I'm BACCCCKKKKKK!!!!!!! Been taking care of some health issues so a little late on some of these events. I've been to two events this spring and watched Nike EYBL Session 1 Memphis online. These are some of the top performers and teams I've watched!!!! Here we go:
NY2LA SWISH N DISH:
Teams:
Illinois Wolves 17U: They went undefeated and won the Platinum Title. They have a strong guard line they can interchange and quality bigs. Point guard Bradley Longcor III (Quincy) was strong on steady on the way to the title. Combo guard Tyreek Coleman (Waubonsie Valley (Aurora) has been a huge addtion to the team. Makes grest decsions from point and you can put him on the wing to hit catch and shoot threes. Plus defender of other guards. Unsigned senior Jalyn McElroy hit a game winning layup in semifinals. He's now committed to Division Two St Leo (FL). A stone cold winner with two state titles and three state finals appearances at DePaul College Prep (Chicago). Combo guard Marcos Gonsales (Brother Rice (Chicago))ets a piece of the paint on attacks to the rim and now can hit catch and shoot threes consistently.Ian Militec (Rolling Meadows) has shot the cover off the ball from three all spring on catch and shpo threes. Has improved his attackng game of the bounce. ll have division one offers. Nick Allen (Bradley Bourbonnais) has become better at posting up and scoring on the block, hits both backboards. Sean Reynols (DeKalb) is a nasty catch and shoot three point shooter but hurt his knee at end of the first day. Blake Fagbemi (Benet Academy(Lisle)) comes off the bench to provide a spark on both ends of the court and is good at attacking the rim and scoring as well as draw fouls.
Team Herro 15U: Look out for them on Nike EYBL Circuit. Won the platinum champiuonship with ease beating everyone by at least 25 points. Beat highly regarded Meanstreets in bracket play at Session 1 Memphis in double overtime. Lots of division one prospects in Dooney Johnson an attacking wng who can hit threes. Hurt his ankle earlier in the event. Donovan Davis is a versatile wing who can attack the rim off the bounce, post up on the block and hit threes. Two serious bigs in Tref Rademaker and Briggs Sheridan. Jack Kohnen is a versatile knockdown three point shooter on the wing.
Power 5 17U: Did not win the title but was impressive here. Went 4-0 at first session of Adidias 3SSB in Iowa. Jamerion Batemon is a knock down three point shooter who can hit them on the move, catch and shoot, and step backs. Devin Brown exemplifid endergy and three level scoring, not only here but at the Made Hoops Midwest Warmup in Chicago.
Amari Allen is an energy athletic wing who can hit threes and will attack the basket with bad intentions to dunk on you. Lukas Lutterding is a knockdown three point shooter.
Midwest Renegade 16U: Did not win the title here but have a ton of talent, and will challenge as the best 16U in Illinois. They play on the New Balance Circuit.
Karson Thomas (Lincoln Way East (Frankfort)) is a 6'3" combo guard who is recovering from a torn meniscus in his knee. I think they win this if he's healthy. Three level scorer who has the ball handling to run some point. He still pinned a shot at the top of the square in this event. Imagine when he's fully healthy. He also can guard 4 positions on the court in high school. Has division one offers.
Jordan Williams (Fremd (Palatine)) is a 6'5" wing who's a double/double machine on his high school team, but has played more like a wing here. Knocking down threes at a high rate in this event. Exploded for a couple of games close to 30 points here. He still rebounds at a high rate but showed his ball handling skills here. Has division one offers.
Simereon Carter (Waukegan) is a 6'5" wing has exploded this spring. He's catching bodies all over the place (check the videos) and is a knockdown three point shooter especially off the catch. he's attacking the basket more under control and is a multiple position defender. Received a Division one offer from Cal State Northridge. More will be coming.
TJ Tate (Marist (Chicago)) is a 5'11" point guard who's the maestro for the talented wings on this squad. He hits threes, drives to the basket and either finishes or sets up his teammates. Gets up into opposing point guards on defense.
Jaali "Rico" Love (Manley (Chicago)) is a 6'7" wing (another one for Rengade) who's a jack of all trades. A triple double threat who is a high energy rebounder, can set up teammates off the bounce and is an improving three point shooter. Defends multple positions on the perimeter. Rim protector in the paint. Regularly puts defenders on posters (dunks on them).
Alijah Little (East (Plainfield)) is a 6'4" wing who's a three level scorer and had multiple 20 point games in this event. Hits catch and shoot threes, step back threes, and catch and shoot. Showed nice two dribble pull-up jumper and attacking off the bounce and finsihing at the rim.
Mid Pro Academy 17U: To me has the most talent of any travel team in the state. They have to learn to play with a little more toughness. Lost in this event to Power 5 because they were tougher. Took a loss to Fundamental U on the UA Rise circuit in Rock Hill, SC last weekend. Did beat Breakaway Basketball twice in an event. Talent is abundant on this team.
Starts with Dietrich Richardson (Manual Peoria) a talented 6'7" point guard who's learning when to take over scoring. Unstoppable on the high school level as he scores at all three levels, mid range king, and is now finishing at the rim trying to put players on posters. Light is coming on more and more with every event. Multiple division one offers.
