CHICAGO — It seems pretty wild to start thinking about rising eighth graders and freshmen and how they’ll fit in as college players in four to five years, but ask any coach, and it’s never too early to start thinking about the future. So while at the Nike EYBL Nationals, I made a point to find some of the top 2027 and 2028 talents in the field.
And, let me tell you, it wasn’t hard to find them. Coaches agree the average level of play continues to get better across the country, and these seventh and eighth graders are playing beyond their years. Even going against rising seniors who are committed to top programs (or players who hold 30-plus offers), these 14- and 15-year-olds shined.
Here’s the best young talent I saw in Chicago:
Jordyn Palmer | Class of 2027 | 6-1 forward
EYBL: Philly Rise (16U) | HS: Westtown School, West Chester, Pa.
Palmer played her first season of varsity hoops at Westtown this past season as an eighth grader, and though the school with its 50-kids-per-grade enrollment doesn’t necessarily scream basketball powerhouse, those in the business are well acquainted with it. The 76ers’ Mo Bamba, the Lakers’ Cam Reddish and the Mavs’ Dereck Lively II are all alums. It might feel a bit premature, but it also feels like a safe bet to already add…
