BEDFORD PARK, IL: I was at the Wintrust Sports Complex on Saturday for the Evan Turner Prospect Showcase. It was free for high school prospects (and some junior college players) to be seen by college coaches. Evan Turner and his staff did a great job putting this together and he was there to support the players in achieving their dreams. They even had media set up to give these young men a chance to practice interviews before they go to the next level. Here are some of the best I saw:
MVP: Calvin "CJ" Worsham, 6'7" wing, Class of 2024, Christ The King (Chicago): This point forward showed his skills bringing the ball up and setting up the offense. He hit a bunch of three point shots, and bullied his way to the basket for buckets at the rim. He hit the boards on both ends, the double/double machine had some dominant moments. He made the Top 20 game with no problem and played well in that too. Made some nice pin point passes on outlet passes off defensive rebounds.
Al Brooks Jr, 6'7" wing, Class of 2025, Hansberry College Prep (Chicago): He could have been MVP as he dominated the Top 20 game with his shot blocking and rebounding. Scored from mid range, in the paint, and hit the glass on both ends. Brought the ball up, set up the offense and made some nice passes to three point shooters, and in the post. Slashed to the basket and finished at the rim.
Marshawn Cocroft, 5'10" point guard, Class of 2026, Christian (Aurora): Made Top 20 game but was more of a scorer in this event. He hit threes off the catch and off the dribble. Made three pointers like they were layups. Scored on some drives to the basket, and set up teammates for open three point shots. Used his quickness to get where he wanted off the dribble, and showed great movement off the ball.
Samuel Hirsch, 6'3" combo guard, Class of 2025, Fremd (Palatine): Made Top 20 game and showed he could hit open threes with great regularity here. Hit them off the bounce and off the catch. He also showed some point guard skills with some slick passes off penetration to teammates for layups. Also set them up for open three point shots.
Max Johnson, 5'10" point guard, Class of 2024, Oak Park River Forest: Made Top 20 game. Was everywhere in that game as well as the pool games. He was a defensive pest, getting steals on the ball, and in passing lanes. Scored a lot of layups on drives and after stealing the ball. Hit some threes in the pool play games, and made some great passes to set up teammates for easy baskets.
Dwayne Flowers, Jr, 6'3" combo guard, Class of 2024, Prosser Career Academy (Chicago): Made Top 20 game. Was impressive scoring at all three levels in this event. Hit some corner three pointers, scored on mid range pull-up jumpers, and athletic finishes at the rim. Showed good ball handling skills getting where he wanted on the court. Played some good on the ball defense the entire day.
Phoenix Childs, 6'3" wing, Class of 2025, Wendell Phillips (Chicago): Made Top 20 game. Showed a lot of slashing ability to the basket with some athletic finishes at the rim. Hit mid range shots, ran the floor, rebounded, made some slick passes to teammates off the dribble.
Jordan Tunis, 5'11" point guard, Class of 2025, Schaumburg: Made Top 20 game. Smooth operator as a floor general. Did a lot of setting up teammates here which is unusual in a showcase. Unselfish player. Scored on some drives and finishes at the rim, as well as mid range pull-up jump shots.
Other Top 20 game performers:
Joe Johnson, 6'2" point guard, Class of 2025, George Westinghouse College Prep (Chicago)
Rykan Woo, 6'1" point guard, Class of 2026, Whitney Young (Chicago)
Makai Kvamme, 6'2" point guard, Class of 2025, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)
Zion Young, 6'7" forward, Class of 2025, Schaumburg
Collin Shelton, 6'2" combo guard, Class of 2024, Crete Monee
Tristan Jones, 6'4" combo guard, Class of 2024, Dunbar (Chicago)
Top 40 standouts:
Deonte Meeks, 5'6" point guard, Class of 2025, Fenwick, Oak Park was unafraid at attacking the basket and finishing, drawing fouls, or setting up teammates at the rim.
Chayse Turner, 6'3" combo guard, Class of 2025, Lincoln Park (Chicago) is an athletic lefty , slashing finisher at the rim who can dunk on unsuspecting defender.
Players who did not make either game:
Damian Pearson Jr, 6'0" combo guard, Class of 2025, Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Jayvyn Marion, 6'4" combo guard, Class of 2024, Aurora (West)
Semaje Howard, 6'0" point guard, Class of 2024, Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Drake Washington, 6'2" combo guard, Class of 2024, Proviso West (Chicago)
Antoine Thomas Jr, 6'3" combo guard, Class of 2024, St Patrick (Chicago)
Jayden Taylor, 5'10" point guard, Class of 2027, Perspectives Leadership (Chicago)
Challenge to NBA players from Chicago Area:
We should be having these free opportunities for young men every week in the Chicago Area. Get these young men in the gym and off the dangerous streets. Have some college coaches come in and watch these players. Every opportunity helps get these young men free money so they can go to college. Some don't have the funds to go any other way, and this is a way of giving back. Evan Turner is doing it, you could ask him how he runs it so you can pay it forward. These events can be life changer for these young men and the more opportunities, the better chance they can go to college for free. Great event to give back. Special thanks Mr Turner and your Mom.
#underconstruction🦾💯🦾
Thanks for the write up!
Semaje Howard definitely should have made it to the top 20