2017 NY2LA LONE STAR INVITATIONAL WEEKEND RECAP

Dallas, Tx — The NY2LA Sports Lone Star Invitational held this past weekend in Dallas is officially in the books and several players in the 15U division of the 2017 NY2LA Basketball Association are emerging after strong performances. Here we take a look at the weekends top performers as well as players who raised their profile and guys you should know going forward. The 15U field is loaded with talent, and even a handful of 2021 players who have a bright future ahead of them shined on the big stage in Dallas. Here’s a look at many who shined this past weekend in Texas…

15U NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SESSION 1 TOP PERFORMERS
Henry Abrahamson — 2020 — G — 43 Hoops
An elite level shooter, Abrahamson had a pair of big games, matching the weekend high for points in the 15U division with 26 on Friday in an overtime win over All In Athletics, then added 22 more in a contest on Saturday. Abrahmson is a heady guard who can not only light it up from 3-point range, but can also attack the basket and utilize a runner in the lane.

Tyson Acuff — 2020 — PG — R.E.A.C.H. Legends
We’ve written a lot about Acuff already this weekend, but he’s a talented player and if fancy passes are your thing, be sure to check him out. Acuff is an elite playmaker who has the ability to lead a team and dominate a game with his passing skills, a rare commodity in such a young player.

Easton Darling — 2020 — PG — Martin Brothers
A 6’0 left handed point guard from Winterset, Iowa, Darling is a tough competitor that can really handle the ball on a string and finds seams in defenses to attack. He can really shoot it from distance, is a good play maker and also showed the ability to take and make tough mid-range shots off the bounce.

William Dunn — 2020 — F — Grand Rapids Storm
Might have been the best all-around big man with the most long-term upside we saw this weekend. Dunn is a long, lanky 6’7 forward but isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint and go to work in the post. He’s also skilled enough to face up and drive, shoot long jumpers and is versatile at the defensive end. He has an impressive all-around skill set for such a young big man.

Tyrelle Hunt — 2020 — F — All In Athletics Williams
One of the more physically mature players in the 15U field, Hunt is a strong, gifted athlete who finds ways to put the ball in the bucket. He’s active around the basket, skilled enough to play a little on the perimeter and good along the baseline.

Isaac Lindsey — 2020 — SG — Wisconsin Swing
If you’re coming to check out a couple 15U games and players, you have to make a trip to see Lindsey in action. He’s as good a shooter as there is in the 15U NY2LA Basketball Association and is a winner. He went for 26 points on Saturday for the Wisconsin Swing and continued to play well throughout the tournament as he remained red hot from 3-point distance.

Tate Machacek — 2020 F — 43 Hoops
Like Lindsey, Machacek has the tools to be an elite level performer in the years to come and is definitely a name to know. He is a physically gifted athlete who will wow with a power dunk in transition, but skilled enough to drop a 3 and play multiple positions. Had some big games for 43 Hoops throughout the weekend, including a 19-point performance on Saturday.

Mason Miller — 2020 — PF/C — Minnesota Comets
One of the better big men in the field, Miller is a big, strong 6’7 post player with an athletic build that translates well as he gets older. He is physical and likes to mix it up in the paint and he put together some good performances throughout the weekend. His offensive game is still developing, but he has a high ceiling and a lot of potential going forward.

Jayshawn Moore — 2020 — SF/G — R.E.A.C.H. Legends
One of those kids that just has “it” … he’s a talented wing player who can knock down 3-pointers, handle the ball, get to the bucket and is a competitor. Has a smoothness to his game. He doesn’t try to play outside of his capabilities and lets things come to him.

Abe Scruggs IV — 2020 — PG — Wisconsin Shooters
Smooth point guard that makes things happen and another player, who like Moore, kind of lets the game come to him. Attacks when the opportunity presents itself. Scruggs hit a game-winning 3 at the buzzer on Friday and that performance continued throughout the weekend. He’s got nice handles, a smooth 3-point stroke and the ability to get to the bucket and make plays.

15U NY2LA BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION SESSION 1 STOCK BOOSTERS
Cole Dakovich— 2020 — F — Wisconsin Shooters
The Waukesha, Wisc. product put together a strong weekend for the Wisconsin Shooters. At 6’4, Dakovich is a terrific all-around forward with good size and a strong build. He plays with hustle and energy, is a standout rebounder and can do a variety of things well at the offensive end of the court.

A.J. Elliott — 2020 — F/C — Yanders Law
A 6’5 post from Ozark, Mo., Elliott did a terrific job challenging players around the basket. He surprises with his ability to block shots and plays defense with an aggressive mentality. Is a defensive anchor for Yanders Law as he really clogs up the paint and makes it difficult for opponents to score easy chances around the basket.

