Travel Team Tour: Team Takeover 17u

Team Takeover has established itself as one of the top travel team badges in existence, a brand synonymous with not only tournament success - including the high school-aged, Nike sponsored, Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) - but placing kids in schools up and down the college hoops ecosystem. Some declare TTO a model for others.

Why? What's special about them?

In a word, organization, focus, teaching and talented players. Year after year, up and down their age group offerings, TTO succeeds.

Of course being it's flagship squad, the 17u group exhibits all the above. A practice and scrimmage in April demonstrated it, as did this top-of-the-food-chain age cohort subsequently going 3-0 in the EYBL's first 2024 leg (Memphis).

Below is coverage. Head to Premium Court for more. Enjoy.

A 16 year veteran coach, HC Jamil Jones is adamant about playing defense, getting stops, strapping up. Whatever you call it, stopping folks is a non-negotiable for Jones, who also doubles at organizational director.

In the clip below, an interview after his 17u crew demolished Philly's K-Low Elite (3ssb Adidas), Jones discusses that and more.

What about players, the lifeblood of any team, any sport? Several are presented below, all interviewed on camera:

Nyk Lewis - 6'2", '25 guard, Gonzaga (DC) - Per him, Georgetown, Marquette, Xavier, LSU and Louisville make up his list. What they see is a guy who drives, dishes, defends, while increasingly seems to hit the open shot.

Check out this article on Lewis. Rivals.com has him slotted 68th in his class, while toting a four star designation.

Jordan Smith - 6'3, '26 guard, Paul VI (VA) - Uber vertically athletic, Smith plays larger than his muscular frame indicates. Can put it down on the drop of a dime. is focusing on developing true guard skills.

Georgetown "Houston, Kansas State, Duke" were the schools he listed, with all but the last having offered. Smith is a four star Rivals.com prospect, one landing 14th in his class.

Go to Premium Court for the interview and discussion.

Christian Gurdak - 6'9", '25 center/forward, Gonzaga (DC) - Rivals.com lists Maryland, UVA, Notre Dame, PSU, VT and iowa as having offered Gurdak, a strong, primarily under the basket player that rebounds, can hit midrangers, battles and will defend.

Derek Dixon - 6''3", '25 guard, Gonzaga (DC) - With the ability to pull up, blow by defenders on change of pace and run a team, Dixon is trending bullishly; the likes of Providence, UVA, Xavier, Syracuse, MD, Villanova, Pitt, George Mason and many others have tended Dixon scholarship offers. He's a known commodity with high upside.

Rivals.com him slotted four stars and ranked 65th among his '25 class.

Bobby Montgomery - 6'5", '25 wing, Mt.Zion (MD) - A prototypical energy guy,/defender, Montgomery is competitive, going at opponent's. An East Baltimore native, Montgomery wears that on his shoulder, using it to elevate his game. Could be the team's dark horse.

Montgomery discussed the scrimmage, his integration into Team Takeover, embracing communication and Jones, offers - Mississippi State, St. Louis, Rhode island, George Mason, Nichols State, with MS State and GM leading the charge - needed development, accepting hard coaching.

Austin Williford - 6'5", Class of 2025 wing, St. Anne's-Belfield (VA) - Known as a shooter, Williford is adding to his game, specifically his driving ability, which visibly has improved. The son of a Division I coach, Williford knows the importance of rounding out his skill set.

He shared below St. Joes, JMU, "San Diego, Mount St. Mary's, Albany" are "looking at me hard", becoming a better dribbler, hid dad's critique and who is the best shooter among them.

Tap in below to witness Williford in his own words.