The two days at the 2016 Generation Next Basketball Camp were filled with some quality opportunities for the 5th-8th graders to learn some skills that can really push their games to new levels moving forward as they get a Tate for what the next level looks for. Then, it provided them the chance to take the skill work and put it to practice in live games against their campmates. Young players like Devontes Cobbs, Darius Hannah and Jamari Sibley, Armani Jones, Ezra Stargell, Treyvon Williams, LJ Henderson, and Trey Zastrow and more played above and beyond in many respects, both effort wise and statistically.

However, there were also some good moments and solid play from so many of the campers. 

For instance at the 5th/6th Grade level, TROYVARY CAVIL (Des Moines, IA - IA Elite) spent Sunday burying some three pointers, AHMAD HENDERSON (Monee, IL - Junior Varsity) sparked his team with his energy, quickness and made a couple nice shots, CAEL HODGES (Marion, WI - Iowa Barnstormers) was consistently attacking the hoop for his team and really played defense hard, and LOGAN HOLLINGER (Menomonee, WI - WI Playmakers) made some big plays through each game, rebounding, hustling and cutting to the hoop where he finished points.

For the 7th Graders, MICHAEL DOROW (Hartland, WI - Playground Elite) made a couple nice plays defensively jumping through passing lanes for steals and buried a jumper from the wing, CAM DAVIS (Dubuque, IA - Iowa Barnstormers) and JORDAN STROHL (Green Bay, WI - WI Blizzard) each made some impressive fast break plays finishing against oncoming pressure, ZAC JOHNSON (River Falls, WI - WI Playmakers) utilized the practiced spin move from drills to get by his defender inside and score before later sinking a mid-range jumper, OSIRIS MAHR (St. Louis, MO - Team Ramey) made an excellent drive for a finish in the half-court offense and then buried a 3, while also hustling for every loose ball, and ERIC PRICE (Galesburg, IL - Quad City Elite) drained a couple three point baskets as well as taking the ball end-to-end another time for the score.

At the 8th Grade level, DEVON COBBS (MILWAUKEE, WI - WI United) played solid defense and put together a couple nice stretches offensively with passes and hitting a couple jumpers, JACKSON WEBER (El Paso, IL - IL Irish) showed he can hit from the three, AMIR WHITLOCK (Brooklyn Park, MN - Net Gain Sports) showed his passing ability regularly and hit a big-time triple for his team late in the game under pressure, and BRANDON WILDER (MILWAUKEE, WI - Young Legends) showed control and patience with the ball offensively and put together some nice passes for assists.

Everyone in the camp put forth some really great effort and some, like those mentioned above or previously, were able to transfer that effort and practice into production during gameplay. Some players overcame a tough first day to put together solid efforts on Sunday, which is what coaches like to see from the players, the ability to bounce back and the ability to produce or work for the good of the team. But, some players did play at another level and were thus recognized with various awards voted on by the coaches at the camp based on their different evaluations.

5TH GRADE (2023) MVPS
WILL HAMILTON (Springfield Predators) and PRENTICE YOUNG (WI United)
Will really did a nice job throughout camp of putting the pressure on opposing defenses with his shooting ability, knocking down several outside shots and jumpers, and Prentice just played strong around the basket and was constantly involved rebounding the basketball.

6TH GRADE (2022) MVPS
DEVONTES COBBS (WI United) and ARMANI JONES (WI United)
Cobbs was special throughout the camp, making plays on both ends of the floor and really utilized his size and athleticism well to take over games, and Jones used his speed and quickness to blow by defenders and score on floaters, outside shots and attacking the rim, but also got his teammates involved and led his team to the championship win.

7TH GRADE (2021) MVPS
DARIUS HANNAH (Playground Elite) and TREYVON WILLIAMS (Playground Elite)
Hannah and Williams were a heck of a one-two punch each day, playing exceptionally off of each other. If one wasn't making a play, the other one was and they just took over games at times.

