17U UAA Finals 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.
Heads Of The Table……………..
Heading into the UAA Finals, 17U Pool champions (Pool A – KC Run GMC, Pool B- Illinois Wolves) both finished 11-1 in pool play for both weekends. Team Charlotte and Nebraska Supreme look to be prime position to challenge after finishing 10-2. KC Run GMC went 5-0 this weekend in Dallas clinched a spot at the UAA Finals next week in Indianapolis, they will head into next week with a 11-1 record. Kansas commit Gradey Dick, continues to find ways to put the ball in the basket with his ability to shoot it and score off the bounce. Taj Manning should be on a lot of recruiters call list, a 6’7 forward who just gets it done on both ends of the floor, high motor, can score inside or out, and rebounds the ball probably the best we’ve seen on consecutive weekends. His latest offer was East Carolina. Braden Appelhans has the ability to change the game with his long range ability to shoot the ball, he puts me in the mind of Kyle Korver, once he gets going its hard to cool him off. Appelhans latest offer is Milwaukee. Luke Jungers is another guy who can shoot the basketball for KC, one of the most impressive things about this team is their willingness to share the ball. Look for KC to make serious run in Indianapolis. If there is one team on KC’s tail its as we head into finals week in Indianapolis it has to be the Illinois Wolves after going 7-0 in Session One in Atlanta, the Wolves finished 11-0, losing a tough to Team Curry 71-63 on Day 1 in Session 2. Led by Jaden Schutt, would could be the conversation as one of the best shooters in the 2022 class, recently getting a offer from college blue blood Duke. Along with 6’10 Stretch Forward Braden Huff the Wolves are team to watch next weekend in the finals. I love the fact that Huff can finish plays at the rim, and a match up problem for smaller guys on the perimeter because he will shoot over you. Huff really fits the college game well as stretch 4 with hands, a Kevin Love type of guy. Coach Jeff McGinnis’s Team Charlotte’s crew has won 8 straight, led by 2023 guard Trey Green who is big time play making point guard with a high IQ. He knows how to score the ball and put his guys in position to be successful at every turn. AJ Smith has been on tear for Team Charlotte, he is big guard that can score the ball on one end and consistently locked down your best perimeter guy on the other. Smith is very tough to stop going downhill with that body, but also has the ability to make shot on the perimeter. Bryce Alfino continues to be impressive being a knock down shooter, recently receiving an offer from Winthrop. Nebraska Supreme continues to establish themselves a front runner for the UAA title, going 4-1 this past weekend and finishing with a record of 10-2 overall. Issac Traudt continues to show versatility by shooting the ball and could be a excellent pick and pop guy and really tough inside, I’ll stick with my Kevin McHale comparison. Jasen Greene, Jayden Dawson, and Daniel Brocaille (who picked up a offer from Fort Lewis), continue to play solid roles for this team. Jasen Green (recent offer from Minnesota), continues to show more versatility with very nice size and ability to score baskets with his jumper. William Kyle keeps showing his ability to finish plays at the rim, he is long and athletic.
Still Chasing………..
Watch out for these contenders to make a deep run in the UAA finals and possible knock off the top seeds. Wisconsin Playground (9-3) Went 4-1 in Dallas, Jeffery Brazziel played well last weekend had 15 pts in a win vs LA Elite. Team Thrill (9-3) Finished 5-0 in Dallas. Led by Jarace Walker, who had a double double in a nice win on Saturday 24 pts and 10 Rebounds. Team Rio University (8-4) Team Rio, and Coach Mike Rice ran the table last weekend and went 5-0 in Dallas, Sean Logan snagged a couple of offers after a solid weekend (William & Mary, and Drexel) showing his athletic ability, and the ability to clog up the lane on defense with his size (6’10). Texas Impact 4:13 (8-4) Impact went 3-2, 6’7 Robert Jennings is athletic rebounder, floor runner, and finisher. DC Premier (8-4) 6’5 Justyn Fernandez is a big wing, with a strong body, who can get to the cup, and can shoot the ball behind the 3 point line with a high motor. (Received a offer from UGA).
Glass Slipper Man Fit…………
If there is going to be one team that may play the role as Cinderella in the UAA finals it could be B.Maze Elite. After going 3-4 in Session 1, Bobby Maze’s squad went 4-1 in Dallas and finished 7-5. B.Maze has chance to make a run led by Tennessee commit BJ Edwards (14.5 pts 8.3 Rebs). Quante Berry, Ja’Kobi Gillespie, and Handje Tamba
Players To Watch:
2022 6’7 Jeremy Gregory (Team Charlotte)
2022 6’7 Robert Jennings (Texas Impact 4:13)
2022 6’6 Jeffery Brazziel (Wisconsin Playground)
2022 6’9 Armani Mighty (Canada Elite)
2022 6’9 Percy Daniels (Louisiana Elite)
2022 6’1 Isaiah Griffin (WE R1)
2022 6’3 Rickey Bradley (Arizonia Select)
2022 6’2 Kolby King (Team Breakdown)
2022 6’7 Daniel Skillings (Philly Pride)
2022 6’2 Maurice Odum (Riverside Hawks)
2022 6’8 Tyler Bilodeau (Washington Supreme)
2023 6’5 Caleb Foster (Team Curry)
2022 6’4 MJ Collins (Team Curry)
2022 6’7 Prince Aligbe (Grassroots Sizzle)
2022 6’2 Ben Roy (Team Rio)
2022 6’4 TJ Clark (Atlanta Xpress)
2022 6’3 Christian Winborne (Team Thrill)
2022 6’7 Miles Byrd (West Coast Elite Nor-Cal)
2022 6’9 Chauncey Wiggins (Team Curry)
2022 6’5 Anquan Boldin (Team Breakdown)
