Friday and Saturday to open the 2019 Generation Next Basketball Association Championships was up and bumping with competitive youth basketball action in Waukegan (IL). Players from several different teams in the GNBA showed up with some of their best games and efforts of the entire league thus far, as it should be to compete for a championship. Darrin Ames Jr. (Mac Irvin Fire), Anthony Rise (RAS), Christian Uremovich (All-In), and more were really operating on all cylinders as they lifted their teams with their play and helped them get on the right foot heading into the final rounds for Sunday. Below are some of the first two days’ top performers and what they accomplished.

TOP PERFORMERS
DARRIN AMES JR – 2023 – G – MAC IRVIN FIRE
Ames Jr. has been a scoring machine in several events over the spring, and he continued that run as the GNBA Championships got under way to kick off the summer, dropping a cool 24 points in a Saturday game. The lefty guard moved smooth around the court on offense and used his dribble to open himself and create space for his shots, knocking down a number of jumpers off the bounce, but also was swishing three’s with regularity, draining 5 in the game and converting 3 of his 4 free throw opportunities.

COLE CERTA – 2024 – G – IL IRISH
Certa was up to his usual scoring ways early in the Championships event. He continued his consistent scoring tear with a 17-point effort where he drained a trio of three-pointers in the game, controlled the action in the half-court for his team and really put the defense on its heels with his aggressive play and his vision passing as well. He had a sweet drive and no-look drop-off to a teammate for an assist in the game and otherwise got himself to the free throw line where he went 4-for-4.

MALIQ CRAWFORD – 2023 – SG – CREAM CITY’S CHOSEN
Crawford had a really nice game for Cream City to finish off the day Saturday. He was aggressive in attacking the rim and was really tenacious on the ball and blitzing passing lanes to get steals and create havoc for the opponent. Crawford knocked down a three in the first half, but really got the ball to fall through the nets more late in the game when he was getting to the rim and finishing with good touch going in at the hoop. He finished the game with 15 points, also sinking a couple free throws in the game to get there.

JULIAN DEFRANTZ – 2025 – G – ALL-IN
The young All-In guard backcourt plays with a lot of energy and they can really fill up the hoop, and DeFrantz really made it happen often on Saturday with his shooting. DeFrantz sank 3 three’s and also hit some mid and short-range shots off the dribble to keep his team competitive throughout the contest with timely made shots. He finished the game with 17 points to lead his team.

JACOB DUNHAM – 2023 – SG – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Dunham was really effective in the second half for Ray Allen Select, having a “Klay-esque” period where he was putting the ball through the nets at a high rate and in a variety of ways, scoring around the rim off put-backs, knocking down jumpers and hitting his second three of the game in keeping his team on top and finishing off the win. He tallied 18 points in the game, 15 of those coming in the second half.

GRIFFIN DAHIYA – 2023 – F – MAN UP
Dahiya put together a really great overall game later Saturday where he scored 12 points from a number of spots on the floor, including a three-ball, but it was also his effectiveness and impact in other areas of the game that showed out. He was awesome on the boards, pulling in 9 rebounds, and also showed great vision and passing by connecting with teammates for at least 5 assists. Defensively he played dric

DREW EDMOND – 2023 – PG – WI PHENOMS
Edmond played really steady throughout a late win Saturday, really steadying his play down the stretch of the second half and helping his team seal up a victory. He was solid defensively where he used his frame well to wall off the opposing ball-handler from getting to the lane too easily, and then offensively he did a nice job controlling the ball and setting the pace of the game for his team. He scored well when he saw good looks, and knocked down a three in the game, got to the free throw line and converted a couple of those shots as well, finishing with a nice 15-point effort.

BROCK HARDING – 2023 – PG – QUAD CITY
Harding played really well for Quad City, really controlling the tempo of the game for his team and found ways to put himself and his teammates in good positions to score. He was scoring off the dribble, he was spotting up and knocking down shots and he was looking to get his teammates involved. Harding drained 2 three-pointers and was a perfect 2-for-2 at the free throw line, also dishing out 4 assists in the game.

COLIN HARDRICK – 2023 – PG – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Hardrick really did an excellent job controlling the overall game for RAS, setting up himself and teammates with his quickness, his ball-handling and his ability to slide past defenders off the dribble and got the defense reeling. The swift left-handed guard glided to the hoop on several occasions where he either finished or drew enough defenders to him that teammates were either getting passes from him for scores or cleaning up the open glass for put-backs. Hardrick also found his spot on the floor and drilled a few three’s in the game, good for 15 points to go with 4 assists and 2 steals in the game.

