KSR's Nike EYBL session II scouting report

Two sessions down, two more to go on the Nike EYBL circuit before the annual Peach Jam tournament in mid-July. KSR had boots on the ground in the outskirts of Indianapolis this past weekend to check out the many Kentucky targets on the Wildcats’ Big Board. Several of them were highly impressive, a couple left some to be desired, and there was even a new face that popped up on the block.

Let’s dive into our scouting report from the biggest names (rising seniors only) on Kentucky’s radar. We plan on attending at least one of the remaining two EYBL sessions (ideally both), so we’ll be able to compare how these prospects perform from month to month.

*All rankings are courtesy of the On3 Consensus*

DJ Wagner (CG) 6-3, 165 | NJ Scholars
5-star, No. 1 overall

It’s been a phenomenal start to the EYBL season for DJ Wagner, who is leading the circuit in scoring with 21.3 points per contest. He’s also ranked in the top-10 in assists (5.1 APG, No. 8 overall) and steals (2.0 SPG, No. 3 overall). Following an up-and-down junior campaign, Wagner was no longer seen as the can’t-miss No. 1 prospect in the class he’s been since middle school. With mounting pressure regarding his status and recruitment, the 6-foot-3 guard has found his footing again as an elite shot-maker and crafty finisher around the basket while also standing out as a facilitator and playmaker. Wagner gets to his spots and has the wiggle to coast through defenders for easy looks at the rim. He’s building strength, but needs to continue developing in that regard to finish through high-major length and size.

— Jack Pilgrim

Kwame Evans Jr. (PF) 6-10, 190 | Team Durant
5-star, No. 2 overall

The top two ranking for Kwame Evans Jr. is mostly built on the idea of his potential — of which there is plenty. However, he hasn’t been able to put all of the skills together in the last few weeks. At 6-foot-10, he’s shooting just 46.3 percent from the floor through seven EYBL games and an even worse mark of 3-17 from beyond the arc. Evans showed flashes of what makes him such a highly rated recruit, but consistency is where he has struggled. He is capable of bringing the ball up the floor but lacked aggressiveness when driving to the basket or going up for rebounds. 4.7 boards per game in the EYBL leaves some to be desired. He’s long been one of my favorite prospects in this class, but the idea of him is quickly overtaking the actual on-court production.

— Zack Geoghegan

Rob Dillingham (PG) 6-1, 160 | Team CP3
5-star, No. 4 overall

If you want someone on your team who can go out and get you buckets at any time, Robert Dillingham is the point guard for you. In the two games I watched him play, he was always liable to pop off. Dillingham went 5-9 from distance in one of those two games I scouted, firing up contested shots without hesitation that kept finding the bottom of the bucket. With that being said, he’s shooting just 10-35 from 3-point land (28.5 percent) in his other seven EYBL games combined. But Dillingham is excellent at getting inside the arc and converting from there with high efficiency. He’s up to 62.5 percent from 2-point range in the EYBL while dishing out 3.5 assists on just 1.8 turnovers per contest. Size might be his biggest concern looking at the next level, but he had little issue brushing off contact over the weekend (22-29 FT in EYBL).

— Zack Geoghegan

Ron Holland (PF) 6-8, 195 | Drive Nation
5-star, No. 8 overall

In terms of pure pro potential, Ron Holland is among the best in the class. Strong and athletic while growing confident as an initiator and shooter, all of the raw tools are there. Listed at 6-8, 200 pounds — he now appears to be 215 pounds or so — he’s got a college- and NBA-ready body, capable of finishing through contact and fighting for tough rebounds on the glass. He establishes his position well and uses his body well. Known for a second-to-none motor who battles on both ends of the floor, it wasn’t the best showing for Holland in that regard specifically. He also dealt with some injury issues, which hampered his play and overall production. The five-star forward is now averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per contest through two EYBL sessions this spring.

— Jack Pilgrim

Matas Buzelis (SF) 6-10, 185 | Expressions Elite
5-star, No. 11 overall

Possibly my favorite player in the class, Matas Buzelis has skills you simply can’t teach. His feel for the game is unmatched by his peers and his 6-foot-10 frame allows him to get off shots that others can’t. Buzelis will absolutely need to put on weight in order to be more effective at the next level, but his three-level scoring, ball handling, and playmaking ability should translate with ease to college. Rebounding was not suit his strong suit, but he acts more like a lead guard as opposed to a traditional forward.

— Zack Geoghegan

Justin Edwards (SF) 6-7, 180 | Team Final
5-star, No. 13 overall

In a deep class of wings, Justin Edwards has emerged as the best two-way threat of the bunch. Earning Defensive MVP honors this past weekend in Indianapolis, Edwards averaged 3.0 steals and 1.8 blocks per contest to go with 18.8 points and 4.5 rebounds. He finished as a Second-Team All-Event winner by The Circuit after doing it all on both ends of the floor, knocking down shots, finishing around the rim, jumping the passing lanes for transition buckets and blocking shots. The long lefty is versatile and growing as a shooter, an aspect of his game that has improved significantly over the last year. He’s working on his ball-handling skills and turns the ball over more than you’d like. It should also be made clear that he’s the best player on Team Final, who is down this year after winning Peach Jam last summer. He’s hounded defensively, regularly double-teamed with the ball in his hands.

— Jack Pilgrim

Aaron Bradshaw (C) 7-1, 210 | NJ Scholars
4-star, No. 20 overall

I’m beginning to warm up to the idea that Kentucky should do whatever they can to get Aaron Bradshaw no matter what happens with DJ Wagner. Something seems to have clicked for him and he’s getting better and better by the game. At 7-foot-1, he was impossible to miss over the weekend when he was on the floor, cleaning up the boards and finishing everything around the rim. Bradshaw is light on his feet with a couple of post moves in his bag that add to his still-growing offensive versatility. Rim protection is where he can really make an impact, though. He’s swatted 26 total shots through eight EYBL games (3.1 per game), including an eight-block performance in his second outing. Bradshaw is up to 65.6 percent shooting in the EYBL and 18-20 from the free-throw line. Once viewed as a long-term project, he might be the most impact-ready center in the class.

— Zack Geoghegan

Milan Momcilovic (PF) 6-8, 190 | Team Herro
Unranked

Looking for the latest stock-riser set to make a serious jump in the rankings? Look no further than Milan Momcilovic, one of the most skilled scorers in the entire class. Through two sessions of play and eight total games, the 6-foot-8 wing is averaging 18.5 points per contest, good for tenth overall on the circuit. He’s not overly athletic or laterally quick, but the Team Herro standout can flat-out score, with polished footwork in the mid-range and elite catch-and-shoot abilities. A stretch four now, Momcilovic tells KSR he’s working to become a three at the next level. He’s certainly got the offensive toolbox to do it.

— Jack Pilgrim