The Nike EYBL stop in Memphis became a recruiting hot spot with several top college basketball coaches like Kentucky’s Mark Pope and Arkansas’ John Calipari making their presence felt. Top-ranked players from the 2026 and 2027 classes put on a show for them to get in the eyes.
According to On3’s Joe Tipton, the following head coaches were present in Memphis for Day 1 of the showcase:
- Mark Pope (Kentucky Wildcats)
- John Calipari (Arkansas Razorbacks)
- Matt Painter (Purdue Boilermakers)
- Dusty May (Michigan Wolverines)
- Jai Lucas (Miami Hurricanes)
- Nate Oats (Alabama Crimson Tide)
- Kevin Young (BYU Cougars)
- Ross Hodge (West Virginia Mountaineers)
- Kevin Willard (Villanova Wildcats)
- Fred Hoiberg (Nebraska Cornhuskers)
- T. J. Otzelberger (Iowa State Cyclones)
- Ben McCollum (Iowa Hawkeyes)
- Buzz Williams (Maryland Terrapins)
- Justin Gainey (NC State Wolfpack)
- Shaheen Holloway (Seton Hall Pirates)
The showcase took place in the Memphis Sports & Events Center. Kentucky’s Pope bring his daughter, Shay, to the event while scouting prospects. Meanwhile, Calipari was also front and center in Memphis. He reportedly evaluated five-star Arkansas commit JJ Andrews, who had 24 points and 10 rebounds over the weekend.
All Top Ranked Players in EYBL Action For Kentucky’s Mark Pope, Arkansas’ John Calipari And More
With the July live recruiting period and Peach Jam still ahead, EYBL offers coaches an early insight into some of the top recruits in the country.
On3 provided the following notes, offering an insight into what head coaches were particularly looking for on the first night of the showcase:
- Five-star power forward CJ Rosser was closely watched by Mark Pope of the Kentucky Wildcats and Justin Gainey of the NC State Wolfpack.
- Five-star point guard Beckham Black drew attention from John Calipari of the Arkansas Razorbacks, Jai Lucas of the Miami Hurricanes, and Sean Miller of the Texas Longhorns.
- Five-star power forward Marcus Spears Jr. was evaluated by the Texas Longhorns staff.
- Five-star combo guard King Gibson caught the eye of the NC State Wolfpack.
- Five-star power forward Paul Osaruyi was scouted by Ross Hodge of the West Virginia Mountaineers.
- Five-star shooting guard Ryan Hampton was among the prospects being watched by Pope.
- Four-star small forward Malachi Jordan attracted interest from Nate Oats of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Penny Hardaway of the Memphis Tigers, and Kevin Young of the BYU Cougars.
- Four-star small forward Kager Knueppel was watched by Matt Painter of the Purdue Boilermakers and Dusty May of the Michigan Wolverines.
- Four-star point guard Jason Gardner Jr. drew attention from Painter, Miller, and Ben McCollum of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
- Four-star power forward Lewis Uvwo was monitored by May, Young, Miller, and Jai Lucas.
- Four-star shooting guard Chase Lumpkin was observed by the Alabama Crimson Tide staff.
- Four-star point guard Cayden Daughtry was evaluated by Lucas, May, and McCollum.
- Four-star point guard Anderson Diaz generated strong interest from Oats, Calipari, Kevin Willard, Buzz Williams, and Shaheen Holloway.
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