Ridgewood Live Event 2026 Wrap-Up!!!!

Thanks to Coach Chris Mroz, Dan Carden, security, workers in hospitality room for running a class event once again. This was a chance for a lot of under the radar talent to show out. Some stepped up, others maintained, and some didn't. Host team has a big time player who showed he's a college scholarship talent. Here we go:

EDVARDAS STASYS OF BENET ACADEMY (LISLE) MADE A STATEMENT TO BE #1 IN CLASS OF 2027:

6'8" wing showed he could play in the paint, and on the perimeter showing attacking skills off the dribble. Hit a few threes, changed ends well, and was a rim protector. Added some post-ups on the block using spin moves to score in traffic and rise up for dunks. Could be the hub for possible pre-season #1 team.

PERRY TCHIEGNE OF BENET ACADEMY (LISLE) IS A LONG ATHLETIC ATTACKER DOWNHILL AND POSTS UP ON THE BLOCK:

Class of 2027 6'5" combo guard the lefty got where he wanted off the dribble all weekend finishing at the rim for dunks, rebound putbacks, or posting up smaller players on the block. Quick hands allows him to guard any perimeter position using long arms as well. Makes good passes in the halfcourt to teammates, and uses Euro steps to finish.

LAST FAGBEMI UPLOADING WITH THE REDWINGS:

BLAIR FAGBEMI, BENET ACADEMY (LISLE): Class of 2027 5'11" point guard is the last of the Fagbemi's to come through. Older brothers Brayden and Blake both are playing at division one schools. Blair is a floor general, runs the offense, gets team into sets, can hit the occasional three, and uses aggressive takes off the bounce to the rim when needed. Puts pressure on opposing point guards. He also has the same clutch gene as his older brothers.

ANOTHER WRIGHT AT BENET ACADEMY (LISLE) AS WELL:

ELI WRIGHT, BENET ACADEMY (LISLE): Class of 2029 5'11" point guard is being used as a backup to the guard positions. He can run a team as well as shoot long threes as did his recently graduated brother Jayden who's at division one Eastern Illinois.

DINO GIANNINI IS THE BEST PLAYER RIDGEWOOD (NORRIDGE) HAS HAD IN YEARS!!!! TEAM CAN CONTEND IN AN OPEN UPSTATE EIGHT EAST CONFERENCE:

Class of 2027 6'1" point guard showed three level socring in the event. He's very good at catch and shoot threes, but can also attack off the bounce and score at the rim with either hand. He's a patient scorer who waits for his opportunities and converts them at a high level. Good passer who rebounds well for his position. Add the Nano brothers (Noah (2028) (#25, and Neal (2030) (#4)) who both can shoot well from deep with more size in the paint than they usually have. Will be an entertaining team to come out and watch. Both are 5'11". Neal hit the game winning three for the win over highly regarded Glenbard North (Carol Stream).

ENYIA COUSINS BALLED OUT FOR TOP CONTENDER ST LAURENCE (BURBANK):

St Laurence (Burbank) has a lot of talent returning but added these two young men for crazy depth for this team. From Class of 2027's Markese Peoples (#23) and Reggie Stevens to sophomores Evan Lemons, and Lawrence Burnett. They went undefeated for the summer.

AJ ENYIA: Class of 2027 6'8" forward transferred from IMG Academy (FL) and gives some size though he has a lot of perimeter skills. Shoots the three off the bounce and the catch, can attack the rim off the bounce and finish at the rim. Provides some rim protecting to the proceedngs. Was at Oak Park River Forest his sophomore year.

KELECHI ENYIA: Class of 2028 6'2" combo guard transferred from Providence Catholic (New Lenox) but didn't play last year from a knee injury. He was a King of Bounce athlete before the injury, but is slowly working his way back. Explosiveness is starting to come back, attacking the rim off the bounce and finishing. Hit a couple of threes, used quick hands to get steals. Adds to the big time depth of the Vikings.

NOAH CORRO: Class of 2028 6'2" combo guard has played wel this summer. Three level scoring on long threes, attacks to the rim, getting out in transition and making some nice passes for scores to teammates.

JEREMIAH TONEY, Class of 2028 6'3" wing has used his explosivness to the rim in transtion scoring on dunks, up and unders, and will hit an occasional three. Quick hands getting steals to get out in transition, as well as crashing the glass.

KAYDEN TURNER OF CENTRAL (PEORIA) JUST LOOKS MORE AND MORE CONFIDENT BY THE WEEK:

Class of 2028 6'5" combo guard is the best shooter in the state in the class. He hits them from as long as 25 feet out mostly on catch and shoot opportunities. Has improved his off the bounce game into two dribble mid range pull-up jumpers. Comes to a dead stop to go straight up for the jumper, or he can shoot the fadeaway. Did some posting up on the block shooting turnaround jumpers. Long arms and moving his feet well on defense as an improved defender. Also shows a clutch gene hitting big shots and plays with a calming presence on the court. One of the top two prospects in Central Illinois.

LOGAN WESSEL OF MOUNT CARMEL (CHICAGO) IS THE SLEEPER OF THE CLASS OF 2027:

Not many have him on the top of the list in the class but might have to take another look. 6'5" combo guard not only showed he can shoot from deep, which is not a surprise, but showed big time athleticism in the event. He attacked the rim off the bounce a few times finishing with strong two handed dunks. Has a mid range pull-up game as well. Showed the footwork to guard on the perimeter as well as in the paint.

HAYDEN SCHROEDER OF WHEATON ACADEMY (WEST CHICAGO) WAS DOMINANT VS AN ATHLETIC KENWOOD ACADEMY (CHICAGO) SQUAD:

Class of 2027 6'8" forward did it all in this game. He hit a couple of threes but mostly dominated on the block. Up and unders dropping the ball in, turning over his left shoulder and powering in for the dunk, taking it off the dribble from the perimeter and finishing in a variety of ways. Hit the defensive glass in a tight and close contest. Likely recorded a double/double.

BRADY PETTIGREW OF BOLINGBROOK DOMINATED ON A BUM ANKLE:

Consensus 4 star nationally in Class of 2028 the 6'4" combo guard still dominated on the first day of event through a bad ankle getting to the rim off the bounce and finishing at the rim. The second day after some treatment, he looked like the Top 15 national prospect getting off the ground and dunking through traffic with ease. Showed a mid range jumper as well as rim protection. #1 prospect in Illinois regardless of class made his case as the #1 player as well.

COLE KELLY OF NEUQUA VALLEY (NAPERVILLE) WAS BIG TIME AS WELL:

Class of 2028 6'7" wing showed his three level scoring as well as rebounding, and making good passes in halfcourt as well as outlet passes. Lefty hits threes at a high level. Doesn't matter off the bounce or the catch as well as side step. Did some rim protecting as well as changing ends in transtion. Can play him anywhere on the court. Consensus Top 85 player nationally as a 4 star. #2 prospect in the state of Illinois making his case for #1 player as well.

Class of 2027 PHILLIP JONES OF EAST ST LOUIS GETS DOWNHILL WHENEVER HE WANTS:

Assist man for Class 3A state title team in the winter, is more of an offensive force now that the Flyers are moving up to Class 3A. 6'1" point guard can still distribute the ball, but is a scoring machine at the rim, either dunking on players, finishing through contact, or going around with scoop shots at the rim in the halfcourt. Hit the occasional three point shot, and is deadly coming downhill in transtion. Gets defensive rebound and pushes the ball off the dribble or passes it up court.

Class of 2027 VENCKUS BROTHERS OF LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP ARE SKILLED KING OF BOUNCES:

Division one coaches you could get a big time pair of players in your program. Both have similar skills and are athletic.

NEDAS VENCKUS: 6'3" combo guard is the more explosive offensive player and scorer. Hits threes off the bounce or the catch, can get to the rim and dunk on a player. Did it multiple times in this event. He can also take it off the dribble, take his time, get his defender in the air and score right under or around him. Good mid range shooter on fallaway jumper. Gets deflections on defense for steals, and works well off his brother on timely cuts to the rim receiving a pass from Nojus.

