Prep Hoops Illinois Freshman Showcase Review!!!!!!

Big Tim

Aug 21, 20247 min read

Updated: Aug 22, 2024

This years showcase for Class of 2028 talent took place once again at Supreme Courts In Aurora. This class is very deep in talent. You had some of the guys who are known names even this early. There are also some unknown players to me as I don't watch middle school basketball. For these young guys it's a marathon not a sprint. Run your own race. If you're playing freshman ball and not JV or Varsity, keep working on your game. Work on the right stuff in the Lab as your trainer should be teaching these things. Accentuate your strengths and work the most on your weaknesses. Thanks to Scott Burgess, Steve Parham, and Teddy Bahu for being great hosts. Here's some of the talent that was on display:

TOP PLAYER I SAW:

GRANT SMITH, LYONS TOWNSHIP (LAGRANGE): The 6'6" wing did everything in his games today. He scored from three, on drives to the basket in the halfcourt and on the break. Rim protected at a high level, hit the glass on both ends of the court. Showed he can bring the ball up court and set up the offense. Passed the ball to open shooters out of the post or on the drive. Did not play with the varsity for the Lions in June so not sure if he'll play junior varsity or not? Lyons Township usually brings their players through the system slower than most. Future star in that program.

TOP PLAYERS THIS EARLY IN THE CLASS DID NOT DISAPPOINT (note: Brady Pettigrew of Bolingbrook did not play in 5 on 5, suffered injury in 3 on 3 play):

COLE KELLY, NEUQUA VALLEY (NAPERVILLE): He's a 6'6" wing who dominated in this event. Childs play for him. Could have a case as top player in the event. I guess my expectations of him are high after seeing him play on travel circuit for Breakaway Basketball 16U (yes playing two ages up). He also played well in June for Neuqua Valley. Did what he wanted out here scored from three, on drives and finishes at the rim, rebounding, and rim protecting. Things looked very easy for him on this level. He'll be one of the top freshman scorers in the state this high school season.

ETHEN VAHL, WEST AURORA: He's a 6'2" combo guard who ran point at this event. Same thing childs play. Did what he wanted out here scoring at all three levels, making slick passes to teammates. Attempted an alley oop pass off the glass that was a perfect pass but teammate could not finish the dunk. Dominated proceddings making things look easy out here. Same here high expectations as he's been playing against high school players for at least a year now. It showed as he's ready for a major contribution at the high school level.

THREE STAR GUARDS UP NEXT IN PEORIA AND CENTRAL ILLINOIS:

AMARION SMITH-HOLLEY, RICHWOODS (PEORIA): He's a 5'11" point guard and looks like the next star out of the Peoria area. Strong and gets to the basket at will and can finish through contact. Not afraid to attack the paint and will also drop off passes to open big men in the paint. Will hit the offensive glass and did in this event at all. You ask: What about a three point shot? He didn't shoot many of them here but he hit the ones I saw him shoot. He's so good at getting to the basket off the bounce and has a low center of gravity. He plays defense on opposing point guards using his hand quickness and strength to get steals.

ORLANDO EDWARDS JR, PEORIA: He's a 5'10" combo guard who was able to show his point guard chops here. He has a nasty lefty stroke from three point range. He was a catch and shoot guard on varsity in June. He's also a playmaker who showed here he can set up teammtes for baskets off the bounce, and kickouts for three pointers. Smart young man who plays whatever role he's given to get the win for his team. With more growth and strength which will come, he could be the next great star out of the talent rich Peoria area.

ANFERNEE MOORE, RICHWOODS (PEORIA): He's a 6'3" combo guard who uses his strength to score on drives to the paint. Has a nice three point shot on the catch, defends three positions on the perimeter. He has the ball handling to get into the paint and has a Euro step to get around and score. Finishes through contact at the rim. Can run some point guard if needed. Could be a varsity contributor this season.

MORGAN TWIN BROTHERS WILL BE FORCES ON THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL:

JOHN MORGAN, SOUTH (CRYSTAL LAKE): 6'4" wing performed the best of the brothers as he showed some nice consistent three level scoring. Hit threes consistently and showed some attacking on the drive and finishing. Not a speed merchant but uses his guile, nice moves, and takes his time finishing at the rim. Great offensive package and not bad at rim protecting. Good ball handler to make his dribble drive moves.

RYAN MORGAN, SOUTH (CRYSTAL LAKE): 6'4" wing showed a nice stroke from the perimeter but is not quite as polished as his twin brother. This doesn't mean he was not good. He's a little bit better finisher on the interior and in the post. Rim protects well and hits the glass on both ends of the court. Showed a mean streak and talked on defense to teammates.

YORKVILLE HAS A VERY GOOD FRESHMAN CLASS:

You have BRAYDON PORTER 6'3" wing (#266), JOSEPH CHRISTIAN 6'0" point guard (#218) and JOEY JAKSTYS 6'6" forward (#330) brother of Illinois player Jason Jakstys. There were two more players here I did not get to watch.

ROOSEVELT "DUKE" THOMAS PLAYS SO HARD:

The 6'3 combo guard from DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago) is a coaches dream. His motor may be his best quality though he does a little bit of everything. He can set up the offense, make slick passes either off the bounce, or nice long outlet passes for layups on the other end. Strong finisher at the rim as he uses his strength to play through contact and finsih. Showed a nice mid range jump shot and hit a couple of threes. He's a plus defender who gets into opposing guards and causes turnovers. Hits the glass on both ends of the court.

OTHER TOP PLAYERS:

DEANDRE HIGGS, THORNTON TOWNSHIP (HARVEY): Next line of Thornton stars. 2024 Mr Basketball Morez Johnson Jr, Tai Streets, Antwan Randel-El to name a few. This 6'2" King of Bounce was dominant in 3 on 3 and 5 on 5. Attacking the basket and finishing through contact easily. He also had a few dunks in the event. Not just and athlete showed a nice stroke from three to go along with his slashing attacking game. Hits the glass on both ends and changes ends well.

LUCAS THOMPSON, TRIAD (TROY): 6'5" wing showed a nice stroke from three, hit the glass and scored in the paint. Hit the glass on both ends of the court, and showed he can take it off the dribble.

JOSIAH HALL, ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO: 6'0" combo guard is a sharpshooter. Hit threes from 25 feet and in. Took him awhile to get going but once he did showed a big time heater from outside. Scored on some mid range jump shots and more than a few layups.

BONHEUR BALITA, LYCEE FRANCAIS DE CHICAGO: 6'3" wing is an absolute beast of an athlete. Slasher from the wing that can finish with strong layups through contact, or will go through you and dunk. Nice passer off the penetration to the basket and also hit a couple of threes. Hits both backboards hard.

CJ PITTMAN, WALTER PAYTON COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO): 5'11" point guard spent most of his day dropping dimes like he was giving out candy. He did it with slick passes off the break, hitting cutters in the halfcourt, long passes downcourt on the break, and attacks to the rim. He did some scoring penetrating and finishing at the rim.

JEREMIAH TONEY, ST LAURENCE (BURBANK): 5’10" combo guard (HE CAN'T BE THAT SHORT!!) is an absolute King of Bounce. He was dunking all over the place in this event. He did show some three level scoring but is a big time athlete. Hit the glass and got some steals with good on the ball defense.

EZENWA NWAGWU, ST RITA (CHICAGO): 5'10" point guard was doing some scoring and assisting in the event. He showed a nice three pointer, and scored on drives to the rim. Played good defense on the other ends of the court. Set up teammates for open shots.

JACOB JONES, MARIST (CHICAGO): 6'2" combo guard King of Bounce Good ball handler getting to the rim off the bounce. Showed his athelticism in this one scoring through contact at the rim. He hit some threes but mostly attacked off the dribble. Hit the glass on both ends of the court.

JAYDEN DOZIE, MAINE EAST (PARK RIDGE): 5'9" point guard is the next star for the Blue Demons. Head Coach told me he's slated to start right away on varsity. Floor general is a three level scorer and showed it here. Hits long threes, can get to the basket and create for himself or others. Look out for him in the Central Suburban.

RIGGINS TRAVIESO, GENEVA COMMUNITY: 6'1" combo guard is a knockdown shooter from three point range, standstill or off the bounce. He also attacks the rim for finishes off the bounce. i can't imagine him not having a role on the varsity.

AMIR TUCKER, ST IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO): 5'9" point guard showed he could run a team making some slick passes to teammates. Hit some threes and scored on drives to the rim. Son of former NBA player Arlando Tucker. Said he played on knees that were hurting. Look for him to grow a few inches in the next four years.

BEN OJALA, EVANSTON TOWNSHIP: 6'0" combo guard looks like he's grown a couple of inches since June. Did his usual knockdown three point shooting while mixing in playing point guard. He showed he can be a distributor as well as a scorer. Attacked the rim off the bounce and finished.

NOAH CORRO, ST LAURENCE (BURBANK): 6'0" point guard was thought to be going to St Patrick(Chicago) which was the school orignally listed but he'll be a Viking. Ball handling to get where he wants off the dribble, but uses it for pull-up three point shots. Slick passer and penetrates to either score or make those passes.