Traveler Tradition

For the record, the Travelers have been to Peach Jam 11 times.

The Travelers 16u team will be playing in the 17u AAU state tournament.

Since this is our first year in Kentucky, we'd like to share our history so everyone can get to know us a little better. Our first graduating class was the Class of 1991. Since that time, we've had over 200 college signees, over 100 Division I signees, and 24 SEC signees. This averages out to just over 9 scholarship players per graduating class. We've had 5 NBA players - David Vaughn, Ron Mercer, Vincent Yarbrough, David Harrison, and Corey Brewer. We've had 4 McDonald's All-Americans - Ron Mercer, Vincent Yarbrough, David Harrison, and Corey Brewer. We've had over 20 players who have played professional basketball overseas and/or in the NBDL. In the 2012-2013 season, 13 former players were active in pro basketball. We are one of the original 16 Nike Grassroots programs, and have been Nike-sponsored since 1995. We have qualified for Peach Jam 11 times. Three of our former players (Ron Mercer, Corey Brewer, Lee Humphrey) were starters on NCAA title teams.

Booker is a great shooter. He had a really good year last year playing with the Challenge as a sophomore. MoKan has a great backcourt with Clayton Custer and Lourwawls Nairn. Spiece returns Lyle and Lyles from last year - very good team. Team SCAN has a ton of talent. The Oakland Soldiers are the defending champions. Meanstreets is always outstanding, and BABC is always very, very good. They won the championship two years ago with Nerlens Noel.

These divisions will be paired up against one another in non-division play. The Travelers open the Los Angeles session with a game against the Jackson Tigers. Every other game will be against Division B and Division D opponents. Division A Spiece Indy Heat (IN) Oakland Soldiers (CA) St. Louis Eagles (MO) The Family (MI) Alabama Challenge California Supreme Athletes First (OK) Jackson Tigers (MS) Baltimore Elite (MD) Arkansas Wings Division C Houston Hoops (TX) Team Scan (NY) Team Takeover (DC) Meanstreets (IL) Team Final (PA) MoKan Ellite (KS) BABC (MA) Albany City Rocks (NY) Expressions Elite (MA) Texas Pro

Too early to tell.

Too early to tell. Lot of great players in this division - Tyus Jones, Jahlil Ohkafor, Joel Berry, Kameron Chatman to name a few.

Divisions are selected randomly. Division D will play non-division games against Division B. The Travelers' non-division games will be against the teams listed below. Division B Texas Titans CP3 All-Stars (NC) Georgia Stars Boo Williams (VA) New York Lightning New Jersey Playaz Bluff City Legends (TN) Team Texas Elite Nike Team Louisiana Wisconsin Playground Warriors

Divisions are selected randomly. Here is Division D, where the Travelers have been placed. Division D Southern Stampede (GA) Mac Irvin Fire (IL) Each 1, Teach 1 (FL) CIA Bounce (Canada) All-Ohio Red Team United (NC) Howard Pulley Panthers (MN) Travelers Basketball (KY) Seattle Rotary (WA) ICP Portland (OR)

Tyler Bacon (6-8, SO, Bullitt East) Braxton Beverly (5-10, FR, Perry County Central) Isaiah Collier (6-4, SO, Pulaski Southwestern) Shelby Combs (6-9, FR, Montgomery County) Quentin Goodin (6-3, FR, Taylor County) Tanner Johnson (6-4, SO, Lexington Catholic) Drew McDonald (6-7, SO, Newport Catholic) Jalen Perry (6-3, SO, Ballard) Matt Rose (6-6, SO, Lexington Christian) Christian Thieneman (6-4, SO, Trinity) Shon Wright (6-6, SO, Lafayette)

James Bolden (5-11, SO, Holmes) Jackson Davis (6-7, JR, Lafayette) Brandon Hatton (6-3, JR, Dixie Heights) Justin Johnson (6-6, JR, Perry County Central) Camron Justice (6-2, SO, Knott County Central) David Kapinga (5-11, JR, Southwestern) Rob Marberry (6-7, JR, Franklin Road Academy, TN) Zach McCormick (6-2, JR, Turpin, OH) Raymond Spalding (6-9, SO, Trinity) Jeff Thomas (6-5, JR, Norwalk, OH)

It is the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League. The league is made up of 40 teams nationwide who compete in a 20-game regular season. All 40 teams travel to the same sites - Los Angeles, Hampton, Dallas, and Minneapolis. The top 24 teams qualify for the Peach Jam in Augusta in July. These are the 40 Nike programs, and about 80-85 percent of the best high school players in the country play on EYBL teams.

We're really, really pleased with both rosters (16's, 17's). Will post them on here next week.

The EYBL is definitely the place to be.

The 80-85% figure is not hyperbole or speculation. It is a fact. So there is nothing silly about it. Nevertheless, we appreciate the support and have been so blessed to have met so many good people in Kentucky. It's been a great experience so far and we look forward to what the future holds.

Actually, there is a huge difference, especially given the fact that 80-85% of the nation's best players compete in the EYBL. No, we have not been to Peach Jam in a few years. However, we do have 11 Peach Jam bids. Certainly the Peach Jam is the nation's beat tournament, and you're right in that there is a difference in the Peach Jam and ALL other events. But considering you can only qualify as part of the EYBL, it validates the argument that the EYBL is far and away the best league for exposure and competition.

Regarding exposure, anyone who spends 5 minutes at the EYBL sessions would change his/her mind pretty quickly after seeing how many college coaches, particularly the head coaches, are in attendance. Also, considering we've had over 200 kids sign scholarships, over 100 Division I signees, 24 SEC signees, 5 NBA players and 4 McDonald's All-Americans, I think it's safe to say our track record for providing exposure is second to none.

16-minute halves.

Some interesting things to note about the EYBL: 1. Once a player is listed on an EYBL roster, he cannot play on another EYBL team for the remainder of the season. 2. Teams are allowed only 3 roster changes for the entire season, and the rosters are locked after the second event, meaning there can be no changes. 3. We play with a 35-second shot clock. 4. College officials are used in all games and we play with the college three-point line.

Just wanted to clarify a few points: 1. We have a 16u and 17u team 2. Jesse Sizemore and one of our longtime coaches from Tennessee will coach the 16u team. 3. We'll release our rosters soon. Very happy with both our teams. 4. A complete EYBL schedule and listing of events can be found at Nike EYBL

Congratulations to Jack. Great young man with a great family. We loved having him in our program last year.

Glad to set the record straight.

No. Our coaches are Vincent Yarbrough and Brendan Plavich.

Here is some information about our program: 1. We have been a Nike program since 1995. 2. We've had over 200 college signees. 3. We've had over 100 Division I signees. 4. We've had 24 SEC signees. 5. We've had 5 NBA players. 6. We've had 4 McDonald's All-Americans. 7. We've had 2 NBA Lottery selections. 8. We've had over 20 players to play overseas or in the NBDL. 8. Currently, we have 10 players active overseas or in the NBDL.

We are basing the program in Lexington since it is a central location for practice. We are the only EYBL team from Kentucky. There will not be another Kentucky team in the EYBL. That is not speculative information. It is a fact.