The Nike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) delivered one of its most exciting matchups on May 17, 2025, that stirred the College Basketball landscape.
In a match that is considered as a potential game of the year, Team Takeover’s star duo of No. 4-ranked Jordan Smith Jr. and No. 10 Qayden Samuels out matched the Oakland Soldiers’ top-ranked Tyran Stokes and No. 5 Jason Crowe Jr., securing an 87-79 victory at the Memphis Sports & Events Center.
Jordan Smith and Qayden Samuels Clutches the Win From Tyran Stokes and Jason Crowe
The EYBL Session II game in Memphis drew a who’s-who of college coaches from Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Arkansas, and Louisville, all keeping a close eye on the elite prospects. With the NCAA’s live recruiting period aligning with the event, the stakes were sky-high.
This might have been the EYBL game of the year 🚨
#4 ranked Jordan Smith & #10 Qayden Samuels just beat the Oakland Soldiers duo of #1 ranked Tyran Stokes & #5 Jason Crowe 87-79 🔥@NikeEYB @TTOBasketball @Soldiers_Salute pic.twitter.com/p1BDAHkGZW
— SLAM HS Hoops (@SLAM_HS) May 18, 2025
Team Takeover and the Oakland Soldiers, two of the circuit’s premier programs, featuring four of the nation’s top 10 juniors, had a lot of expectations on them, which they delivered on during this matchup.
Reflecting on the thrill of this faceoff, sports outlet SLAM made a post through their official X handle.
“This might have been the EYBL game of the year 🚨 #4 ranked Jordan Smith & #10 Qayden Samuels just beat the Oakland Soldiers duo of #1 ranked Tyran Stokes & #5 Jason Crowe 87-79,” the post said.
The key performers of this matchup were:
- Jordan Smith Jr. (Team Takeover): 23 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
- Qayden Samuels (Team Takeover): 21 points, 5 rebounds
- Tyran Stokes (Oakland Soldiers): 27 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Jason Crowe Jr. (Oakland Soldiers): 35 points, 6 rebounds
Team Takeover’s backcourt of Smith and Samuels proved unstoppable. Smith, a 6’3″ shooting guard, showed his impressive scoring ability, blending mid-range jumpers with tight defense.
Samuels, a combo guard with 19 Division I offers from programs like Villanova and Kansas, impressed the crowds and the scouts with 21 points, including clutch three-pointers.
Their chemistry overwhelmed the Soldiers’ defense, which struggled to contain Takeover’s pace. The Oakland Soldiers, despite the loss, leaned on Stokes and Crowe’s talents. Stokes, the No. 1-ranked 2026 prospect, delivered a double-double-worthy performance with 27 points and relentless drives to the rim.
His 6’7″ frame and playmaking drew praise from Kentucky’s Mark Pope, who attended the game. Crowe, a 6’3″ point guard from Inglewood High, impressed with 35 points, flexing his scoring skills. Their efforts kept the Soldiers in striking distance, but Takeover’s defensive pressure and balanced attack sealed the win.
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The Soldiers, now 3-1, remain a Peach Jam contender, strengthened by Stokes’ return after sitting out last season’s AAU circuit. However, Team Takeover’s victory shows how their defensive prowess has improved, with Smith and Samuels anchoring a squad that suffocated opponents like Meanstreets earlier in the season.
This game sets the stage for a thrilling EYBL season culminating at Peach Jam in July. Team Takeover’s win over the Soldiers proves they can hang with the circuit’s elite, while Stokes and Crowe’s performances reaffirm their status as top prospects.
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