There was a long list of teams and players that greatly impressed during the GNBA Championships. With a lot of great teams and players there was plenty of competition for this list with plenty of worthy players. Here are the ones that stood out the most with their play in Waukegan. 

Adrian Czekaj – 2029 – F – Kessel Heat

It what was one of the top performances on the entire GNBA this season, the good size forward went for 39 points in a bracket play game. Even more impressive, he did while fouling out with several minutes left in the game. Down in the post, Czekaj scored it on such a high percentage of his post touches while showing a good ability to do so when playing with his back to the basket. He was also very effective facing up in the mid-post and scoring on cuts. With all his tools he is so tough to defend as he beats defenders in many ways.  

Drew Lenz – 2029 – G – Wisconsin Swing

It has continued to be a big season on the GNAB for Lenz, especially this tournament helping the Swing reach the title game. He started the tournament on Saturday with a big 19-point game and continued to play well from there with a 20-point game later in the day. With his handle and moves, Lenz is a real playmaker off the dribble with plenty of paint touches. Even as one of the better scorers, he also showed a good ability to distribute the ball as a good decision maker on the attack. 

Triston Lowey – 2029 – F – Louisville Legends

It was another big tournament for the wing forward who helped the Legends reach the semifinals. He has good size but also a well-rounded game doing a bit of everything on the court. Lowery is a real stat stuffer going aggressively to the boards, blocking shots, as well to scoring in a number of ways; especially attacking the basket strong. In the quarterfinals he was so effective going for 19-points. 

Markiss Northern – 2030 – PG – Indiana Game

Even while playing up a level, Northern continues to be of the top guards on the GNBA this season. He played at an extremely well throughout the entire tournament with games of 21, 20, 20, and 18 points. He has a great combination of handle quickness and moves with the ball to just be unstoppable making plays off the dribble. 

Mason Phillips – 2029 – PG – 24Up

The guard started the tournament with a big 13-point game in a tight win. He flashed some quality point guard skills not seen always with many players at this age. Phillips handles the ball well, is a high IQ lead guard, and reads the floor well. He plays well on the attack getting into the defense to score and distribute but also hit a couple threes in that opening game. 

Kamari Riddick – 2029 – G/F – Martin Brothers

Tournament after tournament this season, Riddick continued to be one of the top players on the GNBA including this tournament. One of the best scorers at the 12U level of the tournament, he started it off with a very efficient 16-point game while also going for double figures in each of his other games. He has a good combination of size and skill and moves so well with the ball getting all the way to the basket but also hit several threes over the tournament. A real do it all player as well with his on ball defensive play too. 

Peyton Thomas – 2030 – G – 94 Feet Elite

It was a very big weekend for the guard who was playing up a level. When it mattered most, Thomas went off for 20-points in help his team capture the 12U championship. As well, he won a championship with 94 Feet Elite at the 11U level. While a skilled scorer who moves so well with the ball and can score it from all over, Thomas is also a very tough and energetic on ball defender.  

Denym Wallace – 2029 – C – AIA Lewis

Wallace was a force this weekend helping All In capture the 12U gold championship. He saved his best game of the tournament when it mattered most for the title going for 29 points. Wallace was simply dominant in that game scoring around the paint finishing on nearly all his post touches but also being a force on the glass on both ends just grabbing everything right over everyone else.