Buckets In The Big Red: 16U All-Tournament Team

Lincoln, NE – All the games for Buckets In the Big Red took place at The Village Speedway. It was a very nice venue and the games were played on Saturday and Sunday. In this article, we are looking at the All-Tournament Team from the 16U Division. 

16U FIRST TEAM

DJ Smith |6’3 G| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2024

He is a big and strong combo-guard. Smith nailed multiple three-pointers throughout the tournament. On Sunday, DJ showed a nice jab-step 3-pointer and he scored many points in the paint. His strength, size, and athleticism allow DJ to finish around the rim against long defenders. He has a sweet mid-range pull-up game. Smith also stood out because of his handles, AND1 finishes, physical cutting, and anticipation on defense. Smith has the potential to be a very good player for the Spuds. 

Van Nellessen |6’6 F| Hard2Guard Colorado 2024

Between all of the age groups, Nellessen was one of the best shot blockers and rim protectors that I watched in Lincoln. Van did his fair share of scoring around the rim but he really stuck out as a 3-point shooter from deep. He showed extended range on multiple occasions. His length and long wingspan allow Nellessen to shoot over smaller defenders. Van was smart about drawing contact and getting to the FT-line. I liked his craftiness and overall skill. 

Fitz Freeman Fitz Freeman 6'6" | C Robbinsdale Armstrong | 2024 State MN |6’5 PF| MN Chill 2024

If you have seen him play, then you know that Freeman is a physical beast that oftentimes looks like a man amongst boys. His strength, power, and explosiveness are very intriguing. Fitz was dominant in the paint while rebounding, defending, and scoring at the cup. Make sure you keep tabs on MN Chill and Freeman.

James Hamilton James Hamilton 6'4" | SF Fargo South | 2024 State ND |6’4 SF| Team Rise Up 2024

He helped his team go 3-1. Hamilton was one of the best rebounders that I watched, regardless of age. James has a nose for the ball and a knack for reading the ball off the rim. On Sunday afternoon, Hamilton was putting up big points in the paint. He was dominant on the O-glass and James was constantly slashing into the lane. He showed impressive handles and James stood out with his strong finishes at the rim. His energy and effort were also noteworthy. 

Carson Bruhn Carson Bruhn 6'6" | PF Sioux Center | 2024 State IA |6’5 F| Arena Basketball Club 2024 Cooper

He first stood out to me because of his communication on defense. The big and long lefty was tough on the boards. Bruhn showed great effort with an O-board tip-in. Carson showed amazing court awareness when he grabbed a defensive rebound and fired a deep and accurate pass to a streaking teammate for a layup. Bruhn was also impressive with physical finishes in the lane and at the iron. 

16U Second Team

Carvin Fish Carvin Fish 6'6" | PF Tiospa Zina | 2024 State SD |6’4 F| Team Rise Up 2024

• Big point scorer from all 3-levels, stretch-4 that nailed 6 triples in 1 game, double-double guy

Dhimani Tucker |5’7 G| MN Chill Elite 2024

• Great floater game, pushes tempo, sick hesitation move, scrappy D, smooth finger-roll finishes

Gil Antonio Gonzalez |6’2 G| Colorado Swoosh 2024

• Showed an athletic dunk, opportunistic scorer, created TO’s, elevates quickly, contests everything on D

Kaden Christmann Kaden Christmann 6'1" | SG Fargo Shanley | 2024 State ND |6’0 G| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2023

• He played up an age division & did well, plays hard on both ends, slasher with a nice J, two-way player

Fitzgerald Grant Fitzgerald Grant 6'2" | SG Sioux City East | 2024 State IA |6’1 G| Arena Basketball Club 2024 Cooper

• Quick & impressive athlete, this lefty can ball, great in transition, finishes w/ L&R at the rim, gets the line

Isaiah Johnson Isaiah Johnson 6'7" | SF Totino-Grace | 2024 State #161 Nation MN |6’7 F| Northstar Titans 2024 Brodeur

• Highlight type athlete with intriguing size, many big dunks, passes well, scary slasher & great finisher

16U Third Team

Quentin Butler |5’9 G| MN Chill Elite 2024

Owen Hoyme Owen Hoyme 6'0" | SG Kindred | 2024 ND |5’11 G| The Next Level Basketball Academy 2024

Jordan Lyon MN Chill Elite 2024

Alex Wilcoxson Alex Wilcoxson 5'11" | SG Gretna | 2024 State NE |6’0 SG| OSA Crusaders 2024

Myles Thomsen Myles Thomsen 6'2" | SG Spring Lake Park | 2024 State MN |6’1 G| Northstar Titans Brodeur