Plenty of worthy candidates for this list from this past weekend’s Next Level Invite. Here are the players who stood out the most at the 17U level.

Edward Bullock – 2027 – SG – Team Hali

Bullock was a huge piece of the undefeated 4-0 weekend for Team Hali. This included hitting a game winning, buzzer beating mid-range jumper on Saturday as well as scoring 20 points in a game on Sunday. The lengthy 6’3” two guard really excels with his shot making ability. Bullock can really shoot the ball whether it is from three or creating his own shot in the mid-range. He also showed some improved strength playing physical to the basket through contact as well as passing it well.

George Gray – 2027 – G/F – ALL IN

Gray played at a high level throughout the tournament which included games of 24 points and 19 points. As well to being a lengthy 6’6” wing, Gray also showed a highly versatile game with his blend of talents. This includes a versatile scoring ability as he shot it at a high percentage spotting up from three with a smooth jumper and scored it well attacking the basket. Even at 6’6”, he moves well with the ball going through the defense as well as being able to use his size to power his way to the basket and finish. Gray also showed the ability to defend multiple positions effectively as well to his shot blocking ability.

Jahkil Jackson – 2026 – G – PAC Elite

The strong spring season continued to Jacksons as he excelled on Saturday with 19 points in his first game followed by 17 points in addition to everything else does as a highly impactful guard. While Jackson is a consistent outside shooter who hit a few threes in the tournament, he did much of his scoring on the attack. He is a physical 6’3” who powered his way all the way to the basket as well creating space around the paint and mid-range. With his combination of strength, athleticism, and intensity, he is also a tough on ball defender and rebounds well as a guard.

Will Krueger – 2027 – SG – Wisconsin Legends

Krueger showed his consistent high level scoring ability throughout this tournament once again. This included games of 22 points, 21 points, and 19 points. Much of this done was with his shooting which included hitting five threes in a single game as one of the top shooters in the Midwest region. The athletic 6’5” wing guard also played aggressively attacking the glass as well as being effective as a facilitator on the attack.

Kason Mangum – 2027 – F – MTXE

Mangum was one of the most productive players of the entire tournament. This included having a 26-point game as well as a double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds. He is a strong 6’6” forward who can play tough around the paint on both ends but also showed some good abilities too. Even while playing versus size, Mangum showed a good ability to finish at a high percentage inside including multiple and one finishes in a game. As well, Mangum can also step out and shoot the three consistently.

Chris Retic – 2027 – SF – Jay Academy

Another tournament and another appearance for the highly productive and consistent Retic in a 3-1 tournament. This included multiple high scoring games, blocking 7 shots in a single game, being able to control the glass, and a few highlight reel dunks. There is so much to like from his play as a highly explosive 6’7” wing who plays with great energy defensively and continues to grow his offensive game. Retic showed some scoring versatility in the tournament while scoring posting up, hitting turnaround jumpers in the mid-range, outside jumpers, as well to his great ability to scoring going to the basket.

Mike Rogers Jr. – 2027 – PG – Chapman Basketball Academy

Throughout the entire tournament, Rogers was one of the top scorers helping Chapman to an undefeated 4-0 weekend. This included a trio of games in which he scored 20 or more points. Rogers is a very skilled playmaker with the ball as he shoots it well from the outside off the dribble, has a good ability to break down defenders and finishes very well at his size around traffic at the basket, and is a skilled facilitator on the attack. The 2027-point guards holds a few division one offers including being offered by Western Illinois this spring.

Will Stremlow – 2027 – G – Wisconsin Swing

With multiple high scoring games, Stremlow proved to be one of the top scorers of the entire tournament. This included games of 32 points and 24 points in a 3-1 weekend. In his 32-point outburst, Stremlow showed his three level scoring ability. He was aggressively attacking the basket and playing through contact as well to using his good 6’4” positional size to finish at the basket. The fast-rising guard also showed his shot creating ability hitting jumpers at a high percentage from all over. He has been one of the fastest rising players in Wisconsin and recently picked up his first division one offer coming from Western Illinois.