The 2016 NY2LA Next Level Invitational tips off on Wednesday, this year featuring the championships of the NY2LA Basketball Association along with the Next Level Invitational tournament. Marking the start of the July evaluation period, a number of top teams and players will play in front of college coaches from across the nation. The Open division will have their 17U action tip off Wednesday and the NY2LA Basketball Association will offer up the opening round of their championships on Wednesday night in the Association. Here’s a quick glance at the opening round games on Wednesday night…

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17U NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION FIRST ROUND GAMES – OPENING NIGHT
Omaha Elite vs. Indy EBC 2K17 (At-Large) – Court 3 – Homestead HS
Omaha Elite (8-0) puts their undefeated record on the line. Featuring three double-figure scorers in Jay Small (12.4 ppg), Logan Strom (10.0 ppg), and Ayo Akinwole (10.9 ppg), and two other Division 1 prospects in Aguir Agua and Isaiah Chandler, Omaha Elite is loaded. Led by Alex Cooley (7.7 ppg), Indy EBC 2K17, an at-large team, will look to pull off the upset. 

Wisconsin Shooters vs. The Force – Court 2 – Homestead HS
IUPUI commit Brandon Hau (12.1 ppg) and Andrew Lewis (10.4 ppg) lead a dangerous 1-2 punch for the Wisconsin Shooters (5-3). They’ll take on the Force (4-4) on opening night, featuring off guard Dylan Mileto and wing Kayden Washington.

Illinois Stars IBA vs. Martin Bros. – Court 5 Homestead HS 
One of the surprises from the first two sessions, the Illinois Stars (6-2) finished second in the East Division. Guard P.J. Pipes (13.0 ppg) flourished in the spring and looks to continue that in July. Much better than their record indicates, Martin Bros. (1-7) features high-scoring point guard Malik Parker (13.7 ppg) and are capable of pulling off an upset. 

Mercury Elite Thomas vs. Yanders Law – Court 3 – Homestead HS
One of the hottest point guard prospects in the Midwest, Tai Bibbs (10.6 ppg), leads Mercury Elite (4-4) into the Invitational. His running mate, shooting guard Joe Sieger (11.9 ppg) forms a dangerous 1-2 punch. Yanders Law (2-6) will counter with their guard duo of Yaakema Rose Jr. (13.9 ppg) and Milton Wordlow III (13.4 ppg). 

Illinois Irish Elite vs. RL9 – Court 2 – Homestead HS
After two events, the Illinois Irish (7-1) emerged from a loaded North Division. There’s no real stars on this team, just a group of individuals who come to work, forming some of the Midwest’s best kept secrets in point guard Devin Whitelow (3.3 apg) and Douglas Wallen (9.1 ppg) to name a few. Jacob Shields (8.7 ppg) and RL9 will look to turn things around in Milwaukee. 

Grassroots Hoops vs. Dakota Schoolers – Court 5 – Homestead HS 
The runner-up in the South Division, Grassroots Hoops (6-2) are led by touted 2020 shooting guard Jalen Suggs (13.7 ppg). The Dakota Schoolers (2-6) will counter with size and strength, led by South Dakota State commit Trevor Hanson (8.3 ppg). 

Mercury Elite Fano vs. Playground Elite Wilson – Court 2 – Homestead HS
Perhaps the top prospect in the 17U Division, Terrence Lewis (20.1 ppg) led Playground Elite (6-2) to a first-place tie in the North Division. South Dakota State commit Alou Dillon (10.1 ppg) also put up strong numbers in the spring. Guard Tyler Carlson (8.8 ppg) will try and lead Mercury Elite (3-5) to the upset. 

Minnesota Select vs. Wisconsin Swing – Court 5 – Homestead HS 
One of the best 1-2 punches in the Association, Chris Knight (12.0 ppg) and Ryan Krueger (13.3 ppg) led the Wisconsin Swing (8-0) to an unbeaten record in the spring. Alex Arians (9.6 ppg) also had a breakout spring. Shooting guard Luke Martens (7.3 ppg) and Minnesota Select (3-5) will try and slay the giant on opening night. 

Missouri Hustle vs. Indy EBC – Court 6 – Homestead HS
Sitting at second place in the West Division, Missouri Hustle (5-3) got strong springs from Cliff DeGroot (11.3 ppg) and Willie Lucas (11.0 ppg). Indy EBC (3-5) and their balanced scoring attack will try and knock them off on opening night. 

