Battle at the Lakes: Scotty B’s 2024 Illinois Standouts
This past weekend we covered Battle at the Lakes in Minnesota featuring top talent in Illinois and around the country. Here is our look at the top performers from the rising sophomore class in Battle at the Lakes: Scotty B’s…
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Continue ReadingThis past weekend we covered Battle at the Lakes in Minnesota featuring top talent in Illinois and around the country. Here is our look at the top performers from the rising sophomore class in Battle at the Lakes: Scotty B’s 2024 Illinois Standouts!
Davee Flowers (Illinois Central Elite)
Flowers is a combo guard from Niles West that opened our eyes with a monster effort on Friday night. Creative guard with length. Gets downhill where he finishes nifty layups. Also was impressed with how well he got his own shot off the bounce. Drained an array of smooth pull ups from mid-range along with a step back three. Three level scorer to track down the line!
Filip Guzina (Illinois Central Elite)
This 5’11” Niles North point guard is a sniper from deep. Plus shooter that made several from distance along with mid-range shots. Next small shooting point guard for Niles North!
Reggie Ray (DTM Elite Chicago)
Ray is a strong bodied 6’1” combo guard that left his imprint on the game we saw in a major way. Good ball handler that can create his own shot off the bounce weaving or on straight line takes. Finished well in the paint. Also has potential as a shooter hitting a step back along with one behind a ball screen. St. Ignatius guard is one to track for the Catholic League program.
Askia Bullie (DTM Chicago)
Bullie is a quality 5’10” point guard from Kenwood that can go. Shifty ball handler that breaks the defense down off the bounce with his playmaking and floater game.
Charles Lay (DTM Chicago)
Lay is an undersized 6’3” power forward from Mt. Carmel. He has good footwork around the hoop along with a nice looking mid-range shot. His upside will depend on how much he grows.
Tristan Ford (Illinois Elite)
Liked what we saw out of Ford over the weekend. The Rockford Boylan 5’11” point guard is a slick handling lefty that was at his best using his speed in the open floor for transition scores.
Noah Cleveland (Illinois Hoopstars)
Normal Community 6’6” face up four man displayed a lot of the same tools as his older brother. Fluid movements around the hoop. Sweeping layups and scored in the paint through defenders.
Niko Newsome (Illinois Hoopstars)
Rangy and athletic 6’5” shooting guard plays above the rim with his athleticism and was very good defensively moving his feet and creating turnovers.
Christopher Riddle (Grind Family Chicago)
Riddle projects among the better 2024 prospects in the state. The 6’6” small forward has excellent size and strength. Sometimes you worry about physically developed prospects, but with Riddle he has the skill to match! Plus pull up jump shooter that knocked them down in rhythm with consistency. So explosive attacking the hoop in both transition and the half court. Threw down a couple of monster jams!
Edwon Duling (Grind Family Chicago)
Yet another young prospect from Kenwood to track. Point guard stands at about 6’1” with a lanky build. Sees the floor pretty well and gets to the rim in transition.
Mateo Young (Grind Family Chicago)
Whitney Young 6’0” shooting guard has a projectable frame with good length. Gets on the offensive glass for second chance points from his guard spot.
EJ Breland (Grind Family Chicago) – 2025
Breland is actually a 2025 prospect playing up on the 15U level. The rangy framed guard was quick off the bounce, threw a nice pick/roll dish, and was active defensively.
Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'4" | PG Simeon | 2024 #273 Nation IL (Illinois Hoopstars)
Brown once again showed why is among the best guards in the 2024 class with his play in Minnesota. The Peoria High standout dropped 30 points in the game that we saw. Scoring dynamo! He is such an explosive player off the bounce and in transition where he has a burst past defenders while finishing well through or around contact. Creative finisher at the rim. Gets to the line on a regular basis. His three point shot takes his game to the next level as he can really knock down perimeter shots at a high clip.
Malachi Johnson (Illinois Hoopstars)
First look at this 6’2” Rockford Guilford shooting guard. Scoring nearly 30 points in the game we took in he has an effortless offensive game. Silky smooth three point shot pulling up, working around ball screens, or hitting off the catch. Fluid ball handler that manipulates his defenders off the dribble. Like the upside here.
Malcolm Morris (Illinois Hoopstars)
Morris is a 6’5” center with good size and frame. Moves well for his size. Right now the lefty is more of a rebounder and defender than offensive threat. Posts with his size are ones to track early.
Gage Steidinger (Illinois Hoopstars)
Prairie Central 6’3” shooting guard has broad shoulders and a frame to continue to add strength. Perimeter player that can rebound and flashed athleticism.
Anthony Kemp (Illinois Hoopstars)
Bloomington Central Catholic 6’2” shooting guard with long and rangy build. Capable spot up shooter from the corner and crashed the offensive glass.