GERMANTOWN/MEQUON, Wis. — The 2024 NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational continued action on Saturday. Here’s a look at some of the eye-catchers from the action on day two…
Carter Corbin – 2024 – SG – Euro Elite
Corbin came out and caught fire right away on Saturday. In an 8 a.m. game, the unsigned senior knocked down four triples right out of the gate. A quick-trigger sniper, Corbin was active off the ball and found himself in rhythm for various catch-and-shoot opportunities. While he did his damage from the 3-point line, Corbin also showed he can score with his back to the basket, inverting himself in the offense a bit off back-cuts. The 6-foot-1 guard displayed a high-IQ as well. After he got hot, Corbin understood how he was going to be defended. Instead of looking for 3’s, it was rip-and-go right off the catch, taking advantage of hard closeouts.
Maddox Cornette – 2025 – PF – Team1848
Cornette continues to have a nice spring. The Bay Port product is trending towards being a very strong Division 3 prospect and probably towards the Division 2 level as well given some of his measurables. At 6-foot-7, Cornette is a sweet-shooting big man who excels in the pick n’ pop game. He’s also growing more comfortable and confident in his 1-on-1 post-ups, showing some new and improved advanced footwork that got defenders in the air. Now an inside and outside threat, Cornette’s value to collegiate programs should only be increasing…and he’s still just scratching the surface in some regard as well.
Ezekial Austin – 2025 – G – Minnesota Comets
Really like this kid’s game. Austin can be effective as a bigger, scoring point guard or a creator off the ball. Austin has really good positional size at 6-foot-3 and some sneaky athleticism which allows him to change direction at high speeds on the ball. Might not look the part, but Austin has some sudden explosiveness with the ball in his hands. He can get downhill and score with either power or finesse. As a shooter, he made defenders pay for going under screens and had some really crafty moves in the pick n’ roll to free himself. While he was hot early on Saturday, loved that Austin was willing to dial down his offense once his teammates got going. He deferred, got them the ball, and let the comeback take place. Austin also had a key putback with 1:30 left that all but closed the door.
Matt Buckman – 2025 – SG – Wisconsin Swing
Buckman has been one of my biggest stock risers this spring. Division 3 programs should be prioritizing the Cambridge product who can absolutely score the basketball. Nothing overly flashy or special about what Buckman does, but his feel as a scorer sets him apart. At 6-foot-3, Buckman can take what the defense gives him and has some really underrated shot-creation ability. With outstanding contact balance and poised, under control play, Buckman’s mid-range game is always on point. He can slow down his momentum in traffic, let defenders go by, and simply rise over the top, hit people with a step-back dribble, or score off two feet following a spin move. There’s a little sneaky athleticism here too. Buckman thrives in the 10-16 foot range, but when gets a rim run, can can elevate a bit.
Judson Henkel – 2025 – PF – Wisconsin Swing
This will be a really good get for a Division 3 program if Henkel ends up at that level. At 6-foot-8 with a strong, athletic, and long build, Henkel is just scratching the surface. Henkel had some dominant moments in a blowout win over the Houston Hotshots on Saturday. Henkel made a huge impact as a shot blocker, offensive rebounder, and ability to catch and score in traffic. Henkel can step out and shoot the ball a little bit as well, perhaps giving him a chance to be a scholarship kid. Given his length and athleticism, there’s some intriguing defensive positional versatility as well. Henkel is comfortable switching in the pick n’ roll and can keep quicker guards out of the paint.
Logan Zahour – 2025 – SF – Chapman Basketball Academy
In terms of overall activity, didn’t see a more impactful player than Zahour on Saturday. The Cedarburg standout was everywhere, and I mean everywhere, in a win over Fundamental U Select. Saw Zahour sprint both ends of the floor on three consecutive possessions at one point. That resulted in a block, a steal, and an assist for him. Zahour cut hard without the ball and generated some easy buckets, made his open shots from deep, and was tenacious with his on-ball defense. A strong, athletic that who is engaged in every aspect of the game, Zahour is a really nice glue guy for Chapman who also packs some offensive punch.
Devin Isaj – 2025 – SG – Chapman Basketball Academy
Isaj is a tough matchup with his three-level scoring ability and 6-foot-6 frame. The Greendale star can generate his shot in a lot of different ways. He’s got a high-arcing release and can shoot off-balance or fading away from the hoop. It’s clear Isaj has worked hard on his upper body strength over the past year-plus. He’s much more prone to seeking out contact while attacking the rim and able to take a bump. Also think Isaj has gotten drastically better at operating outside the flow of the offense as well. When Chapman needed something offensively off-script, Isaj got quality looks and was comfortable under duress.
Alex Chapman – 2027 – W – Wisconsin Swing
Chapman is one of the top freshmen in the NY2LA Association. The 6-3 wing is a skilled prospect with a flamethrower from outside. He’s got tools to play both guard spots or the small forward position. Chapman handles the ball and scores in the mid-range way better than you’d expect. Defenders can’t speed him up and Chapman calmly gets his off-the-dribble shots or catch-and-shoot 3’s. The best part of Champman’s game might be the passing ability. He’s got the ball on a string and is always ready to fire. Chapman catches opponents off-guard with his ability to thread the needle and make one-hand passes from really long distances/tough angles. In a tight game against Northcoast Premier, Chapman took the reins of the offense and helped the Swing hold off a strong comeback attempt.
Jacob Hibner – 2026 – SG – Wisconsin Academy
Hibner is having a monster spring and making it look too easy right now. Saturday night, Hibner came out and scored 17 points in the first 10 minutes as Wisconsin Academy blew past Chapman Basketball Academy. Hibner would finish with a game-high 24 points when all was said and done. The lefty is looking so confident as a 3-point shooter, willing to take and make just about anything if a defender puts a hand down. Using a smooth effortless release, Hibner looks college ready with how fast he’s playing and determining whether or no to let it fly. Hibner has also worked really hard on his upper body strength and developing into a three-level scorer. Finishing at the rim needs some work, but Hibner is strong and athletic enough where he doesn’t need to settle for nearly as many 3’s anymore.
Nathanial Wilson – 2025 – PG – Kentuckiana Hoops
Kentuckiana looked dead in the water Saturday night against The Academy. All the momentum was on the side of the opposition for most of the way. Wilson and company led a huge comeback and nearly pulled off a stunner. A smart, deceptively athletic point guard, Wilson constantly puts pressure on the defense with his downhill, attacking style and ability to find the open man. Wilson was really in-tune with his cutters. Able to consistently beat his man off the dribble, Wilson displayed a nice hesitation blow-by. When the pass wasn’t available, Wilson finished well at the rim, could finish with either and, even converted after some hard hits.
Braylon Mannan – 2025 – F – The Academy
A lot of upside here. Division 1 and certainly Division 2 coaches will want to track Mannan over the coming months. A long, athletic, and explosive 6-foot-8 combo forward, Mannan had a huge impact in Saturday’s win over Kentuckiana Hoops. Mannan is a game-changer above the rim. He’s going to bloc shots with authority and dunk everything when he gets near the hoop. Mannan also shows flashes of being able to create mismatch problems on the perimeter and has the length to potentially defend some centers at the next level as well. If the skills catch up to the measurables…watch out.