NOJUS VENCKUS: 6'3" combo guard is more of the point man. He makes precise passes to his brohter Nedas cutting to the rim. Moves the ball well on the perimeter. He can shoot the three of the bounce or the catch. Gets to the rim and takes his time getting defender in the air, and scoring under or around him. He'll get some dunks as well usually cutting to the rim off the ball. Quick hands gets steals.

CLASS OF 2027 NATE FRIDMAN AKA ICE MAN OF GLENBROOK NORTH (NORTHBROOK) IS A SLICK OPERATOR AT THE POINT GUARD POSITION:

Ice Man (from the movie Top Gun) aka Tom Kazansky bores you to death with his flying until the other person does something stupid and he's got you. Same with Nate. 5'10" point guard uses his low center of gravity body to keep defenders off balance. He has a compact dribble and uses his body to keep defenders off him. Quick first step gets him by you and on his hip. He has you at his mercy, can use his nice mid range floater, slick pass to teammate in the paint, or vision to kick it to a shooter for three. Lefty also has a nice three point shot off the dribble or bounce. Makes the right play over 90% of the time. Older brother Josh was the same in high school.

SAM LAPPIN IS THE PERFECT BACKCOURT COMPLIMENT AT GLENBROOK NORTH (NORTHBROOK):

Class of 2028 5'10" point guard is a knockdown shooter from three either off catch or boune. Quickness gets him into the paint to create for himself or others. He'll kick ball out to shooters or feed a cutter for a basket. Finishes at the rim off straight linje drives.

ILLINOIS COMMIT CLASS OF 2027 MASON MARTIN OF NEUQUA VALLEY (NAPERVILLE) WAS KNOCKING DOWN THREES ALL WEEKEND:

6'5" combo guard is just about automatic from three off catch and shoot. Has shown he can do it off the bounce as well as hit two dribble mid range jumpers. Has improved attacking the rim and finishing on straight line drives. Pretty stroke that might as well run back on defense when he releases his shot.

Class of 2027 ALEX SIRBU OF BUFFALO GROVE IS A DOUBLE/DOUBLE MACHINE SCORING ON THE BLOCK:

Didn't get to see the twin tower look for Buffalo Grove (Class of 2027 7'0" Nathan Freheit was out with injury). 6'9" center uses his body to post up deep on the block and power through for baskets on layups or drop step dunks. Hits the mid range jumper and crashes the glass on both ends. Changes ends well, good hands to catch the ball while enduring contact on the block.

Class of 2027 BRADY WELCH OF MOLINE IS A SCORING MACHINE:

5'11" Point guard had a game where he scored 27 of his teams 34 points. Long range shooter from 25 feet and in. Doesn't matter off the catch or the dribble he makes them at a high rate. Can go get his own off the dribble getting to the mid range and scoring of the glass, or taking it all the way for the basket.

Class of 2028 GRANT SMITH OF LYONS TOWNSHIP (LAGRANGE) CONTINUES HIS GREAT SPRING AND SUMMER:

6'6" wing can score from three or attack the rim off the bounce. Great hands allows him to catch the ball while running court in transtion and scoring. Hits the glass on both ends, and can kick ball out to shooters posting up on the block. Powers through or around contact in the paint. Two sport standout (football). Has division one offers in both.

GENEVA'S SMALL THREE HEADED BACKCOURT IS DEADLY FOR OPPONENTS:

UDOIWOD BOYS PLAY WELL OFF EACH OTHER:

DAVID UDOIWOD: Class of 2027 5'11" combo guard is an explosive scorer from all levels. He had 30 vs St Laurence (Burbank). Quickness off the dribble and seperation enables him to get his shot off in mid range or from three. Attacks the rim and finishes around contact.

JONNY UDIOWOD: Class of 2029 6'0" combo guard scores from three mostly off the catch. Quickness enables him to attack the rim and finish. Moves the ball well and quick.

CODY RADER: Class of 2029 5'10" point guard who has the ball on a string, makes nice passes and can fill it up from three mostly off the catch. Pushes the ball in transition to get into quick offense.

