First annual Chitown Showcase Xposureruns had 27 players participate at 167 North Green ten floors above Chicago. Can see the Skyline and a lot of the city up there. I would like to thank Mustafa Abdullah of Xposureruns, Ryan Forman, Shaneeka Stewart, and Cresa Corp for inviting me in. Lots of talent in the building in Class of 2023-2026. Here are some of the players that shined:
MVP: RJ McKinnie, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago): 6'0" Class of 2024 guard was everywhere, hustling on both ends of the court. He hit threes, attacked the basket and scored, moved the ball up the court on rebounds, and defended his position. He was consistent in all the games that he played. Great glue guy who gets you possessions with his hustle and intelligent all around play.
LINCOLN WAY EAST SHOWED OUT:
George Bellevue, 6'6" Class of 2023 forward showed improved ball handling as well as hit some threes in the games he played. Did his usual attacking the basket off the dribble, and hitting the glass.
Kyle Olagbegi, 6'6" Class of 2023 forward was slashing to the basket and rising for dunks all evening. Hit some nice pull-up jump shots off the dribble. Hit the glass on both ends and got out on the break. Showed a lot of energy each game he played.
BJ Powell, 5'9" Class of 2026 point guard was the youngest player at the event. The South Carolina native introduced himself to the Chicago Area with some threes off the catch, and showed a quick first step off the dribble finishing with the left at the rim. Showed nice pressure on the ball against opposing point guards.
SIMEON CAREER ACADEMY ANNOUNCED THEIR PRESENCE WITH AUTHORITY:
In addition to MVP McKinnie they had the best big man at the event.
Wes Rubin, 6'7" Class of 2023 forward and Northern Iowa commit showed some nice moves in the post and finishes along with attacking off the bounce and rising for a couple of impressive dunks. Making his own way outside of his twin brother Miles.
ETOWN IN THE HOUSE:
Evanston Township had three players who all impressed.
Hunter Duncan, 6'0" Class of 2023 point guard St Viator(Arlington Heights) transfer showed his athleticism in getting to the basket, finishing and making some nice alley-oop passes to rim running wings. Hit a couple of mid range shots as well as three pointers.
Prince Adams, 6'5" Class of 2023 wing had a couple of nice coast to coast finishes off getting the rebound, and attacking the rim and scoring. Ran the floor very well off the wing. Has extended his game to show a mid range jump shot.
Josh Thomas, 6'7" Class of 2023 wing Stevenson (Lincolnshire) transfer did his usual rim running, finishing at the rim with dunks and hitting the glass. Had an impressive dunk over Daniel Johnson of Whitney Young (Chicago) that had the gym jumping. Showed a nice mid range jumper.
WHITNEY YOUNG POINT GUARD SHOOTING LEFT HANDED JUMPERS:
Dalen Davis, 6'0" Class of 2023 point guard Princeton commit was getting to the basket, finishing and setting up others. He decided to show that he can hit threes and mid range shots with his left hand. Impressive for a player who naturally shoots right handed. Had some great individual matchups with Jeremy Fears Jr.
FEARS BROTHERS SHOWED OUT AS USUAL:
The young men from West (Joliet) played on opposite teams most of the evening, but was able to show their skills.
Jeremy Fears Jr, 6'2" Class of 2023 Michigan State commit is back in the state. He was gone two years playing for La Lumiere( (IN), and made a great national reputation for himself. He's known as the floor general and did some of that here. Mostly, he showed his athleticism with a couple of tomahawk dunks, along with hitting two 25 foot three point shots.
Jeremiah Fears, 6'0" Class of 2025 Made another case for being the best player in his class in Illinois. Hit more than a few long range threes, had some nice drives to the basket, showed a mid range jumper along with setting up teammates for baskets. Defended opposing guards getting some steals and breakaway baskets.
OTHER STANDOUTS:
Richard Barron III, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago) Class of 2023 6'5" wing George Mason commit is a knockdown three point shooter from the wing. In this event he showed he has improved his attacking the basket and finishing. Once he gets past you with his muscular body forget about it. He'll shield you off and has the strength to finish through contact.
Bryce Tillery, Hillcrest (Country Club Hills) Class of 2023 5'10" point guard Diggy is just solid, gets it done on both ends. Floor general who just knows how to run a team, get the ball to the right spots, finish at the basket, and is a voracious defender on and off the ball.
Evan Jackson, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago) Class of 2023 6'7" wing was a mid range monster in this one. Hit the two dribble 15 foot jumper time and time again. Efficient in that area of the floor. Did mix in some drives and finishes at the rim.
Xavier Suliaman, Oak Lawn Class of 2023 6'3" combo guard showed his athleticism as usual in this event. He slashed to the basket and just took off from anywhere inside the free throw line throwing down some nasty dunks. Finished some layups off feeds running the lane on the wing.
Will Gonzalez, Riverside Brookfield Class of 2024 6'5" combo guard showed a lot of potential as a versatile backcourt player. He showed he can run an offense, make slick passes, score from all three levels of the court. Defended all three perimeter positions with his long arms and quick feet.
Austin Kulig, Victor Andrew (Tinley Park) Class of 2023 6'8" wing is sneaky athletic who showed slashing ability to the basket along with a three point shot off the dribble and catch and shoot. Did not get a lot of opportunities to rim run and catch some alley-oops in this setting. Moved well without the ball.
Elijah Lovemore, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights) Class of 2025 6'3 combo guard showed he can score in the mid range and well as hit a few threes in this event. He ran some point guard as well as played on the wing in a catch and shoot position.
Corey Lee, Oak Lawn Class of 2023 6'0" combo guard is just a knockdown three point sniper especially off the catch and shoot. Quick release just catches the ball and lets it fly.
Claude Mpouma, Culver Academy(IN) 6'8" forward Class of 2026 player was one of only two in his class here and the only out of stater. Did not get many touches in this one, but showed a nice spin move in the paint to get separation from defenders. Nice passer out of the post.
First of what I hope becomes and annual event to help these young men get some exposure for the colleges and their brand.
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