NY2LA Next Level Invitational Recap: Day 3
MEQUON — Day three of the NY2LA Sports Next Level Invitational featured the finals of the NY2LA Association. The state of Wisconsin fared very well as Ray Allen Select won the 17U title, while the Wisconsin Shooters took home the 16U crown…
TOP PERFORMERS
Chris Bready – 2019 – SG – Young Legends
Liked the all-around performance that Bready brought to the table against Greg Gant Friday morning. A quick, strong guard, Bready was getting to the rim at will and making plays defensively. The 6-foot-4 senior is a good looking athlete that just glides to the hoop. His slashing ability forced defenders to give him an extra step of cushion and that’s when Bready opponents with a couple of triples. Defensively, he’s got excellent lateral quickness and change of direction on the ball. Playing with a high motor on that end of the floor, Bready is also a willing rebounder from the guard position. He finished with 15 points in a win.
Cole Dakovich – 2020 – PF – Wisconsin Shooters
Dakovich came up with 20 points in the 16U championship game win over Illinois Irish. The 6-foot-6 forward got things going early, scoring eight points out of the gates. Dakovich uses his strength well on the block, pinning defenders on his butt and essentially scoring before the ball even comes into his possession. A player that works block to block and makes it easy for his teammates to feed him the rock, Dakovich was successful by doing his work early and generating easy looks around the rim.
Marcus Domask – 2019 – SF – Ray Allen Select
One of the most cerebral players in the Midwest, Domask always has an understanding of what the defense is trying to do with him and then he exploits it. The Michigan Playmakers threw a number of different defenders at him during Friday’s 17U NY2LA Association semifinals, but to no avail. Domask was generating and scoring on looks from all three levels. He took smaller defenders on the interior, using his advanced post skill set to score at the rim. Against bigger defenders, Domask made them uncomfortable by slashing from the perimeter or facing up from the high post. If Domask didn’t like his matchup, he’s smart and skilled enough at the little things to set good, hard screens on or away from the ball to get a matchup he could take advantage of. Domask scored 20 points in the semifinals. In a low-scoring title game against Illinois Irish, Domask was outstanding defensively, forcing opponents into tough shots by walling up around the rim.
Kyran Gaines – 2019 – PF – Young Legends
Gaines has a good blend of finesse and power. He’s not much of a back-to-the-basket threat, but instead prefers to catch on the perimeter and get to the hole. Gaines finished off a number of 3-point plays, able to finish through contact despite some hard fouls from the opposition. The senior post prospect has good handles for his size and is capable of going isolation at the top of the key or on the wing. Gaines can also step out and shoot the basketball from 3-point range if given space. He contributed 14 points in a victory over Greg Grant Basketball.
Max Klesmit – 2020 – SG – Wisconsin Blizzard
Klesmit had himself a game in a win over Breakaway Basketball. The junior guard dropped 24 points, destroying defenders along the way. Klesmit has an excellent mid-range game from 12-15 feet. Klesmit worked his way into the paint and knocked down tough, contested shots. Able to score from all three levels, Klesmit created a ton of offense off the bounce, both in transition and in the half court. Also unselfish in spurts, Klesmit drew multiple defenders and contributed some easy assists. Currently No. 50 in our class of 2020 rankings, Klesmit is primed to move up before the high school season.
Jadon Melvin – 2021 – F – Wisconsin RAP
Regarded as one of the state’s top sophomores, Melvin had a good showing in a loss on Friday. A strong and bouncy forward, Melvin can get to the rack and play above the rim. Physically advanced for his age, Melvin was ready for varsity ball as a freshman, averaging around 14 points per game for Hartford. A high-upside prospect, Melvin has a chance to blossom into a nice prospect if he can expand his range and offensive skill set.
Jack Monis – 2019 – PF – Wisconsin Crusaders
Monis just ate All-In Athletics alive on the interior as the Wisconsin Crusaders cruised to an easy victory Friday afternoon. Monis finished with a game-high 19 points, taking it to the defense on a number of strong drives. A high motor, tenacious forward, Monis doesn’t stop. His energy is contagious and allowed him a number of close finishes around the rim. Few, if any, players in the state work the glass harder than Monis. He thinks every rebound is his and works his tail off for second chance opportunities.
Anthony Washington – 2020 – W/G – Wisconsin Swing
Washington was a handful in a win over Grand Rapid Storm Friday night. The athletic, 6-foot-4 wing was getting coast-to-coast at will, grabbing defensive rebounds and turning them into buckets on the other end. Washington has good explosiveness on the ball and blew by people in the open floor. A good pull-up shooter from 3-point range, Washington is consistent enough from the outside that defenders have to respect it. One of the biggest class of 2020 risers in the spring, Washington is now a top 10 prospect in the state of Wisconsin.
STOCK BOOSTERS
Justin Greenlee – 2020 – PG – Young Legends
Greenlee is only listed at 5-foot-8, but he’s got some game. The elusive, shifty lead guard had an impressive display with the basketball, shaking and baking defenders in order to get into high percentage areas. Greenlee has a sweeping crossover dribble that gets defenders leaning and out of position. While his size inhibits him some on the floor, the Brown Deer native can score going away from the basket and has great arc/touch on his release to avoid shot blockers.
Damien Jimenez – 2021 – SF – Wisconsin Shooters
Jimenez didn’t play a ton as the Wisconsin Shooters blew past Mercury Elite, but Jimenez showed he’ll be one to watch in the future. The 6-foot-2 sophomore has an advanced frame and converted some athletic finishes around the rim. While he probably projects as a wing later in his career, Jimenez handles some of the point guard duties and did a nice job of driving and dishing to open teammates.
Preston Maccoux – 2019 – SF – Ray Allen Select
Originally a class of 2018 prospect, Maccoux will attend Exeter Prep next season. In the 17U semifinals, Maccoux caused a ton of problems. The 6-foot-7 senior was attacking the basket at a high rate and getting the foul line consistently. That continued in the championship as Maccoux’s versatility and ability to inside and out caused mismatch problems for the opposition. The 6-foot-7 forward also came up with some big defensive plays late to shut the door.
Samuel Meerstein – 2019 – SG – Wisconsin Crusaders
You can tell Meerstein is a coach’s kid. Often able to see the play before it happens, Meerstein impressed on Friday with his shooting and facilitating skills. Meerstein did a bang up job of shooting All-In Athletics out of their zone defense. He began the game with a couple triples, sitting in the soft spots of the defense and letting it fly. As defenders started to adjust, Meerstein did as well. He was able to get defenders to fly out at him and find open teammates under the rim for easy buckets. Meerstein would finish with 12 points in short work.
Preston Ruedinger – 2021 – PG – Pack Attack
A player that may not always score a ton of points, but has obvious ability, Ruedinger had another good showing on Friday in a win over Dubuque University. A high-IQ floor general, Ruedinger is the straw that stirs the drink for Pack Attack. He’s very unselfish and always seems to make the right basketball play. While he is a pass-first guard, Ruedinger can score in bunches if defenders sag off or forget about him.
Will Schultz – 2020 – F – Ray Allen Select
Schultz played JV last season, but more than handled his own in a 16U open division bracket play win over the Wisconsin Swing. The 6-foot-6 forward scored a game-high 18 points, leading Ray Allen Select. A lanky big man with range, Schultz can step outside the arc and shoot the rock. He’s not overly strong, but has an adequate back-to-the-basket game. Schultz also had success coming into the high post and shooting mid-range jumpers.