High school basketball: Five storylines to follow at the 2022 Nike EYBL Peach Jam

NORTH AUGUSTA, Ga. — The 2022 Nike EYBL Peach Jam tipped off Sunday and runs through the championship game Sunday, July 24.

Nearly 80 percent of the prospects in the top 100 of the Class of 2023 rankings competed on the Nike EYBL circuit this season. The Peach Jam is a culmination of the top teams in the regular season for a week of championship play.

Here are five storylines we will be following at the Peach Jam this week. Who will emerge as the top prospect in the Class of 2023?

Identifying the top prospect in the Class of 2023 remains hotly discussed as numerous players have an opportunity to overtake D.J. Wagner of NJ Scholars for the No. 1 spot. With G.G. Jackson of Team CP3 expected to reclassify, MacKenzie Mgbako of NJ Scholars, Justin Edwards of Team CP3, Mookie Cook of Oakland Soldiers, Matas Buzelis of Expressions Elite, Robert Dillingham of Team CP3, Sean Stewart of Florida Rebels, Isaiah Collier of TSF and Ronald Holland of Drive Nation are among the names to watch this week.

Although the Peach Jam has been in existence since 1996, the event has served as the championship event for the Nike EYBL circuit since 2010 with eight different champions over 12 years. Team Takeover (2010, 2018), Oakland Soldiers (2012, 2017), Mokan Elite (2016, 2019), BABC (2011), Each 1 Teach 1 (2013), NJ Playaz (2014), Georgia Stars (2015) and Team Final (2021) have all captured Peach Jam titles. NJ Scholars, New Heights Lightning, Florida Rebels, Drive Nation, Team Durant, New York Rens and Brad Beal Elite are among the top contenders to capture the 2022 crown.

The biggest two names in the incoming sophomore classification are Cameron Boozer of Nightrydas 15U and Cooper Flagg of Maine United 15U. Both players have elite skill sets at 6-foot-8. Both Flagg and Boozer have the ability to shoot from 3-point range, put the ball on the floor, pass at an elite level with exceptional defensive prowess. Darryn Peterson of NJ Scholars 15U, Jamier Jones of Florida Rebels 15U, Badara Diakite of New Heights Lightning 16U and Cayden Boozer of Nightrydas 15U are among other names to watch in the Class of 2025.

Plenty of big name NBA players and college coaches are sure to be in attendance over eight days in North Augusta. The first day of action saw Ja Morant making an appearance. NBA stars Chris Paul, Brad Beal, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony are among players with connections to players or teams participating in the event. Expect hundreds of college coaches to be in attendance throughout the week to evaluate and recruit elite talent from around the nation.

Every year new under-the-radar prospects emerge on the biggest stage in front of hundreds of college scouts and talent evaluators to boost their national ranking and collegiate opportunities. Day 1 of Nike EYBL Peach Jam action saw a number of those have big games to rise their stock as Chris Brunt of TSF went for 26 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 11 of 19 from the field and Corey Gibbs of TSF went for 25 points and four rebounds on 11 of 21 from the field. D.J. Dudley also had a strong first outing with 19 points, four rebounds and four assists on 5-of-8 shooting.