The inagural Wisconsin Spring Showdown hit the hardwood this past weekend with many of the talented programs from throughout the state competiting for championship hardware. We continue our coverage with a look at some of the top performers at the 15U-17U age groups from this past weekend...
Note - Not listed in any particular order - This is not an exclusive list
2022 Seth Trimble - Phenom University 17U EYBL
Seth Trimble continued his huge spring with another great weekend leading Phenom University to the 17U Platinum championship. Trimble got into the paint at will and showed great body control and balance to finish at the basket. He has taken major strides as a floor general, running his team and distributing, and doesn’t take a possession off defensively. Trimble picked up a Michigan offer following his performance at the Wisconsin Spring Showdown and looks the part of a potential 5 star recruit nationally.
2024 Kon Knueppel - Phenom University 15U EYBL
Still in the spring of his freshman year, 6’6 wing Kon Knueppel may have had the biggest weekend of any prospect at the Wisconsin Spring Showdown. He has in the gym range on his jumper with great mechanics and does not hesitate to let it fly. Knueppel showed off an advanced skill set offensively and a great feel for the game. He capped the weekend with a 33 point performance for Phenom U in the 15U title game.
2022 Greyson Pritzl - Wisconsin RAP 17U NY2LA
Greyson Pritzl had a big time weekend scoring the basketball and was in the conversation for best shooter in the event. At 6’5, Pritzl has good size on the wing to see over the defense and an effortless shooting stroke with deep range. He led his Wisconsin Rap 17U team to a Final 4 finish with a couple of big performances in bracket play, scoring 28 points vs ABC Lions and 26 points vs Movement Hoops Elite to lead his team to 2 close wins.
2023 Levi Birkholz - Wisconsin Crusaders Premier 16U
Sophomore combo guard Levi Birkholz was impressive all weekend leading his team to the 16U platinum championship at Wisconsin Spring Showdown. A physical guard at around 6’3, Birkholz played above the rim, was a tenacious defender and knocked down jumpers all weekend. The highlight of the event for Birkholz came in a matchup with a tough ABC Lions squad - Birkholz scored 17 points in the first half alone, on his way to 26 in a big win.
2024 Amari McCottry - Team Haliburton 16U
Freshman wing Amari McCottry flashed his high upside playing up an age group with Team Haliburton 16U squad. He can handle the ball and has a fluidity and bounce to his game at 6’5, able to get to the rim off the dribble and finish in traffic. Defensively he moves very well at his size and used his length to impact the game. McCottry is definitely a prospect to track closely in Wisconsin’s loaded 2024 class.
2022 Marcus Tomashek - JH1 Elite 17U NY2LA
Marcus Tomashek has been one of the biggest stock risers of the spring thus far on the NY2LA circuit and continued his hot shooting at Wisconsin Spring Showdown. Tomashek had some big scoring performances as part of a very talented, yet balanced JH1 Elite 17U team, and can really space the floor. He also showed flashes off the dribble getting to the rim and in the midrange game.
2022 Jerome Jacobs - Movement Hoops Elite 17U NY2LA
Jerome Jacobs impressed for Movement Hoops Elite 17U, scoring the ball at a high rate. A quick, shifty guard at around 6’3, Jacobs was able to get into the paint and finish in traffic with both hands. He showed nice range on his jump shot with smooth mechanics and can fill it up from deep when he gets hot. Jacobs scored 17 points in a big win over Wisconsin Dynasty and had 23 points in a close loss to Wisconsin RAP to highlight his weekend.
2022 Donavan Short - Phenom University 17U EYBL
Donavan Short had a good weekend as part of a balanced team effort for Phenom U and continues to take strides this spring. At 6’10 he showed he can stretch the floor with the jumper, attack closeouts to get into the paint off the dribble and finish strong at the rim. Short also impressed with his defensive versatility and has nice footwork in the post, using angles to get clean looks at the basket.
2023 Gavin Farrell - Wisconsin Dynasty 16U NY2LA
At around 6’2, Gavin Farrell can play on and off the ball efficiently on offense, has a quick release on his jumper with great touch and a nice feel for the game. He did a good job of moving his feet and competing on defense and was a leader for his team. Farrell was one of the better 2023 prospects at Wisconsin Spring Showdown and has a bright future.
2022 Leon Bond - JH1 Elite 17U NY2LA
Leon Bond has been a big time stock riser nationally this spring and did not disappoint this weekend for JH1 Elite. As versatile a player as there is in the 2022 class, Bond affects the game in every aspect at around 6’5 - attacking the glass, defending on the perimeter, slashing to the rim with plus athleticism and knocking down jumpers in the midrange off the dribble. Bond has picked up offers from Marquette and Virginia Tech recently and would expect for his recruitment to continue to expand.
2024 Will Hornseth - Wisconsin Blizzard 15U
Will Hornseth caught some eyes this weekend with his play leading Wisconsin Blizzard 15U to a runner up finish at Wisconsin Spring Showdown. At 6’7+, Hornseth moves very well at his size on both ends of the floor. He was physical on the glass, showed nice body control around the basket and can stretch the floor with a nice looking stroke from deep. Hornseth should see a big rise within the state as he continues to develop and looks the part of a D1 prospect long term.