Nike EYBL Peach Jam: Evaluations of Kentucky Targets (2025)

BRamseyKSR

Kentucky Sports Radio had a presence at the annual Nike EYBL Peach Jam all week long. Technically, games started on Saturday, July 13 while Zack Geoghegan and I were still in Rock Hill, South Carolina covering the Adidas 3SSB Palmetto Road Championships. However, I made the trip to North Augusta, South Carolina in the afternoon on Sunday, July 14, and was there all week long. Then, on Thursday evening, Jack Pilgrim and Jacob Polacheck joined in on the fun. Those two conducted numerous player interviews and gathered plenty of scoop that has been and will continue to be disseminated on the website and KSBoard. My expertise though is sitting with my pen and paper evaluating the talent.

Between EYBL Session III in Indianapolis and a week spent at the Peach Jam, I’ve now seen these prospects play live many times. When you add in previous years and film study there are dozens of viewings for each of Kentucky’s top targets in the Class of 2025. If you missed it, you can check out my evaluations of 2025 of 2026 prospects from the 3SSB Championships. However, now we will dive into our Peach Jam evaluations beginning with the Kentucky targets in the Class of 2025.

***All star ratings and prospect rankings are via the On3 Industry Ranking.***

AJ Dybantsa (Utah Prep 2025 – Oakland Soldiers 17U)

Five-Star, #1 Prospect

It is crazy to think about the fact that the best high school basketball player in the world really should just be entering his junior year. Back on October 11, 2023, AJ Dybantsa reclassified from 2026 to 2025. With that move, he immediately became the top prospect in the class and has remained there ever since. Dybantsa proved himself worthy at the Peach Jam averaging 23.1 points per game while leading the Oakland Soldiers to the 17U championship game.

There is some three-point shooting inconsistency that will need ironing out, but there are almost no flaws in Dybantsa’s game. He moves around like a pro, is incredibly fluid with the ball in his hands, and at 6’8” has the size to make any play on the floor at any time. His recruitment promises to be one of the most scrutinized, and most expensive, in recent memory. Where the ‘Cats fall among realistic options is hard to nail down at this time. However, Coach Mark Pope and the Kentucky staff are absolutely swinging for the fences.

Caleb Wilson (Holy Innocents Episcopal School 2025 – Nightrydas Elite 17U)

Five-Star, #4 Prospect

The Kentucky Wildcats have really turned up the heat on this top-five Class of 2025 prospect. Coach Pope and Coach Hart watched Caleb Wilson consistently once the live period began at the Peach Jam. He is one of the most versatile two-way prospects in the country and that was certainly on display as Nightrydas Elite went 8-0 and won the 17U championship.

Wilson averaged 17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 62.0% from the field. However, what Wilson did on the defensive was just as, if not more, impressive. The Circuit named him Peach Jam Defensive MVP as he averaged 1.9 steals and 2.8 blocks per game proving himself as a multi-positional defender. It was a really, really impressive week for Wilson who was already considered one of the top prospects in the country.

Jasper Johnson (Overtime Elite 2025 – Team Thad 17U)

Five-Star, #11 Prospect

Jasper Johnson made news on Saturday as he declared for the 2024 Overtime Elite Draft. This move wasn’t a very well-kept secret, but a return to Link Academy or even going back to Woodford County High School were potential options as well. There are few prospects in the country with more pure scoring ability than Jasper Johnson. The athletic left-handed guard can flat-out put the ball in the basket. He finished as a Top 10 scorer at the Peach Jam averaging 19.8 points per game.

However, his shooting percentages of 37.9% from the field and 25.5% from three-point range are concerning. He will have to become more efficient at the collegiate level. Also, Team Thad failed to qualify for the weekend tournament portion of the event after going 2-3 in pool play. Johnson is an athletic driver who finishes well at the rim and he makes three-point shots with his feet set at a good percentage. Reigning in his shot selection will likely be a natural progression at the next level as he is required to carry less of an offensive burden.

Brayden Burries (Eleanor Roosevelt H.S. 2025 – SFG 17U)

Four-Star, #15 Prospect

Few prospects have been as consistently productive throughout the spring and summer as Brayden Burries. That certainly remained true at the Peach Jam where the 6’4” guard averaged a double-double of 22.2 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. Burries also posted impressive shooting splits of 50.0% from the field, 41.7% from three-point range, and 76.9% from the free-throw line.

With impressive positional size, Burries can physically overpower smaller defenders while having the skill level to create off of the dribble against bigger defenders. He is a great rebounding guard, isn’t afraid of contact on the perimeter, and has proven he can score efficiently from all three levels. Kentucky extended an offer to Burries on Monday evening after beginning the live period on Friday night watching him and his SFG team.

Tounde Yessoufou (St. Joseph H.S. 2025 – Team WhyNot 17U)

Four-Star, #19 Prospect

The 2025 class is full of prospects with elite physical tools. However, there might not be a more impressive physical specimen than Tounde Yessoufou. He is explosively athletic, incredibly physical, and built more like an NFL player than an NBA player. Those physical tools are what catch your attention right away, but it is the consistent production and skill level that has really solidified him this summer as one of the best prospects in the class.

Yessoufou averaged 21.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for Team WhyNot at the Peach Jam and shot 38.9% from three-point range with seven makes in five games. He is a prototypical two-way wing who will be able to step in and make an impact at the college level on day one.

Acaden Lewis (Sidwell Friends School 2025 – Team Durant 17U)

Four-Star, #39 Prospect

One of the top point guard prospects on Kentucky’s board, Acaden Lewis included the ‘Cats in his recently released Top 8. The 6’3” left-handed playmaker is truly dynamic with the ball in his hands. He can make multiple moves off of the dribble, plays with pace while displaying some explosiveness when he changes direction, and consistently plays from advantageous playmaking situations with two feet in the paint.

Lewis is a talented scorer with enough shooting ability to make defenders respect him on the perimeter, but enough dynamic playmaking ability to make it hard to stay in front of him out beyond the arc. He averaged 12.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game in North Augusta. Also, Lewis has some advanced defensive traits that will translate to the next level.