There was plenty of great basketball being played this past weekend at the 12U level. With a deep field of teams, there was much competition each game and for this list. 

Michael Ambrosino – 2030 – G/F – Infinity

Ambrosino was one of the better scorers at the 12U level who did it very efficiently in every way. He already has a good-looking jump shot outside from three but also scored it often going strong to the basket on drives and cuts playing through contact and was finishing everything around the paint. Ambrosino just continued to find ways to score and help his team to the semifinals. 

Evan Bauer – 2030 – F – Team M14

With the forwards high skill set and all he did, Bauer was an easy pick for this list. Along with his skills, he has some size and scored the ball very effectively in numerous ways. Whether playing on the attack, mid-range jumpers, put backs, or in transition, Bauer was scoring the ball very often. As well, he proved the be a very tough interior defender. 

Luke Beran – 2030 – PF – Illinois Attack

One of the most dominant players of the entire tournament who helped the Illinois Attack get into the semifinals. While he already has plenty of size at 6’0” towering over everyone but also showed plenty of skill. He can handle the ball and was often taking it end-to-end. Beran did so much defending all over the floor coming up with steals and blocks, rebounding everything around him, and scoring the ball in bunches efficiently.  

EJ Cook – 2030 – F – Nicolet Knights

Already at a young age, Cook shows plenty of tools with his good size, athleticism, length, and skills. A tough and active defender that was all over the paint shutting it down but also defended out on the perimeter effectively. Behind his big weekend of doing a bit of everything, the Knights were able to capture the championship. 

Kayvanes Green – 2030 – PF – Mad City Mambas

Green is a powerful forward that showed the ability to be a real force down in the paint. He was one of the better rebounders at the 12U level, was able to score it posting up, and is a highly active defender in the paint. While Green was a highly impactful player down inside, he also showed the ability to play out on the perimeter offensively too. 

JuVonta Leach – 2030 – G – TCDA

Throughout bracket play, Leach continued to excel helping TCDA get all the way to the championship game. This included a big 16-point game in the quarterfinals. Both with his smooth jumper from the outside knocking down threes and being an aggressive downhill drive with good moves, Leach scored the ball very well. 

Marcello Markese – 2030 – F – Hoopademix

Over multiple games, Markese continued to play very well. The young forward already has some size and good length in addition to playing with plenty of energy. With his motor he was very big on the glass on both ends in addition to his work in his team’s pressure defense but also defended the paint tough. Markese scored it well around the paint in addition to attacking the basket.