Spartz Basketball Invite Day: Standouts
PrepHoopsIllinois attended the Christopher Spartz Basketball Invite Day on Tuesday afternoon in Western Springs. Spartz is a former college assistant coach and was on the support staff at Ohio State under Thad Matta. Now he is one of the top trainers in the Chicago area. For more information of Spartz Basketball visit http://www.spartzsportz.com/.
Many of the players he trains were in the gym on Tuesday. Here are the prospects that stood out!
PG Ray J Dennis (Oswego East – 2019)
The top prospect in the gym might be the hottest prospect in state right now. This 6’2” point guard is racking up the offers at a high rate with his play for Team Rose the last two weeks during the live periods. Dennis is a smooth point guard that handles the ball extremely well and works around ball screens. Sound pull up jump shooter from both mid-range and three with textbook mechanics. Really like his feel for the game as both a scorer and distributor.
SF Dylan Engler (Oswego – 2019)
Engler was the standout of the day. The 6’4” wing from Oswego put his complete game on display. Was consistent shooting it from beyond the arc hitting threes from the wings. Connected both off the catch and pulling up from deep. His shot was about on point as you can get. Played well in transition and showed more athletic pop than we had seen in the past including an explosive baseline take for a slam.
SG Tagen Pearson (Nazareth Academy – 2020)
Pearson is a prospect that jumped on our radar with his play early in the high school season with Nazareth back in December. He didn’t play much on the travel team circuit so it was good to see his progress. Seems to have added strength since we last saw him. The rising junior was very active getting on the glass for put backs with his quickness from his guard spot. Also has a clean looking shot.
C Aidan Shore (Sterling – 2019)
Shore is one of the more intriguing post prospects in the class. The Sterling 6’10” center is a big man with legit size and length. Fragile build and will definitely need to add strength. Went head to head against a physically built four man which was a good test for Shore. He did a nice job rebounding in traffic on both ends. Boxes out and uses his length to high point balls. Offensively he scored on several up and unders and short jumpers. Skill potential on the block.
PG Josh Berry (Lyons – 2019)
Berry is a point guard from Lyons that has had a strong month of July. This our third eval of him from this month and we have come away very impressed each time out. Berry works well around ball screens being able to manipulate them to get what he wants out of it. Pulls up behind screens for threes and makes sound decisions as a distributor. Vision in the half court. Worked in a few runners and pull up shots from 15 feet. Solid on ball defender.
SF Connor Webb (Lisle – 2020)
Webb is a 6’5” small forward who is a thin wing with some projectability. Fluid movement on the perimeter. Pushes in the open floor. Sound shooter from three that has the ability to get his shot off with ease because of his size.
PG Demari Grant (Oswego East – 2019)
Grant is a point guard that has had a strong showing over the spring and summer with Chicago Lockdown. Grant stands at 6’0” with a quick and shifty game off the bounce. Burst with the ball in his hands getting in the lane where he can drill pull up jumpers or get to the cup. He has improved as a passer in recent months. Showed that again here.
SG Isaac Nelson (West Chicago – 2019)
Nelson is a 6’1” shooting guard from West Chicago that was intriguing with his athleticism at the off guard spot. Mid-range jumper and a couple athletic finishes at the cup.
SG Jonathon Reid (Marmion Academy – 2019)
Reid stands at 6’1” and this lefty shooting guard is a sniper from the perimeter. Connected on a consistent basis from three both pulling up and off the catch.
SF Daniel Belzer (Geneva – 2019)
Belzer played well at Summer Jam last week and continued that momentum here. The 6’4” Geneva wing is a plus shooter with a feathery jumper especially from mid-range. Rebounded very well including flying in for several from out of his area.
SF Jackson Yates (St. Ignatius – 2021)
Yates is a 6’2” wing with length. Like his potential as a shooter. One to keep track of long term.
PG Owen McManaman (Lyons – 2022)
This point guard will play at Lyons Township next season where they have had quality point guard play in recent years. He is a shooting point guard that drilled pull up threes, but also showed feel for the game as a distributor.
PF Jack Bloedorn (Lyons – 2019)
Bloedorn is a 6’5” post that has good size and a thick body. The broad shouldered four man played with a high activity level and hit mid-range jumpers.
PG Ben Johlie (Geneva – 2019)
Tough point guard from Geneva that connected on some pull up threes. Crafty guard with a decent feel.
PG Jordan Wilkins (West Chicago – 2019)
Wilkins is a 5’11” lead guard that worked well around screens handling it and drilling jumpers.
PG Jimmy Pouba (Lyons – 2021)
Pouba is a rising sophomore that got to the rack on a few occasions. The 5’11” guard should see spot minutes on the varsity level this upcoming season.
PG Brady Heckman (Benet – 2022)
Tiny 5’7” guard from Benet is point guard that can shoot it from deep. Drilled several threes. Some scoring potential out of the sub six foot guard.