8TH GRADE (2020) MVPS
JAMARI SIBLEY (WI United) and NIMARI BURNETT (Mac Irvin Fire)
Sibley was flat out unstoppable for much of camp with his combination of length, athleticism and feel for the game, while Burnett was creative and found ways to score at different levels, putting defenders on their heels and knocking down shots.

FLOOR GENERAL AWARDS
LJ HENDERSON (Quad City Elite) and EZRA STARGELL (Playground Elite)
Henderson displayed such poise and control in running the show for his team while also making life difficult for the opponent in the offense as he was able to attack and both score and dish, and. Much was the same for Stargell at the 7th grade level as he used speed and quickness to get past defenders and then made the smart play consistently.

BIG MAN AWARD
SHON ROBINSON (Mac Irvin Fire)
Robinson just used his length so well in the middle doing so many different things well. He was able to cut inside and score there, he rebounded well, he blocked or adjusted several shots defensively and even stepped outside offensively at times and knocked down three's.

TOP DEFENDER AWARDS
AUSTIN HERRO (WI PGC) and ABE SCRUGGS IV (WI Shooters)
With the younger kids, Herro was all over his opponent with constant pressure and effort, Scruggs used his athleticism and quickness to make life difficult for his opponent at all times.  Both were exceptional in terms of their effort and activity on the defensive end of the floor throughout the weekend.

MR. HUSTLE AWARDS
KURON WILSON (Wisconsin United) and YACOUBA TRAORE (Wisconsin Swing)
Wilson played end line to end line throughout the weekend.  Every time there was a loose ball or a rebound to be had Wilson was in the middle of it and his effort combined with his production was excellent as a result.  Traore was excellent with his effort each day as he worked hard and found ways to contribute across the board and on both ends of the court with his effort, instincts, and athleticism.

SHARP SHOOTER AWARDS
ISAAC LINDSEY (WI Swing) and TREY ZASTROW (WI PGC)
Both Lindsey and Zastrow were putting on a shooting clinic at times Saturday and Sunday as they got hot and made the nets feel it. The key was that both were very efficient on doing so as well.

MOST IMPROVED AWARDS
LATRELL WHITESELL JR. (Nebraska Hoops Elite) and RAYMOND TERRY (Indiana SYF)
Whitsell took nice steps forward between days 1 and 2 as he found more balanced to his game while making better decisions and played his best basketball on the final day.  Terry really got his motor going and got confident making plays around the basket with his size and frame late Saturday and he continued to build on that Sunday with more quality efforts in the paint.

MR. INTANGIBLES
TE-JAI PRICE (DTA) and KALEIM TAYLOR (Milwaukee Spartans)
Whitesell does some really nice things from a guard standpoint that don't always go noticed as he can play off the ball, with the ball, he is vocal, plays hard and isn't afraid to make mistakes cause he can bounce back and correct them. Taylor just has game to him and finds ways to get the job done. He makes his team better with his ability to create and attract defenders, at times even when he doesn't have the ball in his hands.

COACHES AWARDS
(Note – These were awarded by the camp coaches to individual players)
JAKE HAMILTON (Springfield Predators)
AHMAD HENDERSON (Junior Varsity)
RYAN DOLPHIN (Iowa Barnstormers)
YOSEF OLIFF (Hoop Avenues Elite)
TREY BAKER (Kessel Heat)
CAMERON PALESSE (RAS Milwaukee)
CHASE COURBAT (Martin Brothers)
MICHAEL FOSTER (Milwaukee Spartans)
COLE DAKOVICH (Wisconsin Shooters)
JALEN JOHNSON (WI PGC)
DESMOND POLK (Wisconsin United)
AUSTIN ANDREWS (Net Gain Sports)
RONALD JOHNSON III (G3 Rising Stars)
DECLAN CIURLIK (Wisconsin Shooters)