The Generation Next Basketball Association hit the hardwood last weekend for its opening session and talented 6th, 7th, and 8th graders made their presence felt once again.  Here’s a glance at a handful that stood out on Sunday in Wisconsin…

TOP PERFORMERS
Tyler Fawcett – 2022 (Mercury Elite 14u) - Fawcett was huge for Mercury all weekend long and when they needed him most he stepped up.  In Mercury Elites last game of the weekend against Wisconsin Playmakers Fawcett scored 13 points and 4 of them came in overtime.  The 6-4 forward was scoring from the outside hitting midrange jumpers and he was able to use his strength and post moves to get buckets inside the paint.

Jackson Paveletzke – 2022 (Wisconsin Phenoms 14u) - One of the best pure shooters I watched all weekend.  Paveletzke was hitting from all over the floor and when he got hot his team went to him almost every possession.  On the defensive side he did a very good job of staying in front of his opponent for the full length of the floor.  The young guard finished with 14 points in a big win over the always tough Mac Irvin Fire.

Mario Sanders – 2022 (GetShook 14u) - Sanders was scoring in bunches all weekend long and doing it in fashion. He showed that he can knock down midrange and three-point shots with consistency, but he wasn’t settling as he was doing a lot of his scoring by attacking the rim and finishing hard through contact.

Nolan Simon – 2023 (Team Ramey 13u) - Simon was playing with intensity all weekend long on both ends of the floor.  He is a max effort player that goes hard every possession.  Offensively he is able to score from all three levels but did most of his scoring by causing turnovers and getting out in transition where he uses his speed to blow by defenders and get easy fast break lay ups

Nick Harrell – 2022 (Mac Irvin Fire 14u) - Harrell is a very long prospect that uses his length to his advantage on defense by blocking and affecting shots.  He is also very active in passing lanes getting many deflections and causing turnovers,  The 6-3 forward cleans the glass well on both ends of the floor and was getting most of his points from easy buckets off of offensive rebounds

NEW FACES
Matt Imig – 2022 (Pack Attack 14u) - Imig was putting on high level performances all weekend long and was a big reason why Pack Attack was able to finish the weekend 4-0.  The young guard can score off the dribble, off the catch, and he can finish around the basket.  After scoring a game high 20 points against the Martin Bros Imig was able to carry that momentum into Sunday when he was very clutch down the stretch in Pack Attacks win over Team Ramey.

Trent Stimac – 2022 (Marcus Denmon Elite 14u) - One of the more athletic players I watched last weekend Stimac was able to blow by defenders with speed and quickness all weekend long.  He can score in a variety of different ways but is probably at his best around the rim because he can jump high and finish around the rim where other players can't yet.  The 6-1 forward showed a ton of upside.

Landon Key – 2023 (WI Shooters 13u) - Key is a very long and skilled forward that can score in a variety of different ways.  He can score off the dribble and around the rim using the combination of his strong finishing abilities and creative post moves.  In a very good win over Team Ramey the 6-2 forward finished with a team high 15 points.

Cooper Farrall - 2023 (G3 Grind 13u) - Farrall had very strong physical presence in the paint and his opponents knew nothing was going to be given easy around the rim. He was finishing around the rim when his teammates were able to find him and by putting up easy put backs from offensive rebounds.  He was one of the bet rim protectors I watched at the 13u level because he knows how to use his length and he is already standing at 6-4.

Will Boser – 2022 (WI Playmakers 14u) - Boser is a high-volume shooter who defenders can’t leave much space because he will make them pay.  He can create for himself off the bounce but is more comfortable catching and shooting from the wing.  The 5-10 wing can guard multiple positions and play solid defense the full length of the floor.  If Boser can continue to shoot at a high level he has potential to make some noise in the next GNBA sessions.