Later this month, Nike's EYBL circuit will conduct its annual season-ending tournament, the Peach Jam, in North Augusta, S.C. In the main 17U division, numerous Syracuse basketball four-star and five-star targets are vying for the coveted Peach Jam crown, which Orange rising sophomore power forward Donnie Freeman captured two summers ago.
Before we get to the Peach Jam, though, the scouting experts at The Circuit have doled out their spring awards and honors in the EYBL league. This past spring, the EYBL conducted three sessions, including one in Memphis, Tenn., during an NCAA-permitted live period where the Syracuse basketball staff was on hand to watch various recruiting targets.
The Circuit's top honor, as MVP, went out to 'Cuse 2026 five-star priority target Jordan Smith Jr., who leads the Washington, D.C.-based Team Takeover (10-1 overall), which is a favorite to win the Peach Jam.
Smith, in the spring, averaged 19.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. Last month, in updated 2026 rankings from 247Sports, he moved to No. 2 overall in this class.
Other Syracuse basketball recruits score honors.
Dylan Mingo, a 2026 five-star point guard offered by the Orange last month, was named defensive MVP. The standout with the Bronx, N.Y.-based PSA Cardinals (7-4 overall) has averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per affair.
Paul Osaruyi, a 2027 five-star big man with the Phoenix-based Arizona Unity (6-5 overall), has been playing up a division, averaging 10.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest. The Circuit anointed him its underclass MVP.
Nike EYBL: Spring All-Circuit Awards, pres. by @athleteaiapp 🏆
— The Circuit (@TheCircuit) June 27, 2025
Underclass MVP 💰
Paul Osaruyi | Arizona Unity | 2026
10.1 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.1 APG, 2.5 BPG, 1.3 SPG
Full Awards ⤵️https://t.co/l89B41RQOl @Arizona_Unity @BellaVistaHoops @NikeEYB pic.twitter.com/9NKokvsCoW
A handful of 'Cuse targets are on The Circuit's All-EYBL first team for the spring sessions. They are Smith, Mingo, 2026 five-star wing Qayden Samuels of Team Takeover, 2026 four-star small forward Maximo Adams of the Las Vegas-based Vegas Elite (7-4 overall) and 2026 four-star wing Jasiah Jervis of the New York City-based Renaissance Hoops (10-1 overall).
On the third team are 2026 four-star combo guard Lucas Morillo of the Albany, N.Y.-based City Rocks (5-6 overall) and 2026 four-star combo guard Katrelle Harmon of the Vegas Elite. Mingo, Smith and Osaruyi were also selected to the All-Defensive squad.
Vaughn Karvala, a 2026 four-star wing/small forward with the Milwaukee-based Team Herro (6-5 overall), and 2026 four-star shooting guard Dakari Spear of the Irving, Texas-based Drive Nation (6-5 overall) both picked up honorable mention nods.