Anthony Wilson, 6’4, London Elite – A ‘Next Level’ talent who established his athletic superiority throughout the league in every game he played. Shooting a scintillating 65% from the floor (unheard of for a guard who shoots at volume), most of this powerful guards points came from explosive drives to the basket, which often finished with ferocious dunks (look at below…you will get dunked on…). More than just a leaper alone, this Wilson has an offensive repertoire reminiscent of Minnesota Timberwolves emerging superstar, Anthony Edwards. Same name, similar game. Though he is still growing into the 3 ball, he pretty much fills it up from everywhere else and will catch a body quicker than you can say ‘call 9-9-9’. He’s legit.
Simeon Iwowo, 6’3, Southwark Legends – Floor general who’s not afraid to lead from the front. Solid ball handler who ran the backcourt for the ultimate league champions, showing an ability to distribute and score in equal measure. Confident, tough with good size for the position, Iwowo broke new ground this season with a call up to the GB U16 National Team, and for good reason. He has all the tools that bode well for the next level and an ever-ready hunger to pursue what comes next, no matter who is in front of him. Can run either guard position but ultimately projects as a point guard with length and strength at the next level.
Noa Istrefi, 6’5, London Elite – This rim breaking (no, serious…he breaks rims), name-taking, high-flying athletic wing plays to win. He attacks the basket with reckless abandon which resulted in the highest volume of dunk returns of any perimeter player not name Wilson (see above) in the league. Istrefi plays the game with endless energy and is hard to pin down. Constantly moving, on the prowl on defence, looking to rip and run at every opportunity, he’s a true point guards dream: a quick wing who loves to run the lanes and can finish above the rim. His high motor enables him to just keep attacking, on both ends of the floor and at times simply overwhelmed teams with his relentlessness. Keep an eye on this hooper, he’s going places…
Carlos Ferreira, 6’4, Brent Blazers – Another high-energy, physical, fierce small forward from the contending Brent Blazers. Ferreira was consistent all season and brought his ‘A game’ in all of the big games the Blazers played in over the course of the season. A versatile skill-set allows this rugged wing to handle the ball, at times running the point for the Blazers, yet he retains the ability to mix it up inside, rebounding and scraping with anyone, to great effect, while showing a consistent outside stroke and most effective dribble drive game with positive end product. This is a player who could have started and had the same impact on any team in the league. He’s that talented. What’s more, under the watchful eye of GB legend Mike Martin and Blazers coach Phil McDonald, Ferreira is highly coachable, has a high work-rate and plays ‘team-first’ basketball. Got to love that.
Tijan Barrie, 6’7, Southwark Legends – The best player on the best team and he showed it at every checkpoint. Numbers don’t lie. 27 points and 14 boards PER GAME. Tijan dominated. Unguardable 1-on-1 on the block, this polished wing/forward showed significant improvement in his decision making stepping away from the block this season with a vastly improved jump shot and increased IQ in being able to pick teams apart with incisive passes out of the double (and sometimes triple!) teams. The unanimous season MVP, Tijan has steadily improved year on year in the CBL and has now reached ‘full bloom’. Soft hands, a good nose for the ball and not afraid to mix it up inside – he will rebound and also orchestrate an offence from the forward spot in the mould of a Draymond Green, but with Tim Duncan’s post game (imagine that…). There’s no question America awaits for the next chapter in this young star’s evolving journey, he’s done everything here, checked all the boxes, passed all the tests. He’s got next and we’re all ready for the show.
