The 2016 NY2LA Sports Spring Extravaganza tips off on Friday, featuring the inaugural weekend of the NY2LA Association. In the 17U South Division, a group of strong teams from the Midwest make their way to Minneapolis, featuring some of the best hidden talent in the area. A talented duo of Teyvion Kirk and Demarius Jacobs of All-In Young & Reckless are two to pay close attention to after strong efforts at the Swish N’ Dish two weekends ago.
SEE ALSO
17U NORTH DIVISION – PROSPECT PRIMER
17U SOUTH DIVISION – PROSPECT PRIMER
17U EAST DIVISION – PROSPECT PRIMER
17U WEST DIVISION – PROSPECT PRIMER
17U SOUTH DIVISION PLAYERS TO WATCH
(Note – This is not an exclusive list)
Tai Bibbs – 2017 – PG – Mercury Elite
Bibbs holds offers from Buffalo, Toledo, South Dakota State, Illinois-Chicago, Furman, and IUPUI. A tremendous shooter, especially off ball screens, Bibbs fills it up from all over the floor. Still growing into his 6-foot-3, 170-pound frame, Bibbs has great length for the point guard position and uses that to whip passes through and over the defense. Able to play on and off the ball, Bibbs should see his stock rise this spring.
Corey Boyd – 2017 – C – Yanders Law
A big solid interior prospect with upside and instincts, Boyd is a massive presence in the middle who can finish around the basket and step out and knock down the mid-range jumper. He’s part of a solid group of prospects with the Yanders Law team who should impress this spring and summer.
Jeremiah Gambrell – 2018 – G – Rashard Lewis Elite
A sleeper in the state of Texas, Gambrell can flat out shoot the basketball. A spot-up shooter with a lot of range, Gambrell doesn’t need a ton of space to fire off a shot. His stroke is a little unorthodox, but you can’t argue with the results as the ball has a beautiful arc when it comes off his hands. Also able to shoot off the dribble, defenders have to be in Gambrell’s shorts in order to slow him down.
Michael Green – 2017 – PG – MBA Select
In a division full of good guards, Green is another that will make this an exciting race to the finish line. A solid all-around point guard, Green simply takes what the defensive gives him. He’s a good scorer from all areas of the floor and facilitator, but does a variety of things for his team. Green will battle on the glass among the trees and get after it defensively.
Vail Hartman – 2017 – G/F – Grand Rapids Storm
A plus length wing with good athletic ability and a creative scoring mentality, Hartman looks like a potential steal for somebody in the class of 2017. An excellent shooter off the dribble, Hartman can rise and fire over the top of the defense and shoot off-balance. Hartman always seems to have a good feel for what the defense is trying to do to him and then does a good job of using it against them.
Demarius Jacobs – 2017 – PG – All-In Young & Reckless
A breakout performer at the Swish N’ Dish, Jacobs played against some talented guards and not only held his own, but shined. Using his quick feet, Jacobs often turned defense into offense by picking the opponent’s pocket in the backcourt. An excellent transition player, Jacobs can play above the rim. In the half court, Jacobs does a great job of breaking his man down off the dribble and drawing defenders to him that opened things up offensively.
Teyvion Kirk – 2018 – PG – All-In Young & Reckless
A player that jumpstarted his team at the Swish N’ Dish, Kirk plays outstanding on-ball defense. Matched up with some really good guards from the likes of Minnesota and Illinois, Kirk played very well on both ends of the floor. Able to get to the bucket consistently, Kirk finishes around the rim quite creatively and at the very least puts the ball on the rim where his athletic forwards can go hunt rebounds. Defensively, he makes things very difficult for the opposition and rattled opponents without committing a lot of fouls with constant pressure up and down the floor.
Chris Knight – 2017 – F – Wisconsin Swing
A high-upside forward with tremendous athleticism and explosion, Knight has a bright future. Holding offers from Milwaukee, Green Bay, IUPUI, and Ohio, Knight is young for his age, yet is usually the most athletic player on the floor. A 6-foot-7, 205-pounf forward who can handle the ball and occasionally step outside the paint to shoot, Knight loves to get up and down the floor and has a soft touch around the rim.
Ryan Krueger – 2017 – SF – Wisconsin Swing
A stretch-the-floor wing, Krueger can be lights out from beyond the arc, especially off drive and kick opportunities. A 6-foot-7 wing with a sweet shooting stroke, Krueger is a terrific shooter when in rhythm. But he’s not just a one-trick pony. Krueger will take smaller defenders into the paint and use his length to shoot over them from close range. He’s also worked hard on his ball handling and can pull-up from mid-range as well. Milwaukee and Green Bay have already offered Krueger going into the spring evaluation period.
Steffon Mitchell – 2016 – SF – Grassroots Hoops
An unsigned senior, Mitchell will be looking for a few more scholarships to add to his resume this spring. A skilled, versatile wing, Mitchell can shoot, slash, and post up. Also a high-IQ talent, Mitchell holds nearly 20 mid-major scholarship offers. A long, strong wing who can play and defend a variety of positions, Mitchell is still a very intriguing prospect at this point in his recruitment.
Jalen Suggs – 2020 – G – Grassroots Hoops
Don’t be fooled by his age, Suggs has major game. It’s not surprising to see him play well beyond his years at this point, but you can’t help but be impressed by a player, who hasn’t played a single minute of high school basketball, yet he holds his own against those much older than him. A terrific on-ball playmaker, Suggs can create his own shot just as well as he creates looks for others. A player you’ll be hearing a lot more from over the next few years, Suggs is an exciting scorer and passer of the basketball.
Stay tuned to NY2LABASKETBALLASSOCIATION.COM for complete coverage of the 2016 NY2LA Basketball Association this spring and summer.