With the end of the spring and summer grassroots season, it’s now time for some awards. These teams were voted upon by members of the NY2LA staff. With all the great competition over the last few months, five players just weren’t enough for each team. Here are the seven members of the 2021 NY2LA Basketball Association All-League First Team from the 17U division including the Co-MVP’s, Anthony Black and Camron Amboree, both from 3D Empire...

Ryan Agarwal – 2022 – F – 3D Empire
While much of the buzz has been about the duo in his team’s backcourt, the Stanford commit just went out and played at a high level every tournament. He was a huge reason for 3D Empire’s success all spring and summer culminating in a title at the Grassroots Summer Championships. The lengthy 6’6” wing forward proved that he was one of the top shooters on the entire NY2LA Circuit spotting up from three but can also play off the dribble creating for himself.  Much more than just a shooter, Agarwal has a well-rounded skill set with a great feel for the game. 

Camron Amboree* – 2022 – G – 3D Empire
While Amboree was tremendous throughout the year, he continued to grow his game each week all the way up until the summer finale in Orlando to solidify his place on this list as well as co-mvp honors. He’s such an impactful player, especially on the offensive end with all that he can do with the ball with his elite point guard skills. The 6’2” point guard has so many tools with his distributing ability, running an offense, getting to the rim, and creating his own shot from the outside. Before the start of the tournament season in April, Amboree did not have a single offer to his name. Though now he has a solid list of them that includes Cal State Fullerton, McNeese State, Mount St. Mary’s, Ohio, and Oral Roberts. 

Anthony Black* – 2022 – G – 3D Empire
Black has been one of the fastest rising prospects in the entire nation over the past few months and it’s easy to see why. Not only does he have great positional size as a 6’7” point guard, but he has the skills to go along with it. He’s a stat stuffing, do-it-all player that has continuously performed at an extremely high level every tournament to earn himself co-mvp honors with his backcourt mate. Black is exceptionally skilled off the dribble getting to the rim in addition to his tremendous distributing ability on the move. He’s a great playmaker with his instincts and decision-making ability with the ball. In just the past few months alone, some very prominent programs have offered him including Duke, Gonzaga, Kansas, and others. 

Leon Bond – 2022 – F – JH1 Elite
A consensus pick for this list with all that he has shown over the past few months and the development of his game. Bond is a long and athletic 6’5” wing forward that can do so much on the floor. He is an incredibly tough matchup with his ability to score off the dribble, pull up in the mid-range, or play in the mid and low post. With all his physical tools and motor, he is a highly skilled and versatile defender that matches up well with both guards and forwards. Following his play at the Best of the South Tournament in Atlanta during the first live period of July, Virginia offered him, and he has since committed to the Cavaliers. 

Amhad Jarrard – 2022 – G – George Hill All Indy
Jarrard is a highly explosive guard that was one of the most consistent players on the NY2LA Circuit. He was always playing at a high level, putting up some big scoring totals. Whether it was at the Best of the South, Grassroots Summer Championships, or Spring Extravaganza, Jarrard came to play. The guard is incredibly tough to defend with the ball with a great ability to get to the rim and finish big but also score it pulling up in the mid-range. Jarrad had only picked up his first offer in April but then racked up a long list of mid-majors offers including Canisius, Coastal Carolina, Miami (OH), UIC, Wright State, ending with a recent commitment to in-state IUPUI. 

Ben Olson – 2022 – G/F – WI Swing
A tremendous player all spring and summer who really locked down his spot on this list with his play at the Grassroots Summer Championships. During the summer finale in Orlando, he led his Swing team to a semifinal’s appearance against tough competition all weekend long. He had many stellar games this year but his 28-point outburst in Orlando against a physical Team United squad truly stood out. Olson is a tough 6’4” wing that has shown great all-around game with a good versatile scoring ability. He has stood out with his ability to get to the basket, knock down shots from all over, defend multiple positions, and rebound the ball well. 

Brady Titus – 2022 – G – UTS Elite
One of the more talented playmaking point guards on the NY2LA Circuit with a very good ability to both score and distribute the ball. Not only does Titus get into the defense incredibly often with his elite moves and quickness but is so effective when he does. With his combination of vision and passing, he can really carve up a defense. Though, he can also get it done himself with a very good ability to hit shots off the dribble and finish around the paint. A sure-fire player for this list with the great impact he makes on the floor leading UTS Elite to an impressive 2021 season. 

*Co-MVP