NYBA Next-Up Middle School Camp Immediate Takeaways

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Coach David, better known as Coach K, and the NYBA organization put on another solid middle school camp that always kicks off the grassroots season for many. Talent from across nine states was in attendance, and here are my immediate thoughts on a few players…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786035,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Ben-Freije-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Ben-Freije-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786035" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ben Freije</strong> (5'11/PG/2029/CPA) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ben made his case as if not the best but one of the top players in camp. He is a score-first PG who is highly skilled and has a loaded bag with offensive tools. He loves to get to the rim but can score from all three levels. He is a relentless driver who stayed in attack mode, has downhill speed, body control, and changes speed and direction well with the ball in his hands. He is an extremely confident rising prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786036,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Arden-Lewis-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Arden-Lewis-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786036" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2434729' first='Arden' last='Lewis']</strong> (5'11/CG/'29/Rockvale MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: the_ardenlewis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Arden is in the same category that I put Ben in, as they were two of the best at camp. Arden showed his ability to run the show but was really at his best when he was in scoring mode. He is tough off the bounce, got to the rim with ease, and scored really well from all levels out on the perimeter. He thrived in the open floor as he is a dynamic scorer in transition. I was really impressed with his burst and his ability to stop on the dime to get into his jumper. He was also a willing defender who used his positional size to be disruptive.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786037,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Declan-Buck-Benson-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Declan-Buck-Benson-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786037" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Declan Buck Benson</strong> (5'6/CG/'29/West End) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: triggadeck</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Declan is a young backcourt talent who is listed as a combo guard but really showed his lead guard ability. He is a reliable ball-handler who was able to initiate the offense and get his teammates involved. In a camp where most players were trying to showcase themselves, Declan played the game the right way, as he was unselfish, made the right reads, and made winning plays. As he eyes life at the next level, he will need to spend time in the off-season working on his overall game and working on his strength.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786038,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Joshua-McGill-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Joshua-McGill-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786038" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Joshua McGill</strong> (5'10/CG/'29/Chattanooga Preparatory) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: 5starr.yoda</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Yoda.McGill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">From 2v2 play to 5v5 play, Josh was a downhill attacking guard who put constant pressure on the rim. He has an extrememly quick first step and lived in the paint. He is a hard-playing prospect to monitor, as he competed at a high level on both ends. He brought energy and effort to the floor and raised the level of his teammates' play with his energy. Josh is a threat to get to the cup every time he touches the ball, and defenders found it very hard to contain him.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786039,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Elias-Flores-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Elias-Flores-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786039" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Elias Flores</strong> (6'5/C/'29/Loftis Middle) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: elias_flores2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Elias is a stout interior presence who played better in 5v5 than in 2v2. He was a dominant force on the offensive end of the floor as well as on the boards. He showed he can knock down the trey ball, which can be a definite benefit to his game if he becomes consistent with his perimeter shot. He finished well around the rim as he carved out space and utilized his body to keep defenders from being able to maneuver and contest his shots. He is an efficient scorer on the inside but still has a lot of growth to do as far as low block moves and his agility and mobility in the paint.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786040,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Ace-Steward-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Ace-Steward-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786040" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ace Steward</strong> (5'7/CG/'29/Lavergne MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: ace_theathlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @Ace_TheAthlete</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Ace is listed as a CG, but as he gets ready to make the jump to the high school level, he will need to streamline his focus to becoming more of a true floor general. He is one of the few players who picked up his man full-court on defense. He brought a lot of energy to the floor and played with a lot of grit on both ends. He was aggressive with the ball in his hands and showed his multi-level scoring arsenal. However, as I mentioned earlier, his potential on the next level is directly tied to his growth as a lead guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2786042,"sizeSlug":"medium","linkDestination":"media","align":"left"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-medium"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-BJ-Williams-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-BJ-Williams-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2786042" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>BJ Williams</strong> (6'0/SG/'29/Ensworth) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: Braylonjwilliams</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">BJ has good positional size for his grade. He is a multi-level scorer with a solid feel for the game and is a reliable decision-maker and passer with the rock in his hands. He has developing playmaking ability and can beat opposing defenders in a variety of ways. He showed a lot of potential in his game and has a chance to be an impactful player at the next level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->