Chicago Elite Classic: Saturday Standouts

The Chicago Elite Classic had five games on Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena in downtown Chicago. It featured in-state and out of state programs. Here we break down the top performers from the day.   Darnell King (Kenwood – 2020) King put his name on our radar with his play on Saturday. The 6’5” angular four man was extremely active all game long for the Broncos. King finished around the hoop excellent in traffic with his quickness around the hoop. Could put it on the deck a couple dribbles from the baseline. Quality area rebounder that gets on the glass and defensively used his length. Went for 23 points (8-15 FG) and 9 rebounds.   Romelle Howard (Lincoln Park – 202) Howard is one of the better unsigned senior posts left on the board. The main reason is his size and physicality that he plays with. Showcased that off with his ability to maul on the offensive glass for second chance points and rim run in transition. Not the most skilled player, but he is a junk yard dog four man that brings strength on the interior. He had 17 points (7-13 FG) and 10 rebounds.   Ismail Habib (Lincoln Park – 2021) Habib is a quick twitched lead guard that plays with speed and his ability to change direction in a short time. Gets to the cup with a burst and is at his best at this stage in transition. Streaky perimeter shooter and can be a bit wild at times, but there is a lot to like with his scoring lead guard. He had 17 points (7-17 FG).   Dante Maddox (Bloom – 2020 – Cal State Fullerton) Maddox put on a show! The Cal State Fullerton commit has been on a tear to open his senior season and that continued at CEC. His three point shooting was tremendous drilling 6-7 from three including several from incredibly deep! He has always been an elite shooter off the catch, but now has become a high level shot maker creating his own shot whether it is from three or getting to the cup. Maddox had 30 points (10-12 FG).   Christian Shumate (Bloom – 2020) Shumate is one of the best unsigned prospects in the state. The combo forward is the perfect addition to this Bloom squad because of his intensity and ability to play across the board on both ends of the floor. Put in on the deck a few times for impressive drives including one where he maneuvered the ball at the cup ala Dr. J. The elite athlete played above the rim like he always does with huge dunks and blocking shots. Drilled a mid-range jumpers shooting it with a ton of confidence. If he hits that shot consistently with everything else he does his recruitment will blow up the next few months. Shumate had 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks.   Matthew Cleveland (Pace, GA – 2021) This was my first chance to see Cleveland play. The wing from Georgia has quality size on the perimeter with length and long strides. Definitely was most effective in this game getting the cup as he didn’t show much in the way of a jump shot. Acrobatic finishes at the rim on straight line drives and his play in transition. Cleveland went for 18 points.   Ahamad Bynum (Simeon – 2021 – DePaul) Bynum played his first game at Wintrust as a DePaul commit on Saturday. The Simeon junior two guard came out aggressive like he always does seeking his shot. Three level volume scorer that got buckets from all parts of the floor along with the charity stripe. Quality three point shooter that brings so much energy to his team when he puts the ball in the bucket. Had a sweet finger roll finish at the cup. He had 21 points (6-15 FG).   Jeremiah Williams (Simeon – 2020) Williams is another one of the better unsigned seniors that was at the event. The top 15 prospect struggled a bit shooting it, but contributed in other areas. His two best offensive plays were a spin move in the lane for a dunk and a cross move where he was fouled. Williams did a nice job on the glass on both ends of the floor and was a quality wing defender. He had 10 points (2-9 FG), 10 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 2 steals. Khyrie Staten (St. Frances, MD – 2021) Staten emerged as a quality junior prospect with his play on Saturday. Thin guard with a rangy frame. Free flowing jump shot from both mid-range and three. He knocked in an array of them throughout the game. Once he evolves more as a lead guard he should be a quality player at the college level. Staten had 20 points (8-19 FG).   DJ Steward (Whitney Young – 2020 – Duke) Steward has had a target on his back since he committed to Duke. The ultra-smooth combo guard didn’t have the most efficient night going 7-23 from the field with a lot of those misses actually coming from inside the arc. Smooth looking jumper went down at a solid clip from three connecting on 4-10 from deep. One of the better perimeter shooters in the class nationally. Steward made some key plays to try to get his team back in the game. The Whitney Young star finished with 21 points.   Tyler Beard (Whitney Young – 2020) Beard currently sets at the top of the uncommitted board in the state of Illinois’ senior class. The #10 overall prospect is off to a solid start. He isn’t ever going to be spectacular, but we love the toughness he brings to the table and his tenacity to attack the cup and get to the foul line. Did that again Saturday scoring 13 points including 8-8 from the line.   Damon Nichols (Duncanville, TX – 2021) Nichols was the go to player for Duncanville with their star Micah Peevy out. Nichols can really score it with his ball handling and ability to get to the rim with slithery drives over and over again. His quickness of the bounce and ability to get on the offensive glass for a guard were impressive. He had 19 points and 6 boards.   Ronald Holland (Duncanville, TX – 2023) This 6’7” freshman jumped off the court to us! He was extremely efficient shooting 6-8 from the field and playing within himself on a big stage. Finished dump off passes and alley-oops. Quick to the offensive glass and uses his length on both ends of the floor. This is definitely a freshman to watch moving forward! Line was 12 points and 6 rebounds.   Brandon Weston (Morgan Park – 2021) The Brandon Weston tour continued at CEC. The junior two guard had to sit out last season because of a transfer and he is taking it to the opposition. Athletic scoring wing has come out in each game we have seen the Mustangs play with his aggressiveness and tenacity. Didn’t shoot it particularly well from three, but he was great getting to the rim with his athleticism and burst with the ball in his hands. Scored on a backdoor alley-oop along with a slick euro step. He lived at the foul line going 8-13 from there. Weston had 25 points (8-16 FG).   Adam Miller (Morgan Park – 2020 – Illinois) It was a slow start for the recent Illinois verbal commit, but he got it rolling in the fourth quarter. The explosive scoring combo guard wasn’t super efficient with his three point shot, but he did knock down 3-11 along with an array of mid-range jumpers. The three level scorer loves to attack downhill in transition going right at the defense for scores. Miller hit some huge shots in the second half for key buckets en route to 21 points (8-20 FG) and 6 rebounds.   Marcus Watson (Morgan Park – 2020 – Wake Forest) Watson was the engine that made the Mustangs go. Miller and Weston will get most of the attention, but this Wake Forest commit is the key for them to reach their full potential. Watson is one of the fastest guards end to end in the state. He blows past defenders often going coast to coast for scores. One of my favorite parts of Watson’s game is his ability to make difficult layups. Plus passer that makes quick reads on the move, rebounded well for his position, and is pest on the defensive end. Went for 15 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists.   Caleb Love (CBC, MO – 2020 – North Carolina) The UNC commit from the STL started off fast with three triples in the first half and then disappeared for a long stretch until he came to life again late in the contest. Love is a combo guard with excellent size and the ability to knock down three point shots from well beyond the college threw point line. He is a crisp ball handler that weaves in and out in the open floor. Love finished with 26 poitns (8-18 FG) (4-10 3PT) and 7 rebounds.   Larry Hughes Jr. (CBC, MO – 2022) Larry Hughes Jr. is the son of a St. Louis legend and former NBA player. He is starting to gain attention in his own right. The 6’4” rangy wing with length has a lot of physical upside along with a smooth offensive game. Plus shooter that lets the ball come off his hand with ease. Drilled 4-8 from beyond the arc on his way to 16 points.