NY2LA Swish N’ Dish Day 3 Recap
MEQUON — The 2018 NY2LA Sports Swish N’ Dish came to a close on Sunday. Getting a first look at many of the state’s top players during the travel season, titles were awarded in the 15, 16, and 17U divisions. In 15U, Phenom University took home the crown, getting some stellar play from 2021 point guard Ben Nau…
Michael Foster – 2021 – F/C – Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels
Foster scored 21 points in a win over Mac Irvin Fire in the 15U gold semifinals. The Arizona State commit is just one of the toughest players to match up with in the country. Far beyond his years physically, Foster has the frame and size of a 21-year old. It’s crazy to think he should be entering high school next season. Foster can dominate inside and out. Too big and athletic to handle on the interior, but skilled and blessed with a sweet jumper, Foster is a sure-fire top 1o prospect nationally and maybe the No. 1 player overall.
Jaylon Gentry – 2019 – PG – Milwaukee Spartans-Rebels
Gentry had a strong performance against Jets-Ramey United in the gold semifinals. A shifty guard with terrific handles, Gentry can shake and bake people and create shots. Gentry is undersized, but fast and built. A scoring guard that can create shots, Gentry is able to gain plenty of separation on the ball. Gentry could learn to attack more and settle for jumpers less, but he’s a consistent shooter. Also aiding the fast break, Gentry isn’t a guy that likes to hang onto the ball. He’s more than willing to push the pace with the pass rather than try and go coast-to-coast by himself.
Adam Hobson – 2020 – F – Wisconsin Swing
Hobson hit some big shots help the Swing climb back against Phenom University. A stretch forward, Hobson has a smooth stroke and is a really nice option in the pick n’ pop game. Also a willing passer, Hobson sees the floor very well from the high post. He hits shooters with on time and on target passes and will also thread the needle inside if it’s available.
Jalen Johnson – 2020 – G/F – Phenom University
Not sure what else there is to say that hasn’t been said — Johnson might be the best prospect in the state of Wisconsin in the recruiting rankings era.
When Johnson is engaged and takes over, it’s something special. The scary part is, he doesn’t have to do it by scoring. A triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor, Johnson changes games defensively, as a facilitator, and on the glass. Although in a quarterfinal win over Bradley Beal Elite, he did shoulder that load and once again rose from the rest of the pack in a high level matchup. Johnson scored a game-high 18 points to lift Phenom to the 16U title game. When he’s hitting his jumper, Johnson is virtually unstoppable. At 6-foot-7 and essentially positionless, opponents have to give up something and they usually choose the outside shot.
Johnson slowed down a little bit the rest of the day as Phenom was defeated in the title game by George Hill G3 Rising Stars, but he still wowed on a number of occassions. Some of the things this kid can do at his size and age are just absurd. Johnson really thrives as a point forward. When he’s able to bring the ball up in transition and make things happen for himself and others, Phemom just hits another level as a team.
Really eager to see how his recruitment progresses on the Nike circuit. The bluebloods could be ready to start pulling the trigger.
Ben Nau – 2021 – PG – Phenom University
Phenom won the 15U title on Sunday over Ramey-Jets United. Nau was really strong in a grind-it-out affair.
Nau had a game-high 13 points. A skilled, high-IQ floor general, Nau hit some tough, contested shots on Sunday. He was effective pulling up from mid-range and keeping defenders on their toes. Nau really stands out defensively. Not afraid to take hits, Nau drew three charges in the title game. Nau took a number of points off the board all weekend with his willingness to slide in front of ball handlers at the rim. Against Ramey-Jets, he took some big hits in transition that shifted the momentum.
Cameron Palesse – 2021 – W/G – Phenom University
Palesse was very aggressive in a win over Ramey-Jets United in the 15U title game. An excellent slasher, Palesse can live at the rim. Always in attack mode, Palesse is fearless. He’s willing to go through bigger and stronger defenders if necessary. In what was a defensive struggle, Palesse’s aggressiveness paid dividends. He got to the free throw line a ton, which not only resulted in key buckets, but slowed the tempo against a very fast and athletic Ramey-Jets squad that just wasn’t able to play at their pace.
Colin Schaefer – 2020 – PG – Wisconsin Swing
Schaefer went crazy in a 16U semifinal loss to Phenom University. The opposition had no answer as Schaefer dropped 30 points, including the last five points to send the game into the extra session. He’s not known as a scorer, Schaefer can shoot the basketball though. More of a spot-up threat, Schaefer had some big drives and showed quickness and burst in the open floor. Schaefer is a good decision maker. All weekend he probed and set his teammates up for success. Overshadowed a lot on a talented Sun Prairie squad, it was good to see what Schaefer is capable of when he’s one of the main focal points.
Jamari Sibley – 2020 – F – Phenom University
Sibley had a huge second half to help lift Phenom University past the Wisconsin Swing in the 16U semifinals. He scored 15 of his 17 points after halftime, including four-straight dunks. A high-upside forward with ridiculous length, Sibley is tough to keep off the offensive glass. He’s always hunting second chance opportunities and giving the opposition fits. Offensively, Sibley loves to work in the high post. He’s a slasher, but also effective from 12-15 feet out. If he improves his consistency from 3-point range and his perimeter/transition ball handling, look for Sibley’s recruitment to explode.
Anthony Washington – 2020 – W/G – Wisconsin Swing
Loved Washington defensively against Phenom University. The Swing made a heck of a run, falling by three in overtime. One of the reasons they were able to hand around as long as they did — Washington’s defensive play. The Madison East standout came up with stop after stop against some high major prospects. He was giving up some height and some pounds at times, but Washington just walled up and kept people away from the rim. Washington was also active from the weak-side, coming over to block and alter shots. A 6-foot-5 wing with length and bounce, Washington is an exciting talent that put together a breakout weekend.