Dan Hurley, Bill Self and other NCAAB coaches mark their attendance in search of talent during HS matchup
The 28th version of the Nike EYBL Peach Jam had the attendance of Bill Self, Dan Hurley, Grant McCasland, Rick Barnes, Jeff Capel, Nate Oats, Kevin Willard, Ben Johnson and Tony Bennett.
This time, the competition was extended for an additional week, paving the way for more diligent scouting and more college-big names to show up.
Assistant coaches from Houston, Texas A&M, Arkansas, Kansas State, Penn State, Wake Forest, and Illinois were also present at the North Augusta venue. The prestigious coaching lineup showed up to watch the New Heights Lightning (New York) take on the Houston Hoops.
The Lightning mounted a blowout win against the Hoops behind a 70-56 performance.
They were led by Meleek Thomas (25 points on 69.2% shooting and 57.1% from three alongside 7 rebounds), Christian Jeffrey (14 points on 66.7% shooting alongside 4 steals and 5 assists) and Amari Evans (17 points, 4 rebounds and 4 steals while shooting 58.3%).
The Peach Jam is the final tournament of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League, featuring the finest teams in its circuit. These teams qualified after tough battles all across the country, as teams traveled through Memphis, Atlanta, Indianapolis and Kansas City this time around.
The final stage allows top college coaches like Bill Self, Dan Hurley, Grant, Nate Oats and others to witness the best high school talent and possibly recruit them for their next year’s roster.
Dan Hurley, Bruce Pearl, Mark Pope potentially set their eyes on Acaden Lewis
Team Durant did not qualify for Peach Jam's main event but was still a major attraction for coaches like Dan Hurley (UConn Huskies), Mark Pope (Kentucky Wildcats), John Scheyer (Duke Blue Devils), Bruce Peal (Auburn Tigers), Adrian Autry (Syracuse Orange) and Dusty May (Michigan Wolverines) due to its star player, Acaden Lewis.
The 6-foot-2 combo guard had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists in his first game against Mac Irvin Fire, leading his team to a 16-point blowout win.
Lewis struggled in his next game with the All-Ohio Red, making only 33.3% of his shots from the field (5-15 shooting).
Nevertheless, Acaden Lewis spearheaded the roster with 7 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, along with 16 points.