Chi-Town Tip Off: Gilbert’s GameChangers

Photo: PrepHoops

Jonathon Gilbert April 18, 2022 @ 01:54 PM

The deep and talented field at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off provided plenty of game-changing performances. I chose to break it down by individual skill sets this time around. Two players with game-changing length. One each with game-changing speed and scoring respectively. Lastly a player who tapped into clutch ability.

John Mccrear John Mccrear 6'8" | PF Woodfard | 2023 State #219 Nation KY 6-8 2023 Woodford County (KY) To keep it simple. McCrear has one defining game-changing trait. Extreme eye opening length. This allowed him to provide elite rim protection for the Mac Irvin Fire all weekend. I’m going to make a wild claim that I can’t entirely prove. McCrear had at least 20, maybe 30 blocked shots on the weekend. It seemed like every time I turned around he was blocking a shot. I would say he easily had five blocks a game over a four game sample. And I might be underselling that a bit. Physical attributes can’t account for all that production. Also has excellent timing and instincts. Offensively if he caught it near the basket it was going down as a flush. Scored 16 points in a close victory over a very good GRIII elite squad that was undefeated on the spring. McCrear began his career in Michigan playing with Emoni Bates. His defensive ability has shades of another Michigan prospect Isaiah Jackson (Kentucky/Indiana Pacers) He is not as dynamic offensively as Jackson. But the defensive upside is there. If he can perform on the EYBL as he did this weekend. I would imagine his recruitment will take off.

Malachi Wright 6-7 Hillcrest Prep (AZ) Like McCrear, has game-changing defensive length. But with a little more offensive versatility. I wrote about teammate Xavier Harris earlier in the weekend. His coach told me to watch out for Wright as well. Honestly I did not see it click for him until Sunday afternoon. Standout game was the last contest of the weekend. In a close victory over GRIII Elite notched 18 points. While this was impressive his defense is what stood out to me. Was Illinois Elite’s tallest player and was playing slightly out of position at the 4/5 spots. GRIII featured a big and quick from line. Wright was able to protect the rim. While also using his foot speed to stay in front of players on the perimeter. Showed the ball skills to easily play the swingman spot. This is aided by his slender frame and explosive first step. The Philadelphia/Delaware area player will get plenty of exposure and competition playing with Hillcrest Prep in the regular season.

Kaden Magwood Kaden Magwood 6'3" | CG Western | 2025 WV 6-3 2025 Western (KY) Part of a strong bluegrass state contingent into the Mac Irvin Fire program (see above) What this electrifying young prospect has is game-changing speed. Almost like a blue chip running back. When he gets a step on defender. He seemingly finds another gear and takes off. Has effortless vertical explosion and easily finishes well above the rim. Formed a potent backcourt duo with Bryce Heard Bryce Heard 6'6" | SG Homewood Flossmoor | 2025 #86 Nation IL . As I took notes on the weekend. I wrote the number 2025 repeatedly to remind myself of how young this prospect is. Has the potential to be truly special national blue chip recruit. You could make the case that he is already.

Merquiche Lewis Jr 6-4 2023 Burlington (IA) Lewis is throwback forward with game-changing scoring ability. First caught my attention in a Saturday afternoon victory over GRIII Black. After only scoring two points in the first half. Came alive in the second during the 63-60 come from behind victory. Sticking with the throwback ethos. Did it from largely within the three point line. Uses his stocky build to be an effective driver. Not a huge leaper. But seemed to hang in the air for creative finishes. Was equally adept at finishing with both hands around the basket. Finished 20 points in that contest. But it was the final game of the weekend that was indicative of his scoring ability. While he did not have a great game. He did step up at the end in a big way. Lewis went on a personal 6-0 run and had the final shot to win it. I was surprised when it did not fall. On the recruiting front he is a bit of tweener. But as long as the goal of game of basketball is to put the ball in the hoop. Lewis could make the right college coach very happy.

Jack Dabbs Jack Dabbs 6'5" | SF Stevenson | 2024 State IL 6-5 2024 Stevenson (IL) Is there such a thing as game-changing clutch gene? If there is Dabbs tapped into it on Sunday. Had arguably the shot of the tournament. A calm turnaround in the post with four seconds left to give All In Athletics an upset victory over the Mac Irvin Fire. Followed this with the defensive play that left the ball in his hands at the end of regulation. Beyond those two plays Dabbs showed great composure down the stretch. Showed good ball skills and dealt with heavy pressure as AIA began to lengthen offensive possessions in the second half. Finished with 12 points in the low scoring contest. Going forward positional fit will be key. Does he add muscle and size and become more of a forward. Or does work on the athleticism and explosion to be come more of backcourt prospect. These are good problems to have and Dabbs has two years to sort them out. His play this weekend has him off to a good start.