While many players at the 16U level could make a strong argument for inclusion on this list, here are the players that were most deserving of the stock booster honors from this year’s NY2LA Sports Invitational.
Nate Close – 2025 – PG – MTXE
A smart and skilled point guard who played well on the attack having himself multiple solid games helping MTXE Odom start the tournament 2-0. He has good moves with the ball and sees the floor well quickly attacking any gaps. He drives with a purpose and was effective finishing around the paint on his drives. Though he also showed a good passing ability running the point and getting the ball out to his teammates.
Perry Dorris – 2025 – PG – Chapman Basketball
In both games I saw Dorris, he continuously showed off his playmaking ability. He plays quick with the ball in his hands, handles the ball well, and was getting into the paint so often. While he scored it effectively on the attack all around the paint, it stood out more with his ability to create for others. On the attack, Dorris has a great combination of vision and passing ability to rack up the assists.
Javante Edwards – 2025 – PG – Power 5
Edwards had one of the top scoring performances of the tournament with a 21-point game, getting it done the quarterfinals. An explosive guard with a quick first stop and handle that was blowing by defenders. He also shot the ball well from the outside knocking down four threes in that one game. With all the dynamic scorers in the Power 5 backcourt he also played role of facilitator well in other games when they had the hot hand. He also plays very active defense pressure opposing guards.
Felix Gonzalez – 2025 – PF – Hoop Dreams
An active and impactful player on both ends of the floor. Gonzalez has good size but also still moves well. He was very effective in the pick and roll or pop game as he was effective spotting up from the outside or going to the basket. A solid rim protector and is big on the glass but can also defend forwards out on the perimeter.
Gavin Gores – 2025 – PF – Wisconsin Playmakers
There is much to like about Gores’ game as he showed so much throughout the tournament. He stands at 6’9” with good length but is so much more than just a big body with all he brings. One of the main things that stood out game after game was how well he moves for his size either running the floor hard every play or defending out on the perimeter. He was constantly playing with a big motor battling for position inside and skying up for rebounds. Offensively he already shows some good moves posting up with solid footwork but can also spot up and hit the three. A player with tremendous upside that college coaches will want to see.
Kaden MacKenzie – 2025 – G – Wisconsin Swing
A real stock booster from the tournament who started it in a big way with a 24-point performance in addition to a couple of other good games. He has some size in the backcourt at 6’3”, plays well with the ball in his hands, and knows how to play. MacKenzie was at his best scoring going to the basket but also showed good vision on the move. A big piece of the Swings run to the semifinals.
Karson Osterman – 2025 – PG – MTXE
The point guard had one of the top shooting performances of the tournament in the semifinals. In the first half of that game, playing against a very good Power 5 team, he drilled a staggering six threes by halftime already. As well to hitting a few spot up threes, Osterman also hit some incredibly tough deep threes off the dribble with defenders draped all over him.
Ahmir Woods – 2025 – G – Pride Roc
An up-tempo guard that was a standout on the offensive end. With his quickness and moves, Woods played extremely well on the attack getting all the way to the basket attacking any gaps in the defense and maneuvering right around any defenders in his way. While Woods scored it extremely well around the basket, he also was hitting threes both off the catch and dribble. In transition, he gets out quickly with the ball looking to get down the floor and into the paint or create for his teammates.