Once again a great event as usual. I'd like to thank Coach Mike Reingruber, staff, hospitality room, custodians, guys at the table for having me and putting on a class event. I'll talk about some teams and players. Here we go:
BENET ACADEMY (LISLE): They will be one of the best teams in the state in Class 4A this year. They took apart Bolingbrook in going 4-0 in the event. Class of 2025 Daniel Paulikonis went off in the tournament. Will talk more about him later. They have a two point guard set (Class of 2026 Jayden Wright and Class of 2025 Blake Fagbemi) who can score, run the offense, and get assists. They have a rim protector in Class of 2026 7'0" Colin Stack, and a knockdown shooter in Class of 2026 6'0" Ryan Walsh. Combine that with a deep bench and watch out.
DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP (CHICAGO): They went 4-0 too and the pack line defense has some kinks but still working it out. Class of 2025 6'2" Makai Kvamme is the floor general and picked up some offers after the tournament. Deep backcourt in Class of 2025 6'0" Robert Walls, Class of 2026 6'0" AJ Chambers, and new addition Class of 2026 Rykan Woo, a transfer from Whitney Young (Chicago). He had a couple of 20 poijnt games in a seemless transtion to the 2 time defending state champs(Class 2A,3A). Big man Class of 2026 6'7" Rashaun Porter will need some support in the paint. Class of 2027 6'6" Gus Johnson will be key in that support. Sharpshooting Class of 2025 6'6" wing Jonas Johnson is still on the mend but should be ready for regular season.
WARREN TOWNSHIP (GURNEE): They went 4-0 as Class of 2027 6'1" Jaxson Davis as the floor general absolutely controlled games vs Kenwood Academy (Chicago) and defending Class 4A State Champ Homewood Flossmoor. He has good support from Class of 2025 6'1" Javerion Banks, who's a high flyer, and Class of 2026 6'2" Braylon Walker on perimeter. Class of 2025 6'4" wing Jack Wolf helps on peritmeter and on the glass. They have a 6'8" rim protector who's been playing baseball as a pitcher. Is expected to join them at Ridgewood Shootout this week.
ST LAURENCE (BURBANK): They went 4-0 and have a lot of talent that transferred in or returned after going elsehwere for their junior seasons. Class of 2025 6'4" wing Jacob Rice is one of the returnees and was on a hot stresk from three. Had a couple of games with over 5 threes in a game. Received a couple of offers after the event. Class of 2025 5'11" EJ Moesley got some division one offers after the event too. They are 4 year varsity performers as are a couple of more Class of 2025 players. They are 6'5" wing Caleb Lindsey and 6'2" Zerrick Johnson. Add size in South (Plainfield) transfer 6'5" Jeremiah Lesure who had the game winning basket in sudden death vs Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn). Will be one of the teams that could dethrone DePaul College Prep (Chicago) in Class 3A.
DEKALB: They went 4-0 and look out for them as contenders in Class 4A. Class of 2025 6'0" Sean Reynolds is one of the best shooters in the state. They have a couple of more sharpshooters in Class of 2025 6'0" Marquis Bolden, and 6'2" Alex Streb. They have athletes who crash the boards hard in the interior in Class of 2026 6'4" football star Devon Grant, and Class of 2025 6'5" Justin O'Neil. In Sectional with Warren Township (Gurnee) so could be a tough one.
WHITNEY YOUNG (CHICAGO): They went 4-0 without the services of Class of 2027 6'7" wing Howard Williams. Guards Class of 2025 6'0" Damarjay Richardson and Class of 2026 6'2" Marquise Clark were outstanding. Class of 2025 6'7" King of Bounce Antonio Munoz was doing his thing with dunks in transition and off alley oop passes. Class of 2026 6'5" forward Patrick Irvin Jr had a productive weekend. Class of 2027 6'4" guard Caden Crudup had an outstanding game vs Metamora. A threat for the Chicago Public League title and Class 4A state title contender.
LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO): This team has been on a slow burn for the last four years. The time is here under second year Coach Josh Anderson. They went 4-0 here with Class of 2026 6'3" point guard Ahmad Lee back in the lineup. They also have Class of 2025 King of Bounce Chayse Turner back from injury with classmate 6'8" Keyshawn Barfield cleaning up in the paint. Another Class of 2025 combo guard Damian Pearson Jr can hit threes and get to the basket. Another King of Bounce Class of 2026 6'4" Larry Harris is an explsive athlete. Add Class of 2028 6'3" wing incoming freshman Alvin Robinson III to the mix. hey have athletes, shooters, playmakers that have played togeher for three years. Time to contend for Chicago Public League Title and Class 4A.
EVANSTON TOWNSHIP: They went 4-0 but did have a couple of close games. Transfer additions of Class of 2025's 6'3" point guard Kaidan Chatham from Niles North (Skokie), and 6'7" George Richardson from DePaul College Prep (Chicago) have made them different. They take the pressure off other players to have to create off the dribble. In saying that I feel Class of 2025 6'5" wing Theo Rocca has improved on off the dribble play. He's more comfortable with it along with his three point shooting and two dribble pull-up game. Class of 2025 5'10" point guard Ian Peters, Class of 2026's 6'2"guard Timi Ogunsanya, and 6'6"forward Monte Dillard Jr help with depth as does Class of 2027 6'5" forard Vito Rocca. Incoming freshman Class of 2028 6'1" combo guard Ben Ojala looks comfortable on a varsity court. Looking to dethrone their bitter rival New Trier (Winnetka) who has won two straight sectional titles and made two straight trips to Champaign.
MANUAL (PEORIA): They went 4-0 and the best player in the state played like it. Class of 2025 6'7" point guard Dietrich Richardson dominated. I'll go into that later. Class of 2025 6'0 guard DJ Finley helped out by hitting threes, and attacking the rim for baskets. Class of 2026 Tony Bradford (#10) was outstanding scoring on all three levels. Class of 2027 5'8"Tahj Tolliver did a little bit of everything on both ends and 6'3" Terrence Paige attacked the glass Class of 2026 6'0' guard Reggie Postlewaite attacked off the bounce consistently. Classmate Josh Humbles hits some threes and attacked the rim. Lots of talent on this team and will be a Class 2A favorite.
Other undefeated teams:
Niles North (Skokie)
Schaumburg
Barrington
Deerfield
Marist
TOP PLAYERS THAT SHINED:
Class of 2025 6'7" point guard DIETRICH RICHARDSON OF MANUAL (PEORIA) was absolutely dominant. He did everything all weekend, scored in mid range, on attacks to the rim, rebounding, rim protecting, getting steals in passing lanes, and on the ball using his long arm to poke balls away. He dunked, had reverse layups, and mid range pull-ups. No one in high school ball can contest his jumper without fouling him. His first step getting to the basket is hard to stop and using his long arms and limbs to finish easily. Showed the aggrssiveness most of us have been waiting to see. He received another offer after the event from Xavier (OH) to ad to the multiple Power 5 offers he already has.
Class of 2025 6'9" wing DANIEL PAULIUKONIS OF BENET ACADEMY (LISLE) took his game to another level in thsi event. He could always score by hitting threes, but he was attacking the basket and had a couple of nasty dunks at the rim. He's way more aggressive and has to be since Class of 2026 talent Gabe Sularski transferred to Lemont. He's taking more of a leadership role and has resulted in multiple mid major division one offers after the event.
CLASS OF 2025 6'4" combo guard JACOB RICE OF ST LAURENCE (BURBANK) showed his three point arsenal in this event as he hit 6 against Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) and their 1-3-1 zone, then hit 7 of his first 8 against South (Crystal Lake). He's a three level scorer and finishes through contact. It helped that he went to a prep school for his junior year (Western Reserve (OH)), playing against 18 and 19 year olds. He hit the glass and got some steals playing passing lanes. Received first division one offer (UAlbany) after this event. There should be more to come as he's one of the top 10 players in the state.
