Generation Next Basketball Association Session 1 was a big success and kicked off the new GNBA season in fine fashion with big-time performances from players in the various age groups and from all different teams. Anton Brookshire (Yanders Law) came on the scene in a big way with a slick offensive game, while Ben Nau (Ray Allen Select) asserted himself as one of the better well-rounded guards around right now, Blake Wesley (UAG3 Grind) plays with a ton of energy and confidence, while others gave a good preview of what to expect in the coming sessions. Have a good look below at who showed out, who is trending up and who is coming up by reading below…

TOP PERFORMERS
DELONE AUSTIN – 2021 – G – PLAYGROUND ELITE
Austin had a solid session for PGE in making plays at different levels of the half court. He did a nice job of finding ways to score and sticking to what was working – like when the opponents were giving him the lane, he took it to the hoop to score –but when they laid off he was able to pull up and knock down some big jumpers both from the mid-range and from the perimeter. His constant threat to score also opened up some of his teammates to give them better scoring opportunities, and Austin came through big in the clutch to finish off Sunday, sealing a win at the free throw line for his team.

ANTON BROOKSHIRE – 2021 – G – YANDERS LAW
Brookshire was hyped coming in to the event as a guard with a smooth offensive game with a great feel for scoring the basketball and several tools. He did not disappoint. Brookshire has really nice handles and the way he uses it to attack defenders and get them off balance comes very naturally, as does the way he shot the ball. He showed a natural flick of the wrist that with continued practice on the overall shot process, he will likely be a scoring machine from anywhere in the half-court.

JEREMIAH DOTSON – 2021 – F – WI SHOOTERS
Dotson was a force for the Shooters team by being versatile with his offensive game and also being really active and strong rebounding the basketball on both ends of the floor. Dotson’s activity on the glass afforded him some second-chance points, but he was also able to score with his little mid-range jumper, but he really stressed defenders with his quick first step when faced up out of the post and good athleticism when attacking the rim.

MICHAEL FOSTER – 2022 – F – MKE SPARTANS-REBELS ELITE
Foster didn’t have huge scoring games all weekend, but he affected the games in so many different ways because of his size (6’7”) and presence. Foster continues to develop his skill set, and in the meantime his length inside on both ends was a problem for opponents as he made some nice plays catching it in the post off guard drop-offs and then was able to finish off some put-backs as well. Defensively, when he gets tired he drops his arms a bit, but when he was engaged and active down low, it was really tough for opponents to score over him or to rebound against him. 

ISAAC HANEY – 2021 – G – YANDERS LAW
Haney can throw fire from the three-point line as he put on display consistently all weekend long. Not the biggest or fast guard, but Haney has enough quickness and good handle to be able to penetrate against defenses as they press to fly out at him on the perimeter when he knocked down some three’s, and showed a decent mid-range game with jumpers and floaters as well. He was a big-time scorer for YL during the weekend.

TYRESE HUNTER – 2021 – G – BUTLER ELITE
Hunter was exceptional for Butler with his explosiveness offensively and his ability to read plays early defensively and use his athletic skills to make plays on that end of the floor. Hunter ball pressure and anticipation of passes allowed him to force several turnovers, and then offensively he turned a lot of those opportunities into fast break points. Hunter also did a nice job using his quickness to get by defenders and showed good touch at the hoop in finishing plays, but was also solid shooting the ball overall.

BEN NAU – 2021 – G – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Nau was sensational in a few outings for RAS who went undefeated this past weekend. He really stepped up his defensive effort and was smart in anticipating what the offense was doing, picking off several passes and turning steals into fast break points. Nau was also aggressive offensively and had some great impact on his team’s offense, hitting a number of three’s in big spots and also scoring when he attacked the rim and finished with good touch. He, Tanner Resch and Cameron Palesse are shaping out to be a majorly formidable backcourt trio.

BLAKE WESLEY – 2021 – G – UA G3 GRIND
Wesley was energy and efficiency coming off the bench for a tough George Hill squad that came up with a big victory Sunday on the back of Wesley’s outstanding performance. The 5’10” guard played with speed on fast breaks, quickness attacking the rim in the half-court with a nice floater or an ability to absorb contact and still finish, and otherwise was sizzling from the three-point line where he buried several big shots.

