Chi-Town Tip Off: All 17U Team

<p>The field at the Chi-Town Tip Off was out of this world especially at the 17U level.  It is hard to pin down an all event team, but that is what we have here.  Take a look at the <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: All 17U Team</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863588" first="Kam" last="Craft"] (Meanstreets 17U) - MVP</strong></p> <p>What a weekend for the top 10 2022 prospect from the state of Illinois.  The Buffalo Grove shooting guard took it to a whole different level over the weekend for Meanstreets.  Craft hit the shot of the event with a three at the buzzer defeating Brad Beal Elite.  He was much more than just that as he drained threes at a high level all weekend.  Also won off the dribble consistently and got to the rack for scores where he finished acrobatic layups.  Biggest stock riser of the weekend!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>[player_tooltip player_id="821789" first="AJ" last="Storr"] 2022 (<strong>Illinois HoopStars) </strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>With the defense focusing on Storr all weekend he lived up to the hype and beyond of being the hometown star in his state. Storr continues to build off of a massive positive stretch of improvement to his game over the past year. He has turned his game into a national force on the court. Storr was terrific in ball handling situations elevating the players around him with great vision and passes. We have known for quite sometime that Storr was a great scorer. As he adds the new wrinkles in his game it makes him even more dangerous. </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="771516" first="AJ" last="Casey"] (Meanstreets 17U)</strong></p> <p>The top senior in Illinois didn’t have much to prove, but he made a point that #1 is his spot and it isn’t really close in in the state of Illinois in the 2022 class.  The Whitney Young athletic four man is so versatile being able to score inside and out.  He spaced the floor with his shooting, ran the floor for lobs, quick moves in the paint for dunks, and passed it well.  Defensively he was a force and rebounded at a high rate.  Checks all the boxes as a five-star prospect!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="967379" first="Parker" last="Friedrichsen"] (Tulsa Hawks 17U)</strong></p> <p>The lone 2023 prospect on this list Friedrichsen continues to light up the spring.  The Oklahoma product was one of the leading scorers in the event while doing it against elite competition.  Projectable 6’4” wing that can score from all three levels with such an effortless nature to his game.  Free and easy shot from beyond the arc while also being able to explode to the rim with bounce.  The offers are going to continue to rack up!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Nick Smith (Brad Beal Elite 17U)</strong></p> <p>Smith came into the event as a known name.  Top 50 prospect nationally out of Arkansas and with Brandon Miller not in attendance for BBE it was Smith who had to step up even more.  He did it across the board.  Elite scorer from his two guard spot with deep range on the three ball and creativity off the dribble slithering through the defense.  I came away most impressed with his passing from his off guard position making some tremendous dishes.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="863619" first="Ben" last="VanderWal"] (Breakaway 17U)</strong></p> <p>VanderWal led his team to the top spot in a super difficult Pool B.  He averaged 17 points per game throughout the weekend and came up clutch in the key moments.  The 6’7” small forward is such an elite shooter.  He lets it fly with a quick release and consistent accuracy.  The Timothy Christian star was automatic in their last game against Team Rose from deep.  Much more than just a shooter however.  He has major pop at the hoop exploding for dunks and his handles have greatly improved.  Also showed potential on the defensive end guarding threes and fours.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="821763" first="Jakobi" last="Heady"] (God’s Gift 17U)</strong></p> <p>There were quite a few unsigned seniors that made impressions over the weekend.  Heady was one of them.  The top uncommitted wing in the Illinois 2021 class put on an absolute show!  He went for 21, 22, 25, and 28 in consecutive games leading his team to a 4-0 record.  The JUCO that lands Heady is getting a major difference maker with his length, athleticism, and perimeter scoring ability.</p>