The 2020 NY2LA Futures Camp brought many of the top players from the Midwest and beyond all under one roof just outside of Milwaukee. With prospects from a dozen states, the youngsters were broken up into two separate sessions: The classes of ‘21/’22 and the classes of ‘23/’24. Games were all livestreamed via Be The Beast, college coaches were buzzing all day, and regional battles were definitely had throughout the day. 

Here are some of the 2024 freshman standouts from the 2020 NY2LA Futures Camp:

James Brown, 6’9, PF/C, Chicago St. Rita (IL)
The highest upside player in the 2023/2024 group, James Brown is an old school physical big who is developing a new age offensive skill set. He is a truly special finisher around the rack with both hands, dominates his area on the glass, and showed flashes working from 15 feet facing up. Already owning four D-1 offers before playing a high school game, James is going to be a key piece on Roshawn Russell’s stacked St. Rita squad that will see four freshmen playing varsity.

Mercy Miller, 6’3, PG/SG, Minnehaha Academy (MN)
The younger brother of 2021 combo guard Hercy Miller showed that he’s got some serious game in his own right. The explosive freshman took a huge jump athletically, improved drastically as a perimeter shooter, and was a special finisher at the rim.  Consider his willingness to really lock down on the defensive end and it’s easy to see why he’s right there as a top-50 guy in the class of 2024. 

Nick Janowski, 6’3, G,  Pewaukee HS (WI)
The Co-MVP of the camp was a walking bucket from the guard position. The lefty did an outstanding job of utilizing spin moves, showed off outstanding touch once he got in the paint, and shot the ball well from the perimeter.  Toss in the fact that he showed some really nice court vision and it’s very evident why he’s one of Wisconsin’s best in 2024.

Jordan Lovelace, 5’8, PG, Brown Deer HS (WI)
The apple didn’t fall far from the tree with Jordan Lovelace. The younger brother of 2022 John Lovelace Jr. showed off outstanding vision, was potentially the best passing catalyst of the ‘23/24 group, and showed the ability to shoot it from beyond the three point arc. Given the fact that his brother is approaching 6-foot-7, one would expect there to be plenty of room left for growth for Jordan in the future.

Willie Williams Jr., 6’0, PG/SG, Racine Park (WI)
There may not have been a guard in the younger group that played with more flare than Willie Williams.  He was a big time shot creator off the bounce, finished creatively with both hands at the rack, and had some outstanding court vision. Willie has a chance to be one of the next D-1 lead guards up out of Racine.

Jax Zader, 5’11, PG, East Troy HS (WI)
One of the more productive ‘24’s in the event, Jax Zader posted 15+ points in each of the games throughout the event. The heady guard shot the ball well, did a really nice job of setting others up, and was overall a truly solid playmaker amongst the 2024 group.

Grayson Young, 6’1, PG/SG, Wisconsin Lutheran (WI)
Owning nice size and strength for a freshman playmaker, Grayson Young really was able to finish through contact at the NY2LA Futures Camp. He played the game at his own pace, utilized a nice change of speed, and was really able to make an impact on the defensive end. Young has the potential to be another bright spot for an emerging Wisconsin Lutheran program.