UAA Finals Recap: 2024 NJ & PA Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Under Armor circuit has come to a close for this year and of course they had some of the best players from all over the country. For the class of 2024, I focused on grassroots teams from Pennsylvania and New Jersey, but a couple players from Connecticut stood out too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_62e33f4ad5a0c","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1081891"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003ePlaying up a level, PJ stood out on a roster featuring loads of college prospects. He was entrusted to run the offense for stretches at a time and successfully drove the offense. The advantages he created translated into 6.7 points (37.5% on 3FG) and 3.2 assists. PJ was also a pest on defense with 1.3 steals/g. James is going to be a dude to watch when he's playing with his agemates next year. u003c/spanu003e@poncejames3rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1279636"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eOn a 16U squad with a cadre of uber talented guards, Bahsil did a little of everything and a lot on defense. He got two feet in the paint to create open looks for others (3.8 assists) and to score (6.8 points/g). A glue guy for this team, he grabbed 5 rebounds/g too. Pressuring the ball at the point of attack has become his calling card as he forced turnovers (1.2 steals) and contested perimeter shots (0.8 blocks). @BahsilLasteru003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["991421"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eEven though Ryan isn't physically imposing or a hyper-athlete, in Chicago, he demonstrated that his 3-level scoring work translates against the best of the best 12.2 pts/g). His in-between game - the floaters, mid-range pull ups, etc - fell when he couldn't get all the way to the cup. And when he drew fouls in the paint, he converted the free throws (90%). The most lethal part of his arsenal was the 3 ball where he shot 38.4% on 4.3 attempts per game. @RyanWilliams21u003c/spanu003ernrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["1173982"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eMany young, talented guards have a hard time being their most effective coming off the bench, but that's no issue for Ty. As the 6th man and closer, he averaged 9.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, and made 11 of 29 threes (6 games). The on-ball juice he brings gives his team a boost whether he scores the ball or not. In the win over BMaze, Burton contributed 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists. u003c/spanu003e@Tyler14Burtonrnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["1213554"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eRio 16's only post presence, Brandon might as well have been all they needed. They went 6-1 and made it to the semi-finals with Benjamin putting up 19.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 4.4 stocks (2 steals + 2.4 blocks). He scored without needing plays called for him. The energy big cleaned up everything around the basket on put-backs and touches in the dunker spot. And on defense he erased shots around the rim.u003c/spanu003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-64be0bac7e40c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Honorable Mention</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><li>[player_tooltip player_id='1203948' first='Anthony' last='Nimani'] | G 6'3 We-R1 16U</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='1281777' first='Greg' last='Guidinger'] | W 6'6 [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] 16U</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='1173984' first='Matt' last='Gilhool'] | C 6'10 [program_tooltip program_id='2078697' first='Philly' last='Pride'] 16U</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='1213557' first='Ryan' last='Frauenheim'] | G 5'10 [program_tooltip program_id='2078590' first='Team' last='Rio'] 16U</li><li>[player_tooltip player_id='1281962' first='Trey' last='O'Neil'] | G 6'1 [program_tooltip program_id='2078590' first='Team' last='Rio'] 16U</li><li>Naseem Wright | W 6'6 Riverside Hawks 16U</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->