NY2LA Next Level Invitational Recap: Day 2
MEQUON — Day two of the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational featured continued action in the NY2LA Association championships as well as the beginning of pool play in the open division…
TOP PERFORMANCES
Grant Asman – 2021 – F – Pack Attack
Asman scored the ball very well in a loss to a loaded Kingdom Hoops squad. A lanky, 6-foot-7 forward, Asman can shoot the ball from 3-point and mid-range. His movements are a little awkward, but Asman is comfortable putting the ball on the deck, using a dribble or two to get to the rim. Asman isn’t just a spot-up shooter. If the defense over-commits, he can fire off the bounce and on the move. The Kimberly native will be rising in the next class of 2021 rankings, which will be released prior to the start of the high school season.
Brayden Dailey – 2021 – F – Wisconsin Swing
Another day, another big scoring performance Dailey. The talented sophomore went off yet again, dropping 33 points in a win over MBA Select. Maybe the best pure scorer in Wisconsin’s 2021 class, Dailey just doesn’t know how to miss shots. If he’s left open, it’s automatic. Even if he’s hounded, the odds remain in Dailey’s favor. A lanky forward with great shooting touch, Dailey is a better athlete than advertised as well. He can throw down dunks easily in transition and isn’t afraid to go above the rim in traffic either.
Lucas Finnessy – 2020 – F – Wisconsin Shooters
A grind-it-out affair was Finnessy’s type of game during Thursday’s win over Ray Allen Select. A kid that loves those fistfight type games, Finnessy had a game-high nine points, but more importantly, was an all-around playmaker for the Wisconsin Shooters. The 6-foot-4 junior does a lot of things well. He can handle the ball on the perimeter and slash. Once he gets into the paint, Finnessy is an excellent passer in traffic. On the other end, Finnessy relishes the dirty work and things that don’t show up in the stat box.
Donneil Gray – 2019 – G – Wisconsin Dynasty
Gray scored 19 points in a loss to the West Michigan Lakers Thursday night. Undersized, but deadly as a scorer, Gray has been consistent throughout the travel season. The 5-foot-10 combo guard has great handles and always keeps defenders guessing. A threat from anywhere on the floor, Gray mixes things up with pull-up jumpers and is fearless when going to the rim. Getting a mixture of Division 1, Division 2, and junior college attention, Gray continues to rise up the rankings dating back to last season.
James Graham – 2021 – SF – Phenom University
A high-upside prospect who gets better each time we see him, Graham had a strong effort to help Phenom University knock off Quad City Elite in 15U play. The University School standout is already 6-foot-6 with plus length. A consistent shooter from 3-point and mid-range, Graham isn’t fazed by tight coverage or a hand in his face. He’s steadily improving as a slasher and is more willing to draw contact at the rim than he was even a few months. A top 10 prospect in the state of Wisconsin, Graham could be one of those late bloomers that Division 1 schools line up for come his junior year.
Luke Haasl – 2019 – F/C – Wisconsin Crusaders
Haasl finished with 13 points, including 11 in the first half to power the Wisconsin Crusaders past AUSA Hoops Thursday morning. A promising big man that continues to show flashes, Haasl knocked down two triples right out of the gate. Haasl also showcased some impressive footwork with his back to the basket, spinning baseline past defenders, composing himself under the rim, and finishing in traffic. A definite scholarship prospect, Haasl has some intriguing tools and plenty of upside left for the next level.
Carlos Ramsey – 2019 – W/G – Milwaukee Spartans
Ramsey had 14 points in an overtime win over ET21 Buckeyes. A bully on the floor, Ramsey displayed excellent strength at the rim, initiating contact and punishing defenders who challenged him inside. The lefty love to take defenders out on the perimeter, size them up, and break them down. He needs to improve his outside shooting consistency, but often, Ramsey can get to the rim to just about whenever he wants.
