Deuce Grayson Rises to the Occasion for Jet Academy at Nike Jr. EYBL Peach Jam

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Nike Jr. EYBL Peach Jam is where some of the nation's best middle school basketball players are tested against elite competition. For Deuce Grayson, the tournament became another opportunity to show why he is one of Georgia's most promising young guards before even stepping onto a high school varsity court.

Representing Jet Academy, the incoming Holy Innocents' Episcopal School freshman played a major role in helping his team battle through adversity during one of the toughest events of the summer.

Jet Academy entered Peach Jam without two starters, while another key contributor fought through injuries throughout the weekend. Despite the depleted roster, the team responded with resilience, finishing 2-2, claiming first place in its pool, and losing both of its games by just three points.

Grayson was one of the biggest reasons why.

Finding His Rhythm on the Biggest Stage

Like many players making their Peach Jam debut, Grayson needed a little time to adjust to the speed and intensity of the EYBL atmosphere.

After a few rushed possessions in the opening game, the game began to slow down for him. With each contest, Grayson became more comfortable, playing with greater patience, making smarter decisions, and consistently finding opportunities within the offense.

His ability to get downhill with ease stood out throughout the weekend. Whether initiating the offense as the primary point guard or sliding over to the two-guard position, Grayson consistently attacked the paint, collapsed defenses, and created quality opportunities for both himself and his teammates.

Strong Production Against Elite Competition

Grayson delivered consistent offensive production throughout the four-game tournament.

Peach Jam Game Log:
• Game 1: 10 points
• Game 2: 27 points
• Game 3: 15 points
• Game 4: 17 points

He also averaged 5.5 rebounds per game, making an impact well beyond scoring.

His performance continued to reinforce why college coaches are beginning to pay attention. Throughout the weekend, evaluators liked his pace, athleticism, ability to make the right basketball play, and confidence shooting the deep ball.

Rather than forcing offense, Grayson consistently played under control, making winning decisions while demonstrating the versatility to score, facilitate, and stretch the floor.

Defense Fueled Jet Academy's Success

Grayson's impact extended to the defensive end as well.

He played with relentless energy on the ball, applying pressure to opposing guards while using his instincts to disrupt passing lanes. His physical style of defense created steals and turnovers that helped generate transition opportunities and shift momentum in Jet Academy's favor.

His willingness to compete every possession, embrace defensive assignments, and play with toughness reflected a maturity beyond his years.

Stepping Up Through Adversity

With a short-handed roster, Jet Academy needed players to elevate their games, and Grayson answered the call.

Throughout the weekend, he embraced a larger role offensively while continuing to provide leadership and energy on both ends of the floor. The team's ability to finish first in its pool despite missing key contributors spoke volumes about the group's perseverance.

One of the weekend's toughest moments came in a heartbreaking finish when Jet Academy appeared to have the game secured before an opponent connected on a last-second, 80-foot shot. Instead of allowing the moment to define the tournament, Grayson remained composed and continued leading by example.

His toughness, competitive spirit, and willingness to fight through adversity became defining traits of his Peach Jam performance.

A Rare Dual-Sport Workload

What makes Grayson's rise even more impressive is the workload he is carrying away from Peach Jam.

The incoming freshman has spent the summer working with both the Holy Innocents' varsity football and basketball teams as he attempts to earn a starting role in both sports. At the same time, he has maintained a 4.0 GPA while taking Honors classes.

That combination of athletic versatility, discipline, and academic achievement has also stood out to college coaches. Being able to handle the physical demands of two varsity sports while remaining successful in the classroom gives Grayson a profile that extends far beyond basketball.

For a player who has not yet begun his freshman season, the balance required to manage that schedule is uncommon.

A Bright Future Ahead

Grayson has yet to play his first official varsity game at Holy Innocents', but his performance in Augusta made it clear that he is prepared to compete against elite talent.

His combination of downhill explosiveness, positional versatility, defensive intensity, basketball IQ, perimeter shooting, and dual-sport athleticism allowed him to make a significant impact against some of the nation's top competition.

Those qualities, along with his ability to remain disciplined in the classroom, are exactly what college programs look for in a young student-athlete.

As he prepares for his freshman season, Deuce Grayson has already shown he belongs on basketball's biggest summer stage. If his performance at Peach Jam is any indication, this is only the beginning of what is shaping up to be an exciting high school career.