Peach Jam Notebook: Indiana basketball targets continue to standout midway through week

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – Peach Jam continues to be in full swing and Thursday is the first day of the live evaluation period — with college coaches out in abundance, including those from the Indiana basketball staff. But, that hasn’t stopped big time performances from numerous prospects throughout the first few days of Peach Jam.

Notable Indiana basketball targets in action this week on the EYBL circuit have been Liam McNeeley, Jaeden Mustaf, Boogie Fland, Patrick Ngongba, Austin Swartz, Trey McKinney, Darius Acuff, Jalen Haralson, Trent Sisley, Meleek Thomas and much more.

Here is a look at some key storylines, performances, standout prospects and more from the first few days, highlighted by numerous Wednesday Indiana basketball standouts.

NH Lightning guard Meleek Thomas shines on Wednesday 

The 2025 guard is averaging 17.3 points per game but Wednesday was his most efficient performance of the week. He had 23 points on 9-of-18 from the field, five rebounds and seven assists (to just one turnover). Thomas has been much more on the ball for NH Lightning following the departure of five-star point guard Elliot Cadeau — who reclassified and enrolled at North Carolina. His shot hasn’t been falling — shooting just 38 percent — but his ability to create in the paint and finish at the rim continues to show. It was really nice to see his playmaking come to life on Wednesday but he is still much more comfortable playing as an off guard and focusing more on his scoring.

Tyler Betsey shoots the lights off the ball for NY Rens

Betsey has had an up and down season for NY Rens but really shot the ball well on Wednesday night. He had 19 points and was 5-of-10 from three. He’s 11-of-28 from three in three games this week and has done so off of the catch or dribble. Betsey has tremendous size at 6-foot-8 to get his shot off on the wing. He has such a quick and repeatable release that he just needs a little bit of room to get his shot off. He showed more of a physical side to him as well and finished with six rebounds.

Rakease Passmore getting more comfortable playing for Team Thad on Nike EYBL

After playing the majority of the season on the Adidas 3SSB circuit, Passmore joined Team Thad a few weeks ago. Wednesday was his best game since he made his EYBL debut, finishing with 21 points on 8-of-13 from the floor. He’s an absolute blur in transition and shows off tremendous athletic ability attacking the rim. He has such a strong frame and has good size at 6-foot-5. He is 4-of-9 from three in three games but isn’t forcing much from the wing. He’s so difficult to slow down when he gets a defender on his hip and turns the corner to the rim.

The Family backcourt of Trey McKenney and Darius Acuff Jr dominating the week

One of the most talented backcourts in the entire EYBL is with a pair of 2025 guards playing on the 17U level. The Family backcourt of Trey McKenney and Darius Acuff Jr has been phenomenal. Despite a difficult time shooting the ball this week, Acuff Jr has impacted the game in other ways. He turned in his best game on Wednesday with 20 points on 7-of-18 from the field and eight assists with zero turnovers. He’s averaging 5.7 assists per game and has a 2.5 assist-to-turnover ratio this week. His so quick and shifty with the ball in his hands and is a legit three-level scorer. McKeeney has been very good all season long and has continued that play this week. He is so strong and bulky for a 2025 prospect, not many wing defenders can slow him down when he puts his head down. He’s not someone to settle for deep shots and always has a knack for creating contact. He’s 14-of-15 from the free throw line this week. He had a 24-point game to start things this week and then 19 points last night. He hasn’t looked to create much for his teammates, but with Acuff doing that, McKenney has been more focused scoring the ball.

Vegas Elite forward Tyran Stokes much more polished than a typical 2026 prospect

One of the most impressive prospects is Tyron Stokes. The 2026 prospect looks anything but a rising sophomore. At 6-foot-7 and 200 pounds, Stokes is physically dominant on the floor. He has all of the tools as a perimeter player yet the strength and frame as a post player. And, the most underrated part of his game is his passing and playmaking ability. He’s averaging 11.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 57.7 percent from the field this week. Such a rare combination at his age to have the size, strength, quickness, ball handling ability and shooting that he does.

Boogie Fland’s shot not falling but putting together nice all-around week for PSA Cardinals

After a few-week hiatus from the court, Fland made his return this week. It hasn’t been his best shooting week, just 8-of-33 from the floor, but his all-around floor game has been impressive. On Wednesday he had seven of his nine points in the fourth quarter in a comeback win for PSA Cardinals. He finished with just five assists, but easily could have been close to 10 on the night if shots were made. His speed and first step continues to be tremendous. That’s a separating factor on the offensive end. Defensively, Fland has been very good as well. He had four steals on Wednesday and has had numerous other deflections and solid possessions throughout the week.

SEE ALSO: Nike Peach Jam: Storylines to follow for Indiana basketball targets

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