17U - NY2LA SWISH N DISH TOP 10 PERFORMERS & MOP FROM THE WEEKEND
The 17U division at the NY2LA Swish N’ Dish brought together elite-level talent, with several players stepping up in big moments throughout the weekend. Here are my selections for the 17U 1st Team All-Tournament.
MOP - Kager Knueppel – 2027 – 6’10 F – Team Herro
With a team loaded with nationally ranked talent throughout the roster, the MOP could have gone a number of different ways, but this award, on this weekend, goes to Kager Knueppel. In the biggest moments and biggest games, Knueppel consistently made plays on both ends of the floor. With his team down two at halftime in the championship, the sharpshooter delivered a huge second-half performance, scoring 14 points while also coming up with key defensive stops.
At 6’10, Knueppel is one of the most enticing prospects in the 2027 class. He showed his value throughout the weekend, including a 20-point performance Friday night where he knocked down six threes. The combination of his size and elite shooting ability makes him a major matchup problem, and his overall skill set continues to trend upward.
Christian Cast – 2027 – 6’3 PG – Power 5
The top point guard in the state of Michigan for the 2027 class did not disappoint. Cast showcased his smooth offensive game, displaying his ability to shoot it from the outside both off the catch and off the dribble.
After a slow start against Y&R on Friday, Cast caught fire in the second half, helping bring Power 5 back into the game and giving them a chance late. At any moment, the point guard is a threat to score in a hurry and shift all momentum in any game. With his shiftiness and ability to operate out of ball screens, Cast also displayed throughout the weekend his skillset to score at the rim and play make for his teammates.
Donovan Davis – 2027 – 6’9 F – Team Herro
One of the most consistent players throughout the weekend, Davis showed an advanced level of maturity in his game, rarely forcing the action and consistently making winning plays on both ends of the floor. Donovan’s strength has been his presence and physicality around the rim both offensively and defensively, but what impressed most was his continued development on the perimeter. Davis showed the ability to take defenders off the bounce and knock down outside shots with consistency.
Deven Marshall – 2027 – 6’2 G – Illinois Wolves
Marshall was a key reason the Wolves made a run to the championship game. The 6’2 guard showcased his ability to score at all three levels while consistently creating offense for himself. The shifty guard did a great job getting to his spots and led the Wolves in multiple games, including a 16-point performance in the semifinal win versus a very good defensive Y&R team, along with another strong showing in the championship. Can’t leave out the fact that he also delivered a game-winning bucket earlier in the weekend to advance past Yander Law. Look for the confident guard matched with his scoring ability to pick up momentum in his recruitment this spring and summer.
Deuce McDuffie – 2027 – 6’7 G – Team Herro
McDuffie was one of the most versatile players in the tournament. At 6’7, he handled point guard duties for much of the weekend while also using his length and quickness to defend multiple positions for Team Herro.
In their semifinal route over Power 5, McDuffie showcased his ability to get to his spots and scored efficiently at all three levels off the bounce. He opened the tournament with a 17-point performance, knocking down three threes, and capped the weekend with 14 points in the championship win over the Illinois Wolves.
Kendall Meyers – 2027 – 6’6 G/F – Y & R
Meyers is another guy for Y&R that plays at high level with a motor on both ends of the floor. The 6’6 G/F showcased his versatility by guarding multiple positions defensively while also scoring at all 3 levels offensively.
His most impressive outing was in a quarterfinal win over Jay Academy, where he led the way with 18 points, connecting on four threes while also finishing at the rim and hitting a pull up jumper. Meyers is a player college coaches will want to track closely this spring and summer. Fresh off a state championship at Marist High School in Illinois, Meyers brought that same championship DNA into Swish N’ Dish weekend.
Markese Peoples – 2027 – 6’3 G – Y & R
What stood out most about Peoples was his competitiveness and will to win. Markese turned in some of the best defensive performances of the weekend, consistently changing games on that end of the floor and converting it into instant offense the other way. He opened the tournament with a 21-point performance and continued to produce at a high level, helping lead his team to the semifinals. A strong, physical guard, Peoples excelled at getting downhill and finishing through contact. His combination of scoring, playmaking, and defensive intensity makes him one of the more intriguing guards to watch this spring and summer.
Chris Retic – 2027 – 6’6 G/F – Jay Academy
Retic showcased a wide array of tools throughout the weekend, but his scoring ability stood out the most. The 6’6 wing can fill it up in a hurry, doing so at all three levels. In a quarterfinal loss to Y&R, Retic did everything he could to keep his team in the game, knocking down multiple threes and creating off the bounce to get to his mid-range spots. Throughout the weekend Retic also added multiple highlight reel dunks and showed flashes defensively that point to significant upside on that end.
Ed Stasys – 2027 – 6’8 F – Illinois Wolves
Coming off a week where he picked up an offer from Northern Illinois, Stasys showed exactly why he’s gaining traction at the Division I level. The 6’8 forward was aggressive all weekend and scored around the rim at an efficient clip utilizing his physicality and athleticism. He also showed his ability to step out and knock down shots from beyond the arc. The Wolves used his versatility effectively, allowing him to make reads as both a roll and pop option in ball screen action. This created problems for opposing defenses, as Stasys consistently attacked closeouts or knocked down perimeter shots.
Will Stremlow – 2027 – 6’3 G – Wisconsin Swing
Stremlow delivered one of, if not the most, impressive individual performances of the weekend in a quarterfinal matchup against the Illinois Wolves. He nearly single-handedly kept Wisconsin Swing in the game during the second half, finishing with 40 points despite the loss.
Throughout the weekend, Stremlow showcased his offensive versatility playing both on and off the ball, operating out of ball screens, and scoring at all 3 levels including finishing above the rim in transition. Hands down one of the biggest stock boosters of the weekend, Stremlow capped it off by picking up a Division II offer from Purdue Northwest.
Theo Toepel – 2027 – 6’4 G – Pro Lane Walz
Toepel may not have had the start to the weekend he was looking for, but he made a statement on championship Sunday, leading his team to three straight wins to capture the Gold championship. At 6’4, Toepel used his size well, impacting the game as a strong rebounding guard while often taking on the challenge of defending the opposing team’s top player. Toepel’s Sunday was impressive: 16 points and 8 rebounds in the quarterfinal, 19 points and 6 rebounds including the game winning buzzer beating 3 in the semifinal, and 21 points with 8 rebounds to cap the championship run. Look for Toepel to carry that momentum into the rest of the spring and summer as he boosts his stock.