The annual Generation Next Basketball Association circuit hit the courts for its third installment this past spring and summer and the talent at the 8th grade level rivaled the inaugural year that featured highly regarded 2018 prospects like Tyler Herro, Courtney Ramey, Carte’are Gordon, Jontay Porter, etc. It remains to be seen whether this year’s GNBA 8th grade class can measure up in the coming years but the fact remains that they performed at a high level and made their presence felt. Here’s a look at the 2016 First Team All-GNBA team for the 8th grade division from this past spring and summer…
Note – Not Listed in any particular order – Six selections due to Co-MVP awards
CO-MVP – JAMARI SIBLEY – 2020 – PF – WISCONSIN UNITED
Sibley was exceptional throughout the league as he delivered dominant efforts with a high level of consistency game in and game out. His long wiry plus length frame was a problem for teams on both ends of the court as he finished in transition, scored around the basket, hit the mid-range jumper, and defensively he was active on the glass and disruptive in altering and blocking shots. One of the biggest 2020 stock boosters over the past 12 months, Sibley was exceptional in leading his team to the 8th grade GNBA championships this past summer.
CO-MVP – REECE BEEKMAN – 2020 – PG – WISCONSIN UNITED
The 1-2 combo of Beekman and Sibley combined with a solid supporting cast helped guide Wisconsin United to the 8th grade league championship in convincing fashion. Beekman really stepped up his efforts this past spring as he was more assertive and aggressive on both ends and the results were high caliber performance by the young lead guard. He was active defensively and made things happen offensively with his creativity and dribble drive game. A strong all around effort for the young floor general.
JALEN JOHNSON – 2020 – G – WISCONSIN PLAYGROUND WARRIORS
Another plus length instinctive guard who contributed across the board, Johnson showed an ability to deliver at a high level both scoring and without the ball. The final weekend of play he was amongst the league leaders in virtually each major category while also leading the way in the Matrix category, which measures an impact without scoring the basketball. An excellent young prospect with a nice ceiling and high impact potential, Johnson was stellar again this past spring and summer.
ISAAC LINDSEY – 2018 – 2020 – WISCONSIN SWING
One of the breakout performers of the spring and summer, Lindsey was special at times and during the final weekend of play the young guard delivered at a high level across the board while leading everyone in scoring during the championship weekend. The plus side of Lindsey is he has an excellent perimeter stroke and his ability to score is matched only by his ability to do so in efficient fashion. He was excellent this past spring and summer.
JALEN SUGGS – 2020 – G – TEAM SIZZLE
One of the premiere talents nationally in the 2020 class, Suggs once again shined bright during the GNBA campaign. Whether it be scoring, creating, or defending the talented guard was exceptional in that he finished at all levels, showed excellent vision and touch on his passes, and he was both active and disruptive on the defensive end of the court. At any given time Suggs can take over the game and that was evident through the GNBA campaign where only an injury on the final day was able to slow him. He helped his team to the league championship game where the fell short to Wisconsin United. Overall Suggs was consistently dominant and impressive game in and game out.
NIMARI BURNETT – 2020 – PG – MAC IRVIN FIRE
A high caliber lead guard that was one of the premiere prospects on the GNBA circuit this past spring and summer, Burnett was another high caliber talent who delivered across the board. His floor production was the result of scoring, rebounding, and creating and he did so generally speaking game in and game out. An excellent young floor general on the rise, Burnett was one of the best alongside the rest of these on the board this past spring and summer.