The annual NY2LA Sports Invitational wrapped this past weekend and a host of talented prospects from different parts of the Midwest delivered strong efforts over the final two days. Here’s a continued look at some that stood out Saturday and Sunday in Wisconsin…
2020 Jalen Johnson – Phenom University 17U EYBL
Johnson had an impressive weekend helping lead Phenom U EYBL to the 17U platinum championship. He was great on the boards and excels in a point forward role leading the break and finding teammates. Johnson can guard all 5 positions on the floor used his length on defense to get steals and fast break opportunities.
2020 Connor Dillon – Illinois Irish 17U NY2LA
Connor Dillon had a very impressive weekend for IL Irish as they advanced to the Final 4 in the 17U platinum bracket. He is able to create his own offense and has sneaky athleticism which he showed off against Phenom EYBL – finishing a 2-hand dunk in traffic. Dillon also showed he isn’t scared of big time moments, hitting a clutch three at the buzzer to send the game into overtime vs Quad City in an elite 8 matchup.
2020 Carson Smith – Phenom University 17U NY2LA
A quality perimeter shooter with an ability to fill it up quickly, Smith was solid throughout the weekend in helping his team to the championship game. A strong D2 prospect at worst, Smith makes heady plays and continues to look the part of a quality basketball player on a number of levels.
2022 Braeden Carrington – Grassroots Sizzle – Weston
Braeden Carrington is a nice young prospect who can really shoot the basketball showing off a smooth stroke all weekend. Playing with his Grassroots Sizzle 2022 team which competed in the 16U division, Carrington wasn’t fazed by the older competition, handling the ball confidently and looking for his shot.
2020 Colin Schaefer – WI Swing 17U NY2LA
Colin Schaefer played well in the games I saw for WI Swing 17U, knocking down shots and controlling the game from the Point Guard position. He has a smooth stroke from deep and was deadly in catch and shoot. Schaefer also did a good job defensively guarding man to man and gad a couple of nice takes to the basket using his strength to finish at the rim.
2020 Carter Gilmore – Phenom University 17U EYBL
A First Team All-State performer, Gilmore saved his best for last with two strong performances in the semi-finals and the championship game. An 11 point 10 rebound performance in a semi-final win saw Gilmore knocked down the jumper, post up, and create with efficiency and dominance. Already holding a number of Division 1 offers, Gilmore continues to elevate his play with each passing week.
2022 Jackson Paveletzke – Phenom University 15U EYBL
Jackson Paveletzke had a great weekend for Phenom University 15U EYBL. He is a knockdown shooter from deep and spaces the floor on offense and also did a good job defensively using his length to get steals. Paveletzke finished the weekend strong in the platinum championship game on Sunday, scoring 21 pts and knocking down 5 threes to help lead his team to the win.
2021 Tyrese Hunter – Phenom University 16U EYBL
Tyrese Hunter played great all weekend for Phenom University EYBL 16s, leading them to the platinum championship. Hunter has a shifty handle and was able to get defenders off balance and attack the rim where he used his athleticism to finish or get to the FT line. He also showed good touch making a couple threes and played with a competitive edge which was key in a couple off close wins.
2019 Troy Reeves – WI Premier 17U NY2LA
Troy Reeves held his own in an elite 8 matchup with Phenom University EYBL on Sunday morning. He was able to knock down some jumpers - including a really nice step back three off the dribble - and also attacked the rim for a couple of tough finishes. Reeves finished with 10 pts and a handful of assists in the game and should be a nice late find for a school needing help in the backcourt next winter.
2020 Alex Huibregtse - Phenom University 17U EYBL
Alex Huibregtse had an outstanding weekend shooting the basketball for Phenom U 17s squad. He has great shot mechanics, a quick release and can get hot in a hurry form outside. Huibregtse also had some good moments on the break drawing defenders and then finding teammates with lobs and drop offs for dunks.
