Last piece of coverage from 16U group of the NY2LA Summer Jam. It includes some under the radar names in addition to more well-established names.
Jacob Brown – 2027 – SG – Motor City Grizzlies
Brown is a lengthy wing guard who plays with great energy. He can make a big impact doing a bit of everything but also score it with 16 points in a single game. The high energy of Brown included running the floor hard, being first to floor, and hitting the glass. His versatility includes being able to be a primary ball handler making plays off the dribble, defend both guards and forwards with his size and athleticism, hit the three, and score strong all around the paint.
Ashton Callan – 2028 – SG – The Academy
Even while playing up a level as a 2028 at 16U, Callan was still one of the more skilled scorers. In his first game of the tournament, he scored a very quick ten points early on to put his team up double digits and the win. He has a pure jumper from the outside hitting multiple threes in the game but can also handle the ball, run the point, and finished well at the basket.
Jaquan Chester – 2027 – PG – CBA West
In a four-overtime game, Chester made plenty of key plays in the win. This included a three with just 12 seconds to play to go up 2. He was in constant playmaking mode with his ability to run the point and create for others, score it himself with his outside shooting, as well as defend the ball with his quickness and energy. Chester plays strong with the ball and doesn’t force anything.
Eli Leyva – 2027 – G – ALL IN Gold
Leyva has had a big summer and that included this Summer Jam tournament. To open the tournament, he scored 19 points in a four-overtime battle including some key baskets and free throws. More than scorer, the 6’3” guard is a well-rounded player who can do a bit of everything with his skills and positional size. He showed the ability to handle the ball and make plays off the dribble but also hit multiple threes in that game as a versatile scorer and all-around player
Preston Parmentier – 2027 – G – REACH Legends
Not only one of the top shooters of the 16U but also one of the top scorers. This included a 20 point game for the guard in which he drilled three threes. He has such pure form on his jumper as well to having plenty of range. The guard moves extremely well off the ball and gets quickly into his shot off the catch but can also handle the ball and shoot it off the dribble.
Becker Samaha – 2028 – PF – The Academy
Samaha is an intriguing forward with good tools already as a 2028. In addition to his physical tools standing at 6’8” with good length, he also showed the ability to make an impact in a variety of ways. Even at his size, he is already a mobile power forward in addition to a big motor. He moves well on offense as a slasher, was battling inside to finish and get to the line often and was also hitting shots in the mid-range.
Theo Toepel – 2027 – SF – Pro Lane
Toepel has continued to grow as a player and that showed at Summer Jam with some standout games with all he does. This included shinning with his shooting ability. Not only hitting three threes in one of his games but also pulling up in the mid-range as he shoots it well off the dribble from all over. Even while standing at 6’4” he can play very tough defensively inside and was even matching up inside versus 6’10” big men effectively as well to being a physical rebounder.