I heard this class is deep in talent. I don't go to middle school events in general, I wait till they get to high school. Here's a few that I've seen and how they have performed since Middle School graduation, and their first month in high school.
COLE KELLY, NEUQUA VALLEY (NAPERVILLE): Best I've seen so far. 6'6" wing who can do everything. He's had a number of performances over 20 points, grabs a bunch of rebounds, can set up the offense and pass for assists. He has three point range out to 25 feet as well as take defender off the dribble. Good rim protector in the paint, I look for him to be the most productive of all of them as he'll start right away. Production and potential is off the charts. Plays for Breakaway Basketball 16U
ETHAN VAHL, WEST AURORA: 6'2" combo guard is the next one I see have a lot of production. Great chance to be in the starting lineup for the Blackhawks. He's more of a point guard, but I put combo because he can play off the ball as well as on the ball. He's a maestro with the ball in his hands, running the offense, making no look passes, three point range as soon as he hits the gym. He's the rare young man at this age who plays good defense on the ball, and uses his long arms to get deflections and steals. Plays for Illinois Wolves 15U
BRADY PETTIGREW, BOLINGBROOK: 6'3" combo guard is nicknamed the Problem Child. He's giving big time problems to his opponents with his versatile play. Likely to come off the bench for a talented Raiders squad, you can play him at either guard position. Three level scorer who knocks down threes like they are layups, will post up off the block with a nice turnaround jumper in midrange. He can also finish on attacks to the rim with dunks, and Euro step finishes. Lots of potential on the defensive end of the court with his long arms, and can guard multiple positions. Plays for Mac Irvin Fire 14U
ALVIN ROBINSON III, LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO): 6'4" combo guard will likely go back and forth between Varsity and Junior Varsity. Future star in Chicago Public League. Atheticism is off the charts as he can get to the rim and dunk. Has a developing three point shot, and can score in the midrange. He can defend all perimeter postions at the high school level. Big time upside here. Plays for Mac Irvin Fire 14U.
ROOSEVELT THOMAS, DELASALLE INSTITUTE (CHICAGO): 6'2.5" power guard aka Duke is built like a tank at his young age. He's been in the starting lineup this summer for the Meteors, and could find his way there when season starts. He's good at attacking off the bounce and finishing at the rim. Can play point or two guard with his ball handling, and being able to get to his spots. Solid passer settting up teammates, and a nice mid range pull-up jump shot. Plays for Chicago Bulldogs 16U.
BEN OJALA, EVANSTON TOWNSHIP: 6'1" combo guard looked comfortable in the Wildkits offense at an early part of his career. He started all games at the Ridgewood Shootout, but came off the bench at Riverside Brookfield. Nasty long range shooter from three whether off the bounce or off the catch. Played confidently with penetrations off the dribble attacking the rim. Can go absolutely nuts from three like the game he hit 6 of them at Ridgewood. He gets after you defensively on the perimeter, and digs down for steals on post players. Plays for Meanstreets 14U.
DARRIUS HAWKINS JR, HOMEWOOD FLOSSMOOR: 5'10" point guard is a big time lefty shooter from three, who can also get to the basket and finish with Euro step layups. Has a nice floater from mid range. He'll come off the bench for the Vikings, and has already shown he can be a disruptor on defense. He gets low and into opposing point guards, and makes it miserable for them putting the ball on the floor. Has already shown he can create for teammates off penetration into the lane. Plays for Mac Irvin Fire 14U.
KAYDEN TURNER, METAMORA: One of the next up for the Redbirds. 6'2" combo guard is a stone cold knockdown shooter. He's not afraid to pull the trigger at anytime. Had a game at Riverside Brookfield with 7 threes, 5 in the second half against Lincoln Park. He also showed he can handle the ball and make plays off the dribble. Scores off the catch or off the dribble. Plays for Mid Prospect Academy 14U.
SAM KOCH, METAMORA: The other one who's next up for the Redbirds. Brother of Iowa player Cooper Koch. 6'1" combo guard does everything, can shoot from three, attack off the dribble, rebound, pass. Threes he can catch and shoot or go off the dribble. Versatile player on both ends of the court. Plays for Mid Prospect Academy 14U.
ORLANDO EDWARDS JR, PEORIA: 5'10" combo guard, the lefty plays a role of knockdown shooter from the wing for his high school team. He can also run some point and gets pressure on the ball on the defensive end. Will get a lot of minutes for the Lions. Plays for Peoria Pride 14U.
NIGEL MOORE, PEORIA: 5'11" point guard can run a team as well as knock down threes from all spots on the court. He penetrates to the basket and is good at making passes out to spot up three point shooters. Will get a lot of minutes.
TERRENCE DAVIS JR, LIBERTYVILLE: Bookas is next up in Lake County. The 6'1" combo guard is smooth with the handle, shifty off the bounce, can get to the basket and score at the rim. He had the game winning basket at Ridgewood against Class 2A defending champ Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago). Mid range king with a developing three point shot. Good chance to be the best player at Libertyville since NBA player Drew Peterson. Plays for Mac Irvin Fire 14U.
These are just some who have next in high school basketball in Illinois. I'm sure there are more to see, and will be fun to watch their development over the next 4 years. We'll see who comes out on top?
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