It's business time at Peach Jam

Coaches could attend starting Wednesday, filling the gym with familiar faces. Plus, Bronny James shows out, K-State adds a significant recruit and much more.

July 21, 2022

It’s Thursday. There’s a full slate of Peach Jam games ahead of you today. It’s too hot to go outside and you can stream ‘em. Now’s the time to prep, so kick back, enjoy today’s Daily, then try to enjoy the last day of round-robin play.

Let’s get to the news.

STARTING FIVE

1. All the Peach Jam parking just got taken

The annual Nike EYBL event has been running since Sunday, but Wednesday was the first day that coaches could attend. So, starting at noon, familiar faces filled the gym for a 12:30 pm matchup between BABC and the Skill Factory (TSF):

Those pics include, in no particular order: Jim Boeheim, Tony Bennett, Mike Brey, Hubert Davis, Shaka Smart, Chris Jans, Jamie Dixon, Andy Enfield and Mike Woodson.

Or try the South Carolina staff, ready to show GG Jackson they’re on hand.

It’s a time-honored tradition to line the walls, hoping to see talent and be seen by talent. Does it work? Of course. Does it beat standing outside in 90-degree weather? Hell yeah.

2. Bronny James’s big week

Being LeBron James’s son comes with expectations. But Bronny James — a 4-star prospect in the class of 2023 — rarely seems fazed by those. He’s smaller (6-3, 190) than his dad, but he’s a well-rounded, smart player who doesn’t try to do too much on the offensive end.

This week has been a little different.

He turned in a solid game Sunday (9 points, 5 assists, 6 boards in a win), but went into alpha mode on Monday during a three-point loss. As Adam Finkelstein notes, Bronny was assertive (22 shots) attacking the rim and was a threat from deep (5-11 beyond the arc), finishing with 28 points, 6 assists, and 3 boards.

He hasn’t popped quite like that since — 27 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds and just 1 turnover in two games — but he’s got poise, pace, and rises up when needed.

He’s not his dad. Nobody is. But Bronny’s gonna be a helluva addition for any college team.

TOGETHER WITH FAST MODEL SPORTS

Elite tools to scout elite players

You’ve crammed into the gym at Peach Jam to watch the latest EYBL matchup. But what about during a specific play? Well, hello FastRecruit!

This is the only way to recruit. Re-watch that Bronny film and take notes about his handle, his shot and his feel for the game. Mark specific instances for easy reference later on. Then upload to the prospect’s full recruiting profile.

And if you missed a video opportunity the first time, the video integration with Synergy Sports allows you to catch up. Once you’re ready, share it with coaches via the iPhone and Android apps.

3. K-State snags a 4-star

In the last seven years, Bruce Weber signed one (1) 4-star recruit (Nijel Pack). Jerome Tang matched that in four months.

Dai Dai Ames, a 2023 point guard out of Chicago, announced Wednesday he’s headed to the Little Apple. The reason was simple: It’s because of the guy the school hired in March.

“Me and coach Tang we’ve got a really good bond,” Ames told 247Sports. “Like at the last session of the EYBL he wasn’t really watching how I played he was watching my leadership skills and showing me how many times I get my teammates involved and stuff like that, and how I bring the level of my teammates up.”

Ames is the program’s first 2023 recruit. Keep an eye on who Tang recruits next.

4. It’ll be four schools and four coaches in five years

Isaac Kante is hitting the transfer portal again. But it isn’t your usual case.

Kante, a 6-8 forward who started 29 games last season for Long Island, played at Georgia and Hofstra before LIU. His career averages — 10.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 58% from the field — aren’t bad. In fact, he was super productive at Hofstra as a junior, averaging a double-double and finishing among the nation’s leaders in defensive rebounding rate.

So why the moves? You might’ve guessed by now: each transfer followed a coaching change.

First, it was Mark Fox’s ouster at Georgia. Then Joe Mihalich dealt with a medical issue at Hofstra. Most recently, Derek Kellogg got fired at LIU. Here’s hoping Kante finds a nice fit for one last season.

5. That’s Billion. With a B.

LeBron James is 37 and became a billionaire last month, according to Forbes. If that sounds absurd to you, it is. In the spirit of always comparing LeBron to Michael Jordan, MJ didn’t cross that threshold until he was 50.

There are only a handful of athletes who surpassed a billion in career earnings (such as Tiger, Ronaldo and Mayweather). It’s a short list.

But here’s the thing. That list could get much longer, much sooner. The Athletic used math (whoa!) to demonstrate how any player who enters the NBA could surpass a billion dollars during their playing career. To wit:

Even using conservative estimates — just five-percent annual jumps in the cap — a player drafted in 2022 could get to a billion dollars in contracts alone. A player drafted this year would make roughly $144 million over the first three years of his designated max extension, and then could sign another extension. In 2032, with a projected salary cap at about $200 million, he could sign a five-year, $403 million deal. When that contract runs out, there could be another three-year, roughly $287 million deal waiting.

I know, that’s only $834 million. But the story explains the progression. But even if you don’t read it, it’s jaw-dropping to think that watching Nick Smith, Cam Whitmore or Keyonte George this season would mean potentially watching a future billionaire.

BUY OR SELL

Does Kansas have any chance to repeat?

The reigning champs lost three starters and three other key players from their 34-6 title squad. Panic time in Lawrence?

Nah. Listen as the DTF crew breaks down what Kansas will do as it adjusts to life without a proven big man and some impact freshmen (along with Jalen Wilson; he’s pretty good).

Make sure to subscribe to The Field of 68 on YouTube.

THE FAST BREAK

Links as snag your tickets for “Nope.”

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