I'd like to thank Mustafa Abdullah of Xposureruns, Ryan Foran of Cresa Chicago, SVI Sportswear, Jet Support Services Inc, Dolan Law for putting this free event on for the young men. It's needed in the local basketball scene. The best one put on yet, a lot of under the radar players going hard at all times, and bringing the noise. Not a lot of top names, but sometimes you need the sleeper players having something to prove. Some players left the event with scholarship offers. That's what it's all about. Here we go:
SHOWCASE MVP:
BRENT TAYLOR, Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard, Homewood Flossmoor:
Scored at all three levels, was aggressive loking for his offense and setting up teammates for open shots. Showed his athleticism by getting out on the break for dunks and hanging drives to the rim. Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) transfer is an explosive scoring threat all over the court. Team won the Showcase title.
SHARPSHOOTER AWARD:
TRISTAN SAUNDERS, Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard, West (Joliet):
Young man was hitting threes like they were layups. He was hitting them off the catch, off the dribble, set backs, crossovers, was on fire. Threes were not all he was hitting, he was scoring in the mid range on pull-ups, catch and shoot as well as finishing at the cup. He also got after it on the defensive end of the court.
RISING STAR AWARD:
ETHAN VAHL. Class of 2028 6'2" combo guard, Oswego:
He has been a name player for some time in middle school. He played at high school events last fall which was my first chance to see him play. He's played well in every setting I've seen him play and he didn't disappoint here. He's a combo guard who can actually play both positions. His true position is point guard and he played it well here, making instinctual passes to teammates for baskets. Showed his long range three point shooting, along ith his mid range game.
SUPER SLEEPERS:
These two young man were hiding in out posts in the state of Illinois. One from deep in Southern Illinois. The other in the tri state corner of Illinois, Kentucky, and Indiana.
DUSTYN COLLINS, Class of 2025 6'6" wing, Centralia:
The Southern Illinois young man is a King of Bounce. Can get off the floor with a quickness. Had a couple of head tap dunks on defenders. Athleticism attacking off the bounce from the three point line and finishing at the rim. Oh he's not just a high flyer, he can hit threes off the bounce, the catch, and step backs. College coaches you're missing out. Give the young man a call. Twitter handle: @DustynCollins4.
MITCHEL EDWARDS, Class of 2025 6'7" combo guard, Cami-White County:
This young man from that tri city area in Eastern Illinois that I mentioned above. Another one who can get off the floor and do a number of nasty dunks. Shows his verstaility by knocking down threes off the bounce, catch, and step back. Good rim protector especially off the ball. King of Bounce who could win a dunk contest if the state still had one. Twitter handle: @Mitchel522. College coaches should be blowing up his phone.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS:
JOSH ABUSHANAB, Class of 2026 6'6" wing, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn):
He plays more and more aggressive the more I see him. Looks like the light has come on for this versatile wing. He showed he can score on attacks to the rim, and mid range jumpers. Guarded all five positions on the court.
KOBE WALKER, Class of 2025 6'10' center, Normal Commnity:
Only commit here at the event. Central Michigan commit dominated the paint all day long. Scoring on the block, rebound put backs, rim protection, defensive rebounding. Showed a nice jump hook and hit a stepback three.
DONTE MONTGOMERY JR, Class of 2025 6'2" combo guard, Oak Lawn:
Could have been MVP. He was the most aggressive I've seen him on the court. He was looking for his offense whether on aggressive drives to the basket, long range threes, mid range floaters, attacking off the break. He was on fire with his three level scoring, finishing through contact.
ZION GROSS, Class of 2025 6'6" wing, West (Joliet):
Was getting where he wanted off the bounce, slashing to the rim and finishing. Hit threes mostly off the boune, and creating opportunities for himelf and his teammates. Showed good control with the ball to get to any spot he wanted on the court.
ETHAN HILLSMAN, Class of 2026 6'7" wing, West (Joliet):
Showed his breakdown perimeter skills by taing it off the glass, pushing the ball, getting to the rim off the bounce, scoring, and setting up teammates. Hit the glass on both ends well. Mixed in a few outside shots to his repetoire.
AJ MORGAN, Class of 2025 6'5" wing, Vernon Hills:
This is one I believe has slipped through the cracks. Played travel ball for Next Up Hoops out of Mundelein. They played on the NXTPRO Hoops Pro 16 League. Was injured parts of his junior year of high school. To me he's a division one level athlete and has the ball handling, outside shooting, and explosive athleticism to play at that level. Some low division sqaud will be getting a steal. He gets after it defensively, hits both back boards, can create his own shot. Gets high on his jumper. College coaches should be rushing to get his signature.
OUT OF STATE TALENT:
Mustafa brought in some guys from his hometown of Philly, West Virginia, Florida, and Tennessee:
KHAMAI ORANGE, Class of 2025 6'2" point guard, Delaware County Christian Academy (Newtown Square, PA):
He was everywhere. On offense scoring at all three levels though mostly attacking the rim. Defense he was getting steals, deflections, bothering opposing offensive players. his energy was infectious out there in every way. In saying that he showed a lot of skill with his handle, passing, and shooting.
MAX MOORE, Class of 2025 5'11" shooting guard, Sissonville (WV):
Knockdown three point shooter who knocks them down in a variety of ways. Off the dribble, catch, step backs, pull up dribbles, and side step dribbles. Quick release helps him get the shots off even over size.
MARCUS BROWDER, Class of 2025 6'2" point guard, Central (Hammond, IN):
Young man attacked the rim and finsihed the entire day of games. If he didn't score off the first shot, he would histle for the rebound and get multiple put backs. He had a nice handle to get to his spots and hit a few mid range jumpers, and floaters. Would get the hustle award if they gave one out.
RYLAN KELLY, Class of 2025 6'3" shooting guard, Southeastern Prep Academy (FL):
Explosive off the bounce. Get to the basket and finsih with powerfule dunks as well as stroke the three. Quick hands helped him get steals here at the event. Has the ball handling to get to whatever spot he wants on the court. Hit some mid range jump shots and gets high on his jumper.
OTHERS:
ZACK SHARKEY, Class of 2025 6'2" combo guard, Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights):
Mid range King.
JARED VON DONSELAR, Class of 2028 6'5" wing, North (Grayslake)
Might have to add him to my Top 50 watch list for Class of 2028. Lefty is a kockdown shooter from deep.
HAYDEN SCHROEDER, Class of 2027 6'7" forward, Wheaton Academy (West Chicago):
Inside force who has an improving long range shot.
AMMAR IBRAHIM, Class of 2025 6'5" combo guard, MCC Academy (Morton Grove):
Can get to any spot on the floor with a tight handle, and hits off the dribble threes.
KESHAUN VAVAL, Class of 2025 6'1" point guard, Evergreen Park:
Attacks off the dribble and finishes at the rim. Nice mid range pull-up jumper.
MATAS GAIDUKEVICIUS, Class of 2025 6'5" combo guard, Lemont:
Got it going late showing his athleticism on a couple of dunks, Hit a couple of threes and made some nice passes.
CALEB BURGINS, Class of 2025 6'2" combo guard, Proviso West (Hillside):
Good penetration to the basket and either finished at the rim or set up teammates for layups or threes.
JACOB RICE, Class of 2025 6'4" wing, St Laurence (Burbank):
Showed some nice shooting from mid range and hit the glass on the defensive end.
OTHER PLAYERS INFO ARE ON THE PLAYERS PAGE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO COLLEGE COACHES!!!!!
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