Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250: Steve’s Guard Standouts Pt 2

There were a ton of great guards at the Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250 Camp!  We had to break them into a pair of stories.  Here is the first in Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250: Steve’s Guard Standouts Pt 2!

Class of 2023

Gio Williams Gio Williams 6'2" | CG Niles North | 2023 IL (Evanston) 6’1

Guard with upper body strength who plays at his own pace, takes contact well and scores through it. Williams scored well from mid-range and made a few from 3. 

Demir Ashiru Demir Ashiru 6'2" | PG Plainfield North | 2023 IL (Plainfield North) 6’1

Demir is a great change of pace guard who has a good feel for the game. He has nice court vision knowing when and where to pass the ball. Ashiru made alot of plays in transition but was very effective in the half court as well. Prospect to monitor on the rise.

Dillion Schmidt (St. Viator) 6’2

Another player who would make the all workhorse team. Schmidt is a straight lined driver who uses his body well to score in the lane. Dillion made several shots in catch and shoot spacing moments. Any kid who plays with a high motor like Schmidt should have many small schools on him. 

Troy Cicero Troy Cicero 6'2" | PG Romeoville | 2023 State IL   (Romeoville) 6’1

High ceiling scoring guard that uses his length well. Troy has a strong handle that allows him to break defenders down. He showed how well he can score on 3 levels and make guys around him better. The biggest eye opening thing about Cicero was his defensive efforts.  He showed that he is capable of locking guys down on the perimeter.  D1 prospect for sure. 

Marvin Lingan Marvin Lingan 5'8" | PG Thornton | 2023 IL (Sandburg) 5’9

Marvin continued the trend of smaller guards getting it done offensively at the Top 250. Lingan is a tough guard who has extended range on his shot. Made many 3’s on the day for starters but Marvin showed he can pick up guards full court at times and hounded players forcing turnovers. Lingan has a pretty good second gear speed when pushing the rock. Got to the rim a few times in the game I watched. 

Sonny Williams Sonny Williams 6'1" | PG International Sports Academy | 2023 OH (Niles Notre Dame)  

Williams plays with so much energy on both ends its infectious.  Sonny is constantly moving on both sides of the ball which is why he is so effective. Williams has 3 gears to his game which makes him effective drive gaps in defenses and find players or look to score himself. Sonny is a talent coaches have been monitoring for some time. 

Class 2024

Max Johnson Max Johnson 5'10" | PG Oak Park River Forest | 2024 State IL (OPRF) 5’10

There are so many words that can describe Max game just on his handles alone. He is so shifty and crafty with the ball in his hands. Johnson made everything look easy on Sunday and as a sophomore it can get scary for the rest of the state having to match up with him for the next 3 years. Max can score from three levels, has an array of floaters and tear drop moves in the lane and is still improving on his mid-range. I see multiple offers in his future.

Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Peoria | 2024 State IL (Limestone) 6’3

Brown is another sophomore that will be hard to guard for the next three years. Smooth guard who has a good feel to the game at an early age. Dekwon showed deep range on his shot and was able to get to the rim when guys crowded him on the perimeter. At times he looked like he was toying with players in games that how effortless it was to him. Brown was just as effective on defense at times causing players to give up the ball because they couldn’t get passed him. Seeing Dekwon for the first was exciting and hope to catch him more during the season.

Luke Kinkade Luke Kinkade 6'0" | PG Neuqua Valley | 2024 State IL (Neuqua Valley)  6’0

Luke is an excellent spot up shooter who does a great job at spacing and finding ways to get open off his teammates penetration. Kinkade made several threes in the game I watched.  Some never touched the rim. 

Jaedin Reyna Jaedin Reyna 6'0" | PG Bishop Noll | 2024 State #259 Nation IN (St.Rita) 6’0

The shifty PG has started to grow on the court and size wise. Jaedin was seen creating shots for his teammates making some amazing passes in traffic looking like the high major pg schools have offered. Reyna plays at a pace that throws guys off at times. His shot has looked much improved since last year and his game is consistently getting better each time we see him.

Jordan Brooks Jordan Brooks 6'2" | SG West Aurora | 2024 State IL (Oswego)  6’2

I walked away very impressed with what I saw from Brooks. He played very poised in a game with more experienced upperclassmen. Jordan found ways to get his shot off from 15 feet often and each time it hit the bottom of the net. Brooks has good length and is very agile. He caused a few turnovers purely off being active.  As a sophomore Jordan showed he can move the ball and play in the half court.