Austin Westra – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin Swing
Westra impressed on both ends of the floor in a blowout victory over Mercury Elite. An imposing, physical presence, Westra is a brick wall defensively. When opponents tried to back him down, Westra stood his ground and set the tone. He also cleaned up the glass and protected the rim at a high rate. Offensively, Westra scored a game-high 14 points. The 6-foot-6 senior caught well in traffic and powered home finishes. He also flashed some versatility and the ability to slash from the high post. This is a prospect Division 3 schools should be all over and one Division 2 programs need to monitor.
STOCK BOOSTERS
Xavier Evans – 2019 – SF – ABC Young Lions
Evans played well in a loss Thursday night. The bouncy wing had some good takes to the hole and used his length well to either finish at the rim or get to the foul line. A high-upside prospect, Evans is still pretty raw physically and skill-wise, but his 6-foot-4 frame and athleticism should be intriguing to small school or junior college scouts.
Keaton Ferris – 2020 – G – Wisconsin Crusaders
In his 17U debut, Ferris showed no signs of hesitation. His play making was on point, going for eight points and five assists in a blowout win over AUSA Hoops. Ferris delivered a number of no-look dimes, hitting his teammates on backdoor cuts or pushing the tempo in transition and making the right play. Also a deadly sharpshooter, Ferris has range that extends well beyond the arc. His quick trigger as well as his speed on the ball makes defenders pick their poison.
Josh Govek – 2020 – PG – Wisconsin Shooters
Coming into this week, Govek wasn’t even really on our radar. Needless to say, he is now. A highly skilled guard with deadly handles and off-balance shooting skills, it doesn’t take long to see that Govek was being slept on. The Sheboygan South standout hit some tough shots off the bounce, stepping back and fading away from the rim. Very elusive on the ball, Govek plays with excellent change of pace and is able to explode when he’s ready to make his move. Govek will be pushing for a top 40 spot in the next rankings update after July.
Zac Johnson – 2021 – W/G – Wisconsin Playmakers
Johnson got off to a good start in a loss to Marcus Denmon Elite. A strong wing, Johnson is already 6-foot-3 and showed signs of being a solid slasher from the high post. While Johnson did most of his damage on the inside, he’s known as being a terrific 3-point shooter. During the high school season, Johnson shot 48 percent from 3-point range for River Falls. The lefty does a good job of taking what the defense gives him, able to find different ways to score the basketball.
Justin Kuehl – 2019 – SG – Wisconsin Swing
Kuehl is a terrific athlete that made some eye-opening plays above the rim. The 6-foot-3 wing can explode to the rim and dunk in traffic or block shots on the other end. A solid isolation scorer, Kuehl has a great crossover dribble and gets defenders to lean the other way at a high rate. Getting a mixture of Division 2 and 3 interest this summer, Kuehl has a good upside and his best days are probably ahead of him at the next level.
Cael McGee – 2021 – W/G – Wisconsin Swing
McGee came off the bench and had some nice moments during a 15U win over MBA Select. The sophomore wing is a natural scorer that can create off the bounce. Using a quick first step, McGee was able to rip and get baseline past his defender. A shot creator with good strength, McGee can pull-up off the bounce 3-point range, able to create plenty of separation.
Preston Ruedinger – 2021 – PG – Pack Attack
Currently inside our class of 2021 top 25 rankings, Ruedinger is a high-IQ, tough-minded point guard. The sophomore floor general will get after people defensively and has excellent lateral quickness, sliding his feet and cutting off straight-line drives. Ruedinger is a solid ball handler that plays at a high tempo, even in the half court. Despite facing constant pressure in a loss to Kingdom Hoops, Ruedinger remained composed and made solid basketball plays throughout the game.
Luke Taylor – 2019 – F – Wisconsin RAP
Wisconsin RAP had an easy victory Thursday morning. Taylor led the way with 12 points in short order, including 10 in the first half alone. A Division 2 post prospect, Taylor has a great feel for the game. He can score inside and out, shoot from the perimeter, and play with his back-to-the-basket. An unselfish big man, Taylor does a great job of sucking in double teams and kicking to open shooters. Also able to handle the ball, Taylor can pull opposing bigs away from the basket. A prospect that’s maybe not great in any one area, but is solid across the board with few weaknesses, Taylor could start landing D2 scholarships by the end of the month.