Minnesota Comets Elite vs. Wisconsin Playmakers – Court 3 – Homestead HS
The Wisconsin Playmakers (0-8) are in search of their first win in the Association. They’ll have a tall task in taking down the Minnesota Comets (7-1), who are tied atop the North Division. Simon Wright (13.3 ppg) has seen his recruitment take off as of late and is one of the better all-around players in the Association. 

REACH Legends vs. Kessel Heat Black – Court 2 – Homestead HS 
Keion Epps (11.7 ppg) is one of the more intriguing prospects in the Association. Joining the REACH Legends (4-4) recently, Epps showed flashes of great play during the second session in Dallas. They’ll up against Kessel Heat Black (5-3) who are balanced across the board and force you to pick your poison. 

Grand Rapids Storm vs. Colorado Titans – Court 6 – Homestead HS
A pair of evenly matched teams meet up on opening night. Grand Rapids Storm (4-4) features point guard Jesse Hills (11.9 ppg). They’ll get the Colorado Titans (4-4), led by guard Jacob Pfaffinger (6.9 ppg). 

All-In Y&R vs. Quad City Elite – Court 2 – Homestead HS
These two Illinois powers square off on opening night. All-In Y&R (5-3) is loaded, featuring five players who can score in Keondre Schumacher (9.3 ppg), Charles Payton (7.7 ppg), Teyvion Kirk (8.9 ppg), Demarius Jacobs (7.6 ppg), and Jameel Alausa (8.2 ppg). Under the radar point guard J. Michael Young (11.1 ppg) will try and spark the upset for Quad City Elite (2-6). 

Minnesota Comets DLR (At-Large) vs. Illinois Celtics/Hoopers – Court 5 – Homestead HS
Nana Akenten (16.9 ppg) emerged as a high major prospect in the spring for the Celtics/Hoopers (2-6). A 6-foot-6 wing who can flat out shoot the ball, expect to see numerous college coaches tracking his every move in Milwaukee. His team will have the challenge of taking on an unknown team of the Minnesota Comets DLR, who received an at-large bid into the Invitational. 

Chicago Lockdown vs. MBA Select – Court 3 – Homestead HS 
Connor Niego (8.3 ppg) is a do-it-all player that emerged as a Division 1 talent this spring for Chicago Lockdown (4-4). They’ll take on MBA Select (3-5), led by talented shooting guard Matt Strong (8.3 ppg). 

SYF Players vs. Wisconsin Blizzard – Court 2 – Homestead HS
Sitting at .500, the SYF Players (4-4) have a chance to make some major noise in Milwaukee. Aggressive forward Caleb Coleman (15.4 ppg) has the ability to carry his team to a surprising run. A surprise in the Association, the Wisconsin Blizzard (5-3) and guard Garrett Nelson (9.5 ppg) put together a strong spring. 

17U OPEN DIVISION – OPENING NIGHT
(Note - Not an Exclusive List)
Wisconsin Playground Warriors vs. Greenwood Elite – Court 5 – Homestead
One of the solid matchups of the evening, WI PGC is paced by Wisconsin bound Kobe King and a strong group of prospects likes Luke Loewe, Will Chevalier, Owen Hamilton, etc.  A solid group of prospect from the Michigan based Greenwood Elite program will look to counter King and company on Wednesday.

Camp Darryl vs. TAW – Court 1 – Homestead
A solid group from Michigan will lead Camp Darryl into the Next Level Invitational for the first time and up first will be a matchup against TAW from Illinois, which features the likes of Cameron Bowels, Ahmari Dantzler, etc.  

DTA vs. ECI Prospects – Court 4 – Homestead
Forward Terrance Banyard and guard Justin Brookens pace a solid DTA attack that will compete at a high level game in and game out.  ECI will hit the court with a 6’11 big in the middle in Jordan Meidinger and look to counter the quickness and athleticism of the DTA team.

TP Elite/Young Legends vs. Colorado Fire Elite Black – 1 – Homestead
A solid and competitive group of prospects led by Harlan Coats, Reese Drake, Damon Jackson, Alondis Williams, etc. pace the TP Elite program in this one.  Colorado Fire will make their first trip to the Next Level Invitational and look to counter the speed and quickness of the TP Elite/Young Legends squad on Wednesday.