NLBA 14U: Player Breakdown

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are taking a looking at some young talent in this article. Next Level Basketball Academy 14U is an exciting team with players mainly for the Fargo/WF/Moorhead metro area. They also have two players from Mahnomen (MN). Next Level Basketball Academy 14U is coached by <em>Tyrell Rodriguez</em> and they are down in Omaha, Nebraska this weekend for a tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontStyle":"italic","fontWeight":"800","fontSize":"30px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:30px;font-style:italic;font-weight:800"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Best of luck in Omaha!</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"small"} --> <p class="has-small-font-size">Read below for player info from Next Level Basketball Academy 14U.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">NLBA 14U Team Comments</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This squad is made up with quick guards, shooters, scrappy players, and high NRG competitors. One thing they need to improve upon is their confidence. Once they gain confidence and start having fun as a group, this team could be tough!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">NLBA 14U Player Comments</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tommy Phillips (2027) |5'9 G/F| Mahnomen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a 3/4 type player that can be effective in and out. Tommy rebounds well and is solid on defense. Phillips runs the floor hard, hit's 3's, is fluid from mid-range, and has shown signs greatness at his young age. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1543338' first='Anthony' last='Brackins'] (2027) |5'8 G| West Fargo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a lightning quick guard with many different gears. Anthony is a shifty slasher with blow-by speed. He holds his own on defense and could be described as a "scrappy defender". Anthony sticks out with has fast speed up and down the court. Anthony's teammates enjoy playing with him and he responds well to coaching. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Lopez (2027) |5'5 G| Moorhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He might not be the biggest player on the team but Lopez is the heart. As Elijah goes, NLBA goes. He plays with high energy, can hit jumpers, and scores with soft floaters from mid-lane. Lopez is also a fluent and crisp passer. He looks to have a bright future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1971640' first='Joey' last='McLaughlin'] (2027) |5'11 G| Shanley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a wiry and lanky player. Joey runs the floor well and he is not afraid to take the open shot. He is improving every day that he is on the basketball court. McLaughlin is also known as an excellent teammate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1971641' first='Roman' last='Medrud'] (2027) |5'11 G| West Fargo </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Big Ro" plays center/low post for NLBA. He is a well-put-together youngster and he anchors the bottom of the zone defense. He scores with a soft touch and with O-board putbacks. Medrud keeps improving and is confidence is growing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mason Leiser (2027) |5'8 G| Moorhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is known as a knockdown shooter that can produce from 3-point land. Mason is a scrappy player that refuses to give up a loose ball. Leiser is a youngster with a pleasant demeanor, is very coachable, is receptive to suggestions, and he is always having fun on the court. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1971642' first='Vincent' last='Stewart'] (2027) |6'0 F| Horace</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is very athletic. Stewart suprises himself and even his coaches sometimes with his athleticism. His finishing has improved this spring. This kid stands out when you see him run and jump on the court. Stewart responds to coaching and he genuinely wants to improve his game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nicholas Steinert (2027) |5'4 G| Moorhead</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is another quick and gritty backcourt player. Steinert is knockdown from 3 and he plays his tail off. When he gets going on defense, Nicholas causes havoc on the perimeter and can be frustrating for opposing guards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1971643' first='Jordan' last='Sommerfeld'] (2027) |5'8 G| West Fargo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid can score from all three levels. He has great court vision, Jordan has eyes like a Hawk. Sommerfield runs the court fast &amp; fursious, he thrives in transition, and he makes this happen in the up-tempo. Jordan is a playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Thompson (2027) |5'10 G| Mahnomen</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is an all-out scorer and he can get it done from every level. Anthony is super creative with the ball. He can make impressive plays off the bounce and at the rim. On defense, Thompson can defend positions 1-4, he gives up his body to dive for loose balls, and he is not afraid to take a charge. He is an enjoyable player to have on your team and he gives 110% effort from the tip-off to the final buzzer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1927092,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><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" alt="" class="wp-image-1927092" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->