Session 2 of NY2LA Sports GNBA kicked off on Friday from Waukegan, Ill. In the eighth grade division, UA G3 Grind got off to a fast start thanks to their dynamic backcourt of Vincent Brady and Ronald Johnson…

GNBA SESSION 2 8TH GRADE DAY 1 TOP PERFORMERS
Vincent Brady – G – 2021 - UA G3 Grind
Brady was a big part of a strong defensive effort that didn’t allow the opposition to score a point for the first eight minutes of the game, including a 22-2 run to open things up in a win over Iowa Barnstormers Black. Brady is a dynamic combo guard with a good feel for the game. He has terrific vision and a knack for getting into the teeth of the defense and making the right play with the basketball. Brady also got after it defensively and turned steals and hustle plays into instant offense on the other end. 

Elijah Bull – G – 2021 - All-In Athletics-Bull
Making it hard for Ray Allen Select to build a comeback, Bull delivered dagger after dagger in the second half, leading his team to a win. Bull finished with a game-high 18 points. An explosive guard with terrific handles, Bull was so difficult to cover. He’s excellent at creating space and there was nobody that could stay with him 1-on-1. Bull generated a number of open looks for himself off the dribble and displayed a sound mid-range game on Friday. 

David Joplin – F – 2021 - Ray Allen Select
Joplin set the tone early with a number of blocks that looked like sure points for the opposition. Already 6-foot-4, Joplin has exciting length and athleticism that make him a high upside prospect to keep tabs on. A kid that works hard on the interior, Joplin consistently established good post position and made life easy on his teammates to set him up. Joplin has terrific hands to catch in traffic. He can also handle the ball up the floor and slash from the high post. Joplin was a major mismatch weapon in a loss to All-In Athletics, proving to be too athletic for post players and too big for the wings. 

Logan Landers – F/C – 2021 - Butler Elite
A versatile post prospect with guard skills and a back-to-the-basket game, there’s a lot to like about Landers. The 6-foot-4 incoming freshman can handle the ball and even stop out behind the arc and shoot a bit. Loved the passing ability and vision in the open floor. He won’t do it often, but Landers can carry and run the transition offense. Landers was also active on defense, blocking and altering shots on the interior. Leading Butler Elite to a nice win over Team Ramey, Landers had a strong all-around performance. 

Osiris Mahn – PG – 2021 - Team Ramey
Mahn might be the smallest player on the floor, but he has far from the least amount of game. Mahn was a killer in Friday’s loss to Butler Elite. The 5-foot-3 guard from St. Louis mixed it up from 3-point and mid range, getting to his spots and making the defense pay when he got rhythm looks. Mahn has good quickness and burst with the ball and knows how to float shots over the bigs inside. Despite the loss, Mahn played some strong stretches of basketball that kept his team within striking distance much of the way. 

GNBA SESSION 2 8TH GRADE DAY 1 STOCK BOOSTERS
Tyrese Hunter – G – 2021 - Butler Elite
Hunter was the straw that stirred the drink in a win over Team Ramey. Hunter did a nice job of surveying the floor and setting up his teammates to succeed. A 5-foot-10 guard, Hunter can handle the point or two-guard duties. He was giving the defense all sorts of trouble with his drive and dish ability. 

Sam Hytinen – F – 2021 - Playground Elite
A versatile prospect, Hytinen is developing into a three-level scorer. He can shoot the ball from pretty much anywhere on the floor. The lefty has a strong frame and can put the ball on the deck. When he gets to the bucket, Hytinen absorbs contact well and finishes through people. Hytinen was also aggressive on the offensive glass. He anticipates misses and redirects off the rim well. Even though he was often crashing from the perimeter, Hytinen didn’t commit any unnecessary fouls. 

Ronald Johnson – G – 2021 - UA G3 Grind
Johnson plays with a lot of swag and confidence. A deadly 3-point shooter, Johnson knows/feels the ball is going in every time he flicks the wrist. A smooth guard with handles, Johnson has plenty of shake in the open floor. He did most of his damage as a spot up shooter in Friday’s win over Iowa Barnstormers Black, but can get to the rim and distribute to his playmakers. In a blowout victory, Johnson shot the ball well and was also very effective in the press, riding ball handlers up and down the floor and making things tough on the opposing backcourt. 

Anthony Sayles – SG – 2021 - All-In Athletics-Bull
Sayles had a tremendous all-around impact in a win over Ray Allen Select. A 6-foot-2 athlete, Sayles does a number of things well and isn’t limited to just contributing in an area or two. Sayles was seen creating for others, blocking shots, taking charges, and knocking down 3-pointers on Friday. Sayles has some impressive length and when he gets going in transition, he’s tough to stop. A good outside shooter, Sayles has an effortless stroke and hit a backbreaking triple followed by a charge on the next possession to help seal the victory. A player that could probably get 20 each time out, Sayles was very unselfish and wasn’t afraid to do the little things to help his team be successful.