Nike EYBL session showcases Memphis Sports and Events Center's 'game-changer status'

JASON MUNZ // COMMERCIAL APPEAL // ARTICLE LINK

Nike EYBL is viewed as the most prestigious league on the AAU circuit. Four sessions are held annually, each one in a different city. Atlanta, Phoenix and Dallas were the others this season. The EYBL season culminates at Peach Jam in North Augusta, South Carolina. The Memphis session is the final tune-up for Peach Jam, widely considered the single-most esteemed annual youth basketball tournament in the country.

“Memphis would’ve never been a candidate for this before this facility (was built),” said Perez. “That’s just the game-changer status it provides. Cities lobby every year to be chosen for these tournaments, so there’s some prestige involved in that.”

Amplifying the sentiment is the kinds of crowds the games draw. NBA legend Carmelo Anthony, whose son, Kiyan, plays for Team Melo, was on hand. Grizzlies star Desmond Bane made an appearance Saturday. On Sunday, NBA veteran Thaddeus Young (a Mitchell High graduate and a member of the Toronto Raptors) sat courtside as the team he sponsors (Memphis-based Team Thad) beat All Ohio Red to stay in the first place.

Young took multiple visits to the site while Memphis Sports and Events Center was under construction.

“So, this is a long time coming,” he said. “It’s always great to see what Memphis is able to do as far as growing the city. It’s huge. We’re looking forward to seeing this for many years to come.”

After a 20-point win over ProSkills on Saturday morning, Team Thad defeated Vegas Elite by 18 in its afternoon game. Team Thad’s roster typically features multiple players from Memphis. This season is an exception, but that didn’t keep the fans away.

“The whole city was it. It was off the chain,” said Norton Hurd IV, Team Thad’s director, and coach. “It felt like a home crowd.” “It was packed an hour before we started,” said Team Thad forward Derrion Reid (from Augusta, Georgia). “It feels good to play in front of your hometown, well, your team’s hometown.”

Memphis Sports and Events Center isn't even a finished product, according to Perez. Currently under construction within the building are a ninja course, an Esports studio and a weightlifting/training area.

It's too soon to say whether Memphis Sports and Events Center will host another Nike EYBL session, but the weekend has offered encouraging signs and officials are optimistic.

“Nike booked this pre-open,” said Perez. “So there’s a degree of trust that we’re delivering on. We want to be a destination and we want (Memphis Sports and Events Center) to be a huge beacon. We also want to make it available for Memphians and be this really uplifting thing for the city.”

Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.