TRESHAWN JONES – 2023 – SG – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Jones also had a big impact for RAS on both ends of the floor, playing with good activity defensively and getting his hands on some steals and a number of rebounds, but then he got out in transition and really affected the pace of the game. He finished well on the break, and made a couple really nice jump shots in the offense, as well as sinking a three-pointer, showing his offensive versatility and athleticism. Jones finished the game with 16 points as RAS sealed up a victory.

PAYTON KAMIN – 2024 – G – TEAM TEN JABARI PARKER
Simply put, Kamin lit up the hoop with his shooting a contest for the young TTJP squad. Kamin was able to get his looks at the hoop by moving and finding good spots on the floor, where he was ready to shoot, and knocked down the three-ball, drilling 5 three’s in the game, and adding another bucket. He finished with 17 points leading the way for his team.

MAKAI KVAMME – 2025 – PG – IL CENTRAL ELITE
Kvamme was awesome for Illinois Central Elite making a ton of plays down the stretch of a tightly contested game. He was awesome off the dribble and was able to get by the defense and make plays attacking the hoop, making lay-ups and short-range floaters, as well as some good jumpers for his team. He also played with quickness and aggressiveness to draw contact and get to the line where he finished off 5 of 6 free throws, a number of them coming down the stretch to pull out a sweet win behind his 17 points.

MICHAEL MCNABB – 2024 – G/F – CHAPMAN BASKETBALL
McNabb was excellent for Chapman in a tough game Saturday. He was knocking down shots in the half-court, he was getting to the basket for a couple shots and was able to get to the free throw line a number of times. McNabb drained 2 three’s in the game and sank 5 total free throws, tallying 15 points to lead his team and really showed his scoring ability.

ANTHONY RISE – 2025 – G – RAY ALLEN SELECT
Rise put up a huge number for his team in leading them once again with his ability to score the basketball in different ways. He scored off the dribble and was aggressive going to the basket, slicing down the lane a few times where he was able to score or get to the free throw line by playing under control. Rise also showcased his outside shot yet again, swishing 4 three-pointers, and then otherwise converting 4-of-6 free throws. Rise finished off with 24 points in really lighting up the scoreboard.

ELI ROE – 2024 – F – GAIN ELITE
Roe shot the ball really well for Gain Friday night, showing some excellent versatility in his game at his size. He showed great competitiveness and was coming up with some timely shots for his team when they needed them to stay in the game. Roe sank 3 triples and finished some other plays around the bucket, as well as a really nice turn-around jumper in the lane over a defender from the middle of the paint. He finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds in the game, being really active on the glass as well.

KAIDEN SPACE – 2023 – G/F – MAC IRVIN FIRE
Space played really solid for Mac in making plays with the ball and getting active defensively to cause several turnovers for the other team. As a developing wing prospect, Space made some really nice shots, and was good slashing through gaps to the lane for some points when attacking the basket. Space also knocked down some three’s, hitting two in the one game and knocking down a free throw as well, good for 15 points.

MATTHEW THISTLE – 2023 – G – CHAPMAN BASKETBALL
Thistle was outstanding shooting the ball for CBA and did a nice job playing strong with the ball in his hands, finding ways to attack the defense and kick the ball to teammates for open opportunities to score. The young combo guard was on lock Saturday though when getting a look from the perimeter, knocking down 4 triples in a game and finishing the contest with 14 points.

ASA THOMAS – 2023 – G/F – MAN UP
A long and rangy wing guard, Thomas made some big-time shots for Man-Up late Saturday as they pushed for a lead throughout the game. Thomas found some spots on the perimeter and with a quick release, he was able to get off good looks at the basket, drilling 4 three’s in the game and had hit another at the buzzer that was waved off due to a foul before the shot. He made some great plays in the offense and ended up with 18 points in the game.

CHRISTIAN UREMOVICH – 2024 – F/C – ALL-IN
Uremovich has been dominant at times for All-In throughout the GNBA events, and that continued Saturday as he was again playing big to lead the way for his team. Uremovich was hitting mid-range shots, he was attacking the basket and catching the ball well in transition for some scores at the hoop as well. He finished off 3 free throw opportunities, and had an outstanding 21 points in the game.

GRANT WELCH – 2023 – G – QUAD CITY ELITE
Welch played really well for Quad City as they competed hard all game long. The growing guard prospect handled the ball well and played with good patience, finding his openings without forcing much, and then knocking down shots when he had the looks. He also sank a three-pointer in the game and was able to connect on 4 of his free throw attempts, racking up 15 points.