CLASS OF 2025 6'3" point guard KAIDAN CHATHAM OF EVANSTON TOWNSHIP should have had more than a few offers after this performance. He locked up top scorer Brent Taylor of Lincoln Way East (Frankfort) and did a decent job on Northwestern commit Phoenix Gill of St ignatius College Prep (Chicago), and Tyreek Coleman of Waubonsie Valley (Aurora). He also has an offensive package too as a three level scorer. Showed the mid range and nice drives and finishes at the rim in this event. He sets up teammates for open threes or can slip a drop pass to a big on pick and roll. He's good at running pick and roll offense as well as defending it. College coaches he plays for Powerhouse Sports on travel circuit.
CLASS OF 2026 6'3" point guard AHMAD LEE OF LINCOLN PARK (CHICAGO) this floor general played well on a bad ankle. He was maybe 70% and still pestered ball handlers all weekend. He really gave Metamora problems getting steals and forcing turnovers. Let's get to his offense as he's a three level scorer that can't be sped up. He hits threes in bunches, has a nice mid range pull-up jumper, and nice Euro step finishes at the rim stepping around defenders to score. Can run pick and roll offense either scoring or dropping nic passes to rolling bigs. College coaches his travel team is the Chicago Demons. Give them a ring.
CLASS OF 2026 6'5" combo guard KASSIDY NELSON OF SIMEON CAREER ACADEMY (CHICAGO) is one most do not talk about. His teammates get plenty of love and rightfully so, but he's the glue. He's a two way player as he can defend any posiiton on the high school player. Makes it tough for opposing offensive players with his foot movement. quick hands, and shot blocking ability. Oh and let's add he hits threes at a high rate, has a mid range jumper he can create off the dribble, and finish at the rim with a nice dunk. College coaches check out the Meanstreets National 16U team to contact him.
CLASS OF 2027 6'1" point guard JAXSON DAVIS OF WARREN TOWNSHIP (GURNEE) may be the best guard in the state this side of Dietrich Richardson. This young man is AN ABSOLUTE FLOOR GENERAL!!!!! He dominated and orchestrated wins over Kenwood Academy (Chicago) and Homewood Flossmoor. This young man plays the right way, an old school guard who doesn't waste dribbles up the court. He's the best in the state at advacning a pass up court for a layup, or an uncontested three point shot for his teammate. Best pure floor general I've seen in Illinois since Jalen Brunson. Yes he played in Lake County. National events that give out invites apparently miss what he can do, but thank goodness Northwestern University hasn't. They just offered him a scholarship. More high majors should come calling if they want to win, because this young man is an absolute winner and will cut your heart out.
CLASS OF 2025 5'11" point guard JORDAN TUNIS OF SCHAUMBURG is the most underrated point guard in the state. He does everything for his team, scores, defends, assists, steals, rebounds, You can't speed him up as he can get where he wants off the dribble for pull-up threes, mid range shots, Euro step scores at the rim, passes out to open three point shooters. He also is good at working the pick and roll on offense for a score or a pass. He gets into opposing guards to get steals, draw charges out of frustrating his opponent. He can also hit catch and shoot threes and is very quick off the bounce.
CLASS OF 2025 6'0" point guard AJ DEMIROV OF SOUTH (CRYSTAL LAKE) is a big time small scoring guard, He hits threes off the catch or the bounce, a nice fadeaway mid range jumper, and has the quickness to get to the basket and score at the rim. I've been a fan since i saw him at Pangos Frosh/Soph Midwest camp a couple of years ago. He did everything that weekend but was not selected to Top 30 or Top 60 game. Big time snub. He also defends and gets steals with quick hands or in the passing lanes. Exploded for 44 points against Batatvia. Earned two scholarship offers including his first division one offer from Eastern Illinois.
