Grassroots First Person: Illinois Wolves
In our “First Person Grassroots Recap” series we take a look at how the travel team season went for one our state’s programs.
We start things off with a look at the Illinois Wolves summer speaking with their director Mike Mullins.
17U
Record:
12-3 in July
Championships/Accomplishments:
Won Chicago Summer Challenge 6-0
4-1 UA Finals (Lost to Open Champs Wisc United by 3)
Elite 8 at Hardwood Classic. 3-2 overall. (Lost to Champs Kingdom Hoops by 4
and 2nd place Team Penny /Elite 8)
Key Wins:
Michigan Warriors
DC United
Alabama Premier
Overall Thoughts on Season:
Outstanding Summer. Won Championship or lost to team that did win in each Live Period Event.
Standout Performers:
6’4 Jamal Nixon – Captain and heart and soul of team. Leader in assists and top defensive player.
6’6 TJ Clifford – Western Michigan commit. Double figure scorer. Rebounding leader
and led team in dunks.
6’5 Tre Bell – Leading scorer and most improved shot maker.
5’11 Isaiah Coleman Lands – Tremendous floor game and consistent scorer.
Rebounds at high rate.
6’5 Carson Newsome – Wisconsin Milwaukee Commit. Versatile and unselfish. Was hampered with injuries in July.
16U
Record:
12-5 in July.
Championships/Accomplishments:
Championship at Chicago Summer Challenge
Final 4 at Hardwood Classic
Key Wins:
Spiece
Indy Hoosiers
Overall Thoughts on Season:
Extremely young squad that made deeps runs despite roster changes with improving
individual and team results.
Standout Performers:
6’7 Drew Peterson – Outstanding versatile player scorer with high IQ. Excelled & played both 16U and 17U levels at high level.
6’4 Jake Wolfe – Tough and high motor combo guard with great floor game
who also excelled playing both 16U & 17U.
6’5 Justin Hardy – Captain and leader. Non stop motor. Stat stuffer and relentless.
6’3 Kenny Strawbridge – Jack of all trades & all around combo guard who took
turns being leading scorer. Defensive stopper.
5’11 Maurice Commander – Unselfish PG who evolved into playmaking & shot making threat.
15U
Record:
11-3
Championships/Accomplishments:
Final 4 Chicago Summer Challenge
Final 4 at Hardwood Classic
Overall Thoughts on Season:
Moved 4 guys up to 16U from original 15U roster and played July without
another key starter lost to injury. Great depth and chemistry in talented group
who won regardless of changes.
Standout Performers:
6’4 Perry Cowan – Played up at 16U and succeeded everywhere with scoring, rebounding,
and defensive abilities.
6’2 PG Jordan Myrick – Power point guard whose ability to attack paint and guard
multiple positions allowed him to excel at 16U as well.
6’6 Kai Bates Diop – Scoring wing who made plays from all 3 areas.
Finalist at Hardwood 3 point contest as only non 17U participant.
6’3 2020 G Jack Kahoun – Scoring guard who was consistent all July while playing up.
6’7 2020 Colin Crothers – Played 2 years up at 16U and found success at each level.