Prime Event Finals Recap

ByMichael Diaz

“Miami Suns Select” took a trip out to Mansfield, Texas to compete in the Prime Event Finals hosted by Premier Basketball. The group ended the year on a high note carrying positive momentum into the off-season showcasing the exciting potential of things to come in the near future. On Day 1, we opened up with a tough battle right away matching up with a talented Arkansas Banshees 16u team featuring 2 top 25 players in the 2025 class per ESPN rankings. Early the Banshees jumped out to a 7-0 lead to start the game, but Suns Select responded ending the 1st quarter on a 16-4 run and never trailed again in the contest. Suns Select was led by ‘24s Eris Lester 17 pts/6stls, Kayla Nelms 10 pts/12 rebs, Kaliyah Morales 10 pts/3rebs, & Emely Rodriguez 10 pts/5 blks/2stls!

Suns Select followed up the opening win with an impressive scoring display vs the FBC Hoopstarz 16u putting up 85 points in another victory.  (‘24) Emely Rodriguez was extremely efficient in this contest going 8-9 from the field, 6-6 from the line, and 1-1 from deep ending with 23 pts along with 9 rebs. (‘24) Kayla Nelms was also effective in this matchup, 8-9 from the field and 3-5 from deep finishing with 19 pts/8 rebs/ 4 stls.  (‘25) Jade Jones added 14 pts on 5-8 shooting along with 4 stls and 2 asst. (‘24) Eris Lester was also in double figures scoring 11 pts and pulled down 4 rebs in the victory.  The energy from the group as a whole was great along with unselfish play were both key in the success on the court. 

The momentum from Saturday carried over into Day 2 as Suns Select opened up with a Semi-Final win vs a tough Jason Kidd Select team. Scoring was not a problem again in this contest as the group put up 74 points! (‘24) Kayla Nelms put up 25 pts on 10-16 shooting, 2-4 from deep and (‘24) Emely Rodriguez followed up with 15 pts. (‘24) Eris Lester got to the line at will in this game finishing with 11 pts while going 7-9 on FT’s and (‘24) Jade Thompson added 4 asst! This setup a fantastic EYBL matchup in the championship versus a tough Alabama Southern Starz group. The game did not disappoint for those tuning in live or via livestream, it ended with us coming up just short in overtime as we were up 1 but lost on a halfcourt shot at the buzzer. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the group showed that they are capable of thriving on a national stage and will be fun to watch in 2023!  A special thank you to the coaching staff for their unmatched effort on this trip which is well after the conclusion of the regular season in July.

In the post event recap article released by Premier Basketball, the following players were recognized as standouts: 2024’s Emely Rodriguez, Eris Lester, Kayla Nelms, and 2025 Jade Jones!

We also appreciate “@C1sen” and “@Theovisuals” for the video coverage in all 4 of our games throughout the weekend! Below you can find direct twitter links to the individual and team mixes from the action: