PLAINFIELD, ILLINOIS: The annual Illinois Spot-Lite Class was another good one. Some basketball talent already known and some sleepers as usual showed their stuff. Thanks to Larry Butler, Sean Bell, officials, staff, and scorekeepers for doing a great job. Here's the wrap-up:
CLASSIC CHAMP:
LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO): I've watched a lot of these players for the last three years through two coaching staffs. Everyone involved in the development of these players deserves kudos. This looks like the year the building of this team will come together. They have size, speed, athleticism, playmaking, quickness, and outside shooting to do great things this coming season. The Lions will be contenders for Chicago Public League and Class 4A State Titles. They had to come from behind to win semifinal and championship games. Coach Josh Anderson is in his second year at the helm and have some great pieces to work with. Congrats guys.
MVP:
AHMAD LEE, LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO), Class of 2026 6'3" point guard: One of the most underrated players in the Chicago Area and the state. Has a great chance to be a Division One point guard and the best guard in his class. He showed he's a great floor general by protecting the ball, making some nice passes in traffic, to the perimeter, and off penetration to the basket. Two end monster who showed quick hands in getting steals on and off the ball. Hit threes consistently off the dribble,off the catchand scored on drives to the basket in transtion and in halfcourt. Look for an explosion this year from him playing a tough Chicago Public League Red schedule. Should not be an under the radar talent much longer and look for an explosion in his game this year.
REST OF THE ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM:
CHAYSE TURNER, LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'4" wing: It was close for naming him MVP. He played well enough as he showed his athletic slashing ability off the wing. Finshed at the rim with hanging layups and dunks. Showed a consistent three point shot off the bounce off the catch. Defended all over the court, on the perimeter as well as in the post. Had a couple of chase (no pun intended) blocks on the fast break and hit the glass on both ends. Twitter handle: @TurnerChayse12.
DJ PORTER, ROMEOVILLE, Class of 2025 6'3" point guard: Power guard had his three point shot going in thei event. Hit multiple ones in each game I saw mostly off the bounce. Accentuated his drive and finshing game through contact with some nice passes in traffic and kickouts to shooters. Defended opposing point guards with movement of feet and quick hands. Two end force. Has multiple division one offers. Twitter handle: DamionPorter2.
MATTHEW ZOBRIST, METAMORA: Class of 2025 6'5" combo guard: Bradley commit exploded for a couple of multiple 20 points games in the two games he played. He showed three level scoring in this event. He's already a big time lefty sniper from three pojnt range off the bounce or off the catch. He showed more quickness on attacking the basket off the bounce, and improved finishing at the rim. He did it with either hand. Leading a young Metamora team this season.
JAKE NOSEK, METEA VALLEY (AURORA), Class of 2025 6'8" wing: He showed his usual long range shooting from three. Hit a lot of them off the bounce as he lulls defenders with his slow dribble and quick pull-up jump shot. He showed he can get to the mid range and hit pull-up jumpers at that range. Is an improving defensive rebounder using his size to stick his nose in there. He has division one interest. Twitter handle: @jake_nosek.
ZACK SHARKEY, MARIAN CATHOLIC (CHICAGO HEIGHTS), Class of 2025 6'3" combo guard: Mid range king showed that in this event as he usually does when he steps on the court. He also showed a nice three point shot hitting more than a few in this event. Hit them off the bounce and off the catch. Took the scoring load for his team in this event. Uncommitted. Twitter handle: @ZackSharkey22.
MASON LOCKETT IV, EAST (OSWEGO), Class of 2026 6'5" combo guard: He showed an all around game in this event. He scored at all three levels, made some nice passes in halfcourt and in transtion. Defended multiple positions and showed some leadership in talking on defense to teammates. Gifted scorer either off the bounce or off the catch. Multiple division one offers. Twitter handle: @themasonlockett.
DEVON NANGLE, BOGAN (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'4" combo guard: The big time discovery in this event. We always have at least one this year and this young man is it. Big time athleticism and showed it here posterizing more than a few players. Unlike a lot of young men who are just athletes, this young man is very skilled. Good ball handler, three level scorer, hit multple threes, mid range jumpers, as well as attacking the rim. Defends multiple positions on the other end of the court. College coaches need to make a visit to Bogan and/or make a call. Twitter handle: nangle_devon. Phone number is on the account. Get busy coaches.
