There was plenty of talent at the 16U level of the NY2LA Final Chapter that college coaches will want to be familiar with. Here is the first group of standouts from the tournament. Most of them will be at the NY2LA Summer Jam this weekend in the Milwaukee area for the second live period.
Cannon Flynn – 2027 – SF – Oakland Elite
While I have talked about the great growth of the game of Flynn previously, he took it multiple levels up this tournament. This was headlined by an incredible 47 point game. Not only did he record the highest point total of the season at NY2LA but did so incredibly effectively while shooting 8-9 from three. As well to his knockdown shooting, Flynn has good size on the wings at 6’6” in addition to his improved quickness to score on the attack as well as defending on the perimeter. College coaches need to check out this emerging 2027 recruit, he will be at the NY2LA Summer Jam this weekend.
Breaker Heller – 2027 – PG – Renaissance University
It’s no surprise to see Heller here as he is an incredibly skilled and consistent player. He proved his great scoring ability in a 24 point performance in a tight win but also showed his on ball pressure defensive ability and point guard play. Heller shoots it well from the outside but also moves extremely well with the ball breaking down defenders often getting into the paint to make plays. The athletic point guard does a good job of being able to change up his speeds and direction. Whether playing in space or coming of screens, Heller can explode to get to the rim as well as quickly pulling up in the mid-range to hit jumpers with good lift.
Antwoine Mister – 2027 – PG – HoopTech
All tournament long Mister was a star as one of the top players of the tournament. He is an athletic 6’2” point guard who can really score the ball from all three levels while creating for himself. He has great range from the outside but was often getting all the way to the bucket with his handle and shiftiness slicing right through heavy traffic. Around the paint Mister finished it extremely well with both hands. Even as a 2027, there really isn’t any wholes to his game.
Elijah Poniewaz – 2028 – PG – Missouri Phenom
Every time I see Poniewaz, he plays at an extremely high level as such a good playmaker, even while playing up an age level. That continued this tournament with multiple stellar games to help the Phenom to an undefeated record. He was unstoppable on the attack for long stretches of the tournament to even have himself a 34-point game. Poniewaz has great moves on the attack but was also using his physicality to get all the way to the basket often. While at his best on the attack, the point guard can also create for himself in the mid-range and shoot the three.
Kooper Richards – 2027 – PG – Michigan Playmakers
Not only did Richards score it extremely well throughout the tournament but also came up in the clutch with a buzzer beating, game winning corner jumper. He was one of the top shooters and scorers of the entire tournament. This included a 25-point game in which he knocked down five threes. Much more than just a shooter, he has a good combination of tight handle and quickness to get wherever he wants on the floor.
Johnny Roehl – 2027 – G – ALL IN Wisconsin
There are a lot of aspects to like from the game of Roehl. Not only a very accurate outside shooter, but he is also a high energy guard with a highly versatile game. On Saturday, Roehl was truly doing a bit of everything flying all around the court making tons of plays. This included hitting threes off the dribble, running the point, getting to the rim with both his moves and physicality, collecting steals and blocks. Not only was he filling up the entire state sheet but also scored 13 points in a single half in this game.
Ken White Jr. – 2027 – PG – Reach Legends
White is a true playmaker on both ends of the floor. He started off the tournament by scoring 20 points in a tight win but was also pressuring the ball effectively to force some turnovers. Offensively, White was scoring it from all three levels with a good ability to create for himself. He has good burst to get by defenders but also good moves to create separation and hit shots off the dribble.