OTHER TOP PLAYERS:

Class of 2027:

Arthur Abbey, Rock Island: 5'10" point guard is explosive off the bounce. Scores from three and mid range. Vertical two foot dunker.

Deven Marshall, Rock Island: 6'2" point guard who's an explosive three level scorer or can set up teammates.

Tyrik Barnes, East St Louis: 6'7" forward has great timing blocking shots. Had 8 in game vs Lockport Township

Terryion Webster, East St Louis: 6'5" wing is athletic who's great on wing in transtion as well as knock down threes on wings.

Joseph Lubbe, York Community (Elmhurst): 6'4" combo guard is a three level scorer who can create off the bounce, or do it off the catch. Doesn't play travel ball so college coaches check his film.

Darnell "DJ" Stitts, Grant Community (Fox Lake): 6'2" combo guard attacks the rim off the bounce and finishes through or around contact.

Charles Schlicht, Grant Community (Fox Lake): 6'2" combo guard is a King of Bounce wo'll dunk on you at a moments notice. Hits the mid range jumper and crashes the glass.

Collin Tierney, Hoffman Estates: 6'4" wing is a knockdown three point shooter mostly off the catch.

Botund Szabo-Zsamba, Lake Forest Academy: 6'9" center lefty can score mostl over his right shoulder on the block and rebounds on both ends.

Landon Lethunya, Lake Forest Academy: 6'9" forward can play on the wing, or dunk from dunkers shot. Hits threes off catch and shoot as well as crash glass.

Tei Johnson, Lake Forest Academy: 6'3" point guard can run a team as well as show nice shooting stroke from three point range.

Sean Souter, Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago): 5'10" point guard can score from three as well as run a team and set up teammates.

London Rome, Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago): 6'1" combo guard just transferred in from Whitney Young (Chicago). Smooth three level scorer who can set up teammates as well.

Travis Brown Jr, West Aurora: 6'0" point guard is a true floor general who sees play before they happen. Ball on a string to get where he wants on the floor. Knockdown three point shooter.

Timmy Sloan, Lyons Township (LaGrange): 6'5" point guard sets up teammates in the offense and is an effective scorer in the mid range. Holds offer from Northern Michigan (D2).

Danny Ruffin Jr, Homewood Flossmoor: 6'0" combo guard uses his strong body to get to the rim and score through contact. Scores in mid range area as well.

Vito Rocca, Evanston Township: 6'6" forward Darmouth commit can score from three or on the block, Plays hard all the time, hits the glass, and makes life miserable for the other team.

Dion Lane Jr, Evanston Township: 6'0" combo guard lefty is a knockdown shooter from three. Quickness helps him get to the lane and create for himself or others. Two sport standout (baseball).

Kris Mporokoso, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora): 6'5" combo guard lefty can fill it up from deep off the bounce or the catch. Attacks the rim off the dribble going left and finishes.

Darion Butler, Waubnsie Valley (Aurora): 6'8" center is a big time energy guy that cleans up the glass on both ends. Changes ends well, scores in the paint area.

Luke Alvarez, Loyola Academy (Wilmette): 6'1" combo guard can shoot it from three off the bounce or the catch as well as attack the rim and finish on straight line drives.

Sammy Fuller, Loyola Academy (Wilmette): 6'4" point guard runs the offense, makes good passes in halfcourt or transition. Shows a nice mid range jump shot.

Natahan Munson, Lockpoer Township: 6'0" point guard is a strong low built floor general who uses his strength to get where he wants off the dribble. Big time distributor to teammates.

Orville Cross, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago): 6'5" forward is rugged on both backboards. Can score with back to the basket on the block. Changes ends well.

KJ Miller, East (Plainfield): 6'6" combo guard is a three level scorer who can get where he wants off the dribble as well as finish through and around contact. Good passer in halfcourt or in transition.

Tobays Banks, Curie (Chicago): 6'1" combo guard does a little bit of everything. Can hit threes, attacks the rim off the bounce, rebound, pass, and use quick hands to get steals.

Matthew Logue, New Trier (Winnekta): 6'5" wing can get downhill off the dribble, score in the mid range, or find teammates with passes to open shooters.

