Breakaway Basketball: 16U Scrimmage Standouts

<p>Prep Hoops Illinois recently watched several scrimmages from Breakaway Basketball.  Let’s dive into their 16U squad here with the standouts from their scrimmage.</p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863598" first="Bobby" last="Durkin"] (Hinsdale South – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Durkin is a wing prospect that has been on our radar for a long time.  The 6’5” shooting guard has excellent size for position along with really being able to shoot it, but wasn’t quite as effective from three in this particular scrimmage.  He crashed the glass hard for multiple put backs.  Also handled it well in the open floor including a sweet coast to coast layup.  Had an explosive blocked shot on the defensive end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="925230" first="Zeke" last="Williams"] (Naperville North – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Williams is a 6’3” combo guard that can play on and off the ball.  Long and wiry frame.  Pushed it well in the open floor grabbing defensive rebounds and using his speed to go the other way.  Capable shooter that hit a couple stop and pop mid-range jumpers.  Brings creativity off the bounce with his handles winning off the dribble.  Best basketball is ahead of him.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863619" first="Ben" last="VanderWal"] (Timothy Christian – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Vander Wal is a jumbo wing that is mostly known for his shooting, but in this scrimmage it was his athleticism the jumped off the floor.  He was a beast in transition throwing down several monster dunks running his lane for scores.  Also could handle it on his own taking it coast to coast for scores and threw a no look dime.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Patrick Laurich (Downers Grove South – 2022)</strong></p> <p>New name on our radar here in this 6’6” four man.  Laurich crashed the boards on the defensive end and had a couple blocks.  Ran the floor pretty well and stretched it hitting a three off the catch.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Drew Cwik (South Elgin – 2022)</strong></p> <p>Liked this competitive 6’1” point guard.  He threw crisp passes which set up quite a few makes from the perimeter by his teammates.  Weaved through the defense in transition for layups and scoop shots.  Rebounds pretty well for a guard.  Hit a couple threes including banking in one.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Brennan White (Benet – 2022)</strong></p> <p>The 6’0” Benet lead guard is a pass first guard that plays with flair.  Had a couple bullet passes for dimes through traffic in the half court.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Chase Collignon (Hinsdale Central – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Collignon can really shoot the rock at 6’5”.  Knocked down an array of triples in the scrimmage and also mixed in some nifty conversions around the hoop.  New name to track with his size and shot making.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Jake Vozza (Wheaton South – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Shooting point guard that hit a pair from the top of the key.  Also had a strong move where he got in the lane and was fouled on runner attempt.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nik Polonowski (Lyons – 2023)</strong></p> <p>Intrigued by this big man from Lyons.  At 6’6” this post displayed a really nice mid-range game connecting from 15-18 feet at a high clip and then being able to extend it to beyond the arc on one occasion.  Handled it some in the open floor and flashed athleticism on the defensive end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nojus Indrusaitis (Lemont – 2024)</strong></p> <p>In this one outing I was blown away with this 6’4” Lemont shooting guard for an incoming freshman.  He was playing against players two and three years older, but was the best player on the floor.  Plus size for position already.  Elite level shooter that connected both off the catch and pulling up from all sorts of different angles.  Clean and crisp release with elevation on his shot.  Mixed in some crafty scores off his crisp handles including a nice euro step.  Freshman to definitely track!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Luke Williams (Naperville North – 2024)</strong></p> <p>This is the younger brother of highly ranked [player_tooltip player_id="925230" first="Zeke" last="Williams"] and if he continues to progress he will be a coveted prospect by colleges as well.  Long and lanky 6’2” point guard that had an advanced passing feel in the half court.  Whether it was in the drive and kick or skipping to shooters on the other side.  Connected on a pair of threes with one being a pull up and the other a step back.   </p>