Carter Gilmore — 2020 — F — Ray Allen Select
A 6’4 forward, Gilmore is a face-up 4 type who can play a little on the perimeter or inside. Gets inside and does some work in the post, but also is capable of stepping away from the basket and attacking a defender. Plays much bigger than his listed 6’4 height due to his length.

Justin Harmon — 2020 — G — All In Athletics
Kid really competes and gets after it at both ends of the floor. Has good size at 6’3 for a guard, shot the 3-ball well, especially out of the corners, and is really good attacking the bucket along the baseline. He’s a grinder who gets after it at the defensive end and makes plays.

Jaden Keller — 2020 — SF — Martin Brothers
A native of Waterloo, Iowa, Keller got some varsity run this season for his high school squad where the 6’4, 170-pound wing player showed off his all-around game, averaging more assists (3.2) and rebounds (4.4) than points (2.2). He is a versatile defender on the perimeter due to his size and athleticism and is a nightmare in transition where he is able to go coast-to-coast and finish above the rim.

Zack Lasek — 2020 — PF/C — Martin Brothers
At 6’8, Lasek has a lot of upside due to his size, length and athleticism. Is a good rebounder and competes on the offensive glass. He has a good feel for scoring easy buckets around the basket and defensively he challenges opponents who come into his area.

Jaxon Heth — 2020 — G — Martin Brothers
A good shooter from Cedar Falls, Iowa, Heth is a 5’10 shooting guard who can put points on the board for Martin Brothers. He scored 19 points on Friday against the Colorado Titans Gold to help his team to a 68-65 overtime win.

Will Schultz — 2020 — F — Ray Allen Select
Had some really good moments shooting the 3 from distance. A 6’5 forward, Schultz is another player who projects as a face-up 4 type with the ability to stretch the floor with his outside shooting abilities.

Jakobe Thompson — 2021 — PG — Butler Elite
A 6’1 left handed point guard, Thompson had a terrific weekend playing up an age as one of only a handful of 2021 players who competed in the field. Is extremely quick off the bounce and can get to the bucket, but also showed the ability to shoot the 3, defend and be a leader at the point guard position. A young player with a bright future ahead of him.

Carter Weisnicht — 2020 — F — Butler Elite
An old-school post player who likes physical play in the paint. Weisnicht has a nice post game and showcased a nice fall away jumper out of the post from 8-10 feet. Can also handle the ball a little and start the break and shot the 3 on occasion as well. Has really good size for a 2020 at 6’7. Got some varsity run this past season at Shawano, Wisc. As a freshman and it showed this weekend as he played with poise.

NAMES TO KNOW
Connor Bush — 2-2- — F — R.E.A.C.H. Legends
Like this kids work in the paint and along the baseline throughout the weekend. A grinder, do-the-dirty work player who is a tremendous athlete. Plays much bigger than his 6’5 listed height due to his leaping ability. Threw down some nasty dunks over the weekend and is definitely a player to keep an eye on going forward.

Jadon Gilpin — 2020 — G — Yanders Law
Kid is smooth, can play the point but also able to slide over and play shooting guard. Finds a way to get buckets and score in a variety of ways. Can shoot from the outside, gets to the bucket and also has the ability to shoot a little from the midrange.

Antuan Nisbett — 2021 — G — Butler Elite
One of the few 2021 players competing in this weekend in Dallas, Nisbett a rangy 6’1 wing player who handles the ball and gets to the bucket well. Is a good competitor who had some good moments playing up an age level.

Grant Sawnsen — 2020 — G — Colorado Titans Gold
An elite competitor, Swansen plays with a high motor and is always going full speed. He is a pest for opposing guards as a defender and offensively he is at his best in transition, beating opponents down the court for easy buckets. Can also stick outside shots and showed good form and balance from 3-point range.

Yacoube Traore — 2020 — PF/C — Wisconsin Swing
His teammates Isaac Lindsey, Delaware Hare and others get a lot of the attention, but Traore is the defensive anchor for a talented Wisconsin Swing squad that is coming off a good weekend in Dallas. He is a big, physical 6’5 forward that takes up space in the lane and plays above the rim. Is a terrific shot blocker and rebounder.

Spring 2023

May 21-23, 2021

Tyson Acuff

Class of 2020

6-3 PG

Cass Tech

Detroit, MI

Isaac Lindsey

Class of 2020

6-4 SG

Mineral Point H.S.

Mineral Point, WI