NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Arkansas basketball commit JJ Andrews was named Most Valuable Player of the Nike Elite Youth Basketball League Peach Jam after leading Brad Beal Elite to a second consecutive championship.
Andrews, a 6-foot-6 wing from Little Rock ranked No. 20 nationally in the class of 2026, averaged 18.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 2.0 steals per game over eight games at the tournament, according to On3. He led Brad Beal Elite in minutes, points and fouls drawn, and was second on the team in rebounds and steals.
Brad Beal Elite played with only seven players but relied on Andrews for both production and leadership. He shot 47.1 percent from the field and 73.2 percent from the free-throw line as his team navigated the country’s top grassroots competition.
“JJ is a bulldog,” Fox College Hoops commentator John Fanta told HawgBeat. “The guy was just a relentless competitor all week who is shifty in the lane and doesn’t stop until he gets to and finishes at the rim. He’s a John Calipari wing and will fit in perfectly.”
Andrews’ most notable outing came in the quarterfinals against Team Durant, when he scored 25 points, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out three assists, going 7 of 14 from the field and 11 of 15 from the line. His playmaking and ability to draw fouls helped Brad Beal Elite to a dominant win.
The Peach Jam, held annually in North Augusta, is regarded as the premier event on the Nike EYBL circuit and a showcase for future college and professional players.
Andrews’ performance drew attention from recruiting analysts and national media. Jamie Shaw of Rivals named Andrews a top performer entering championship Sunday, and his run at Peach Jam is likely to boost his recruiting ranking in future updates.
Andrews continues to build an impressive high school resume and could become one of the most decorated Arkansas high school recruits in recent history if he maintains his level of play.
Arkansas coach John Calipari, who watched Andrews at multiple games during the tournament, has praised the commitment and talent of his future player.
With the MVP honor, Andrews joins a list of past Peach Jam standouts who have gone on to college and professional careers. His leadership and consistency were central to Brad Beal Elite’s run to consecutive Peach Jam titles.
As the summer circuit ends, Andrews stands as a symbol of Arkansas’s recruiting momentum and the potential for in-state talent to lift the Razorbacks on a national stage.
