The Kentucky Expo Center was packed with talent this past weekend from wall to wall at every age group and the 16U level was no exception. Here is part one of the top performers from the 16U division. 

Tyshawn Archie – 2023 – PG – Team Temple
Archie had one of the more impressive showings and was tremendous throughout the weekend. He is a skilled driver that is extremely talented with the ball in his hands. He moves well with the ball plus has great burst of speed to beat his man often. The sophomore finishes the ball extremely well around the basket with his layup package but can also knock down shots well from the mid-range and three.

Stephon Castle – 2023 – G – Atlanta Xpress
A good size 6’5” guard that plays well on or off the ball. He’s at his best attacking the basket as he moves well with the ball and can fight through contact to get into the paint often. He finishes well inside through a crowd but is also a gifted passer on the move that really created for his teammates.  Very easy to see why Castle already holds a couple of SEC offers. 

Ja’lon Cole – 2023 – G – TNBA South
A lengthy point guard with good size at 6’4”. He creates well for his teammates as he’s always looking to distribute, and he makes very good on target passes. While he was at his best distributing the ball, he scored going to the basket and has a quick first step to beat his man. 

Xavier Booker – 2023 – PF – George Hill All-Indy
Booker continued his breakout spring over the weekend in Louisville. In addition to being 6’11” with great length, there is plenty of skill to his game. Not only is he an elite rim protector, but Booker can spot up for threes as well to putting the ball on the floor. It’s very easy to see why he is already a coveted 2023 player by high major programs. 

Josh Cooper – 2023 – F – TNBA South
Cooper is a versatile 6’6” forward that showed off a lot of skilled during the tournament. He scored the ball very well around the basket but can also play well out on the perimeter. The sophomore is a skilled defender that matches up well with wings as well as big men. 

Bryce Eaton – 2023 – PG – The Family
Eaton is a quality playmaking guard that is very tough to defend off the dribble. He is quick with the ball and is always a step ahead of the defense. He did a great job of distributing the ball on his drives with tremendous vision but also scored it himself around the paint on his drives in addition to being able to shoot it well off the dribble with range. 

London Fields – 2023 – G/F Da House
Fields is a quality scorer that showed a good ability to create his own shot and knock them down at a high percentage. The sophomore moves well with the ball in his hands and has a good ability to quickly rise up to hit his shots from beyond the arc or in the mid-range right over defenders. 

Owen Freeman – 2023 – PF/C – Mid-Pro Academy
Even right after being sideline by an injury, you could not tell as Freeman was tremendous all weekend. Even at 6’10” with a solid frame, he moves so well in addition having good skills. The big man is a physical post that scores it strong inside but can also play face up to the basket. He is able to take opposing forwards off the dribble or score on cuts and rolls to the basket. Freeman is an aggressive defender that looks to shut down the paint as well to controlling the glass. 

Jalen Griffith – 2023 - PG – Meanstreets
The speedy point guard can impact the game in a variety of ways. The shifty ball handler is very effective when attacking the basket with his ability knock down shots off the dribble, finish extremely well around the basket for his size, and create for his teammates. On the other end, he plays with great defensive intensity and uses his quickness to get all over ballhandlers. 

Zack Hawkinson – 2023 – F – Illinois Predators
Hawkinson is a highly versatile and athletic 6’5” wing forward that gets it done on both ends. He put up some good scoring numbers over the weekend as a tough matchup with his ability to beat defends in a number of ways. He scores it effectively attacking the basket, posting up, and shooting it off the dribble. He also contributed by running the point often and defending multiple positions.