NYBA Next-Up Middle School Camp Rising Prospects

<!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Here are a few players who stood out at the NYBA Middle School camp…</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2789881,"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-Austin-Ricketts-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Austin-Ricketts-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2789881" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2889721' first='Austin' last='Ricketts']</strong> (6'3/SF/'29/Discovery MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: austinr_bb</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">X: @RickettsIV5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">When it comes to Austin, he was the type of player who didn't look like he was doing much. Then, when you dive deep, you see that he has poured in a double-double and made it look easy in the process. He has positional size on the wing and some build to his frame, which gave him an advantage over most of his peers. At this stage of his game and at this level, he can be looked upon as a point forward who uses a relentless competitive edge, a willingness to make hustle plays on both ends of the floor, a versatile skillset, and a good feel for the game to make his impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2789882,"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-Zac-Payton-Swogger-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Zac-Payton-Swogger-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2789882" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Zac Payton-Swogger</strong> (6'0/F/'29/Milford) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: pswag22</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Zac has good positional size and did a good job using his body to shield defenders in order to get his shot attempts. He is a good finisher off the bounce, as he scored with variety. His combination of skills and instincts make him a player to keep an eye on as he jumps to the high school level. He is not a flashy player, but he is a source of production as a facilitator and scorer.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2789883,"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-AJ-Powell-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-AJ-Powell-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2789883" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>AJ Powell</strong> (6'0/SF/'29/Christ Presbyterian Academy) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">AJ has positional size for an 8th grader. He is a poised young prospect who does a really good job at getting to his spots and getting into his shots. He has a nice technique and scored it well from the perimeter. He made a two-way impact as he used his length to cover ground and provide defensive help with good rotations. He is highly competitive and brings a lot to the table with translatable skills that will help him at the high school level.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2789884,"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-Francis-Nwoye-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Francis-Nwoye-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2789884" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Francis Nwoye</strong> (6'2/F/'29/Meigs Magnet MS) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: d1_francis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Francis competed at a high level throughout the day. He was really good at knifing is way to the cup and scoring with crafty finishes. He has good positional size and versatility and was explosive off the bounce. His quickness kept his defenders playing catch-up and forcing help from others. He has a quick second jump which helped him to get put-backs off his own misses. He had a productive camp, as his talent and potential were on full display.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2789885,"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-Dyson-Keary-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Dyson-Keary-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2789885" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Dyson Keary</strong> (PG/NYBA)&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: kearyboyz</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Dyson continues to develop his game, which is expected, with his oldest brother playing at a high level and his dad running the impactful NYBA program. He continues to show his improvement at the lead guard spot, which includes his playmaking ability and decision-making skills. He is showing a budding PG IQ, and I expect him to continue elevating his game over the coming months and years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2789886,"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-Keylon-Thomas-C.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/PHN-Keylon-Thomas-C.png?w=300" alt="" class="wp-image-2789886" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Keylon Thomas</strong> (5'3/CG/'32/NYBA) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: keylonthomas24_</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Keylon has a good size for his grade and was, if not the best, one of the best in his grade division. He is a young prospect with an impressive combination as a playmaker and scorer, with his playmaking ability being unlocked by his young confidence in which he plays. Keylon is a young, legitimate three-level scorer who creates his own shot, gets to his spots from mid-range, and finishes well at the cup off the bounce. He is a young prospect to keep an eye on as he continues to work on his overall game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Elijah Stevenson</strong> (CG/'29/Rose Park) </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">IG: elijah_.stevenson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Elijah had a good showing, as he did a really good job facilitating and scoring. He got his teammates involved in a camp setting when most people lean towards selfish play. He knows how to accelerate and decelerate, which helps with his ability to control tempo. When he was looking for his offense, he showed his ability to score from all levels. He is really tough off the bounce and was constantly getting paint touches. His basketball IQ is impressive for his grade.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->