The opening session of the 2019 Generation Next Basketball Association (GNBA) kicked off Friday night, April 12th in Mequon, WI and the young hoopers were hyped. The players were balling with a lot of energy, determination and fun, clearly excited to be back on the basketball court and competing. Several players put in some top-notch performances for their teams as they looked to setup a rhythm for the rest of the weekend.

TOP PERFORMERS
DARIUS ACUFF – 2023 – PG – DREAM TEAM/REACH
Acuff made some really nice plays for his team in the opening night of play. He used his quickness to get to open spots on the floor and create separation from defenders, and then was able to use that space to get open looks at the hoop and bury three’s. He hit three triples in the game and finished with 12 points.

DARRIN AMES JR – 2023 – G – MAC IRVIN FIRE
The lefty combo guard was electric for his team Friday night. He was shifty with the ball in his hands and was able to make several plays off the dribble where he then buried shots both from the mid-range area and beyond the arc. He had 16 points and a couple nice treys with defenders bearing down.

KHALID CROCKERHAN – 2023 – G – ALL IN
Simply put, Crockerhan was excellent shooting the ball Friday evening, finding his spots and then drilling shots to help his team be in the hunt all the way to the finish. He hit three 3’s and finished with 12 points.

ETHAN CUMMINGS -2023 – G – ALL IN
Cummings had a great game taking the ball to the hoop and really putting the pressure on the defense to stay in front and not foul. He went strong to the rim, and afforded himself 6 free throw attempts as a result, converting 4 of them and was otherwise very effective around the basket, finishing with 16 points.

DALEN DAVIS – 2023 – PG – WI PHENOMS
Davis took a bit to get in the flow of the game Friday night, but once he got one bucket to go, he made a few really nice plays the rest of the way to help lift his team to a victory. He was really good taking the ball to the bucket off the dribble with some smooth moves past defenders and finishing plays off, going for 9 points on the evening.

ISAAC DECHANT – 2023 – G/F – WI BLIZZARD VANDE
Dechant got the ball rolling right off the tip for his team with a quick take for a lay-up and continued that effort throughout the game. He did a really nice job going hard to the basket and then finishing with good touch once at the hoop. He finished the game with a solid 12 points.

DARRYL GADDI – 2023 – G – ALL IN
Gaddi was excellent for All-In opening night, where he used some nice moves with the ball and his speed up the court to make some great plays for himself and his teammates. He was outstanding shooting the ball as well, squaring for three’s and burying 4 of them, tallying 16 points for the game in a toughly fought contest.

XAVIER JOHNSON – 2024 – G – DREAM TEAM/REACH
Johnson did a nice job Friday night staying patient but playing with energy. He let the game come to him and found his openings, where he was able to knock down some tough shots for his team. He sank a runner, hit a couple lay-ins and knocked down a three, totaling 13 points in a close loss to finish the night.

JOHN KINZINGER – 2023 – PG – WI PHENOMS
Kinzinger went all out all game long and it paid off for his team as they ran away with the game. The energetic guard was tough defensively and pressed the issue offensively, getting the cup for some buckets, getting up in transition and knocking in a pair of three’s, showing his versatility as a point guard. He finished with 12 points and added a number of assists.

CAL KLESMIT – 2023 – G/F – WI BLIZZARD VANDE
Klesmit did a really nice job cleaning up plays on the offensive glass and making shots around the basket. He also showed he can step outside and shoot the ball a bit, knocking down a three for his team and playing hard all game long.

CARRINGTON MCNEAL – 2023 – G – HOWARD PULLEY
McNeal was fast, he was physical inside and played tough on both ends of the floor for his team. He was able to come up with some strong rebounds, he got in on a couple steals, he converted some fast break opportunities or second chance offensive rebound shots, and made plays for his teammates. He finished with 18 points for his team as they stormed back for a late win.

SETH MIRON – 2023 – G/F – WI BLIZZARD VANDE
Miron was another player for the Blizzard team who played with good energy and made the most of his shooting opportunities, finishing around the hoop and hitting some good shots, also extending out for a three-pointer. He finished the contest with 13 points.

NOAH MURIGI – 2023 – F – HOWARD PULLEY
Murigi played really well on both ends of the court for Pulley as well, helping them make a comeback. He was rebounding the ball well but also got out in transition and finished with great touch going up at the rim, a few times through contact from the defenders. He had 12 points in the game.