Nike EYBL Session 1 top performers: Day 1

Emerson, Georgia – The Nike EYBL Circuit is in town, and with that comes hundreds of college coaches to watch the top players that high school basketball has to offer.

On3 was on hand for the first day of the three-day event. Here are the day 1 top performers from Nike EYBL Session 1.

Day 1 coaches watch live blog

On3 MVP: Five-star SF Cooper Flagg – Maine United 16u

Fifty-two points. 2025 On3 75 No. 2 Cooper Flagg finished with a Nike EYBL day-one high of 52 points. He finished a staggering 16-18 from the field, 4-5 from three. The 6-foot-7 wing got to his spots off the bounce and was comfortable creating offense off two and three dribbles.

Flagg is an excellent defender, able to guard the ball and use his length in the passing lanes. He is also a high-level shot blocker, knocking away several shots at the rim. Flagg’s 12 rebounds were also a game-high.

Flagg carries offers from Duke, Iowa, UCLA, Michigan, and others.

2. Four-star SG Austin Swartz – Boo Williams 17u

Austin Swartz, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, lived up to the hype he built during his high school season at Concord (NC) Cannon School. Swartz, playing with the Boo Williams program, went for 29 points, going 12-17 from the field and 3-5 from three.

Swartz showed at Nike EYBL to be an adept scorer. Able to knock down the deep three off the catch but also get to his spots off the bounce and rise up with a quickness. Swartz was more than just a shooter in this setting, he did a nice job probing the defense to attack, but he never got too deep off the bounce, showing a floater and pull up.

Swartz also showed some passing chops here executing a couple of really difficult passes in the half-court off a live dribble. There was a lot to like about this performance.

Swartz is the No. 53 player in the 2024 On3 150. Florida State’s Leonard Hamilton was in attendance, along with assistants from Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia, and more.

3. Five-star SG Joson Sanon – Expressions 17u

When On3 moved Joson Sanon to No. 4 in the 2025 On3 75, it was off the smooth nature of his game. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard plays with a next-level pace. He is never rushed with the ball in his hands, able to make the shot, put it on the floor, or create an opportunity off the pass. 

Sanon is a smooth shooter with range. As a 2025, playing up on 17u, Sanon was 2-5 from three. He got to his spots in the half-court set, finishing 6-12 from the field and 5-5 from the free throw line. 

Offers-wise, Iowa was the first school in. Boston College, Marquette, and Providence quickly followed. 

4. Five-star SG Meleek Thomas – NH LIghtning 17u

Meleek Thomas plays with a certain amount of electricity that is both exciting and productive. He is a very good point-of-attack defender, using his quick feet and hands to disrupt the point of attack. But he is also a fearless scorer. 

Thomas is routinely able to get to his spots in the half-court. He plays efficiently but also has skill with his counters off the bounce. Thomas also plays with great balance, always ready to pull up, no matter the level. Playing up an age level, he finished with 17 points and 4 assists, on 7-11 from the field.

He is No. 3 in the 2025 On3 75. Danny Hurley from UConn was courtside. So were assistants from Kentucky and North Carolina. 

5. Four-star PF Caleb Wilson – Georgia Stars 17u

Caleb Wilson was a stand-out at the USA Basketball minicamp. The 6-foot-9 power forward’s confidence is at an all-time high right now. Playing up in age, Wilson was a weapon at all three levels for the Georgia Stars. 

Wilson has long arms and a projectable frame, with a lot of room to continue growing. He has great touch that extends out beyond the three-point line off the catch. He was also comfortable getting to his right shoulder, showing pace and control on the block. 

Wilson is performing at a high level right now, and he still has some developmental room to grow, which makes him so interesting as a prospect. 

Jon Scheyer from Duke was courtside, along with assistants from North Carolina, Indiana, Houston, Tennessee, Clemson, Michigan, Georgia Tech, and more. Playing up in age, Wilson was the game’s leading scorer.

6. Five-star CG Dylan Harper – NY Rens 17u

It is one of those situations where you watch a player go through an entire game and make every right play. Dylan Harper was confident on the ball. The lefty has a crafty handle with excellent balance in the paint. What really stood out at Nike EYBL was the passing.

Harper made several passes off the live dribble that were on target and on time to all levels of the court. A 6-foot-5, there was a comfort he showed on the ball. He also shot the ball well, knocking down multiple jumpers throughout the game.

Harper is the son of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. Harper has taken two official visits, Indiana and Duke. Auburn, Kansas, and Rutgers round out his top five.

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Other standouts

*Four-star Auburn commit Tahaad Pettiford (NH LIghtning) plays with a lot of pop in his game. He has a jet-quick dribble and gets to his spots. He is just coming back from injury, and his 20 points came with a lot of confidence.

*Four-star small forward Isaiah Abraham (Team Takeover) is so intriguing as a bucket-getter. At 6-foot-7, he can get to his spots in the half-court within two dribbles, knock down a spot three, and play way above the rim in transition. He was 5-6 from the field on day 1, with 11 points.

*Earmark the name AJ Dybansta (Expressions 17u). The 6-foot-8 class of 2026 forward is playing up on the 17u level, and he is a factor. Trending as one of the top players nationally in his class. He had 22 points tonight. 

*Five-star forward Karter Knox (Florida Rebels) is so explosive. The 6-foot-6, long-armed wing got into the passing lanes and stretched his legs in transition. He struggled a bit from three, but he finished well at the rim. 

*Four-star power forward Thomas Sorber (Team Final) is a strong and physical player on the block. He carves out space well, has great feet, and catches everything thrown his way. While battling foul trouble, he finished with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Virginia’s Tony Bennett was watching.

*Four-star forward Marcus Allen (Florida Rebels) continues to be one of the best defensive players in the class. The 6-foot-5 forward has huge hands, long arms, and athleticism. He can guard the ball, switch down to the block, and play in the passing lanes. 

*Five-star shooting guard Tre Johnson (Houston Hoops) played a smooth game. The jump shot was pure, and he showcased some passing chops. While he struggled to finish at the rim, he was 3-4 from behind the arc.

*Four-star UNC commitment Drake Powell (Team CP3) is one of the better connective pieces in the 2024 class. He has great length and plays with a natural competitive fire. He is a top-of-the-line defender and was able to get to his spot in the mid-range comfortably.

*Four-star Purdue commitment Kanon Catchings (Indy Heat) continues to have intriguing flashes. He has an excellent frame with great length. Catchings put it on the floor some, rebounded well, and disrupted some things on defense. He had 12 points and 4 rebounds. 

*Four-star shooting guard Malachi Palmer (NY Rens) had a nice day. He attacked the basket with craft and pace. He used his dribble to get to his spots and showed he can play as a nice secondary ball handler and score when necessary.

*Four-star point guard Curtis Givens (MoKan) turned in an impressive performance on the ball. Ten points, 10 assists, and ZERO turnovers.

*Four-star point guard Aaron Rowe (MoKan 17u) played with poise. Playing up on the 17u level, the class of 2025 finished with 9 assists in the win.

*Four-star power forward Sammie Yeanay (Nightrydas) was very productive. You like his hands around the basket as he finishes powerfully off a base of two and attacks the boards with a purpose.