Introducing: NLBA 17U

In today's Team Preview, we are looking at Next Level Basketball Academy 17U. They kick off their season this weekend in Sioux Falls at the Spring Jam. I look forward to watching this team next weekend at Prep Hoops LIVE and a couple more times over the course of the AAU season.   This group has some familiar faces that have played together in the past on NLBA. They also have some new players. There certainly is talent on this roster and it will be fun to see how this group comes together.   Brandon Bradford is the head coach of this 17U NLBA squad. Bradford is a long-time coach and a former collegiate basketball player. He has a strong passion for the game and he knows what it takes to get to the next level.   Good Luck in Sioux Falls!   Spring Jam Schedule   4/22 5:45 vs. ND Attack 17U Blue   4/22 9:00 vs. Bears Tail Basketball   4/23 12:40 West Central United 17 U Regional   4/23 One more bracketed game that is TBD   See below for NLBA's tournament schedule and their roster/player comments.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NLBA15Uteampic.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/04/NLBA15Uteampic.jpg?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-1927092" /></a></figure>   SCHEDULE   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>DATE</td><td>TOURNAMENT</td><td>LOCATION</td></tr><tr><td>April 22-23</td><td>Spring Jam</td><td>Sioux Falls, SD</td></tr><tr><td>April 28-30</td><td>Prep Hoops Live</td><td>Minneapolis, MN</td></tr><tr><td>May 12-14</td><td>Prep Hoops Battle at the Lakes</td><td>Minneapolis, MN</td></tr><tr><td>May 26-28</td><td>Midwest Showcase</td><td>Omaha, NE</td></tr><tr><td>July 7-9</td><td>Summer Slam</td><td>Sioux Falls, SD</td></tr><tr><td>July 14-16</td><td>Prep Hoops Hard Work Region Finals</td><td>Minneapolis, MN</td></tr><tr><td>July 21-23</td><td>Hardwood Classic</td><td>Kansas City, MO</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   Roster & Player Comments   [player_tooltip player_id='1927441' first='Hayden' last='Hong'] (2024) |6'1 G| Grand Forks Red River   He is new to NLBA. Hong was part of the Roughrider team that finished 2nd at State, so he knows what it takes to be successful. Hayden is tough & gritty. He is a combo guard that can shoot the rock. He also brings good court vision and skilled ball handling to this NLBA team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1510904' first='Owen' last='Hoyme'] (2024) |6'1 SG| Kindred   He is a returning NLBA player and Hoyme has made solid improvement in the past year. He plays hard, has a great attitude, and is a scrappy player. In the past year, I have seen Hoyme shoot the ball well from beyond the arc. He looks to be talented in the catch-and-shoot game. He will help spread the floor and keep teams honest. Owen is not just a shooter, he is a hustler that will do the little things to help his team.   [player_tooltip player_id='1534510' first='Luke' last='Johnson'] (2024) |6'5 PF| Oak Grove   He is returning to NLBA this season and Luke has improved by leaps and bounds. Compared to last AAU season, Johnson is bigger, faster, stronger, and he should be full of confidence. He has really come on strong the past two years. Luke is long, physical, plays fearless, and he is not afraid to battle around the basket. When I watched OG this winter, Johnson shot it well from beyond the arc. Luke nearly averaged a double-double this winter. Look for him to be one of the top rebounders for NLBA.   [player_tooltip player_id='1282163' first='Aiden' last='Prince'] (2024) |6'3 G| Fargo North   He is another returning player for NLBA. He was part of the Spartan team that won the State Championship. He certainly knows what success tastes like! Prince is an athlete that runs the court hard and he can make splashy plays in transition. You will be impressed with his quickness. Look for Prince to score in uptempo situations and to beat defenders off the bounce.   [player_tooltip player_id='1927313' first='Bryson' last='Rainbow'] (2024) |6'4 F| New Town   He will bring some length and shot-making ability to this team. Bryson rebounds hard and he is an excellent listener. This Eagle will be a threat from beyond the arc and he knows how to use his size. Bryson is smooth with the ball and is a sneaky-good offensive threat. He is new to NLBA but will fit in well. I am interested to see how his first tournament goes this weekend.   [player_tooltip player_id='1138799' first='Trey' last='Hatfield'] (2023) |6'5 SG| Oak Grove   He was All-State and All-Region this season. Trey was also Region 1 Senior Athlete of the Year. He put up impressive numbers with 26.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.6 apg, 55 FG%. At 6'5", Hatfield will be a matchup problem for most teams. He can really fill it up from beyond the arc and he will certainly shoot over smaller defenders. Look for Trey to be a bucket machine and the best shooter on this team. He can Senske will be a dynamic-duo.   Sam Senske (2023) |6'5 SF| Hawley   He is a returner for NLBA. Senske was Heart O'Lakes All-Confernce this season. He had a fantastic seniors year with 20.4 ppg, 10 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.2 spg, and 1.8 bpg. He is deadly from mid-range and can stretch the floor with triples. Senske has a great pull-up & fall-away jumper. He has no problem scoring in traffic and he is a better athlete than you might think. He will be another matchup problem. Senske can post/body up/shoot over smaller defenders. If he gets a BIG on him, Sam will either space and hit triples or break them down off the bounce. Expect Senske and Hatfield to be a phenomenal 1-2 scoring punch.   [player_tooltip player_id='1619259' first='Marcus' last='A. Lofton'] (2023) |6'3 G| Fargo South   He has sprouted up & grown in the past year. Marcus is a returning player for NLBA. He is a gifted athlete that shines in transition. He can also produce in the pull-up game and from beyond the arc. His athleticism and length will make him a versatile player.   [player_tooltip player_id='1534522' first='Ted' last='Monari'] (2023) |6'4 F| Wahpeton   He was a spark off the bench and a key role player for coach Ralph's team this season. Monari always plays hard and his enthusiasm is never lacking. He excels on the offensive glass. Monari will be a glue guy that brings toughness to this NLBA team.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/10/TeamPreview.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-1634111" /></a></figure>

In today's Team Preview, we are looking at Next Level Basketball Academy 17U. They kick off their season this weekend in Sioux Falls at the Spring Jam. I look forward to watching this team next weekend at Prep Hoops LIVE and a couple more times over the course of the AAU season.