Deyonta Davis and Caleb Swanigan making case for EYBL's best post duo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Much of the low post buzz entering this weekend's Nike Elite Youth Basketball League opening session centered around the Oakland Soldiers duo of Ivan Rabb and Stephen Zimmerman.

But thanks to a pair of impressive wins and a combined three double-doubles Saturday, the Spiece Indy Heat tandem of 6-foot-9, 215-pound Deyonta Davis and 6-8, 265-pound Caleb Swanigan is turning attention their way.

Spiece opened the day by blowing out inaugural EYBL champ Team Takeover 90-67 behind 24 points and 12 rebounds from Davis and 16 points and 12 boards from Swanigan.

Next was a 69-56 win over Arkansas Wings, where the newly acquainted pair combined for 35 points and 16 rebounds.

Davis, an early Michigan State verbal commit who helped Muskegon (Mich.) go unbeaten en route to a state title as a junior, is an above-the-rim marvel. He is undoubtedly the EYBL's early leader in dunks and is comfortable operating all over the court.

"He's long, athletic, has good hands and runs the court," Spiece Indy Heat coach Jared Quarles said. "His emotions are level, never gets too high and never gets too low. That's the sign of a good player."

Swanigan, or "Biggie" as teammates and coaches call him, drew early recruiting attention as a football prospect but has put his focus on basketball. He earned a spot on the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American Team this winter after putting up around 18 points and 14 rebounds per night at Homestead (Fort Wayne, Ind.).



The chemistry isn't the product of a long-term relationship. They only have about 10 practices under their belt and the thrashing of Team Takeover was their first EYBL game together.

"It's been fun," Swanigan said of playing alongside Davis. "What he does well I don't do as well and what I do well he doesn't do as well."

Davis is hoping to form a long-standing partnership, though Swanigan indicated his recruitment is still wide open.

"I love it," Davis said. "I'm going to keep working on him and hopefully I can get him to go to Michigan State."