The first group of standouts from NY2LA Summer Jam were Tyson Busch, Khader Diabate, Kobe Drake, Oliver Evans, Jordan Farrington-Coleman, Jensen LePla, and Chris Retic. Here is the nest group of stars from the 17U level of the tournament.

KJ Cross – 2027 – G/F – Wisconsin Dynasty

Tournament after tournament Cross has consistently produce big numbers across the stat sheet. This was especially true with his scoring helping the Dynasty win their pool. In his first game he went for 28 points in addition to having multiple other high scoring games. While Cross did hit some threes during the tournament, he did the majority of his scoring around the basket. Even up against some strong defenders, Cross showed his ability to bully them to score it effectively inside. He stands at 6’5” and plays with great toughness inside playing through contact and finishing in heavy traffic. The rising senior wing was very effective with straight line drives to the basket as well as using his motor to hit the glass scoring on multiple put backs in his 28-point outburst.

Jacob Hess – 2027 – G – Closed Gyms North

While an under the radar player, Hess had one of the more impressive halves of play during Summer Jam. In a first half of a game, Hess torched the nets going for 17 points. He is a highly skilled 6’1” guard that knows how to play. Both with his outside shooting as well as with his play on the attack, the rising senior scored it in bunches. Hess can really shoot three both as a spot up shooter, coming off screens, or also creating off the dribble hitting step back jumpers. He also showed a good ability to beat defenders off the dribble reading the floor well and being able to finish it all around the paint.

Griffin McNeill – 2028 – SG – Midwest Bobcats

As well to having a high scoring ability, McNeill has some positional size. The two guard stands at 6’3”. He showed a very well-rounded offensive skill set to be able to score 26 points in a game. In this game, he drilled three threes and some shots in the mid-range with his knockdown shooting as well to a variety of other ways. He was also effective getting all the way to the basket with good moves, as a cutter, and scoring strong through contact around the paint, while also being a facilitator too.

Theo Toepel – 2027 – G/F – Pro Lane

Toepel showed great growth in his play helping lead Pro Lane all the way to the platinum final four. This was highlighted by his all-around scoring ability in addition to still contributing with his well-rounded, high impactful game. To get Pro Lane into the final four, Toepel scored 16 points just in the second half of the quarterfinals win. He has developed into more of a consistent three-point shooter while also showing improved ability handling the ball making plays off the dribble. The 6’4” wing can also use his physicality powering his way to the basket and also score in the post including hitting turnaround jumpers. Toepel also plays with good energy playing big on the glass as well as on the defensive side.

Ryan Vanoss – 2027 – G/F – Team Herro Elite

While Vanoss had multiple standout games, he also had one of the highest scoring outputs. In a single game, the skilled wing went off for 31 points. He did much of this with his confident, knockdown shooting hitting seven threes in this game but also hit four threes in another game. More than just his three-point shooting, Vanoss also hits jumpers pulling up in the mid-range while moving well with the ball in his hands. gliding through the defense. He also has some length and size on the wings standing at 6’5”.

Eden Vinyard – 2027 – F – D Rice Elite

It was another tournament this July of Vinyard showing more tools on the offensive end in addition to his all-around game along with his physical tools. There are few players in the region than can match his size at 6’8” along with his great length and solid build in addition to highly impactful game. Vinyard has continued to score the ball well attacking the basket but also hitting some jumpers. The forward hit some jumpers both spotting up from three as well as pulling up in the mid-range. The efficient forward lets the game came to him not forcing anything and using all his mismatches to score it. To get D Rice into the final four, he led them scoring 17 points in the quarterfinals win. Vinyard is also an explosive athlete who can defend inside and out, score it so well inside for plenty of and ones, block shots, and score it in transition.

Quinn Wesenberg – 2027 – SG – Wisconsin Legends

With Wesenberg, the Wisconsin Legends were able to go undefeated in pool play at 3-0 in the top pool. This included scoring 17 points in a 3-point win over a very talented D Rice Elite team but also scored it at a high rate throughout the tournament. The high IQ, 6’4” two guard has continued to be a knockdown outside shooter as well to building the rest of his offensive game which was shown here. Wesenberg’s ability to create off the dribble has continued to build both getting all the way to the basket as well as pulling up in the mid-range.