Chicago Spring Classic Wrap-up!!!!!!

Mike Weinstein gathers three local club teams on a Saturday in May at Supreme Courts in Aurora to play round robin games every year. This year it was Elevate UAA/Fundamental U UA Rise, Y n R Brim from Recruitlook, and Meanstreets Nike EYBL replaced Mid Pro Academy 15-17U this year. There we other club teams that played as well. Pac Elite Basketball, Illinois Attack, and Midwest Renegade played on other courts. Great matchups especially individually. Here we go:

TWO TIME MR BASKETBALL (6'1") JAXSON DAVIS OF MEANSTREETS VS (6'3") MARKESE PEOPLES YNR BRIM 17U:

Davis plays for Warren Township (Gurnee). Peoples plays at St Laurence (Burbank). Both Class of 2027 guards had a highly anticipated matchup. They guarded each other at times, but it was big time even matchup until Peoples caught cramps in the third quarter. At the time Y n R Brim had the lead. Peoples tried to come back in twice but had to leave the game. Davis was a steady burn the entire game. Stole the ball from Peoples once, made some big time defensive plays, topped it of with a nasty pass in the fourth quarter to an open big for a game clinching dunk. I feel they are the top two players in the state in the class as Illinois commit Quenton Kitt (14 points) is leaving the state for prep school. Was at East Peoria. Davis had 20 points, a few steals, and assists. He attacked the rim for baskets, and a nasty left handed dunk. Hit a three as well. Peoples ended up with 13 points as he couldn't be stopped from getting to the rim. He was the only player in double figures for Y n R Brim. Meanstreets went to a zone and Peoples made some nice passes being employed in the middle of the zone. Meanstreets won the game by double digits. Maximus Jones had 15 points.

PEOPLES STARTED THE DAY WITH A BIG SECOND HALF TO HELP Y N R BRIM BEAT ELEVATE UAA 17U:

Peoples continues to impress this Spring. 6'3" combo guard can run point as well as play off the ball. He had 17 of his 23 points in comeback win over Elevate UAA. No one could keep him out of the paint the entire day. Inside/out dribble, crossovers, uses his body to shield defenders, and is excellent finishing through contact at the rim over bigs. Can also post up on the block and take advantage of mismatches. Evan Ploeckelman (6'7") had 15 points on 3 threes, Charlie Pomis (6'4") had 15 points for Elevate. Hayden Schroeder (6'8") had 12 points for Y n R Brim.

JAXSON DAVIS OF MEANSTREETS 17U NIKE EYBL VS COLE DUBOIS OF ELEVATE UAA WAS A BIG TIME MATCHUP:

Davis won this one as well but Dubois had a big game scoring from three and playmaking for his teammates. Dubois plays at East Peoria as is fun a watch. A 5'10" point guard is good as getting to his spots and scoring from long range. Uses nice up and under moves at the rim to score, and uses no look passes to trick the defense. Davis did his usual two way play and was the best player in the gym (as he usually is).

GRANT SMITH OF MEANSTREETS 16U NIKE EYBL CONTINUES HIS BIG TIME SPRING:

6'6" wing was impressive in both games vs Elevate UAA and Y n R Brim leading his tesm to blowout wins. Big time athlete off the bounce, who can hit threes at a high level. Hits them mostly off catch and shoot variety, but can take it off the bounce and finish with nasty dunks in traiffic. Had 22 points vs Y n R Brim and 15 points vs Elevate UAA. Two sport athlete (football) plays at Lyons Township (LaGrange).

LANDON LAMPLEY OF MEANSTREETS 16U NIKE EYBL IS A MONSTER TALENT:

Top 35 player according to 247 sports, and 45th in 247 composite. I have a feeling he'll go higher when it's all said and done. 6'7" wing is a do it all talent and showed it in this event. Gets where he wants off the dribble in halfcourt or transition. Makes plays for himself or others. Scores in mid range, on nasty dunks, or lay ins with either hand. Defends any perimeter position. Gets to the rim using his strength or big time ball handling skills. Kicks it to shooters in their shooting pocket. Had 25 points hitting a three vs Elevate UAA. He was the best player in the gym this side of Davis. Plays at Pike (Indianapolis,IN).

