GRBA National Championship – Friday Night Indiana Top Performers
Day one from Fort Wayne for the GRBA National Championship is in the books. I spent the afternoon and evening at Turnstone taking in pool play action across all three age divisions. A lot of the games were pretty lopsided…
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Continue ReadingDay one from Fort Wayne for the GRBA National Championship is in the books. I spent the afternoon and evening at Turnstone taking in pool play action across all three age divisions. A lot of the games were pretty lopsided on Friday night, but there still were a lot of individual standouts. Here are some of the top performers from the state of Indiana that took the floor on Friday evening.
Nolan Cumberland Nolan Cumberland 6'3" | SG Tippecanoe Valley | 2023 State IN (Tippecanoe Valley H.S. 2023/Summit City Elite 17u): Summit City Elite came up a little bit short against OBC on Friday night, but Cumberland certainly did his part on the offensive end. The 6’3″ shot-maker was creating his own and getting to his spot off the bounce. Knocked in several mid-range jumpers and finished a couple around the basket as well. Very skilled.
Trevor Daughtry Trevor Daughtry 5'9" | PG Wabash | 2024 State IN (Wabash H.S. 2024/Summit City Elite – Black 16u): This small point guard came out firing for Summit City Elite Black against a very talented Ohio Buckets Garcia team. Daughtry went off for four three-pointers in the first half alone including a couple of tough ones off of the dribble. He is very shifty with the ball and showed the ability to score from multiple levels despite being just 5’8″-5’9″. Love his aggressiveness and skill.
Aidan Franks Aidan Franks 6'2" | SG Wapahani | 2023 State IN (Wapahani H.S. 2023/Indy Heat Red 17u): Franks started the weekend off with a bang. The 6’2″ sharp shooter showcased a high level of offensive skill in Indy Heat’s blowout victory at 1:00 and backed it up with another big win a couple of hours later. He scored it off of the dribble with a couple of good looking floaters, crashed the glass for a tip-in up at the rim, and knocked down a few three-pointers as you typically expect. Just an all-around highly skilled offensive talent.
Jaxon Pardon Jaxon Pardon 6'4" | SG Fort Wayne Carroll | 2024 State IN (Fort Wayne Carroll H.S. 2024/Ohio Buckets – Garcia 16u): A smooth, left-handed guard with a great three-point shooting stroke. Ohio Buckets Garcia pulled away as the game went along and a big reason for that was the offensive talent of Pardon. He can really get going from beyond the arc and also was successful attacking some closeouts and finishing around the basket. Several in-state NAIA programs were watching him on Friday afternoon.
Jack Smiley Jack Smiley 6'2" | PG Valparaiso | 2025 State IN (Valparaiso H.S. 2025/Indy Heat 15u): It was a very good showing for Smiley on Friday evening at the GRBA National Championship. He was much more aggressive on the offensive end showing his ability to create his own shot from the perimeter and attack the basket going to his left. Smiley hit multiple three-pointers throughout the game, finished well through some size inside, and lead Indy Heat to a blowout victory.
James Stasey James Stasey 6'9" | C Fishers | 2023 State IN (Fishers H.S. 2023/Indiana Elite Central 17u): In Indiana Elite Central’s first game of the day on Friday afternoon they ran into a very good TNBA-Select squad. However, the 6’9″ Stasey held his own doing what he does best. He got vertical at the rim defensively for a couple of impressive blocks, rebounded the ball well, and finished offensively on his way 16 points. Excellent finisher that will be high percentage at the next level.
Austin Willoughby Austin Willoughby 6'3" | SF Chca | 2023 State IN (Whiteland H.S. 2023/Marlin Academy Elite 17u): Willoughby has always been known as a great athlete with size and strength on the wing. On Friday night he showed an improved skill level that certainly raises his ceiling as a prospect. He knocked in a couple of three-pointers early in the game and was playmaking off of the dribble for his teammates. Excellent passer for his size. 6’3″-6’4″ with a strong frame. Plays very hard.