Matthew Zobrist (Metamora) is a 6'5" combo guard who can fill it up. The lefty hits threes off catch and shoot as well as off two dribble pull-ups.
Braden Freeman (Moline) is a 6'6" wing who's still discoverng his talent. He hits threes, can attack off the bounce and has the athleticism to finish over bigs at the rim. Nice two dribble mid range jumper.
Trey Taylor (Moline) is a 6'6' point forward who's a jack of all trades. Lefty can hit threes, score on drives to the rim, set up teammates with his passing, and hits the glass on both ends. Can post up mismatches on the block and score.
Leshawn Stowers (Peoria) is a 6'5" combo guard who can socre on all three levels. Can run the point when needed, is still finding out how good he is. Needs to be more consistent in using his scoring gifts. Up the aggression to attack when he sees a mismatch.
Kobe Walker (Normal Community) is a 6'9" forward who's a powerful force in the paint. He's an improiving scorer on a block with a couple of nice post moves. Rim protects with his strength and shot blocking.
Players:
Zach Kinzinger, Team Herro 17U (Wisconsin commit)
John Whorton, MR 22 Elite 3SSB 17U
Favor McFadden, MR 22Elite 3SSB 17U
AJ Bender, Davis Brothers Elite 17U
Ross Robertson, Davis Brothers Elite 17U
Jayden Wright, Illinois Wolves 3SSB 16U
Noah Mister, Illinois Wolves 3SSB 16U
Luke Smith, All In Figueroa 17U
Brody Variano, All In Figueroa 17U
Matthew Morrice, All In Figueroa 17U
Ryan Brown, All In Figueroa 17U
Grant Mueller, Illinois Wolves 16U
MADE HOOPS MIDWEST WARMUP:
Teams:
Meanstreets EYBL 15U:
Big time loaded team with some of the top players in the 2027 class nationally. Went 2-0 in this event and 4-1 on Nike EYBL Memphis Session One with only loss in double overtime. Here are some of their top players:
Jaxson Davis (Warren Township (Gurnee)) is a 6'1 maestro of a point guard. plays both ends of the court, you can't speed him up on offense. Three level scorer who uses clever moves in the paint to score over and under defenders. Nice mid range pull-up. Uses up and unders to score in the paint. Had a couple of 20 point outings at this event. Led team to 4-1 at Nike EYBL Memphis Session One.
Davion Thompson (Bolingbrook) is a 6'2" combo guard and professional scorer. He didn't score well at this event but showed some point guard skills. He absolutely went off at the Nike EYBL Memphis Session One. Had a 47 point game on 17-19 shooting 8-9 from three. Had multiple 20 point games in the event.
Howard Williams (Whitney Young (Chicago)) is a 6'6" wing who has played well all spring. Double/double machine who's scoring of the bounce and hitting long three pointers off the catch. Slashing to the rim with nice up and unders along with rim rattlng dunks. Had a game of 41 points 12 rebounds on 17-18 shooting. Did some quality rim protecting.
Josiah Harrington is a 6'4' combo guard who showed three level scoring at this event and is another big time weapon on this team. #1 ranked player in Iowa for his class. Missed the Nike EYBL Memphis Session One with an ankle injury.
Quinton Kitt is a 6'5" wing who does a little bit of everything. Showed here he can hit the corner threes, rebound, make nice passes to teammates, and score on put backs at the basket. Also showed he can slash to the rim and finish. Nice jack of all trades off the bench, or can start. Guards four postions in high school basketball.
Breakaway Basketball 17U was impressive at this event. Beat Meanstreets 17U and Power 5. Here's some of their talent.
Kyle Waltz is a reclass from York (Elmhurst) who's headed to Spire Academy 9OH). Big time athlete on the wing who can shoot the three on catch and shoots, and attack the rim and dunk on bigs. Only 17 years old will be a hot commodity for division one schools in Class of 2025.
Aidan Bardic (Stevenson (Lincolnshire)) is a 6'3" point guard who can run a team and shoot the cover off the ball. The lefty is a crafty scorer using Euro steps around the rim, scorers off the bounce from three and make precise passers to shooters in this offense.
Anton Strelnikov (Lake Zurich) is a 6’8” forward who might be the top big man in the state in Class of 2024. Has big time post moves and good feet to score on the block. Will turn and put in two handed dunks. Good rim protector and rebounder. Cannot guard him one on one. Oh he can step out and hit threes too off the catch.
Michigan United 17U has some really good players. Lost a couple of close games in this event. One to Meanstreets.
Lance Stone is a firecracker big time player at 5'11". Three level scorer and is crafty geting of floaters in the lane. Not afraid to attack the basket and finishes at the rim at a high rate. Doesn't forget his responsibility to run a team and set up teammates for open shots.
Caden Neves is a 6'6" forward who can finish on rim runs, rebounds on both ends of the court. Plays bigger than his height. Very good small college prospect.
