NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. – A number of prospects brought their A games to North Augusta, S.C. for the finals of the Nike EYBL, but none graded out higher than No. 1 ranked Julius Randle.
Randle has done it all at the Peach Jam.
Randle, who was leading the event after two games in scoring and rebounding with 23.5 ppg and 12.5 rpg, picked up right where he left off going for 31 points and 17 rebounds in his Friday morning game.
Playing with total command of his game, Randle plays every position for Team Texas Titans from point guard to center.
"I just want to play somewhere where the coach will let me be me and push me to be the best I can be," Randle told 247Sports. "I'm being recruited as a combo forward, but I'm just a basketball player. I have a unique skill set. Anywhere I get the ball, I can do a lot of things."
Being recruited by practically every school in the country, Randle has yet to formulate a school list. Before the school year he plans to develop a school list and then take official visits. It likely will not be till the spring, however, when he signs.
After his win against the Wisconsin Playground Elite, Randle quickly rattled off a list of schools recruiting hi the hardest which included Kentucky, Duke, Texas, North Carolina, Ohio State, Baylor and Florida.
Head coaches from Kentucky, North Carolina, Baylor and Florida were tracking Randle while the other schools had assistants in attendance.
OTHER STANDOUTS
Tyus Jones (2014 point guard, Howard Pulley)
Jones has been sensational at the Peach Jam. Known for his heady floor game, he finished the first day as the No. 3 scorer in the event with a 22.5 ppg average. Then like Randle, he woke up Friday morning and put up huge numbers with 27 points and eight assists.
No point guard in his class nor in the event comes close to rivaling Jones.
Rondae Jefferson (2013 small forward, Team Final)
Jefferson has put up respectable scoring numbers while stuffing the stat sheet in other areas. He finished the first day as the tied for second in assists with 5.5 per game and fifth in blocked shots with 2.5 per game. He is just off the leader board in rebounds.
Moses Kingsley (2013 power forward, Arkansas Wings)
Kingsley continues to dominate around the basket and improve offensively. He is tied for second in blocked shots after day one with 4.0 bpg. Kingsley is also looking more comfortable with the basketball and had several impressive scoring moves.
He named Louisville, North Carolina State and Arkansas as the schools recruiting him the hardest.
Semi Ojeleye (2013 small forward, Mokan Elite)
With assistants from Duke amongst a throng of head coaches tracking his games, Ojeleye looked like a man playing amongst boys. The wing is tied for third in rebounding with 11.0 rpg, is defending the top opposing players and is scoring critical points for his team.
Andrew Wiggins (2014 small forward, CIA Bounce)
There isn't much left to be said about the top talent in the prep ranks. He has all the tools to be a star, and the game just comes way to easily too him. Wiggins is tied for fifth in scoring with 20.5 ppg.
Oakland Soldiers' trio of forwards
Aaron Gordon, Jabari Bird and Stanley Johnson have been dynamic and dominant for the Soldiers. They are a wrecking crew in the transition game and are making play after play in the half court as well. Defensively and on the boards they have dominated as well.
Kennedy Meeks (2013 center, Team United)
Meeks matches his large frame with a large amount of game. He is second in rebounding at 11.5 rpg. Has passed the ball well and has a natural ability to finish.
Wesley Clark (2013 point guard, The Family)
Clark is continuing his run of outstanding play in July. He is tied for second in assists with 5.5 apg. Constantly on the attack, he perpetually keeps pressure on the defense.
OTHER STATISTICAL LEADERS AFTER DAY ONE
Trey Lyles is averaging 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
Jordan Mathews is second in scoring with 23 points per game.
Sindarius Thornwell is fourth in scoring with 22 points per game and is averaging a mind boggling 18 free throw attempts per game.
Joel Berry is leading the event with 7.5 assists per game.
Kameron Williams is 5-7 from three for 71 percent.
Anders Broman is shooting 11-21 from three for 52 percent.
- Jerry Meyer
- National Recruiting Analyst - 247Sports