. The EYCL has a similar setup of teams in each of the three age divisions. EYCL clubs are separate clubs hoping to receive promotion to the EYBL or ‘B’ teams of EYBL clubs. Last year Mokan Elite (out of the Kansas City area) and Performance Hawaii received promotion into the EYBL.
One change scouts have been asking was answered this year with stats on the 16u. For years, NIKE has done an outstanding job on 17u stats. Now they are doing similarly with box scores and stats for the 16u! All of this gives deeper meaning to the games and is another reason why the EYBL is still clearly the best circuit (although as discussed below the gap is growing smaller).
What’s gone? Convenience in scouting and one-stop shopping
With the EYCL circuit added, NIKE moved half of the teams to play session 1 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. While the addition of a new circuit made NIKE execs smile with a large number of additional players now wearing NIKE wear, college coaches, media and scouting combines groaned that two stops would now be needed (with all the built-in time and cost) to see all EYBL teams (far deeper on average than their EYCL sisters). Previously all EYBL teams played at Hampton in April.
Also gone compared to prior decades is the depth of elite talent on the NIKE circuit. NIKE still has the strongest circuit in terms of talent, but non-NIKE circuits collectively are gaining ground. Back in the 1980’s, a few weeks of AAU nationals allowed a scout to see most of the top players in any age group. The Boo Williams Invitational (ran for about 40 years in April in Hampton) may not have had every good team, but the talent was very deep particularly before the rival “shoe circuits” became more aggressive in adding talent.
The EYCL has talent but…
Having watched only a few EYCL teams, I can tell you there are at least a few major D1 prospects (one will be discussed below) in that circuit. Given time limits at the event, where is a Division 1 coach going to place himself/herself? Watching the EYBL at the Boo Williams Sportsplex or the EYCL at the Hampton Roads Convention Center?
Club of the event: Alabama Southern Starz
Collectively, this club went 14-1 (one loss in 16u) in Hampton. It is hard to be a leading team in any EYBL division let alone three. This is an accomplishment to be proud of but let us not forget the many miles to be traversed until the EYBL championship in Chicago in July. Sometimes the winning teams are not April or even May frontrunners, but teams that emerge from the pack, peaking in July. The EYBL is more of a marathon than a sprint!
EYBL Session 1 Hampton 17u peak performers
The criteria for this list were a combination of the various stats provided by NIKE EYBL. Factors include points scored, shooting percentages, rebounding, assists, turnovers. High volume scoring with a field goal percentage for the five games below 40% generally got the player excluded in spite of points scored.
Jezelle Banks (2027, Team Durant): 17.6 ppg on 42.6% FG; 29.0% 3’s; 71.1% FT; 3.8 rpg; 5.4 apg (27 a to 13 to)
Aaliyah Blanchard (2026, Alabama Southern Starz): 17.0 ppg on 62.8% FG; 53.8% 3’s; 75.0% FT; 5.8 rpg; 1.8 apg
Maddyn Greenway (2026, North Tartan): 14.6 ppg on 45.8% FG; 33.3% 3’s; 45.8% FT; 4.4 rpg; 6.6 apg (33 a to 16 to; led EYBL in assists)
Olivia Jones (2026, Exodus): 18.4 ppg on 41.4% FG; 41.7% 3’s; 80.6% FT; 4.6 rpg; 2.4 apg
Jordyn Palmer (2027, Philly Rise): 16.6 ppg on 50.8% FG; 38.5% 3’s; 64.3% FT; 8.0 rpg; 2.0 apg
Olivia Vukosa (2026, Philly Rise): 13.6 ppg on 55.3% FG; 22.2% 3’s [only attempted 9]; 92.3% FT; 9.4 rpg [led EYBL]; 2.0 apg
Below are some of the players who showed out in a noteworthy fashion in at least one game. A few player above are not discussed unless there was something unusual to add. Listing is alphabetical by class with listed height, position, club team (school in parenthesis as available). All players listed below will or are likely to be recruited at the mid-major NCAA Division 1 level or higher.
