The atmosphere in the gym was awesome during Championship Sunday as teams were competing all day long for a chance to be GNBA Champions. Some of the top middle school teams in the Midwest ranging from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, and Michigan all hit the hardwood. Here are some of the rising prospects that stood out to me.
Christian Uremovich – 2024 (All-In Athletics 12u) - Uremovich was productive all day long helping his talented All-In Athletics team to the final four of the platinum bracket. Uremovich is has the height and length to dominate on both sides of the ball at this level and he does just that. Still extremely young in his development he already possesses some very advanced post moves that are virtually unstoppable at the 12u level. Uremovich finished with 17 points in All-Ins elite at 8 win.
JaiQuan Holman – 2025 (IL Predators Elite 12u) - Playing up an age level Holman was very impressive for IL Predators all weekend long and he really stepped his game up Sunday. Holman was finishing around the rim using both hands and through hard contact. He dribbles well and was crossing over opponents all day long. His most impressive play was on a one on one fast break where he faked his defender out with a euro and finished with an up and under lay in under the basket.
Tayshawn Bridges – 2024 (Playground Elite 12u) - Bridges was the most impressive player at the 12u level all weekend long. He was putting on a show with his offensive performances and doing some moves that I haven't seen at the 12u level. He uses his size and athleticism to his advantage to finish above his defenders and to blow by them for easy buckets. Bridges was scoring at all three levels at a very high rate as defenses had a hard time figuring out how to stop him. He has great vision and keeps the ball on a string with his dribbling. The talented young man finished with a game high 29 points in the 12u Platinum championship game.
Kyrii Britton – 2024 (Mac Irvin Fire 12u) - Britton was doing a little bit of everything for Mac Irvin Fire on both sides of the ball and was a huge reason why they were able to reach the 12u platinum championship game. Britton was scoring from all three levels but was most productive while attacking the rim where he can finish strong using both hands. Britton was the go to player for Mac Irvin and he usually answered with a bucket when they needed one. Defensively he causes a ton of havoc causing many turnovers that would lead to easy fast break opportunities. Britton finished with 18 points in Mac Irvin's final for win over WI Playmakers.
Dino Cook Jr –2023 (Playground Elite 13u) - Cook continues to improve every time we get the chance to watch him. This weekend he was hot from beyond the arc and proved that he can be a deep ball threat. He has a very high motor which allows him to win 50-50 balls and grab rebounds at a very high rate. Defensively he is all over the place affecting and blocking almost every shot his opponent would put up in the paint. On Sunday his team only had 5 players but that didn’t stop him from going as hard as he could for the full length of the game. Cook has a very high ceiling and will develop into a prospect we talk about for years to come with his hard work and dedication.
Peirce Arenz – 2024 (WI Blizzard 12u) - Arenz was lighting up score boards all weekend long with his deep three-point shooting. The young man has been doing so all spring during GNBA sessions 1 and 2 and this past weekend was no different. Arenz can shoot off the catch as good as anyone at the 12u level and showed that he can create his own shot by creating his own space using his crossovers and super quick release. He helped lead his talented Blizzard team to the Platinum elite 8.
Nazir Beamon – 2024 (Playground Elite 12u) - Beamon was consistent for Playground Elite all weekend long and championship Sunday was no different. Part of the best 12u duo on the weekend with the combination of Nazir and running mate Tayshawn Bridges the pair of talented young wings were excellent for Playground Elite and a huge reason they were able to win the 12u championship. Beamon runs the floor well and has a knack for scoring the basketball around the rim. He can score from beyond the arc as well as he was doing so off the dribble with some very impressive step back threes. Just tapping the surface of his potential, he is a young prospect that we will be watching very closely in the future.
Dayvion Johnson – 2024 (Mac Irvin Fire 12u) - Johnson has a very high motor and out hustles his opponents for loose balls. He has a solid handle and excels attacking the rim where he gets a ton of easy buckets and put backs. Johnson was relentless in finishing the ball as he converted multiple and1s playing through tough contact. He finished with 15 points in Mac Irvin’s elite 8 win over the WI Blizzard.
Ethan Kizer – 2023 (Illinois Irish 13u) - Kizer continued his strong play throughout the weekend into championship Sunday for the Illinois Irish. The talented big man continues to impress with his offensive skill set that shows off the versatile game that he has. Already standing at 6-4 in the 7th grade it allows Kizer to look over defenders and find his open teammates where he sets them up for easy buckets. Kizer can score from all three levels and was showing off his outside jump shot this weekend. The athletic young big man will be a prospect to pay close attention to for many years as he continues to tap into his very high ceiling.
Keshon Singleton – 2023 (IL Predators Elite 13u) - One of the more impressive prospects at the 13u level was on full display Sunday and was a huge part in why the Predators will able to win the 13U Platinum Championship. Singleton is an excellent passer and is always finding his open teammates. He can take control of games with his play making abilities and was doing so all weekend long. He can score from all three levels but was most impressive with his deep range he was showing off. Singleton is a very good point guard who will open some eyes up in the very near future.