One more group of standouts from 16U level with these five who all had noteworthy performances throughout this tournament.

Semaj Grandberry – 2028 – PG – Team Hali

Grandberry stood out with his point guard play highlighted with his distributing. He has good point guard tools including his handle and showed good court vision always looking to facilitate it out. The point guard made plenty of good passes connecting through traffic, hitting rollers and cutters, driving to distribute, and pushing it in transition.

Noah Hester – 2028 – SF – Illinois Future

Hester is a strong and impactful interior player with also some guard tools. He can overpower opponents in the paint just playing very physical on both ends. This includes being able to handle the ball well playing strong attacking the basket while also hitting some threes. Hester showed the ability to rebound it very well with his physicality and can take rebounds the length of the floor. The forward also plays big inside defensively inside.

Kinston Knueppel – 2028 – G/F – Team Herro

The game of Knueppel has continued to greatly grow over the past year. He has really rounded out his offensive skill set while becoming quicker and knows how to play. The 6’6” wing is very effective using his frame to score it while posting up or around the paint to get to his spots and finish through defenders or hitting fadeaway jumpers. Knueppel was also effective playing at his own pace on the attack and creating his own shot in the mid-range being able to hit tough shots. 

Matthew Rosplochowski – 2028 – PG – Team 1848

Over the course of the tournament Rosplochowski showed a very well-rounded game helping Team 1848 go 3-1. This included much improved running the point as well to also being a good three point shooter. He plays strong with the ball in his hands, sees the floor well, and is a skilled passer both getting the ball inside as well as hitting cutters on the move. He also showed a good ability to finishing attacking the basket with multiple and one plays there.  

Brayden Smith – 2028 – SG – Mammoth

Smith was one of the top scorers at the 16U level of the tournament which was highlighted by a 21-point game. His scoring includes really being able to shoot the three with a good-looking compact jumper with a quick release. He moves very well without the ball to create his shot but can also hit shots off the dribble. Smith also played well as a driver to where he both passed it well on the move as well to finishing it well in traffic in the paint.