With the combination of bracket play and plenty of talented squads, there was a high level of competition at the 17U level with a few great games. Here are just a few of the standouts from Sunday at the Summer Jam. 

Seth Bunders – 2023 – PG – Wisconsin Blizzard

Bunders was a breakout star of the Summer Jam to help his team all the way to the championship game. He started it with 23 points in the semifinals game and followed that up with a staggering 30 points in the championship game with plenty of defensive attention on him. The senior showed a nice ability to create for himself from beyond the perimeter as well as finishing at a high rate in plenty of traffic in the paint. More than just a scorer, Bunders also created for his teammates.

Demarion Burch – 2023 – SG – Team Haliburton 

The 6’4” wing guard was scoring in bunches throughout the day Sunday to help his team to a platinum championship. While he did so in a variety of ways, Burch scored it exceptionally well getting to the basket and in the mid-range. He showed a great ability to create separation and rise up to hit tough shots in the mid-range at a very high percentage. When he is hitting his shots, Burch can be unstoppable. He recently earned his first division one offer from Wisconsin-Milwaukee and expect plenty of more programs to get involved with his recruitment. 

Noah Campbell – 2023 – PG – All In Athletics Gold

Campbell uses it quickness to fly around the court and make plays. Not only does he have great quickness with the ball but shifty moves and tight handle. With his ability to attack the basket as well as hit shots off the dribble well, Campbell was scoring it effectively from all over. More than just a scorer, he has good vision while maneuvering the defense to distribute it out.  

Tyran Cook – 2023 – G – Team Haliburton

One of a few players from this championship group that had a stellar tournament. Cook is an athletic and strong guard that not only run create for himself but run the point as well. He excelled in the semifinals scoring 18 points by attacking the basket hard but also shooting it well off the dribble from the outside. He is an explosive guard the moves well with the ball and quickly gets up to finish above the rim. 

Sekou Konneh – 2024 – SF – Team Haliburton

Konneh is one of the highest upside players in the 2024 class in the entire Midwest who excelled Sunday even while playing up a level. In his first game of the day Sunday, Konneh showed off his great athleticism and length throwing down a few thunderous dunks and later on showed his skills. His jump shot is much improved as he was consistently knocking down spot up threes some plus pull up jumpers in the mid-range. At 6’8” with his physical tools and emerging game, Konneh is a wing prospect not to miss. 

Max Lucey – 2023 – G – Wisconsin Swing

While there have been a few names I’ve covered much over the past few months from this Swing team, it was Lucey who was stepping up on Sunday to help them advance to the platinum semifinals. He scored a very efficient 13 points in a quarterfinal win. Not only did Lucey knock down a couple threes but also made some plays off the dribble attacking the basket. He has some size in the backcourt at 6’4” and can do a bit of everything on the floor with well-rounded skill set. 

Bennett McCormick – 2023 – SG – MTXE Premier

One of a few players from this MTXE squad that impressed on Sunday helping them advance to the semifinals of the platinum bracket. McCormick stepped up in the quarterfinals scoring a key 16 points. The 6’3” wing guard has a nice combination of strength and quickness to continuously get to the basket with ease and finish at a high rate. On the other end, he was constantly playing with great energy defensively plus rebounds well from the guard position.