Grit Region Finals – 16u All-Tournament Teams
The Prep Hoops Circuit culminated around the country with regional based tournaments taking place over the weekend. The Grit Region Finals were played in the Indianapolis area and featured many of the best independent grassroots programs in the Midwest. As…
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Continue ReadingThe Prep Hoops Circuit culminated around the country with regional based tournaments taking place over the weekend. The Grit Region Finals were played in the Indianapolis area and featured many of the best independent grassroots programs in the Midwest. As we begin to recap the action from the weekend it only makes sense to start off by naming our All-Tournament teams. As the Regional Scout for the Prep Hoops Circuit Grit Region I have compiled first, second, and third teams for each age division. On Monday, we released the 15u All-Tournament Teams. Now, we turn our attention to the 16u age group.
First Team
Ace Buckner Ace Buckner 6'1" | PG La Lumiere | 2024 #195 Nation IN (Saint Ignatius H.S. 2024/Buckner Elite Basketball Club 16u): One of the more talented 16u players at the tournament who holds multiple Division I offers, Bucker put up 24 points in a Final Four win over Team GRIII Elite. The 6’2″ point guard is a dynamic playmaker that is a constant scoring threat with the ball in his hands.
Brady Chambers Brady Chambers 6'7" | PF Lyons | 2024 State IL (Lyons Township H.S. 2024/Big 3 Basketball-Hudson 16u): This athletic 6’6″ forward put up 26 points and 7 rebounds in the Final Four against Basketball Paradise, but Big 3 fell 85-76. Chambers’ mobility, versatility, and athleticism really make him a tough cover for opposing defenses.
Tristian Ford Tristian Ford 6'2" | PG Chi-Prep | 2025 State #158 Nation IL (Rockford Boylan H.S. 2024/Team Rose 16u): Ford was one of the most explosive guards at the Prep Hoops Grit Region Finals. He is supremely talented with the ball in his hands. He can get downhill to the rim in a hurry but also showed off excellent perimeter shooting ability throughout the weekend. Makes them from deep.
Jason Jakstys Jason Jakstys 6'10" | C Yorkville | 2024 State #141 Nation IL (Yorkville H.S. 2024/Basketball Paradise 16u): In terms of pure upside and college prospectus, this 6’9″ forward projects as well as anyone at the 16u level on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Jakstys helped lead Basketball Paradise to a perfect 6-0 weekend and the Grit Region championship. He is a mobile big man that rim-runs with the best of the them, finishes at a high percentage, and can protect the rim defensively.
Richard Lindsey Richard Lindsey 6'5" | SF De La Salle | 2024 State IL (Simeon H.S. 2024/Team FVV 16u): Lindsey has all of the physical tools you could ask for on the wing. At 6’4″ he has a very strong frame while remaining one of the most explosive athletes you will find. He made his living over the weekend slashing to the basket, driving it from the perimeter, and playing above the rim.
Second Team
Derrell Bateman Derrell Bateman 6'4" | SF Christian County | 2024 State KY Jr. (Christian County H.S. 2024/Buckner Elite Basketball Club 16u): This 6’4″ wing was a big reason why Buckner Elite Basketball Club was able to advance to the Grit Region 16u championship game. Bateman Jr. was excellent down the stretch in their Final Four win against Team GRIII Elite and was a constant force on both ends of the floor throughout the weekend.
Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'4" | PG Simeon | 2024 #273 Nation IL (Peoria H.S. 2024/Team FVV 16u): Brown is a strong, physical guard that can play effectively both on and off of the ball. He has the passing ability of a point guard who can create his own shots as well, but also possesses off-ball shooting ability. He was a consistent top performer throughout the weekend for Team FVV.
Mike Jones Mike Jones 6'7" | PF Chi-Prep | 2025 State #164 Nation IL (Auburn H.S. 2024/Team Rose 16u): Jones is ranked as a Top 10 prospect in the state for the Class of 2024 by Prep Hoops Illinois and it doesn’t take long to see why. He is as physically gifted as anyone you will find with a 6’6″ frame full of muscle. He can physically dominate opponents around the basket while still having the quickness to attack off of the dribble and then play above the rim.
Matthew King Matthew King 6'3" | SG Bosco Institute | 2024 IN (Hammond Central H.S. 2024/EG10 16u): It has been a great spring and summer for this stock-rising wing. King has become a legitimate Division I prospect over the course of the last few months showcasing his elite athleticism, length, and ability to attack the basket. He is especially dangerous in transition. Also, this weekend, he shot the ball well from beyond the arc. That combination of skills paired with his 6’3″ athletic frame will take him a long way.
Alec Schmidts (Barrington H.S. 2024/Big 3 Basketball-Hudson 16u): Schmidts put up 25 points to help advance Big 3 Basketball-Hudson to the Elite 8 and eventually lifted them to the Final Four with a win over EG10. There were several other high-scoring games for him as well over the course of the weekend. Athletic, physical presence on both ends of the floor.
Third Team
Josh Aniceto Josh Aniceto 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL (Bolingbrook H.S. 2024/Basketball Paradise 16u)
Myles Baker Myles Baker 5'11" | PG Lawrence North | 2024 State IN (Lawrence North H.S. 2024/All Area Basketball Program 16u)
David Cundiff David Cundiff 6'0" | PG Munster | 2024 State IN (Munster H.S. 2024/Team GRIII Elite 16u)
Luke Kinkade Luke Kinkade 6'3" | PG Neuqua Valley | 2024 State IL (Neuqua Valley H.S. 2024/Basketball Paradise 16u)
A.J. Levine (York H.S. 2024/Big 3 Basketball-Hudson 16u)