This fall the annual Generation Next All-Star Camp hit the hardwood in Wisconsin. Annually regarded as one of the premiere middle school development and showcase platforms in the country, the 2022 installment did not disappoint. Here’s a quick look at six outstanding up and coming prospects in the Class of 2027 that stood out in Wisconsin…
Tref Rademaker – Hybrid Post – Wisconsin - Already standing 6’5”, Tref used his size and strength to score easy buckets for his team all camp and displayed some solid post moves. Tref has moved his game more to the perimeter as of late and shown consistency in his shot. Tref was dominate at the camp averaging 20 and 10 on his way to Co-MVP honors.
Derrick Cross Jr. – Combo Guard – Indiana – This was my first-time laying eyes on Cross and I left impressed. He attacked the basket well and shot the well throughout the camp, shooting 58% from the field. Cross rebounded the ball well from his guard position and was a menace defensively constantly applying ball pressure to opposing guards in route to almost 2 steals per game. He shared MVP honors for his performances.
Origin Prewitt – Point Guard – Wisconsin – Prewitt’s style of play reminds me a lot of Class of 2014 Tre Jefferson. He is an energetic playmaking guard. He pairs his quickness along with good shifty moves to easily beat his man off the dribble. Prewitt was tied for 4th at the camp in assists, while still putting up 17 point per game. His motor is always on go and that energy flows down to his teammates.
Griffin Mehrhoff – Hybrid Post – Missouri – Not too many bigs at this age can shoot the ball like Mehrhoff. In 2021 as a 6th grader, I watched him torch the nets down in Indiana as I yelled at my team about slow closeouts. Things haven’t changed too much. He shot 42% from range at the camp connecting on 8 of his 19 attempts. Griffin has a big solid body, but can move well. Numerous times at the camp he would rebound and push the pace in transition for his team.
Carson Samson – Hybrid Guard – Wisconsin – A sleeper in the class of 2027, Carson is just a steady all around player. He goes about his game so unassuming and then you look up and he’s approaching a double-double. Samson was solid all camp, finishing top 15 (out of 76 kids), in every measured analytic that was tracked. He shot the ball efficiently, rebounded well and defended at a high level. I would like to see Carson be a bit more selfish offensively, but can’t argue with him playing the way he does.
Jordan Blockton – Combo Guard – Wisconsin - Blockton was very aggressive offensively the camp. He looked to attack each and every time he got the ball. He was very efficient from inside the paint and mid-range, hitting on 70% of his shots from that area. He scored from all levels on his way to averaging 18 points per game. While he has to improve his shot from range, he has all the potential to be a really good guard at the high school level.