Plenty of impressive games and players over the three days of Summer Jam at the 16U level. Here is the first group of standouts.
Cannon Flynn – 2027 – SF – Oakland Elite
Flynn has been one of the best and most consistent players on the NY2LA platinum elite this season at any level. This continued at Summer Jam with several games of 18 or more points from Flynn to get Oakland Elite to the final four. Flynn continues to play like a natural wing as he has transformed his game. This was highlighted by beating defenders off the dribble as well being a knockdown outside shooter. Though he was also using his 6’6” size to bully defenders around the basket.
Will Krueger – 2027 – SG – Wisconsin Legends
In a four-point victory in a showcase game to start the tournament, Krueger had one of the top shooting performances of the tournament. He knocked down seven three pointers in that one game alone to finish with 27 points in the game. This included a few key ones down the stretch of the comeback win. While a knockdown spot up shooter, he also used his 6’4” size in the backcourt to post up smaller guards and hit shots over defenders in the mid-range. The athletic wing guard also consistently played with great intensity on the defensive side. Plenty of tools to the game of Krueger that continue to show why he’s one of the top guards in Wisconsin’s 2027 class.
Jensen LePla – 2027 – SG – D Rice Elite
Another tournament full of points for LePla. This included 37 points in a single game in addition to another one with 24 points. He has great physical tools with his positional size at 6’5” plus his strength, athleticism, and improved quickness. All season, his skills have continued to improve as well. The jump shot of LePla continues to come a long way as does his ability to create in the mid-range, handle, and decision making with the ball. He recently picked up an offer from Michigan Tech and should be on plenty of division two and one coaches radar.
Isaiah McCree – 2027 – PG – Motor City Grizzlies
Between this tournament and last month at the NY2LA Midwest Classic, McCree has played at an extremely high level. He led his team to the elite eight here before losing to the eventual tournament champions. McCree is such a skilled playmaker with the ball in his hands as he consistently beats defenders off the dribble with his quickness and moves. He is a skilled scorer who showed this with a 21-point game here as a true three level scorer, McCree is also a skilled passer. Whether playing on the attack or in transition pushing the ball, he made plenty of pin-point masses on the move.
Vincent Nover – 2027 – SG – Indiana Elite Central
The 6’4” guard can do so much, so well. He scored it very well throughout the tournament with games of 24 points and 19 points to get his team to the championship game. His shooting has continued to improve as he was looking like a knockdown shooter at times confidently hitting threes while creating his own shot. So much more than a shooter and scorer, Nover did plenty more. He also played well running the point getting into paint and seeing the floor well on the attack plus really attacks the glass. Nover was one of the more well-rounded and impactful players of the entire tournament.
Elijah Poniewaz – 2028 – PG – Missouri Phenom
It was another star performance by Poniewaz at Summer Jam which included leading his team to the platinum elite title. There are few 2028 guards around with his scoring ability, feel, and passion. He continues to his showcase his great scoring ability dropping 37 points in the semifinals which included the game winning basket with just 2.5 seconds to play. While a good outside shot maker with the ability to create for himself, he really excels on the attack. He moves so well with the ball but can also play through contact. Whether finishing through bigger defenders or right over 6’10” big men, the guard got it done. Doing all of this while playing up an age group.
Gabe Servais – 2027 – G – Wisconsin 26ers
It was a big weekend for the 26ers advancing to the elite eight with some impressive wins along the way and Servais was a big reason for it. He scored it very well throughout the tournament. This included one of the top scoring performances of the tournament with 30 points in a tight win to get them to the elite eight. He did this by drilling five threes in the game but there’s much more to like from his game. Servais is a smart guard who plays quick with the ball and has good vision on the move reading the floor.