There was plenty of depth and talent at the 12U level. As well to the top performers, all these players had themselves great tournaments at the GNBA Championships.
Micah Belland – 2029 – F – MTXE
A versatile forward who can do much on the floor and started the tournament off with a 14-point game in a victory. Belland was effective playing inside and out on both ends with his size and moves well. He scored it strong down in the paint and can post up but also handle the ball making plays off the dribble, is a very active rebounder, and made some nice passes.
Greyson Casto – 2029 – C – 24Up
Not only did he tower over most of the big men at the 12U level but already has a strong build. With his physical tools he was a real force in the paint on both ends of the floor making a huge impact in multiple games. Casto also plays with good energy defensively shutting down the paint as well to running the floor hard for transition baskets and finishing very well. With his energy and size, Casto was also one of the better rebounders at the 12U level.
Ethan Davis-Lamb – 2029 – F – MidPro Academy
There is much to like about the lengthy forwards game as he stands at 6’0” already to go along with mobility and versatile skill set. An incredibly unique player that can do so much with his unmatched tools at the 12U level. He can effectively defend one through five but also score it well with a 24-point game on Sunday. Whether it was attacking off the dribble or finishing around the paint, Davis-Lamb could not be stopped.
Verton Freeman – 2029 – SF – Kessel Heat
One of the more versatile players at the 12U level always playing with good energy and making a big impact. A tough scorer who did the bulk of it around the paint getting into double figures on a few games but did so much more. He has some size to go along with some quickness to be a versatile defender shutting down nearly anyone on the floor as well to being big on the glass.
Sentrell Gray – 2029 – PG – Martin Brothers
One of the better point guards on the 2029 level of the GNBA over the past couple of years with his ability to score and distribute the basketball. A real playmaker that excels getting into the defense with his quickness and handle plus reads the floor well. Over the course of the tournament, he did a great job all driving all the way to the basket and finishing at a high rate there in traffic.
Derez Grider – 2029 – PG – Louisville Legends
A skilled point guard who is a tremendous distributor but also scored it well himself. One of the better passers who sees the floor so well and was always playing a step ahead of the defense. He has good handle and moves so well with the ball maneuvering his way into the defense with ease. Even as a pass first point, Grider was effective getting all the way to the basket and finishing well there.
Andrew McWilliams – 2029 – G – Yanders Law
One of the top shooters of the entire tournament, hitting five threes in a single game on Sunday. He has such a pure jumper and was just not missing when he had a good look while spotting up from the outside.
Ejiah Svoboda – 2029 – SF – Closed Gyms
As well to playing so hard at all times, Svoboda also had one of the top scoring performances at the tournament. On Sunday he had a 26-point game, leading his team to the championship game of the gold bracket. While he has a good spot up jumper from the outside, he did the bulk of his scoring on the attack. He has good handle with a nice ability to quickly hit gaps in the defense and finish all-around the paint.