Tayte Cordova, Warren Township (Gurnee): 6'1" point guard gets downhill to score in mid range or at the rim. Hits the three point shot as well as dish off to a cutting teammates or a three point shooter.

Cashius Collins, Warren Township (Gurnee): 6'5" wing is athletic who can finish in transition off the bounce, or hit a mid range shot as well as three in the halfcourt.

Kendall Meyers, Marist (Chicago): 6'5" wing is an athletic finisher off the bounce at the rim. Hits the three off the catch, and scores in the mid range. Hits the glass.

Matt "MJ" Greene, Marist (Chicago): 6'5" wing is a big time role player who does a bit of everything to fill in, Rebound, scores in mid range, or at the rim. Good passer in halfcourt or transition.

Jace Bullock, Marist (Chicago): 6'1" combo guard attacks the rim off ther dribble to create for himself or his teammates. Hits the three point shot and defends well on the ball.

Collin Tobin, Niles North (Skokie): 6'3" point guard can score from three or attacking the rim using strength to finish through and around contact.

Dominic Mann, Niles North (Skokie): 6'1" combo guard is a knockdown shooter from three on catch and shoot opportunities.

Taijon "TJ" Easton, Rich Township (Richton Park): 6'4" wing scores from three off the catch and on drives to the rim off the bounce. Hits the defensive glass.

Brady May, Palatine: 6'6" wing can score from three, mid range, or post up on the block against mismatches. Hits the glass on both ends and sets up teammates for baskets.

Omar Ajanovic, St Patrick (Chicago): 6'7" wing is a King of Bounce who had some powerful dunks in traffic in half court and transition. Hits threes mostly off the catch and shoot as well as hit the glass.

Gael Guitierrez, St Patrick (Chicago): 6'0" point guard runs the offense, penetrates off the dribble and kicks out to three point shooters. Scores at the rim as well.

Dylan Mota, St Patrick (Chicago): 6'9" center hits the glass on both ends, post up deep on the block and scores with turnaround jumpers.

Damari Stephens, Kenwood Academy (Chicago): 6'4" combo guard used bully ball attacking the rim, creating contact and finishing. Had some rebound put backs as well.

Tommy Donahue, Deerfield: 6'4" wing is a three level scorer who can fill it up from deep as well. Gets to his spots in mid range and rises for jumper over defenders. Attacks the rim and scores in transition.

Duke Ross, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago): 6'6" wing is a versatile scorer from three, attacking the rim in transition as well as halfcourt. Makes good passes to open shooters.

Lamari Carpenter, Glenbard North (Carol Stream): 6'5" combo guard is an athletic scorer from three or attacking the rim off the dribble. Gets out in transition score on catch and shoot threes.

Oturo Redento, Glenbard North (Carol Stream): 6'6" wing is a versatile defender that can guard any position on the high school level. Attacks the rim off the bounce and can hit the occasional three.

Nate Woods, Bolingbrook: 6'5" combo guard is a knockdown three point shooter. Hit most of them off side dribbles and quick release, did hit some off the catch variety.

Caden Johnson, Niles North (Skokie): Floor general who hit threes off the catch and dribble. Made some nice passes off penetration to shooters.

Class of 2028:

Terrell Eason, Lincoln Park (Chicago): 6'1" point guard scored 25 points vs Neuqua Valley (Naperville) on threes and attacks to the rim.

Derrick Moore Jr, Lincoln Park (Chicago): 6'7" forward does most of his damage posting up on the block and finishing over his left shoulder.

Alvin Robinson II, Lincoln Park (Chicago): 6'4" combo guard JJ scores mostly on catch and shoot threes in transition or halfcourt from the corners.

Jacob Only, DePaul College Prep (Chicago): 6'2" point guard is an athletic scorer that attacks the rim off the dribble and finishes through and around contact.

Blake Choice, DePaul College Prep (Chicago): 6'3" combo guard is looking for his offense more. Scores off threes, two dribble mid range pull-ups, and smooth attacks to the rim.

