LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Two of Southern California’s top basketball “big men” from the Southern California Class of 2022, are – for the time being – likely bound for “prep schools” in the 2022-23 academic and basketball year.
But, based upon the on-court performances turned in by 6-foot-9 Elijah Price (Long Beach St. Anthony) and 6-8 Tyler Bey (Fairfax) for Why Not and the Oakland Soldiers, respectively, during the Memorial Weekend Nike/EYBL session in the Kentucky Exposition Center, there may be other destinations in store for the gifted duo.
Price joined the Why Not (fronted by Russell Westbrook) program two weeks ago as a replacement when 6-9 Devin Williams (Corona Centennial) left to join the Compton Magic 17s club on the adidas circuit.
And Price, while splitting time in the post with Harvard-Westlake senior-to-be Jacob Huggins, made the most of his opportunity.
Price, a two-time, all-CIF Southern Selection for the Saints, averaged 9.6 points and 6.8 rebounds in helping Why Not go 4-1 to improved its overall EYBL spring mark to 9-4.
While hearing (via texts and phone calls) from coaches from multiple NCAA Division 1-affiliated programs as word of his performances were hitting social media, Price was particularly impressive on the first day of competition.
On Saturday Price, vs. UPLAND (Canada) and Team Florida, averaged 16 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 blocks in 18.5 minutes.
Bey, the co-L.A. City Player of the Year after helping the Comets with the City Section Open Division championship, turned in the top scoring performances in the 17s Division on Monday afternoon.
Bey (pictured) closed out the Soldiers’ schedule (at 4-1) Monday morning in spectacular fashion, dropping 35 points during an 85-69 win over the Florida Rebels.
The slender Bey – much more “perimeter-“ than he is “post-oriented” – hit 14 of 16 of his shots from the field (including all three 3s) and four of six free throws en route to a 35-point, seven-rebound and three-steal performance.
And, during an 84-79 win over a very-gifted CP3 (based in North Carolina and fronted by Chris Paul) team Sunday afternoon, Bey was eight of 11 from the field while finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 26 minutes.
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