2021 Brian Parzych – Wisconsin Swing 16U EYBL
A talented left handed instinctive guard, Parzych was all over the court at times this past weekend and he showed a versatile package of scoring, playmaking, and feel. He plays hard on both ends and he attacks the rim with success. He had a really nice weekend.
2021 Delshawn Sims – Kentucky Hoops Dreams 16U
Delshawn Sims is a quick shifty point guard and had defenders on skates all weekend for Kentucky Hoop Dreams. At 5’9 he is a crafty finisher around the rim using euro steps to get by defenders. Sims was able to finish some tough lay ups using the glass and also did a good job of running his team and getting teammates involved offensively.
2020 Logan Jedwabny – WI Blizzard 17U NY2LA
Logan Jedwabny played well for WI Blizzard NY2LA in their game against ABC Lions on Sunday, scoring all 20 of his points after halftime. He has great shot mechanics and a soft touch from outside hitting a couple of threes and also was able to get to the rim where he had some nice finishes.
2021 Ben Nau – Phenom University 17U EYBL
A tough blue collar perimeter talent, Nau had a huge opening game effort on Sunday as he ripped the nets multiple times from long range and attacked the rim in transition. He plays hard, he defends, and he makes plays on both sides of the ball. Already with a handful of Division 1 offers in hand, Nau was solid again this past weekend.
2020 Derek Gray – WI Dynasty 17 NY2LA
Derek Gray was solid for WI Dynasty 17U, helping lead them to a win over NESYB on Saturday. He can handle the ball and was effective getting to the rim off the bounce. Gray also hit a smooth pull up jumper and was active defensively getting a couple steals.
2022 Seth Trimble – Phenom University 15U EYBL
Seth Trimble is an athletic young PG who played well alongside Paveletzke in the backcourt for Phenom 15s. He thrives attacking the rim where he had a few really impressive finishes through contact. Trimble also showed a solid jumper, knocking down shots in the midrange off the dribble and a couple of nice catch and shoot threes.
2021 Eric Price – Quad City Elite Orange 16U NY2LA
Eric Price is a strong physical guard who excelled attacking the basket over the weekend, able to finish through contact and draw fouls. He has an improving jumper and got hot hitting 8 threes in one game to help his team to the win. What I liked most about Price was the toughness he showed on the court battling on both ends of the court for Quad City.
2022 Andrew Rohde – Phenom University 15U EYBL
A talented perimeter shooter with instincts and feel, Rohde showed a versatile skill package throughout the weekend with some excellent passing and scoring at multiple levels. Far from a finished product, the talented freshman is one to watch closely over the next couple of years.
2020 Josh Govek – Phenom University 17U NY2LA
Josh Govek is a solid PG who knows how to play the right way. He has a nice handle and showed off a smooth pull up jumper off the dribble. Govek competes defensively and doesn’t back down from bigger more athletic opponents. He was great all weekend and helped lead his Phenom University NY2LA team all the way to the championship game.
2021 James Graham – Phenom University 16U EYBL
James Graham had a really solid weekend for Phenom University 16s – stretching the floor offensively with his ability to knock down threes. He had some nice takes to the rim when defenders closed hard, showing he can put the ball on the floor and finish. Graham also was able to finish around the rim off of drop off passes and offensive rebounds.
2022 Keon Adams – Kentucky Hoop Dreams 15U
A tough quick guard, Keon Adams played well for Kentucky Hoop Dreams on Saturday night. He showed off a solid handle and was able to get by defenders and into the lane in the half court. Adams also did a good job of attacking the rim in transition and putting pressure on the defense and hit a 2 threes, finishing with 15 points.
2021 G/F Foster Wonders – Phenom University 17U EYBL
A talented marksmen making an adjustment over the past couple of weeks to the 17U level, Wonders got going on Saturday night with a couple long range jumpers and a lot of activity on the defensive end. He can fill the box score and score quickly in bunches and that was evident in flashes this past weekend.