The 17U level of the NY2LA Swish N’ Dish was loaded with many of the areas top programs and players. There are countless players of deserving of this list but here is the first group of coverage coming from the 17U level.

Christian Cast – 2027 – PG – Power 5

Cast was one of the top scorers of the tournament helping Power 5 reach the platinum semifinals. Much of his scoring came via his great shot making ability. He proved to be a knockdown outside shooter with the ability to create his own shot hitting four threes in one of his games. With his quickness and handle he is a highly elusive point guard that can quickly get into his shot as well as beating defenders off the dribble into the paint.

Oliver Gray – 2027 – SG – Illinois Wolves

Gray was a consistent force for the Wolves throughout the tournament helping them get to the championship game. Even with all the depth on this Wolves 17U group, Gray was consistently scoring in double figures during the tournament. This included 20 points in a game on Saturday and then 15 points in a semifinal win the next day. Gray is one of the area’s top shooters hitting 5 threes in a single game but also scored it effectively on the attack. He was using his 6’5” size to power his way to the basket and finish it strong all around the basket finishing through great contact consistently. Now moved into the 2027 class, Gray should be an extremely popular target with division one coaches.

Breaker Heller – 2027 – PG – Renaissance University

After being a standout on the NY2LA Association over the past two seasons, Heller got right back on track to start Swish N’ Dish. In the opening game of the tournament, Heller had one of the best halves of the entire tournament. This included 19 points alone in the second half. He was scoring basket after basket as he was consistently getting to the rim utilizing his quickness, change of speeds, and strength. He does a great job absorbing contact and finishing through defenders. He was also playing with his consistent great energy to play tough on ball defense and force turnovers and rebound it very well as a guard.

Will Krueger – 2027 – SG – Wisconsin Legends

Krueger continues to be one of the more consistent 2027’s in Wisconsin with another standout tournament following an all-state junior season. He had multiple big games, one which included 33 points while shooting 7-9 from three. In another game during the tournament, Krueger scored 17 points in a single half while hitting 5 threes. During the tournament, he also grabbed 15 rebounds in a single game as he has positional size at 6’5”, athleticism, and toughness battling on the glass. Not only is he one of the top shooters in Wisconsin’s 2027 class, but also one of the most well-rounded players to be amongst the top recruits.

Deuce McDuffie – 2027 – SG – Team Herro

Athleticism, 6’7”, length, can defend 1-4, playmaking off the dribble, can shoot the three, McDuffie has a ton of tools for the next level and there’s not much he cannot do. Throughout the three days, McDuffie was a consistent force for Team Herro and a key piece of their championship win. In the title game he scored an efficient 13 points as he was aggressively attacking the basket helping lead a second half surge as well to making a few key defensive plays getting all over opposing ballhandlers. He also scored 17 points in Herro’s opening game of the tournament.

Markese Peoples – 2027 – G – Y&R

Peoples started the tournament in a big way with 21 points in his first game included a pair of free throws in the final seconds of this game to put it away for the win. He kept on playing at a high level from there to get Y&R to the semifinals. Peoples is a strongly built guard who was powering his way to the basket all tournament while beating some quality defenders. While he excels getting all the way to the basket, he also showed growth with his jumper hitting a pair of threes in one of the games. More than a scorer, the athletic guard also showed good distributing ability as a quick decision maker and seeing the floor well. Peoples was looking like one of the top 2027 guard prospects in the regions at the tournament.  

Chris Retic – 2027 – SF – Jay Academy

Retic is a skilled wing forward who has continued to improve to be a must-see this spring. He has plenty of translatable tools standing at 6’7” with his great athleticism along with his offensive game. This including scoring 18 points in the second half of a platinum bracket game leading Jay Academy to the win. He had multiple dunks in this game coming off a drive and an alley-oop as well to hitting a couple of early threes in this second half run as well as a pullup mid-range jumper and uses his length to finish all around the rim. Retic also proved to be able to defend multiple positions very effectively with his physical tools and quickness.

Daniel Sago – 2027 – SF – Chicago Demons

In a platinum bracket game Sago scored 22 points leading the Demons to a win. This included a hot start in the second half to lead the comeback for the win. As well to having some size at 6’6” along with some length, Sago is a highly versatile scorer. Whether it was spotting up from three, coming off screens to hit jumpers, driving to the basket and finishing strong, or turnaround jumpers in the post, Sago was effective scoring it in all ways. He uses all his tools well to be a mismatch beating defenders.

Brady Welch – 2027 – PG – MidPro Academy

With his point guard play and shooting, Welch had multiple standout games for MidPro. On night one, Welch scored 16 points in a win and then in the next game followed that up with 15 points in another win while hitting four threes. Welch is a high IQ floor general with great vision and decision-making ability breaking down the defense with his ability to both score and facilitate the ball.