Held in Phoenix right next to the airport, the Elite Interscholastic Basketball Conference (EIBC) offered an amazing platform for players during the 2024-25 scholastic season. Scouts could quickly get in and out to see some top talent. Held at the Phhaclility, the event gave high school talent, especially the 2025s, the opportunity to get one last look in front of college coaches before the transfer portal gets going too crazy.
The combination of size, talent, and flare the players listed below contained was evident every second they were on the hardwood. All of the players mentioned played with a chip on their shoulder and have the talent to back it up, making it a joy to evaluate some of the relative sleepers that the EIBC has to offer.
Here are six players who really helped their stock at the EIBC Finals:
DeAndray Hamilton, 6’4, SG/PG, Cia Bella Vista (Ariz.), 2025
Despite losing at the buzzer to Oak Cliff Faith Family (Texas) in the title game, there may not have been a player who helped themselves more at the EIBC than 6-foot-4 combo guard DeAndray Hamilton. He was absolutely unstoppable heading downhill (especially when going right), has a silky smooth jumper, and has some serious wiggle to his game as a shot creator. Hamilton posted averages of 16 points and 3 steals throughout the weekend, leaving no doubt in anyone’s mind that he will be a nice addition to someone’s program in the late signing period.
Bolaji “B.J.” Oderinlo, 6’9, PF, CIA Bella Vista (Ariz.), 2026
In today’s generation of social media and the internet, it is surprising when you find a player that is a virtual ghost in terms of a digital footprint. Meet B.J. Oderinlo. The 6-foot-9 Nigerian big man was one of the more intriguing sleepers that the event had to offer, blending a nice 3-point shot from the corners with a massive combination of athleticism and motor. The Swiss Army knife averaged 8 points, 8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 2 blocks per game, showing the versatility that will have college coaches drooling in the live period.
Lamont Hartfield, 6’5, SF, Oak Cliff Faith Family (Tex.), 2025
Aside from making the game winning shot in the EIBC Championship game, Lamont Hartfield showed that he could hold his own against any swingman that the league had to offer. The lefty power wing is built and defends like a football player, has an automatic pull-up J, and provides an interior presence on both ends of the court. Heading to Florida Southwestern, Hartfield has the chance to take advantage of the NCAA’s new junior college waiver rule by the time he hits the D1 ranks.
Aly Tapo, 6’8, PF/C, Anthem Prep (Utah), 2025
A man amongst boys, Aly Tapo was the most physically imposing big that we saw at the EIBC. He has a chiseled frame with long arms, rips the rim off at every opportunity, and most importantly, plays with a big time motor on both ends. There’s definitely considerable room for development in terms of skill, but he’s already has International experience playing with Mali’s U-18 team and will be a nice addition to a D1 program in the late signing period.
Sidy Diakhate, 6’9, SF/PF, Anthem Prep (Utah), 2027
One of the more intriguing young prospects at the EIBC was Sidy Diakhate, a lanky combo forward from newly founded Anthem Prep. Coached by legendary Utah coach Marty Haws, Diakhate showed off a gorgeous floater in the paint, made some outstanding cuts, and is a solid 3-point shooter. The Senegalese forward is just scratching the surface and will undoubtedly turn some heads on the AAU circuit.
Ulysses Webb, 6’8, SF, Colorado Prep (Col.), 2025
Having played for Denmark’s U-18 this past summer, Ulysses Webb already has played against a high level of International competition, so facing No. 1 CIA Bella Vista (their EIBC team, not their EYBL Scholastic team) largely made up of Canadians was nothing new to him. While Colorado Prep was sent home by CIA, it certainly had nothing to do with the play of Webb, who poured in 27 points on 7-13 FG (including 6-11 3PT). The lefty swingman showed deep range, was a confident shooter, and used his athleticism to get to the free throw line nine times. Webb is headed to Coffeyville Community College in Kansas next year, but that has nothing to do with the level of talent that he brings to the table.
