When you’re talking about the size of an event with over 650 teams and 57 courts all under one roof, there is bound to be plenty of talent. This was more than the case at the Grassroots Showcase in Louisville over the weekend. Here are ten of the players from the 17U level of the tournament that had tremendous performances for themselves. 

Xavier Booker – 2023 – F/C – George Hill All Indy

While Booker continues to get plenty of publicity, it is more than deserved. He is a special type of talent that has continued to produce at an extremely high level. With his array of talents and size there just really isn’t much of a way to stop him offensively in the half court or transition. With his ability to hit outside shots, run the floor, slashing, Booker continues to be a dominant force and reel in the scholarship offers. 

Treyvon Byrd – 2022 – SF – Team Trezz

There is much to like from the game of this explosive unsigned senior. In my first time seeing the wing out of North Carolina, he did not disappoint. Byrd is a very versatile player that contributes in numerous ways while standing at 6’8” with his length. Byrd can score it inside and out as well to being a standout defender matching up with multiple positions well. 

Owen Freeman – 2023 – F/C – Mid Pro Academy

Freeman was simply tremendous throughout the tournament to earn himself MVP honors at the 17U level. While many good big men at this level can disappear a bit when up against other legitimate big men, this was the opposite for Freeman who excelled this weekend up against some quality post players. The Iowa commit was dominant in the post dunking everything, was effective in the pick and roll game, and was very active defensively inside. 

Bennett Fried – 2023 – SF – Movement Hoops

The 6’7” wing had an eye-opening weekend for himself. An incredibly versatile player that was doing a bit of everything over the weekend doing so much for his team. He was a very efficient scorer who shot the ball well from the outside and got to the basket but made just as big of an impact with his stellar defensive play and rebounding. He was a real stat stuffer all weekend long. 

Adam Jenkins – 2023 – PF – Minnesota Comets

The 6’9” junior continues to show this spring that he is one more productive big men in the region. Even at his size he moves well plus has a big motor. Jenkins scored the ball effectively inside on put back and rolling to the basket over the weekend and can be dominant force inside as he fills out his good frame. There is a lot to like about the junior’s game. 

Gehrig Normand – 2023 – G – 3D Empire

After a high level of play in Indianapolis for the first live period, Normand continued that in Louisville this past weekend. He has good positional size in addition to a great skill set and athletic ability. Over the weekend he showcased his ability to create for himself from the outside, be a primary ball-handler, get to the rim, and more. In three of his games Normand put up 30-, 30-, and 25-point marks. While he does have several offers to his name, more programs would be wise to take a look at the Texas product.

Jay Rose – 2024 – G/F – Griffin Elite

Rose was one of the top shooters of the entire tournament. In a single game Rose scored 30 points while hitting seven threes. The 6’4” wing is a pure shooter from the outside but also showed a high basketball IQ and ability to attack the paint and make some plays. Even while playing up a level Rose still excelled. 

Derin Saran – 2023 – PG – 1 of 1

Up against great talent all weekend, Saran had himself a tremendous few day of basketball. Saran has a great array of skills and excels playing with the ball in his hands. The 6’4” junior plays very strong attacking through contact, moves well with the ball and was finishing everything around the paint. He is also a skilled passer on the move who also hit spot up from the perimeter. 

Kamari Slaughter – 2023 – G – 94 Feet Elite

Slaughter continued his remarkable spring showing he is one of the top juniors on the NY2LA Association. A big piece behind his teams 4-0 weekend. He had games of 27 and 25 points plus in another he had a game winning buzzer beating basket. A skilled all-around guard with a great scoring ability as he shoots it very well from the outside but also takes it strong to the bucket. Slaughter should be on plenty of division one coaches’ radars. 

Luther Smith – 2023 – G – MTXE Premier

One of the more consistent players on the association the just continues to produce. Smith is a very gifted scorer that not only gets it done on all three levels but also has a good ability to create his own shot. Over the weekend he impressed with his ability to create separation and quickly rise up to hit his shots. He moves well with the ball and can be very difficult to stick with.