The Invite and Illinois Attack Showcase Review!!!!!

Big Tim

May 15, 20247 min read

Updated: May 26, 2024

The Invite was held at Canlan Sports Complex in Libertyville, IL, and Illinois Attack Showcase was held at The Supreme Courts in Aurora, IL. I was at the Invite Friday, parts of Saturday, and Sunday. I was at the Illinois Attack Showcase on Saturday. I would like to think George Baker from The Invite, and Illinois Attack for allowing me to look at the prospects. Here we go:

The Invite:

Top players:

Mac Goheen, Indy Heat Gym Rats 15U

Adam Walker, Y n R 17U

EJ Mosley, Y n R 17U

Derek English, Y n R 17U

Makai Kvamme, Y n R 17U

Bradley Sehlhorst, Y n R 17U

Andre Tyler, Meanstreets EYBL 16U had a NASTY DUNK in game vs Team Rose 3SSB 16U (WATCH YOUR HEAD!!!!)

Brayden Sharpe, Indy Heat Gym Rats 15U is a 5'11' point guard who can score on three pointers off the catch or off the dribble. He scores at the rim with either hand, made some nice passes off penetration, whether at the rim, or from the mid range. Has quick hands and got multiple steals here. Bring him up to the EYBL club.

Jaymon Hornsby, Chicago Hoops 16U

Anthony Johnson, Meanstreets 16U

Anthony Brooks, Illinois Heat 17U

Darien Green, Illinois Heat 17U is a 6'3" combo guard who has always had the attacking game to the rim, but has not shown an improved three point shot.

Elijah Embrey, Illinois Heat 17U

Zion Young, Illinois Heat 17U

Christopher Burton, Chicago Hoops 17U

Jacob Rice, Chicago Hoops 17U a 6'4" combo guard who continues to show professional scoring at all three levels. Strong taking it to the basket and finishing in a variety of ways at the rim. Can create his shot off the dribble. Is transferring back to St Laurence (Burbank) from Western Reserve Academy (OH) who will now be a contender in Class 3A.

Dimaunye Smith-Powe, Indy Gym Rats 17U

Shane Sims, Indy Gym Rats 17U

Carson Shuetz, Minnesota Magic 17U

Wyatt Srsen, Minnesota Magic 17U

Beckham King, Washington Supreme 17U

Terrence Smith, Y n R 17U is a 6'5" wing who's a three sport star. A three star wide receiver in football with a bunch of Power 5 offers. One of the state's top track and field athletes in the jumps. He's pretty good in basketball too, attacking off the bounce, finishing with high wire acts in the air and finishing at the cup. King of Bounce who has hang time in the air and will dunk on you (WATCH YOUR HEAD!!!) and end a life. He showed he could throw some nice passes on this day off dirbble penetration.

Hunter Carter, Washington Supreme 17U is a 6'6" point guard who can shoot from three, peneatrate and either score at the rim, or make passes to teammates in their shooting pocket.

Marquis Clark, Meanstreets 16U EYBL is a 6'2" point guard who did it all this weekend. Scoring on drives to the basket, and creating off the dribble for pull-up three point shots. Pushed it on the break to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Gabe Sularski, Meanstreets 16U EYBL is a 6'6" wing who was hitting the three ball as well as a variety of finishes at the rim attacking off the dribble.

Bol Bol, Meanstreets 16U EYBL is a 7'2" center who needs some more playing time. He affects the game on defense with his rim protecting, rebounding, and actually has some nice post moves on the block.

Danny Houlihan, Meanstreets 16U EYBL is a 6'4" combo guard who showed he's more than a standstill jump shooter. The lefty was hitting stepbacks in the mid range, and scored on a couple of drives to the rim. Running him off the three point line doesn't take him out of his shooting rhythm.

Cameron Anderson, Breakaway Basketball 16U UA Rise is a 6'6" wing jumping jack who's engery was contagious. Blocked shots, rebounded on both ends, had a couple of nasty dunks, and showed he can play some perimetetr by hitting a corner three on Friday night.

Chris Bolte, Breakaway Basketball 16U UA Rise is a 6'6" wing who continues his fine play in the spring. Changing ends well, scoring not only in the paint, but from mid range, and hitting threes. Had a powerful two hand dunk on Friday night.

