NLBA 17U: Season Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football season is now in full swing, but we're taking one more look back at the summer club basketball season and highlighting some of the teams and players who made an impact.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next Level Basketball Academy 17U put together a quality club season as a Prep Hoops Circuit member. PHD is a big fan of this group, which opened the summer with a perfect 4-0 run at a Prep Hoops Tournament. The roster featured plenty of length, athleticism, and players who made an impact on both ends of the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Tyrell Rodriguez did a great job getting the most out of this group, bringing valuable college coaching experience to the team from his time as an assistant coach at Mayville State.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With football season underway, we wanted to take another look back at NLBA 17U's summer run. Below are player comments and notes from the season, highlighting some of the ballers who stood out along the way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1927092,"width":"292px","height":"auto","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><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" style="width:292px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1842251,"width":"286px","height":"auto","aspectRatio":"1.6019333678577594","sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/03/SeaonReview-.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1842251" style="aspect-ratio:1.6019333678577594;width:286px;height:auto" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1543338"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9ac12ac105e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brackins dealt with an injury and missed some time. When AJ was hooping, he was a blur on the floor. Brackins is extremely scrappy and crazy quick. He got after it on the defensive end and set up others on the offensive end. AJ created steals/TO's and was awesome in transition. He is under 6'0", but elevates/jumps extremely well. Brackins will be a playmaker for the Packers this winter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3599620"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9ac12ac10c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Alex is a positive guy to have on the team who plays with high energy. He rebounded well for his size and knocked down the occasional 3-pointer. Lattergrass listed well and learned throughout the season. He played up an age group, but fit in well with his NLBA team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2115443"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9ac12ac1113"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mr. Thompson has a very nice club season. He is a fiery player who took on a leadership role. Christian hit three-pointers, distributed the ball, and never backed down from competition. He brought the heat and energy to fuel NLBA. Thompson crashed the boards hard and threw beautiful alley-oops to Treasure. It will be interesting to see how his senior season shakes out at Sheyenne after a strong spring/summer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":3758416,"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9ac12ac1158"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mantson was the shooter and 3-point sniper for NLBA. Jarrett cashed many triples from the VB-line and NBA depths. Mantson had several games where he drilled multiple treys. He did a great job of spreading the floor and hitting shots when Treasure and Christian drew too much attention. He is another kid who embodies "DGF Toughness". </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2643709"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9aef926ed6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Azza has impressive length at 6'5" and rebounded very well. He was the teams 3rd leading rebounder behind Toja and Monari. Obama blocked shots and found teammates as a passer. He ran the floor well and finished in transition. Obama was a difference-maker as a defensive guy. He is a physical ball player. With Treasure gone to Minnesota, it will be interesting to see if Azza can carve out a role at Davies. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2447445"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9aef926edc8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When he and AJ were on the floor together, they caused all kinds of problems for the opposition. He was problematic with his pressing and trapping. LeShoure is a quality athlete and is just as fast as [player_tooltip player_id='1543338' first='AJ' last='Brackins']. Sean had a handful of 20 point games this season and proved to be clutch as he hit multiple game-winners. LeShoure is the type of baller you hate playing against, but love hooping with. Sean could score, but he also locked up on D. He was the Tony Allen of the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2834271"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9ac12ac1199"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Treasure had a great season, it is too bad ND basketball fans will not get to watch him this winter. Toja was the top player for NLBA. He is very long and a super athlete. Treasure does everything on the court and is a 3-level scorer. He drained triples, cleared the boards, protected the rim, scored with putbacks, and completed AND1s. Toja threw down often and had to have averaged a dunk a game. He also slammed home impressive alley-oops. He was outstanding as a slasher and while elevating over the D for buckets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2834274"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9aef926eeac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He made plays as a combo-guard for NLBA. Wellington is a quick and scrappy guard. Bowman played with a humble attitude and wanted to learn. He is surprisingly athletic and was capable of hitting open shots. Wellington was coachable, did a good job of building chemistry with his teammates, and bought into his role on the team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3728040"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a9ac12ac11da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Monari is a player on the rise and a baller to watch in Class B basketball. Zac is fiery and raw, but he has loads of upside. He scored well on the block and he wants to play down low. That is rare these days! Monari had a great season with NLBA, he blocked shots and ran the floor well. He game improved great lengths over the spring/summer. He plays defense with a passion and hoops with a chip on his shoulder. PHD is excited to see what this Warbird will do in the winter months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2873185,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"media"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/NLBA15Uteampic.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/NLBA15Uteampic.jpg?w=720" alt="" class="wp-image-2873185" /></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image -->