Where Tomorrow’s Stars Play Today™️. These young stars were the best in class this past season in the CBL 12U division. We salute the 12U All-CBL First Team in establishing themselves as the overall top players in an ultra-competitive, Uber-talented division full of future stars.
Kaya ‘The Businessman’ Birsen was the undisputed top guard in the division and also the most precocious talent in the 12U category. He’s special. Averaging a ridiculous 28.5ppg and winning every single game he played in, this emerging national star is the real deal. He got what he liked when he liked this past season and there was nothing any opposing guard could do about it. He plays with a composure beyond his years, can shoot, drive, dish and finish plays in the clutch. Kaya is LEGIT. He plays the game at a different level and it’s evidenced by MVPs in every game he played in this season for a league leading 7 personal game MVP awards in addition to the Regular Season MVP. Dominant. His absence in the final four was massively felt by his London Elite teammates as you just can’t ‘fill in’ the massive hole he leaves if he’s not in the line up. He’s that good. Keep your eyes fixed in his direction in the season’s ahead, he’s going places…
Chris Sagun is now the reigning CBL 12U Finals MVP, and he earned every part of the award. A cool, calm and collected walking ‘bucket’ from West London’s Chiswick Gators Sagun is an advanced guard for his age. Everybody Loves Chris – and for good reason. He can create his own shot in iso coverage: jumper, drive or floater. He delivers. He also plays the P&R to perfection and is a willing and capable passer out of the pocket. His 17.8 points per game average could easily have been more if he wasn’t so committed to making his teammates better, understanding it’s the strength of his team, not the individual awards that will propel him to the promised land. It was that commitment that ultimately was rewarded with Sagun leading the Gators to their first ever CBL Championship Trophy, beating OWE in overtime for the 12U 2022 Championship. Amazing.
Richard ‘RJ’ Jones is the ultimate team player but can get his whenever he needs to. Lights out shooter from 3, but gets to the basket like a hot knife through butter. Unstoppable when he is on his game. However his strongest asset may be his defence. Hands down best defender in the league and it wasn’t even close. Oh, and he’s also CLUTCH. Just a winner from start to finish and the engine behind OWE’s incredible run last season. An electric player who plays the right way an impacts winning across multiple categories as evidenced by him being the only player in the entire league to record multiple ‘triple-doubles’ in the same season. Well-deserved First Team All-CBL selection.
Justin Fagbenle is the latest emerging star out of the Fagbenle Dynasty (google them). A long, agile, versatile forward with soft hands and good feet, Justin is already showing sings of being the ‘next in line’. He hits the glass, blocks shots, can lead a break and finish at the basket or at the 3 point line for his Brent Panthers squad. His game is finesse and is steadily rising. For those who truly understand the term, his ceiling is sky high, due to his length, agility, touch, versatility and soft hands. Playing his first ever season of organised basketball, he averaged a strong ‘double/double’ (15ppg/10rpg) on talent, touch and instints alone. Huge potential.
Jaaron McPherson is the younger brother to CBL Phenom Jayden McPherson and is looking every bit the rising star his older brother is. His long arms and excellent timing helped him to a game-changing 4 blocks per game while playing a pivotal role in the Chiswick Gators first ever championship. He paired with Gators teammate Chris Sagun in the playoffs to form an unstoppable pick & roll tandem that was able to score at will, often catching passes in improbable angles and converting everything around the basket. Another exciting young prospect with a high ceiling who could develop into one of the best in the years ahead.
