Nike EYBL: Why Team Thad feels like 'the big dog on campus' with Peach Jam on the horizon
Team Thad, the Memphis-based Nike EYBL squad, has guaranteed itself a spot at Peach Jam this year.
It posted a 14-3 record across four qualifier sessions in Atlanta, Phoenix, Dallas and, most recently, Memphis – the third-best mark out of 38 EYBL teams. That includes a 4-1 showing at Session 4 at Liberty Park’s Memphis Sports and Events Center over Memorial Day weekend.
Team Thad won its first four games (three by double-digits) in Memphis before losing to Bradley Beal Elite (fourth in the current standings) 69-67 on a buzzer-beater Monday.
The grassroots program is sponsored by NBA veteran and former Mitchell High star Thaddeus Young and Norton Hurd IV is its director and coach of the 17-and-under squad. Young and Hurd founded the program in 2012 and made the transition from Under Armour to Nike in 2019.
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Hurd tries to model his program after some of the most consistent professional sports franchises in recent memory. He mentions the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and New England Patriots specifically and notes that advancing to Peach Jam every year is the standard he established as soon as Team Thad made the transition to Nike’s EYBL.
“From day one, we’ve been bold about our goal to win Peach Jam,” Hurd said. “But we know it’s a long process and we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.”
This year marks Team Thad’s third straight Peach Jam berth. The prestigious end-of-the-year tournament is set for July 3-9 at North Augusta, South Carolina. The club is led by 4-star Grovetown (Georgia) senior forward Derrion Reid and 5-star Woodford County (Kentucky) junior guard Jasper Johnson.
“I feel like we’ve got a good chance,” said Hurd. “I don’t think we’re a clear-cut favorite. On paper, it’s other teams better than us. But I think we’re playing some of the best basketball right now. I think it’s like 5-6 teams right now that’s got a chance to win (Peach Jam).”
Young, who just completed his 15th season in the NBA (and his first full season with the Toronto Raptors), sat courtside Sunday as Team Thad put on an offensive show. The 89-81 win over All Ohio featured six players scoring in double-figures, led by former Auburn commit Labaron Philon’s 16 points.
“I definitely feel like the big dog walking around campus,” Young said.
That confidence is contagious.
“I’m pretty sure we can beat any team in the EYBL,” Philon said.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Nike EYBL: Team Thad barreling into Peach Jam full steam ahead