JAYDEN MCKINNON, DYETT (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'4" combo guard: This is another one that college coaches need to be on. Young man showed a three point stroke as well as attacking the basket off the bounce and finsihing with either hand. Hits the boards on both ends and defends on the peritmeter. Gets out on the break, good at changing ends of the court. Twitter handle: @jayden_mckinnon and travel team is Acclivus Sports.
MEKHI MOSES, LINDBLOM MATH AND SCIENCE (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'5" forward: High flyer who will dunk on you in a moment's notice. Athletic slasher who can get to the basket at will. Hits the glass on both ends with a relentlessness rarely seen. Big time energy guy who was very productive in each game he played in event.Twitter handle: @moses_mekhi12025.
LUCA STELLA, LAKE PARK (ROSELLE), Class of 2026 6'4" point guard: A big time sleeper in his class. Unknown till this event. This young man can run a team, make nice passes, hit three point shots off the dribble and catch, as well as attack the rim and finish. Plus defender who uses his long arms to get deflections and steals on the ball or in the passing lanes. Another of many guards to look out for in the junior class. Twitter handle: @Lucabasketball_.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS:
KYE WARD-OWENS, HYDE PARK ACADEMY (CHICAGO), Class of 2026 6’5” combo guard, Twitter handle: KyeWardOwens1
ZION WILKINS, LINDBLOM MATH AND SCIENCE (CHICAGO), Class of 2026 5'8" point guard, Twitter handle: @ZionW_2x
TIMOTHY STANTON, FARRAGUT ACADEMY (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'0" combo guard , Twitter handle: @tstanton2025
LATRELL KELLEY, FARRAGUT ACADEMY (CHICAGO), Class of 2026 6'0" point guard, Twitter handle: @LatrellKelley
DSHAUN BOLDEN, EAST (OSWEGO), Class of 2027 6'2"combo guard, Twitter handle: @dshaun_bolden1
JOSH STONE, EAST (PLAINFIELD), Class of 2025 6'2" combo guard, Twitter handle: @Josh02Stone
JUSTIN OWENS, BOGAN (CHICAGO), Class of 2025, 5'9" point guard
KJ MILLER, EAST (PLAINFIELD), Class of 2027 6'3" combo guard
ETHAN HENDERSON, CARMEL CATHOLIC (MUNDELEIN), Class of 2025 6'6" wing. Twitter handle: @ehendo25
OMARI KAMAL JR, LINDBLOM MATH AND SCIENCE (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'1"combo guard, Twitter handle: @okamaljr25
KEYSHAWN BARFIELD, LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO), Class of 2025 6'9" center, Twitter handle: @showtime_K3y
DELAN DAVIS, MARIAN CATHOLIC (CHICAGO HEIGHTS), 6'1" point guard, Twitter handle: @delandavis25
ARAMIS BROWN JR, DYETT (CHICAGO), 6'2" combo guard, Twitter handle: @aramisbrown11
JAHMIR BROWN, DYETT (CHICAGO), 6'0" point guard, Twitter handle: @Jahmirbrown11
DANIEL FAJINMI, BOGAN (CHICAGO), 6'4"shooting guard, Twitter handle: @Danny480160
ALEX VINCENT, OAK PARK RIVER FOREST, 6’9” center, Twitter handle: @AlexVincentOp
INCOMING FRESHMAN LOOKING TO MAKE IMMEDIATE IMPACT:
KAYDEN TURNER, METAMORA, 6'2" combo guard: This young man is an extraordinary shooter from deep. Hits them from 25 feet and in off the bounce or off the catch. Has an excellent quick release off the catch. He showed in this event he can get his offense off the bounce and finsih at the rim. Had some excellent passes off penetration and within the offsense. Can play either guard position. Twitter handle: @K_Turner2028
BRADY JONES, METAMORA, 6'3" forward: Scores in the paint on post moves with back to the basket, or on short jumpers. Hits both backboards hard and with reckless abandon. Big time baseball player who throws 78-80 MPH as a pitcher, and hits a ton as an infielder. Have a feeling his future may be in baseball.
BRENNAN SHANNON, LAKE PARK (ROSELLE), 6'4" wing: Lefty is a big time shooter from three who can also score in mid range or on drives to the rim. Shot is smooth coming out of his hand and hits them off the bounce or off the catch. Hits the defensive glass and can take it himself or hit an outlet man on the break.
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