Graham Junge is a 6'1" shooting guard, YES SHOOTING GUARD!!! He can score from the parking lot aka the logo as well as right at the three point line. he's good at catch and shoot, dribbling into threes, and step back threes off the dribble. A threat when he walks into the gym, even with a knee brace on.
Xavier Johnson is another three level scorer who has plus athleticism and can defend three positions in high school.
Top matchups:
Amari Edwards (Wendell Phillips (Chicago)) of Team Rose 17U vs AJ Demirov (South (Crystal Lake)) of Fundamental U 17U: Tow small guards with Edwards being 5'10" and Demirov being 6'0". Both challenged each other on both ends of the court. Scoring, assisting, getting into each other on defense. I think Edwards won the matchup as he made a couple of clutch steals on Demirov and his team won the game. Both of these guys are exlosive scorers from all three levels, quick, and have quick releases on their shot.
Mac Irvin Fire 17U vs Power 5 17U: Big time matchup people crowded the court 4 deep. Fire had a 10 point lead but Power 5 quickley tied it and took a lead they would hld the rest of the game. Jamerion Bateman was huge for Power 5 as was Amari Allen. Top player for the Fire was Davion Hannah.
Top players (synopsis):
Class of 2028 Cole Kelly of Breakaway Basketball 16U is the future in Illinois High School basketball. Young man was playing two age levels up. The 14 year old 8th grader showed three level socring in this event. Lefty attacks the basket with controlled abandon and finshes at the rim so good for someone so young. He hits catch and shoot threes, and has a nice pull up mid range jumper. He plays defense on the perimteter and protects the paint at 6'6". He has a chance if he stays at Neuqua Valley (Naperville) for 4 years to break all kinds of scoring records at the school.
Mason Lockett IV (East (Oswego)) of Y n R 16U is a emerging prospect. Big time sleeper who is now seeing how good he is. The light has been turned on. 6'5" combo guard is versatile in that he can score on all three levels and run point at a high level. Hits catch and shoot thress, off the bounce, smooth two dribble pull-up jumpers from mid range, finsishing at the rim, and setting up teammates with open shots. Defends four positons on the high school level.
Jacob Rice of Chicago Hoops 17U is a stone cold professional scorer. He was the best scorer in the event putting up muluiple games of high 20 and low 30 points in the event. He's a 6'4" combo guard who can score anywhere on the court. Three level scorer. Can do it on catch and shoot thress, off the dribble threes, get to his spots in the mid range, attack and finish at the rim strong. His body has gotten stronger over the past year playing against older players at prep school at Western Reserve Academy (OH). He's only 16 years old. Former player at St Laurence (Burbank).
Top players:
Yusef Gray Jr, Team Herro 16U
Deuce Burkes, Team Herro 16U
Ben Okoro, Team Herro 16U
Jayden Riley, Y n R 16U
Charles Barnes, Y n R 16U
Gabe Sularski, Meanstreets EYBL 17U (2026 prospect)
EJ Horton, Meantreets EYBL 17U
Kaidan Chatham, Powerhouse Sports 17U
Henry Marshall, Powerhouse Sports 17U
Hunter Gawron, Powerhouse Sports 17U
Simon Moschin, Powerhouse Sports 17U
Theo Rocca, Fundamental U UA Rise 17U
Elijah Lovemore, Team Rose 17U
Zion Gross, Team Rose 17U
Devin Cleveland, Mac Irvin Fire 15U
Michael Woods, Mac Irvin Fire 15U
Damari Stephens, Mac Irvin Fire 17U
Reggie Stevens, Team Rose 15U
Zaire Green, Team Rose 15U
Asa Harris, Team Rose 15U
Jamson Coulter Jr, Mac Irvin Fire 16U
Rajon Roberts, Mac Irvin Fire 16U
Stephen Brown, Mac Irvin Fire 16U
Lincoln Williams, Mac Irvin Fire 16U
NIKE EYBL MEMPHIS:
I saw a few games and players. Will do a little writeup on a couple of players and one team I saw on EYCL15 whom I think should be an EYBL team.
Player:
Jasper Johnson, Team Thad (TN): 6'5" combo guard was absolutely ridiculous in the game I saw vs Oakland Soldiers (CA). He scored at all three levels and looked like the best player on the floor most of the game. The lefty can score on any part of the floor. Long threes, mid range floaters in the lane, at the rim over tall timber of players. He's a long defender who can guard all three perimeter positions in high school basketball. AJ Dybantsa of the Oakland Soldiers is the #1 player in Class of 2025, he came alive at the end and pulled his team to victory. Johnson averaged 17.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the weekend. Top 10 player in America. Plays at Link Academy (MO). From my hometown of Lexington, KY.
AB Elite (TX) 15U EYCL: This is Anthony Black Elite their sporonsor is a rookie for the Orlando Magic in the NBA. This team is loaded ladies and gentlemen. They blew everyone out by double digits, most by a 20 piece extra crispy. They have talent as starters and off the bench. Some of the players are Dawson Battie, Beckham Black (floor general), Marri Wickware, Josiah Jones, Deuce Hunt Jr, Kellan Cantrell (shooter off the bench). All are Class of 2027. A few of these guys will be household names when they get to be seniors in high school.
