The annual NY2LA Sports Generation Next Tip-Off hit the hardwood in Wisconsin this past weekend and once again it was loaded with talented young hoops prodigies taking another step forward in their development.  While Team Takeova, Hoops 4 Health, Illinois Central Elite, and the Chicago Demons captured top honors team wise, a talented group of up and coming prospects from across the board of teams impressed.  Here’s my thoughts on a few of the 7th and 8th graders in attendance that stood out in the games I was able to catch…

Note – Not listed in any particular order

2024 Tayshawn Bridges – Team TakeOva 14U
Bridges was arguably the top performer on the weekend helping lead Team Takeova to the 8th grade championship. A physical lead guard, Bridges can break down defenders off the dribble and use his quickness to get into the paint where he is strong enough to finish through contact. Bridges also showed off his court vision making some impressive passes when drawing help defenders. A big time talent, Bridges will be able to make an immediate impact next fall at the high school level.  

2024 James Brown – Mac Irvin Fire 14U
James Brown looks to be next in line for the Mac Irvin Fire program and the young big man had a really good weekend at the Generation Next Tip Off. Standing about 6’6 with good length, Brown was dominant at times defensively – blocking shots and cleaning the glass. He runs very well for his size and made some tough catches showing off great hands. Brown was able to finish with solid footwork around the basket and has a nice touch from the FT line which should develop into a midrange threat down the road. 

2024 Quinton Lomack – Lafollette Lancers 14U 
Quinton Lomack had a good weekend for Lafollette Lancers helping lead them to the final 4 in the 14U division. Lomack was the best passer that I saw at the Generation Next Tip Off racking up the assists for his team. He is a really good defensive rebounder, able to grab and go to start the break off the dribble, or with impressive full court outlet passes. In the half court he showed a solid handle and consistently found teammates for open shots. Lomack has a high arching jump shot with a soft touch and was able to knock down threes when shooting in rhythm. 

2024 Nas Beamon – Team TakeOva 14U
Nas Beamon teamed with Tayshawn Bridges to make up a scary duo for Team Takeova. Beamon plays with a competitive edge that was key in helping lead his team to the 14U championship. He was able to get into the paint off the dribble and finish through contact and was relentless on the offensive glass. While at times overpowering smaller defenders, Beamon has a shifty handle and was able to break down bigger defenders on the perimeter as well. 

2024 Kurte Lawson – MidPro Orange 14U
Lawson played well all weekend for Midpro 14U highlighted by a 20-point performance in bracket play against a loaded Lafollette Lancers team. He had some really nice takes the basket off the dribble where he finished at the rim in traffic. Lawson competed on the glass and defensively and was easy to see that winning was his number one priority on the court. 

2024 Trovary Cavil – Iowa Elite 14U 
Trovary Cavil was one of the better lead guards at the Generation Next Tip Off putting together a very good weekend which saw his team advance to the final 4. Cavil was excellent in a tough loss to Mac Irvin finishing with 23 points, knocking down 5 threes and doing all he could to try and lead his team to the win. Cavil is a quick point guard who can pass and score and showed off really tight handle – will be a player to watch closely over the next couple of years. 

2024 Derrick Johnson – Mac Irvin Fire 14U 
Derrick Johnson may have been the best pure shooter that I saw over the weekend and was a big reason that Mac Irvin made it all the way to the championship game. Johnson has a pure jumper with good form and range, and showed off a quick release in catch and shoot situations. He also is a solid ball handler and has good size and length which help him defensively. 

2024 Robert Booker – Lafollette Lancers 14U
Robert Booker is an intriguing young forward who was the best player on the court for stretches as part of a deep Lafollette Lancers squad. Offensively he was at his best operating from the high post, where he was able to face and attack the basket or find teammates with some impressive passes. Booker runs the floor very well for his size and age and did a good job battling all weekend on the glass. 

2025 Drew Murphy – Verona Wildcats 14U
Playing up a year against older competition, Murphy was solid all weekend for Verona Wildcats. He showed good touch around the rim and in the midrange and is a fluid athlete at 6’1 and growing. Murphy did a little bit of everything to help his team – rebounding, scoring, and creating turnovers and transition opportunities on defense. Murphy has basketball in his blood as his mother played at Kansas and father won 2 national championships for Bo Ryan at UW-Platteville.

2025 Juan Hernandez – WI Phenoms 13U
Juan Hernandez was impressive for WI Phenoms 13U team. The young lead guard is a really good ball handler and played in control while still able to his speed to get past defenders off the dribble. He has a nice touch on his jumper with a quick release and hit some nice catch and shoot threes. 

2025 Blake Fagbemi – Illinois Attack 13U  
Blake Fagbemi had one of the better performances I saw at the 13U level on Sunday morning vs WI Phenoms. He finished with 19 points and scored in a variety of ways hitting jumpers, and getting to the rim. He has a nice handle for his age and drew help defense all game making the right pass to set up teammates. 

2027 Jaxson Davis – Illinois Central Elite 12U
Jaxson Davis was excellent helping his Illinois Central Elite squad to the 6th grade championship. Davis put up big scoring numbers throughout the weekend with a tight handle and feathery touch from outside. Davis showed an advanced skill set for his age and will be player to watch closely as he develops over the next couple of years. 

2024 Mike Williams – Lafollette Lancers 14U
Mike Williams brought all the energy for Lafollette Lancers playing with an intensity that looked to rub off on his teammates. Williams competed defensively against stronger players and has quick feet and hands. Offensively he has nice form and touch on his jumper and was consistent knocking down threes off the dribble and in catch and shoot. 

2024 Tyron Wright – Iowa Elite 14U
Tyron Wright is another young big man who showed promise at the Generation Next Tip Off. He moves pretty well for his size and was able to finish around the basket off of offensive rebounds and drop off passes. Wright competed and held his own vs James Brown (Mac Irvin Fire) in a Final4 matchup and projects as a D1 level prospect as he continues to grow and develop. 

2024 Dayvion Johnson – Mac Irvin Fire 14U
Johnson was solid as part of a deep Mac Irvin Fire team over the weekend. He is a tough guard who is at his best when attacking downhill and in transition. Johnson is a very good perimeter defender and racked up steals and deflections. He also showed some potential as a jump shooter hitting some shots off the dribble. 

2024 Jack Poellot – Chapman Black 14U 
Jack Poellot had some really good moments for Chapman Black 14U squad on Saturday. He scored 14 points in a win, hitting a couple jump shots and driving to the rim and finishing. Poellot has a very solid all-around game and should continue to develop playing with the Chapman basketball program. 

2025 Amare Jackson – MAS 13U 
Jackson is a good young guard who helped lead MAS to the championship game at the 7th grade level. He finished with 15 points in a tough loss and had a couple of plays within the game that jumped out - including a very impressive sequence in which he got a steal, handled the ball in the open court and finished with a nice euro step around a bigger defender. Jackson has good length and was able to get to the rim off the dribble and finish with a couple nice floaters as well.