2025 Nike EYBL Peach Jam Preview: 17u

Jonathan Lidskin
Jul 15, 2025
4 min read

By Jonathan Lidskin

Every summer, the Riverview Park Activities Center in North Augusta, South Carolina, plays host to the best event in American prep basketball. With teams from across the country (and Canada), Nike’s EYBL hosts Peach Jam. This event, spanning over six days, features the top Nike-sponsored AAU teams that contain some of the country’s best talent between the ages of 15 and 17.

This is an event that college coaches flock to. It is the biggest individual recruiting/scouting event of prep basketball players in a calendar year. Let’s go over some of the best teams in this event, who they will feature, and some other notable players that college coaches will surely have their eye on this week.

Team Takeover (DC): 14-1, Peach Jam Pool A

Team Takeover is EYBL royalty at this point. The team AAU powerhouse out of Washington, DC, has won three Peach Jam 17u titles in the 14 years of the event. If you parlay that with their two additional title appearances, you get the program that has played in the most Peach Jam Championship games.

Year after year, Takeover is one of the best defensive teams on the circuit, and this year is no different. Two-way guard Jordan Smith (#2 in 247Sports Top 150) leads a loaded group in his second year playing 17’s. Takeover also boasts a high-level shot creator in Qayden Samuels (#18), sharpshooter Parker Robinson (#111), and Indiana commit Prince Alexander-Moody (#121). Also, watch out for Michigan football commit Carter Meadows, who is one of the top edge rushers in the country. If we were setting odds, Team Takeover is the favorite in North Augusta this week.

Team CP3 (NC): 12-3, Peach Jam Pool B

While Takeover won the Merritt division, Team CP3 took care of business in the Raveling division. If CP3 captures their first Peach Jam title at the 17u level this week, they’ll do it on the back of their offense. This team scored the most points in the regular season, and when you look at their roster, it’s easy to see why.

No one on CP3 scored over 17 a game, but they have a balanced roster with shooting, athleticism, and underrated point guard play. The player to watch here for me is Cole Cloer (#24). Cloer is a 6’7 wing who beats people with quick, off-the-dribble jumpers. He is a player who can get to his spots in the mid-range relatively easily. Other names to know for this group are nationally ranked tight end/power forward Kendre Harrison (#87), small but shifty point guard Dionte Neal, and session four breakout sharpshooter Will Stevens (#20 C). Kohl Rosario is obviously off to Kansas, and his absence will be tough, but I still believe in this team’s ability to make some noise this week.

Oakland Soldiers (CA): 12-3, Peach Jam Pool D

The Oakland Soldiers have two Peach Jam titles since EYBL began, but the storyline surrounding them this week will be a recent part of their history. Last year, the Soldiers, led by the duo of AJ Dybantsa and Tyran Stokes, came up short in the Peach Jam final against a loaded Nightrydas team. With Dybantsa off to the college ranks, Stokes (#1) formed a new duo with Jason Crowe Jr. (#5). The two combined to average over 46 points per game in the regular season, propelling the Soldiers to a 12-3 record.

When those two are going, the Soldiers are really hard to beat. Stokes is as physically gifted as you’ll find in this class and is one of my favorite high school players that I have ever scouted. There’s really nothing that he does at a low level, and that’s on top of being stronger than most centers despite being a wing. While Stokes is the best player in the class, Crowe might be the best scorer in the class. Crowe is smaller for a combo guard, but he’s one of the best in the class at creating advantages both when getting to the rim and on the perimeter. If he’s feeling it, he could go for 40 in a game even against the best talent that EYBL has to offer.

If the Soldiers win the whole thing this weekend, their role players will need to contribute as well. Watch out for high-energy guard Kalek House (#115) as a guy who can change the momentum of a game.

NY Rens (NY): 12-3, Peach Jam Pool C

I was shocked to find, when doing my research, that the NY Rens have never played in the championship of Peach Jam. It feels like they have good teams almost every year, which playing out of NYC wouldn’t be a huge surprise. This year, they do have a great chance at winning the title, and similarly to Team CP3, it isn’t one or two guys that are making the engine go.

Jasiah Jervis (#60) is the leading scorer for this group, but scoring isn’t what stands out about his game. Jervis, like a lot of NYC guards before him, plays with a high motor and as a result can impact the game on both ends of the floor. Jervis is joined by big man Najai Hines (#36), Marquette commit Ethan Johnston (#147), and lefty 2027 point guard Anderson Diaz (#27). The defense of this group will be a problem this week.

Other Teams/Players to Watch:

Brad Beal Elite (MO): 11-4, Peach Jam Pool D

Notable Players: Arkansas commit JJ Andrews (#13), Marquette commit Sheek Pearson (#65)

MoKan Elite (MO): 10-5, Peach Jam Pool D

Notable Players: Ethan Taylor (#22), Tristan Reed (#70), Jalen Montonati (#52), Chidi Nwigwe (#54), Keonte Greybear (#90)

ProSkills (TX): 10-5, Peach Jam Pool A

Notable Players: Bryson Howard (#28), Cameron Lomax (#133)

Vegas Elite (NV): 10-5, Peach Jam Pool B

Notable Players: Maximo Adams (#41), Anthony Felesi (#46), Katrelle Harmon (#55)

Other Top Players that I’ll be watching:

Brandon McCoy (AZ Unity)

Christian Collins (Team Why Not)