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NIKE EYBL Regular Season MVP Candidates

By D1 Circuit Staff, 05/24/18, 3:30PM EDT

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The NIKE EYBL regular season has four games remaining, and there will be a fun finish for league's Most Valuable Player.

Eight players from eight different teams have separated themselves from the pack, and we highlighted each of their resumes below.

The award will be announced shortly after the Hampton Session Awards are selected. Best of luck in Hampton to the candidates and the 29 teams looking to lock up their Peach Jam bid.

Cole Anthony | PSA Cardinals (NY)


Team Record: 6-6

Cole Anthony has been ridiculously good through eight EYBL games. The 6-foot-2 floor general has done everything that's been asked of him, and has budded into an absolute superstar for head coach & director Munch Williams. The reigning regular season Defensive Player of the Year keeps adding pieces to his game, most recently his rebounding. Anthony is one of the best rebounding guards in the circuit (7.2 RPG), utilizing his physicality and court awareness to consistently find himself in proper rebounding position. Anthony is currently leading the league in scoring (25.6 PPG), and is in prime position to take this award if PSA has a strong final session.

Tyrese Maxey | Houston Hoops (TX)


Team Record: 9-3

Tyrese Maxey has been superb all season long. The 6-foot-3 Kentucky commit started his season with Drive Nation, moving over to Houston Hoops after the EYBL's opening session. Maxey has been just as good with the Hoops, joining a team chock full of his friends and long-time teammates. Maxey's per-game season averages sit at 23.5 points, 50.0 FG%, 83.3 FT%, 5.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.9 steals. Maxey is one of the leaders in the clubhouse for this award, and should be in great shape if the Hoops maintain the same level of team-success during the fourth session.

*Only counts eight games with Houston Hoops

Full season stats (11 games): 23.5 PPG, 50.0 FG%, 83.3 FT%, 5.2 RPG, 4.7 APG, 2.9 SPG

Wendell Moore | Team CP3 (NC)


Team Record: 9-3

Wendell Moore spent sessions one, two and three showcasing his elite versatility while guiding CP3 to a 9-3 record and an automatic berth to Peach Jam. The defending Peach Jam E16 Champions have been extremely consistent, racking up 3-1 records at each of the first three sessions. Moore's averages capture his versatility in a nutshell. There isn't much that the 6-foot-5 wing can't do on the court, and if CP3's 'jack-of-all-trades' has it rolling, there aren't many teams who will be able to stop Team CP3.

Isaiah Stewart II | City Rocks (NY)


Team Record: 9-3

Isaiah Stewart II took home Most Valuable Player honors at EYBL Atlanta, cementing his status as an MVP contender for the entire regular season. Stewart has helped the Rocks to a 9-3 record through three sessions, the best start in their 18-year history. Stewart is arguably the strongest player in the country, and his numbers indicate that he's one of the most efficient. The Rocks' big man shoots over 62% from the floor, and currently leads the league in rebounding. If the Rocks pick up a couple of wins in Hampton, Stewart will be sitting pretty to land on First-Team All EYBL, and will have a major shot at MVP.

Jaden McDaniels | Seattle Rotary (WA)


Team Record: 8-4

Seattle Rotary is on the cusp of their first Peach Jam bid, and if it comes to fruition, they can thank Jaden McDaniels. The 6-foot-10 swingman has been stellar through 12 EYBL games, nearly averaging a double-double while earning wins in 2/3 of Rotary's matchups. McDaniels has been a model of consistency for head coach Darryl Hennings, and if he continues to raise his level of play, Rotary will be a tough 'out' come July. McDaniels will only remain in contention if Rotary has a solid final session, but he's already done more than enough to be considered one of the top eight juniors in the EYBL.

Isaac Okoro | AOT Running Rebels (GA)


Team Record: 10-2

Isaac Okoro had lofty expectations entering 2018, and the 6-foot-5 swingman has exceeded every one of them. Much like Moore for Team CP3, Okoro is AOT's do-it-all guy, partnering with sophomore Sharife Cooper to form one of the best duos in the country. Cooper would stretch this list to nine if underclassmen were up for MVP, but his stellar play has definitely been assisted by Okoro's versatility. Okoro is efficient (54.7 FG%), is a developing defender, and is one of the best passing swingmen in the EYBL (4.7 APG). AOT has accumulated a 10-2 record behind one of the most complete rotations on the circuit, but they'd be a substantially different team without Okoro in the lineup.

Keion Brooks Jr | Indy Heat


Team Record: 8-4

Keion Brooks has shined during his second EYBL season, earning Indianapolis MVP after an unbelievable four-game stretch while defending home turf. Brooks' most recent outing saw him put up 34 points and 15 rebounds, a performance that makes it evident that he is constantly improving. The 6-foot-8 forward has turned himself into a strong defender, consistently defending the opposition's best frontcourt player. The Heat have a dangerously tough schedule in Hampton, which only gives Brooks a greater opportunity to upgrade his personal resume. The best part about Brooks game? He plays hard as hell, and isn't afraid to out-work you.

Kahlil Whitney | Mac Irvin FIre (IL)


Team Record: 5-7

The Mac Irvin Fire are looking to return to Peach Jam after a two-year absence, and thanks for Kahlil Whitney, a bid is within their grasp. The 6-foot-7 uber-athletic swingman has been highly efficient through 11 EYBL games, averaging 22 points a game on 51.6% shooting. Most impressively, Whitney is shooting 43.6% from behind-the-arc, best among EYBL forwards. The Fire's record (5-7) and forfeit loss to Drive Nation don't help Whitney's case, but his season-long production has been more than good enough to warrant MVP consideration.


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