Session Four (IV) of the Nike EYBL circuit takes place this weekend (May 27th to May 29th) in Memphis, Tennessee. It will all go down in Liberty Park at the Memphis Sports and Events Center.
This weekend isn’t a live period for coaches to watch players and recruits in person. However, Memphis fans should still be excited to see some key targets compete in Tiger country.
But before they play this weekend in the final session ahead of Peach Jam, how have these targets performed in the previous EYBL sessions?
Naas Cunningham
Naas Cunningham is a consensus five-star prospect in the class of 2024 from West Orange, New Jersey. Ahead of his junior season, the 6’7 wing transferred to Overtime Elite in Atlanta to continue to develop his game.
On the EYBL circuit, though, Cunningham plays for the New York Renaissance (NY Rens). They are an AAU team closer to his hometown in New Jersey.
This poses well for Memphis in his recruitment, considering that Andy Borman was hired onto the Tigers’ staff as an assistant under Penny Hardaway last year. Borman spent eight years as the Executive Director of the NY Rens program, meaning he has a strong relationship with Cunningham. Due to this, Memphis likes where they stand with the talented prospect in his recruitment.
Thus far on the circuit, Cunningham has backed up his five-star ranking with impressive performances. While not playing much during Session I in Atlanta, Memphis’ current #1 priority target came on strong during the second and third sessions.
Cunningham put his explosive athleticism and shooting/scoring talent on display, showing why he is one of the better wing prospects in the high school ranks. Due to his strong play, recruiting analysts named him a standout performer during EYBL Sessions II and III.
Through ten games played, Cunningham averaged 11.7 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.4 APG. He has shot 46.8% from the floor (44-94 FGs), 31.9% from three (15-47 3FGs), and 66.6% from the line (14-21 FTs). Cunningham has helped lead the Rens to a solid 6-6 record on the circuit.
Billy Richmond III
Billy Richmond III is a four-star prospect in the class of 2024 from Memphis, Tennessee. Richmond plays his high school basketball for Camden in New Jersey. He plays on the circuit for the New Jersey Scholars (NJ Scholars).
Richmond’s father, also named Billy, played collegiately for Memphis from 2002 to 2004 under John Calipari.
The 6’6 prospect is an athletic, two-way wing who is best around the rim. Richmond is a superb defensive prospect who has seen his game expand offensively in recent years. This is something he has been able to show during this grassroots season.
According to EYBL awards given out by The Circuit, Richmond was named to Third-Team All-Event in Session I and Second-Team All-Event in Sessions II and III. The site also awarded Richmond the Defensive MVP for Session III due to his strong performance on that end of the ball.
Throughout all three sessions, Richmond ranks top-20 amongst all EYBL players in points, steals, and blocks per game.
Averaging 16.9 PPG, 5.5 RPG, and 2.4 APG, Richmond has helped lead the Scholars to a 9-3 record thus far. He has shot 54.9% from the floor (73-133 FGs), 26.3% from three (5-19 3FGs), and 66.7% from the line (52-78 FTs). He has chipped in a tremendous 1.5 SPG and 1.3 BPG on the defensive end.
Given his connections to both programs, it sounds like Memphis and Kentucky will compete to land Richmond’s services.
Curtis Givens III
Curtis Givens III is a four-star prospect in the class of 2024 from Memphis, Tennessee. The 6’3 point guard played for Memphis University School before transferring to the powerhouse Montverde Academy ahead of his junior year. He plays EYBL for MOKAN Elite, based in Norman, Oklahoma.
The speedy guard uses his athleticism to thrive in the open floor. He’s an impressive shot-creator and shooter who has flashed intriguing playmaking chops to pair with his scoring acumen.
Givens is another Memphis target who has seen success on the EYBL circuit this spring. He performed exceptionally well in all three sessions thus far, earning First-Team All-Event in Session I and Third-Team All-Event in Sessions II and III for his play.
He has helped lead MOKAN Elite to a 7-5 record through 12 games, averaging 17.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, and 2.8 APG. Givens has shot 41.4% from the floor (70-169 FGs), 34.8% from three (31-89 3FGs), and 78.2% from the line (43-55 FTs).
The 2024 guard released his top 7 school list this week, and Givens included Memphis. With his connections to the program, it’s safe to say that Givens considers Memphis a strong contender – if not the leader – to earn his commitment.