Sam Ogeto, Mount Carmel (Chicago): 6'5" forward is tough on the interior. Fights for rebounds and loose balls as well as score on the block through contact and from mid range. Rebounds at a high level.

JP Brock, Wheaton Academy (West Chicago): 6'2" wing scores from three off the catch and attacking the rim in transtion finishing mostly around contact.

Sincere Williams, Metea Valley (Aurora): 6'6" forward hit some threes as well as scored in the paint on post ups and attacks off the dribble from the perimeter. Hit the glass on both ends.

Bryce Smith, Hoffman Estates: 6'5" forward has some bounce with a couple of nice dunks. Steps out and hit threes as well as hit both backboards.

Nigel Moore, Central (Peoria): 5'11" point guard used his quickness all weekend to get steals on and off the ball. Very disruptive on that end getting hands in on double teams.

Damarion Taylor, Central (Peoria): 6'1" combo guard is quick attacking the rim and finishing as well as getting steals with quick hands. Three sport athlete (football, track).

Joey Jakstys, Yorkville: 6'7" wing can shoot it from deep, attack the rim off the bounce from the perimeter to score. Hits the glass and makes nice passes to open shooters.

Braydon Porter, Yorkville: 6'4" wing is an athletic King of Bounce who attacks the rim off the bounce and dunks on players. Hits threes off the catch and shoot variety.

Darrius Hawkins Jr, Homewood Flossmoor: 5'10" point guard was disruptive on the defensive end as well as scoring from three and on attacks to the rim. Lefty gets into the paint and scores on floater and up and unders.

Ben Ojala, Evanston Township: 6'1" point guard runs the team and sets up others for threes. Has gotten stronger and scoring more in the mid range though he can still fill it up from deep.

Terrence Davis Jr, Libertyville: 6'4" combo guard can get his own off the dribble scoring in mid range as well as attacking the rim and dunking on defenders. Defends all perimeter positions.

Evan Okey, Libertyville: 6'8" forward scored in the paint, hit the glass as well as showed a nice stroke from outside.

Noah Hester,Taft (Chicago): 6'5" wing does it all. Scores from mid range and in, rebounds, makes good passes to open teammates, blocks shots, and steals the ball. Versatile player.

Kyler Payne, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora): 6'7" forward is a big bodied athlete who uses it to get space to score on the block, get rebounds, and make outlet passes. Steps out and hits threes.

Colby Irvin, Kenwood Academy (Chicago): 6'2" combo guard is a good passer and ball handler who set up teammates for easy baskets. Nice mid range jumper.

Malik Horton, Curie (Chicago):5'10' point guard who can run a team, defend at a high level, and shoot from three.

Cole Tillman, Mendota: 6'5" combo guard gets downhill and finishes at the rim with a soft lefty floater and hits threes off the catch. Rebounds at a high level and is a good passer.

Best of the rest:

Devaun Bates, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)

Stephen Dixon, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)

Haze Massey, Warren Township (Gurnee)

Jake Semany, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles)

Terrance "TJ" Smith, Rich Township (Richton Park)

Jake Tripp, Palatine

Jacob Coleman, Deerfield

Jaivyn Richardson, Whitney Young (Chicago)

CJ Pittman, Whitney Young (Chicago)

Josiah Hall, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Walker Ross, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Amir Tucker, St Ignatius College Prep (Chicago)

Cole Christian, Lane Tech College Prep (Chicago)

Jayde Wyett, Lockport Township

Class of 2029:

Kalob Hayes, DePaul College Prep (Chicago)

Emurion Jackson , East St Louis

Ronald Johnson, Mount Carmel (Chicago)

DaKylen Heard, Mount Carmel (Chicago)

Keiwon Gulley, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)

Kaden McClellan, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)

Emran Alispahic, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles)

Orlando Bohlen, Walter Payton College Prep (Chicago)

Daniel Ruffin, Central (Peoria)

Zahari Threatt, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)

Dajuan Brown, Bradley Bourbonnais

Drew Schnurman, Deerfield

Travis Jamison Jr, Whitney Young (Chicago)

Class of 2030:

Larry Ellis III, Bloom Township (Chicago Heights)

Elijah McKinnie, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)