2026
Aaliyah Blanchard, 5-11, small forward, AL Southern Starz 17U EYBL (Hoover High School, Alabama)
As shown above, Blanchard’s numbers were extremely good for a perimeter player. Mobile with post up ability thanks to her strongly built frame, she can also attack the basket and step out to knock down the three. At last report, Power 4 programs are monitoring to see if she can keep this up (close would still be very good) while mid-majors have already pulled the trigger.
Maddyn Greenway, 5-8, point guard, North Tartan 17U EYBL (Providence Academy, Minnesota)
Committed to Kentucky, Greenway is ranked #10 in ESPN HoopGurlz 2026. What makes her so special is her motor rarely leaves the “high” setting and in Hampton she maintained an approximate 2:1 assist to turnover ratio while still scoring 14.6 ppg. This past high school season, she led her team to a national ranking (and undefeated state 2A title) defeating several of the state’s 4A powers. Minnesota is one state where it is a rare occurrence that a school below 4A (largest class) is recognized as best overall as happened this year.
Oshauna Holland, 5-8, point guard, CP3 Flames 17U EYBL (Stuart Cramer High School, North Carolina)
Committed to Wake Forest, Holland (above average athletically) impressed with her combination of ability to score (mostly via attack posting 13.6 ppg in Hampton) and as well as protect the ball.
Olivia Jones, 5-11, shooting guard, Exodus NYC EYBL (Long Island Lutheran School, New York)
Jones is one reason why Long Island Lutheran (LuHI) should be considered one of the top high school teams going into the 2025-2026 season. Currently ranked #16 in ESPN HoopGurlz, Jones stayed the course at LuHi playing as a reserve her first two seasons. She could have easily transferred and started on almost all high school teams as a freshman. A player with patience not seeking instant gratification! How refreshing!
Jada Lynch, 5-11, guard, Jersey Gemz 17U EYBL (St. Rose High School, New Jersey)
Considered to be one of the top players in New Jersey’s junior class, Lynch is a “score within the system” player, generally taking shots appropriate for the flow of the game. She hit double digits (13/19 from behind the arc) in four of her five games. She played on Belgium’s U16 & U17 teams as she spent most of her pre-teen years in Belgium.
Tristan Rickenbacker, 5-11, small forward, Boo Williams Summer League (Princess Anne High School, Virginia)
Rickenbacker impressed with her driving ability (13.2 ppg) at Hampton). Active defensively, she led the EYBL session 1 in steals per game with 3.2.
Whitley Rogers, 6-0, guard/forward, TN Flight Silver 17U EYBL (Little Rock Christian Academy, Arkansas)
Rogers was one of the upward “stock movers” at 17U in Hampton. She showed nice versatility in scoring on the perimeter in posting 13.6 ppg. After this event, she has added a number of major D1 offers.
Isabella Sangha, 6-4, power forward, Miami Suns 17U EYBL (Pine Crest School, Florida)
Sangha is currently more high-level prospect than polished player, posting an up and down performance with 7.2 ppg and 6.0 rpg in Hampton. What is so unusual about Sangha (who moves very well for her size) is that she has major D1 offers as a basketball and volleyball recruit with at least one school at the Power 4 level willing to let her do both sports (difficult due to seasons overlapping).
2027
Cece Arico, 6-0, small forward, Sports City Angels 17U EYBL (Detroit Country Day School, Michigan)
One of the top players in Michigan’s 2027 class, Arico had an up and down shooting performance in posting 14.0 ppg. Regardless, she put lots of pressure on the opposition making an amazing 30/32 [93.8%] at the foul line. She is a driver first and does not shy away from contact.