TOMMY DONAHUE OF FUNDAMENTAL U 17U RISE PUT ON A SHOOTING SHOW VS ILLINOIS ATTACK:

6'4" young man was a key cog in Deerfield's runners-up finish in Class 3A. Came very close to winning a state title. Showed his excellent three point shooting in this blowout win. Hit 7 threes for 23 points. Scored them off the catch, bounce, and step backs. Ran the floor and made himself available to get off shots.

OTHER TOP PLAYERS:

NATE FRIDMAN, FUNDAMENTAL 17U RISE: 5'10" point guard is an excellent floor general. Gets where he wants on the floor using guile, smarts, and quickness. Gets his body in front of defender once he gets to the lane and shoots the mid range jumper, takes his time to make passes to shooters. Lefty draws fouls to get to the free throw line, and likely had a double/double in this one. Had 10 points and 10 assists. Looks like his older brother two time Big Tim All-Area player Josh who's tearing it up at Illinois Wesleyan (D3). Plays at Glenbrook North (Northbrook).

OMAR AJANOVIC, FUNDAMENTAL U 17U RISE: 6'7" wing is a King of Bounce who had 12 points with a couple of threes and a monster follow up dunk in traffic. Versatile wing who can defend all front court positions. He'll catch anyone sleeping on his athleticism and leaping ability if you don't box him out. Will be a leader at St Patrick (Chicago) this comng season.

BRENNAN SHANNON, ELEVATE UAA 16U: 6'6" forward is a lefty who rebounds and finishes well at the rim through and around contact. Very crafty around the rim who can also step out and hit a three. Had 10 points vs Meanstreets. Plays at Lake Park (Roselle).

DENYM WALLACE, ELEVATE UAA 16U: 6'7" forward is a Class of 2029 playing up. Showed some strong moves in the paint vs Meanstreets Nike EYBL. Had 16 points and hit a three in that game. Doesn't back down in the paint and on the glass on both ends. Strongly built young man who throws his weight around. Two sport athlete (football). Plays at New Trier (Winnetka).

CADEN CRUDUP, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL 17U: 6'5" combo guard is a big time knockdown shooter specifically from the wings. Knocked down multiple ones in both games vs Elevate UAA and Y n R Brim. Hits them on the catch and shoot variety. Plays at Whitney Young (Chicago).

ARTHUR ABBEY, Y N R BRIM 17U: 5'10" point guard is a King of Bounce big time leaper. Put his head on the rim a coule of times vs Meanstreets. Had 10 points in the game. Quickness pushing the ball in transition and getting to the rim. Shows a nice jump shot from deep as well. Quick hands as a defender bothering opposing guards. Plays at Rock Island.

JEREMIAH TONEY, Y N R BRIM 16U: 6'2" combo guard was in attck mode vs Elevate UAA. Scored on continuous attacks to the rim and finishing mostly with Euro steps. Lefty also stepped out and hit a three. Young man is like a tornado in transtion going coast to coast multiple times for baskets. Had a nasty two hand dunk in the game. Plays at St Laurence (Burbank).

BRYCE SMITH, Y N R BRIM 16U: 6'5" wing showed some big time rim protecting in both games. Had 7 blocks vs Elevate UAA. Changes ends well in transtion. Plays within himself on the court ultimate role player that stays within that role. Did hit a couple of threes on the day and crashes the glass on both ends. Plays at Hoffman Estates.

QUINTON KITT, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL 17U: 6'6" wing is an Illinois commit and showed flashes of it in both games. Nice mid range jumper, can hits threes off the catch. Crashes the glass on both ends and changes ends well. Has a nice turnaround fade away jump shot in the mid post. Scored 14 points vs Y n R Brim drawing fouls and getting to the free thro line (7 points from there). Played at East Peoria but is rumored to be going to prep school for his senior year.

JEFFREY HASSAN, MEANSTREETS NIKE EYBL 17U: 6'9" forward is a rim protector and rebounder who changes ends well. Can play him in the dunkers spot catching alley oops off penetration or running the baseline. Plays at Kaneland (Maple Park).

BEN OJALA, ELEVATE UAA 16U: 6'2" combo gaurd is still trying to find his place on the team. Started the spring with the Mac Irvin Fire. Knockdown shooter from three or in the mid range. Plays at Evanston Township.