TOMMIE WILLIAMS – 2021 – G/F – TEAM RAMEY
Williams was a monster on the court each day for Ramey, helping his team net some big wins in the first session. He played with a ton of energy, got after the boards and was outstanding finishing in transition. In the half-court, Williams was just as strong, slicing his way inside and scoring at the rim through or contact, and showed he can shoot it a little bit too, though that part of his game is still developing. 

QUINCY WISEMAN – 2021 – G – IOWA BARNSTORMERS
Wiseman played really well and was pretty consistent for the Barnstormers during the weekend. At 6’0” Wiseman used his size well against other guards and was really quick with his first step from the perimeter, where he was able to get to the hoop often. He showed great body control in traffic both in transition or when attacking a set defense, and finished well at the hoop or with a couple pull-up jumpers. He’s a menace defensively also with his quickness and anticipation.

STOCK BOOSTERS
CHASE COURBAT – 2021 – F – MARTIN BROTHERS
Courbat just seems like he’s growing each new event he competes in, but his game is also coming along nicely as he rounds out his skill set offensively and continues getting tougher defensively. The 6’7” forward showed a nice turnaround game from the post of offense and scored a couple times with little half hook-shots, but was also able to sink a couple short jumpers as well. He was really good rebounding the ball as well.
 
STEPHEN KESTI – 2022 – C – NET GAIN SPORTS
Kesti was a major force inside for the 13U NGS squad where he was really effective from the post and even in the transition game. Kesti seems comfortable with his frame and utilized his shoulders well to create space between his opponent and the basket when scoring down low, and defensively, Kesti used his long arms well to block or alter shot attempts and then pulled down some big rebounds to get his team out on the break quickly.

EVAN MIKEL BUSH – 2021 – SG – SYF PLAYERS
The well-framed wing prospect was a bright spot for SYF in a couple tough games, but he was effective defensively with his good length and decent quickness on the perimeter, but it was really his shooting ability to showed best. He was lights out at times from the three-point line and displayed some great range to that three-point shot as well.

ZAC JOHNSON – 2021 – G/F – WI PLAYMAKERS
Johnson played really well in a couple games, where he made some nice plays with the ball in his hands whether it was getting to the bucket or knocking down a couple shots extended out. Defensively, Johnson seemed better and was giving some good effort and hustle getting after the 50/50 plays for his team.

DIMANTE TERRY – 2021 – F – MKE SPARTANS-REBELS ELITE
Terry had himself a solid overall weekend, as he played with better energy and effort in each game and was productive on the boards. Defensively, Terry looked improved in staying engaged in the play and using his frame to not allow opponents through him going to the basket. Offensively, Terry was under control much of the time and finished some tough shots around the basket while also extending and knocking down some shots.

FUTURE FACES
TAYSHAWN BRIDGES – 2024 – G/F – PLAYGROUND ELITE
Bridges was excellent for PGE as he used his size and young athleticism to score over his opponents on some occasions or to simply blow by defenders with the dribble on others. He finished really well at the basket and when he or teammates missed, he was able to rebound the ball well and get second opportunities that he finished. Defensively he was quick and finished plays off on the boards.

TAMERON FERGUSON – 2024 – PG – TEAM GETSHOOK
Ferguson was outstanding throughout the weekend making plays on both ends of the floor with his quickness and relentlessness. He played with speed and tenacity defensively, pressing opponents and getting several steals. Offensively, Ferguson buried some nice shots, but was really tough when he used his dribble to get straight to the hoop past his defender and did a nice job finishing lay-ups or even a short floater.

JAKE HAMILTON – 2023 – F – SPRINGFIELD PREDATORS
One half of the Hamilton twins, Jake played the entire weekend and was really consistent overall for the Predators. Hamilton made some great plays offensively both attacking the hoop and finishing, or also with his jump shot. Defensively, Hamilton played well on the glass and provided good pressure with his size.

ETHAN KIZER – 2023 – F/C – IL IRISH ELITE
Kizer continued his strong play from Saturday at the GNBA into the Irish’s games Sunday. He worked hard on the court and used his size and with that effort to constantly come down with rebounds, blocked a couple shots per game with good timing, and finished well around the basket, putting him in the 20’s scoring several times throughout the weekend.

NASIR WHITLOCK – 2023 – PG – NET GAIN SPORTS
Whitlock played with good control throughout the event, and his speed and quickness were a big problem for the opposition in each contest. The crafty guard was able to use his quick handles to attack his defender and draw help where he was then able to dish out some assists to teammates, but he was also able to use it to score himself as well.