16U UAA Final Preview
The 2021 UA Association Finals tip off this weekend July 23rd through 25th. Bringing you some of the top sponsored Under Armour teams doing battle under one roof. Check out our full in-depth preview of the UA championship…………
The UAA finals are finally here after completing Session 1 in Atlanta, and Session 2 in Dallas. We have seen some exciting pool play and great match ups in the first two sessions. Under Armour has continued to establish itself as an excellent vehicle for grassroots basketball, producing some of the most talent players around the country. Elite high level talent will be on display.
The South Got Something To Say………..
The South was definitely well represented in the 16U UAA Division, and will continue as they head to the UAA Finals in the Midwest (Westerfield, Indiana). Team Curry out of North Carolina ran the table and finished a perfect 12-0 in Session 1 and 2. This will make them the favorites to win the championship this weekend. In the era of stretch bigs, Riley Allenspach is changing the narrative, he is a old school big. A big (6’10) post guy who can score in the post and and has the ability to change the game on both ends of the floor. He does a good job of running the floor, getting post finishes and but mostly showing the value of athletic bigs. He averaged 8.4 pts and 6 Rebs during pool play in both sessions. Silas Demary, led Team Curry in scoring last weekend in Dallas and will continue to pick up this pace in the finals. Demary scored on a number of drives, and mid range jumpers. Nice size (6’4) for a wing defender who does a good job of guarding the ball. Keep a eye on athletic wing Ta’Forrie Faison, 6’6 wing who can explode to the basket with above the rim finishes. Team Curry’s defense has been their calling card another defensive player Bryce Cash helps also, 6’5 tough guard who translated plenty defense to offense is a guy to keep your eye on in Indy. If Team Curry wants to win 16U, they better find away to stop their neighbors to the South the Atlanta Xpress. Led by former Oak Hill Alum Coach Stacey Castle this team has 4 guys that will put the ball in the basket at any given time. It starts with 6’6 Point Guard Stephon Castle. Castle has the ability to find teammates and does a excellent job of using his size to see guys and make plays, mix in his ability with a sweet mid range stroke and can extend out to shoot the 3 ball when he wants to. At 6’6 he rebounds the ball well and starts the break, he finished off Dallas with a 33 point performance. 6’4 Jakai Newton is built like a action figure and scores on jumpers and tough drives, Newton’s ability to elevate and finish plays at the rim has coaches watching him closely. Marquavious “Qua” Brown played his best basketball last weekend in Dallas, showing his ability to handle the ball, shoot the jumper and finishes plays. The lefty is uber athletic and has the ability to be a big time defender because he can challenge plays at the rim. Marcus “MJ” Whitlock is making his case as one of the best shooters in the 2023 class in Georgia, Whitlock’s ability to launch from deep is big time, with a slick handle, and gets into the middle with a nice floater, he rebounds well for his size, he gives the group some more punch. Kristian Hodges, Tyson Jones, Tycen McDaniel, and big Zion Gardner anchor down low and give the Xpress plenty of 2nd chance opportunities on the glass.
Here We Come…………
Team Thrill went 10-2 during pool play and finished 2nd in Pool A to Team Curry, and are considered a serious contender for the 16U championship. 5 star Derik Queen is a absolute DAWG, a big man with a very nice skill set, who can go inside and drag, and step on the perimeter and do his thing. He recently received a offer from Texas and Auburn, he finished pool play averaging 16.3 and 6.9 Rebounds per game. Michael Williams has the ability to be a big time scorer, he can finish plays at a high level off the bounce. Arizona Select will be looking to get into the party at the Finals this weekend led by 6’4 guards Tru Washington, and Vincent Delano. Washington averaged 18.4 and 8.8 Rebounds, while Delano 9.6 pts 2.7 rebs. Team Rio and Texas Impact 4:13 both finished 8-4, be clawing at chance to knock one of these teams off.
Darkhorse …………….
Keep an eye on Wisconsin Playground with Cal Klesmit and Colin Hardrick, they finished 7-5 in pool play. B. Maze Elite will be a very dangerous out in the win or go home format, Jahseem Felton, Blue Cain, Lukas Walls are not going down swinging. Canada Elite led Anthony Wrzeszcz will be tough, as they proved in Session 1 with a big win over Atlanta Xpress.
Players To Watch:
2024 6'8 Zachary Davidson (West Coast Elite)
2023 6'2 CJ Hornbreak (C2K Elite)
2023 6'4 Courtney Anderson (West Coast Elite Nor-Cal)
2023 6'1 Parker Gerrits (Washington Supreme)
2024 6'2 Elijah Duval (WE R1)
2023 6'1 Grant Stubblefield (KC Run GMC)
2023 6'5 CJ O’Hara (Grassroots Sizzle)
2023 6'6 Asa Thomas (Illinois Wolves)
2023 6'2 River Johnston (Nebraska Supreme)
2023 6'3 Logan Carey (New England Six)
2023 6'6 Bishop Jones (Texas Impact 4:13)
2023 6'1 Jadin Collins (Team Rio University)
2023 6'8 Sam Orme (Grand Park Premier)
2023 6'5 Cameron Christie (Illinois Wolves)
2023 6'6 John Gamble (Team Breakdown)
2023 6'3 Austin Schwartz (Team Charlotte)
2023 6'2 Christian Pierre-Louis (Team Rio)
