The 2017 NY2LA Basketball Association tipped off its opening session on Friday in Texas with more action set for Saturday and Sunday. The 15U division featured a host of quality teams and several prospects who looked to raise their profile with college coaches. Here’s a look at some of Friday’s top performances and stock boosters in the 15U division of the NY2LA Basketball Association.

SEE ALSO
2017 NY2LA SPORTS LONE STAR INVITATIONAL DAY 1 RECAP – PART 1
2017 NY2LA SPORTS LONE STAR INVITATIONAL DAY 1 RECAP – PART 2
2017 NY2LA SPORTS LONE STAR INVITATIONAL DAY 1 RECAP – PART 3

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF INTEREST
2017 NY2LA SPORTS LONE STAR INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE

15U TOP PERFORMANCES
Henry Abraham — 2020 — G — 43 Hoops
A 5'11 guard, Abraham can flat shoot it. Has a stocky build at 5’11. Put the ball on the floor a few times and attacked the basket, utilizing a pump fake to shed defenders on the 3-point line. But his calling card is his ability to stroke the 3 as he made seven in Friday’s game against All in Athletics (Williams), including four early in the second half as 43 Hoops opened up a double figure lead.

Easton Darling — 2020 — PG — Martin Brothers
A 6’0 2020 point guard that can score, Darling can really handle it and plays the game with good pace, keeping defenders off balance. Can create his own shot off the bounce and made several nice passes on Friday in a hard-fought contest against the Colorado Titans. He did a good job splitting defenders and getting into the lane and making plays. A left hander, Darling stuck several 3-pointers and showed the ability to be a consistent perimeter shooter and finished with a game-high 17 points.

Jaden Gilpin — 2020 — Yanders Law
A 6’3 guard, Gilpin had five points in the first half of Friday’s nightcap against Minnesota Comets, then exploded for 19 in the second half, knocking down four 3-pointers. Gilpin has good size and athleticism, Gilpin has a versatile skill set at the offensive end. He handles the ball well and can create his own shot, gets to the bucket off the bounce and can shoot from distance off the catch or the dribble. 

PJ Hayes — 2020 — Minnesota Comets
A 6’2 point guard, Hayes brought the ability to light up the scoreboard off the bench on Friday, knocking down three 3-pointers and scoring 12 of his team’s 20 first-half points in a hard-fought defensive battle against Yanders Law. He finished with five 3-pointers and 20 points. Hayes has a nice outside shooting stroke, good size at 6’2 and was his team’s most consistent ball handler and scoring threat. 

Abe Scruggs IV — 2020 — PG — Wisconsin Shooters
A 6’1 2020 point guard, Scruggs is silky smooth off the bounce. He gets to the bucket and makes tough chances look easy. He showcased a nice floater and 3-point shot as well. He doesn’t try to do too much and does a nice job of letting the game come to him, but also makes plays and has the ability to take over a game when it matters. Scruggs made the game-winning 3 at the buzzer to give the Shooters a 46-43 win over H.I.T, which followed a big 3-pointer late in the contest and a go-head basket with his team trailing one with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Davis Walker, — 2020 — PG — H.I.T.
A 6’1 2020 point guard, Walker came off the bench and made some spectacular passes, especially in the second half on Friday against the Wisconsin Shooters. Little point guard type that is scrappy, handles the ball and pushes the pace. Was on the court at the end of the game throughout nearly all of the final stretch and made game-tying 3 ball with 6.6 seconds remaining.

STOCK BOOSTERS
Carter Gilmore — 2020 — F — Ray Allen Select
A long, rangy 6’4 forward, Gilmore plays bigger than his listed height. He plays with energy and a big motor and gets on the boards. Gilmore had six rebounds in the opening minutes before sitting out a long stretch as Ray Allen Select opened a big lead in the first half on Friday and finished with a double-double.

Isaac Jessup — 2020 — G — Colorado Titans
A 6’0 2020 guard, Jessup is at his best behind the 3-point arc offensively, but also brings a lot of energy grit and grind to the court. His hustle and intensity at the defensive end of the court as well as his three 3-pointers helped spark the Titans as they rallied from a big deficit to send Friday’s game against Martin Brothers into overtime. Offensively Jessup is a knock down shooter from behind the arc who moves well without the ball to get open. 

Derrick Roberts — 2020 — G — Illinois Irish
A 6’3 guard, Roberts is one of the more talented players we saw on the first day of 15U play at Mansfield High School. He has good size and a good frame and a silky smooth all-around game, able to handle the ball, get to the bucket and finish in traffic.

Will Schultz — 2020 — F — Ray Allen Select
At 6’5, Schultz is long, rangy and plays with intensity. He is a skilled forward that projects as a stretch 4 as he gets older who is able to step out to the 3-point line and knock down perimeter jumpers.

Sam Shultz — 2020 — F — H.I.T.
A 6’5 forward, Shultz has good size and length and did a good job of battling in the paint and scrapping for loose balls and getting on the boards. Had a pair of nice finishes in transition early on the contest, converting one into a three-point play.  Shultz is willing to pursue the ball off the glass and does a nice job of rebounding outside of his area, especially at the defensive end. Can handle the ball a little in transition, showed the ability to shoot from the outside a little and made several heady passes to find open teammates.