Cole Kelly, Breakaway Basketball 16U UA Rise is another 6'6" wing do it all player who hit a three, drives to the basket and finishes smooth at the rim. Lefty is a nice long range shooter especially off the catch as well as mid range pull-up jumper. Oh yeah did I mention he's Class of 2028? Yes he's playing two age groups up and is not in high school yet.

Darrius Hawkins, Mac Irbin Fire 14U R2G is a 5'10" point guard who scored at all three levels in game on Friday night vs Indy Gym Rats 15U so he was playing against players a year older. Slick dribbling lefty is very crafty getting to his spots. Class of 2028 talent.

TyJuan Hunter, Team Rose 3SSB 16U is a 5'6" dynamo who finishes over the trees at the rim and plays stronger than his size. He can also hit long three pointers and has a devastating floater at the mid range. Pound for pound best player in his class.

Mike Oliver Jr, Team Rose 3SSB 16U 5'10" combo guard is just a straight knock down three point shooter off the catch. You CANNOT LEAVE HIM OPEN!!!!! He's getting better on driving off the three point line and getting into the lane and creating or himself and others.

JT Pettigrew, Y n R 17U is a 6'7" wing who's showing three level scoring ability. he had it going on Sunday hitting threes, scoring in the interior, rim protecting and blocking shots. Imrproving his attacks off the bounce.

Midwest Renegade 16U has taken some shoe company scalps this Spring. They've beaten Illinois Wolves UAA, Team Rose 3SSB to name a few. Had Meantreets EYBL on the ropes Sunday but lost by 3 60-57. Best game of the weekend. They were also at Illinois Attack Spring Showcase so will do some writeups on a couple of players form those games. Some of their players include: Simerieon Carter, Jaali Love, Terrance McCray (Michiagn City, IN), Bryce Peters (Merrillville (IN)), Stephen Brown, Torence (TJ) Tate.

Illinois Attack Spring Showcase:

Top players:

Mason Lockett IV, Y n R 16U is a 6'4" combo guard who continues to tear it up this Spring. Had another productive 20 point game scoring at all three levels. Is shooting it from deep with a confidence not seen previously. Finsihing at the rim attacking trying to dunk on everyone. Played a secondary role last year for East (Oswego). Time to step to the head of the table young man. I talked to him last summer and told him when the light comes on, and he finds out how good he is WATCH OUT!!!!! Rest of the state be warned.

Jordan Williams, Midwest Renegade 16U is another one who's had a big time spring. He's a 6'6" wing double/double machine at Fremd (Palatine), but has shown an expanded game on the travel circuit. The lefty hits threes, can attack off the bounce, and is still a devastating offensive rebounder on the glass. He played well at "The Invite" too.

Karson Thomas, Midwest Renegade 16U 6'4" combo guard is getting back to speed after a torn meniscus in his knee. He was explosive working throught the injury, but is starting to dominate the more healthy he gets. Rare King of Bounce who can score anywhere on the court, and can lock up perimeter players on defense. He played well at "The Invite" too.

Dietrich Richardson, Mid Pro Academy 17U is the best player in the state in the IHSA. Don't care what national rankings say as none have him in the Top 100. The 6'7" point guard is starting to have the light come on. He can get to any spot on the floor and score, or do what he likes to do, get teammates involved. Long range shooting from three is coming, but his midrange is deadly. He can get it off against anyone on this level. Finishing better at the rim and going stronger trying to dunk on guys.

Trey Taylor, Mid Pro Academy 17U is a 6'6" forward who is a triple double threat. Can do everything offesnively as the lefty is a three level scorer, can go off the bounce, and will post you up on the block and put you in the rim.

Leshawn Stowers, Mid Pro Academy 17U 6'5" combo guard played the best I had ever seen him play. He's shown the three level scoring tools in spurts in other events i've watched. He was consistently engaged in this event. He took over the point guard reins for a few minutes and showed floor general ability. He plays like this on a consistent basis he could end up a high major division one talent.

Hunter Scroggins, Fundamental U 17U UA Rise is a 6'7" wing who's diversified his game to being a three level scorer. He's very aggressive looking for his offense. Rising rapidly in taking over games. Look for a big season from him at Lake Forest next season.