Jezelle Banks, 5-10, point guard, Team Durant 17U EYBL (Ursuline Academy, Delaware)
As stated above, Banks was one of the most talented/productive players in Hampton. The reason for this special mention is that she is the first major recruit for the new St. James Academy program which will be a multi-sport scholastic operation operating in The St. James in Springfield, Virginia.
Jayla Forbes, 6-7, center, Essence Purple 17U EYBL (Montverde Academy, Florida)
Forbes is very strongly built more super tall than super athletic. Her scoring is around the basket and she is making progress in scoring 10.0 ppg on 50.0% from the field plus 6.6 rpg. Foul shooting needs work making only 16/32 free throws, but 2.2 blocks per game help ease that shortcoming as rim protectors are hard to find. As you can’t teach height, expect more majors than not will gamble on her even with limited progress over the next two years.
Saniyah Murray of MS All-N 16U EYCL - has the upside to match her superior height.
Saniyah Murray, 6-4, center, MS All-N 16U EYCL (Harrison Central High School, Mississippi)
I made a special trip to the Hampton Roads Convention Center to watch Murray (ranked #25 by HoopGurlz for the 2027 class). She did not disappoint showing well above average athleticism in her 6-4 medium-solid frame. She has a build more associated with power forwards than traditional centers but currently her scoring is in the lower key. Murray needs to refine her skills but the majors that came to see her were not disappointed with her upside. Her team had other D1 prospects of a lesser level as did other EYCL teams which are likely to be overlooked by college coaches focusing on the more talent rich EYBL.
2028
Hailey Benbow of Jersey Gemz 16U - makes difficult shots look easy playing a year up.
Hailey Benbow, 5-10, shooting guard, Jersey Gemz 16U EYBL (Rutgers Preparatory School, New Jersey)
Strongly built, Benbow impressed making difficult shots from the field in posting 14.0 ppg on 46.0% from the field including 10/24 from behind the arc plus pulling in 7.0 rpg playing up one grade! An obvious P4 prospect, word out of New Jersey is she has a good chance to be the best in her class in the Garden State.
Belle Hill, 6-1, forward, AL Southern Starz 17U EYBL (Mars Hill Bible School, Alabama)
Playing up two classes, Hill impressed making tough shots in traffic scoring 14.4 ppg on 21/36 [58.3%] from the field plus pulling in 6.4 rpg. Not surprising, she holds multiple major D1 offers.
Meg Moore, 6-0, shooting guard, AL Southern Starz 15U EYBL (Tishomingo High School, Mississippi)
Moore posted two 20+ efforts displaying three level scoring in two viewings at this event. She appears not yet filled out needing to both toughen up and get stronger. Due to her combination of height and shooting prowess, she already has multiple Power 4 offers.
2029
Aaliyah Ballard, 5-9, shooting guard, Boo Williams Summer League 15U EYBL (East Garner Middle School, North Carolina)
Playing a year up, Ballard stood out by seeming to know when to do what. She showed good mobility and basketball IQ. Likely solid D1 prospect but time will tell how high!
Sophia Feeney, 5-9, shooting guard, Exodus NYC 15U EYBL, (Horace Mann, Bayonne, New Jersey)
This Exodus team was loaded with promising 8th graders (playing a year up) and in two viewings (a win and a loss) Feeney was the most consistent performer for those two games showing good mobility and a perimeter stroke. Bidding starts somewhere in D1!
Kristen Winston of AL Southern Starz 16U - a high school impact player as an 8th grader.
Kristen Winston, 5-11, guard, AL Southern Starz 16U EYBL (Bumpus Middle School/Hoover High School, Alabama)
Winston played up two classes and was one of the top performers averaging 18.8 ppg shooting 47.1% from the field and 9/21 (42.9%) from behind the arc. A significant contributor to Hoover High School (Alabama allows middle school players to play varsity ball) since 7th grade, she is already well known nationally and a strong candidate for top 10 ranking in the 2029 class. Winston and Aaliyah Blanchard (mentioned above) are two reasons why Hoover High School could start the year nationally ranked this fall.