OTHER TOP PLAYERS:
Class of 2025 EJ Horton, Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Phoenix Childs, Wendell Phillips Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2027 Davion Thompson, Bolingbrook
Class of 2025 JT Pettigrew, Bolingbrook
Class of 2025 Whitman Charboneau, Neuqua Valley (Naperville)
Class of 2025 Ian Militec, Rolling Meadows (Marquette commit)
Class of 2025 Lazar Lazaerevic, Rolling Meadows
Class of 2025 Bryce Heard, Homewood Flossmoor
Class of 2025 Jayden Tyler, Homewood Flossmoor
Class of 2027 Devin Cleveland, Kenwood Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Lincoln Williams, Kankakee
Class of 2026 Myair Thompson, Kankakee
Class of 2025 Braden Freeman, Moline
Class of 2025 Trey Taylor, Moline
Class of 2025 Lorenzo Shields, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Andre Tyler, Simeon Career Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Thaddeaus "TJ" Williams, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn)
Class of 2025 Mike O'Connell, Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn) (Northwestern football commit)
Class of 2026 Eric Hillsman, West (Joliet)
Class of 2026 BJ Powell, Lincoln Way East (Frankfort)
Class of 2025 Phoenix Gill, St Ignatius College Prep
(Chicago) (Northwestern commit)
Class of 2025 Jordan Maple, Thornton Township (Harvey)
Class of 2026 Stephen Brown, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Adoni Vassilakis, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Rokas Zilys, Marist (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Donte Montgomery Jr, Oak Lawn
Class of 2025 Brady Sehlhorst, Notre Dame College Prep (Niles)
Class of 2025 Anton Strelnikov, Lake Zurich
Class of 2026 Charles Barnes, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Morgan Travis, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Lawson Bynum, East St Louis
Class of 2025 Montreal Stacker, East St Louis
Class of 2025 Matt Zobrist, Metamora
Class of 2026 Gabe Sularski, Lemont
Class of 2026 Matt Gaidekuvicius, Lemont
Class of 2025 Aidan Bardic, Stevenson (Lincolnshire)
Class of 2025 Atticus Richmond, Stevenson (Lincolnshire)
Class of 2026 Rocco Pagliocca, Stevenson (Lincolnshire)
Class of 2026 Donovan Williams, Stevenson (Lincolnshire)
Class of 2025 Leshawn Stowers, Peoria
Class of 2025 Spencer Russell, Peoria
Class of 2025 CJ Thomas, Hyde Park Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2026 Kye Ward-Owens, Hyde Park Academy (Chicago)
Class of 2025 Tyreek Coleman, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2025 Moses Wilson, Waubonsie Valley (Aurora)
Class of 2026 Adam Flowers, Hinsdale South (Darien)
Class of 2026 Semaj Stampley, Alton
Class of 2025 Kobe Taylor, Alton
Class of 2026 Jake Pollack, Deerfield
Class of 2026 Evan Nagler, Deerfield
Class of 2026 Amir Danforth, Auburn (Rockford)
Class of 2026 Champ Parker, Auburn (Rockford)
Class of 2026 Brian Harper, Auburn (Rockford)
Class of 2025 Zion Young, Schaumburg
Class of 2026 Cam Anderson, Schaumburg
Class of 2025 Nick Allen, Bradley Bourbonnais
Class of 2025 Jax Abalos, Batavia
Class of 2028 talent:
There we a bunch of them in this event. Here they are:
Brady Pettigrew, Bolingbrook
Cole Kelly, Neuqua Valley (Naperville)
Darrius Hawkins Jr, Homewood Flossmoor may be the best defender as he frustrated Class of 2026 Mason Lockett IV of East (Oswego) and made Class of 2027 Jaxson Davis of Warren Towsnhip (Gurnee)
Sam Koch, Metamora
Orlando Edwards Jr, Peoria
Alvin Robinson III, Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Kaden Turner, Metamora has a strap for a three point shot. Hit 7 threes, 5 of them in the second half against Lincoln Park (Chicago)
Roosevelt “Duke” Williams, DeLaSalle Institute (Chicago)
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