Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Top 2024 Illinois Performers

<p>The Chi-Town Tip Off was an awesome weekend of hoops!  Many of the top teams from Chicago and Illinois were in the building!  We breakdown the event in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Scotty B’s Top 2024 Illinois Performers</strong>!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1157226" first="Josh" last="Pickett"] (Mac Irvin Fire)</strong></p> <p>Really like where the game of Pickett is going. The West Aurora combo guard has broad shoulders and an excellent frame.  He has added strength on while maintaining his athleticism.  Clean shot from the perimeter with crisp and precise mechanics.  Like how he can play on or off the ball and is become a true combo guard which will help his value at the next level.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1285487" first="Calvin" last="Robins Jr"] (Mac Irvin Fire)</strong></p> <p>Robins is a human pogo stick.  My gosh some of the dunks he had!  If he has any space inside he throws down ferocious two handed slams for jams.  His quickness and athleticism on both ends stand out as he snatches rebounds in traffic and is a mobile defender that can switch.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1172894" first="Tre" last="Dowdell"] (Team Ten Jabari Parker)</strong></p> <p>Dowdell had it working in their game on Saturday.  Slick combo guard that can really score it.  The Brother Rice guard has deep range on his shot pulling up from distance while also loving to use the runner game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1157224" first="Mike" last="Jones"] (Team Rose)</strong></p> <p>Jones lived up to his top 10 ranking over the weekend.  The four man is a long and strong big man with plus athleticism.  What we liked most about him was how he wasn’t afraid of taking it right at other high-profile players like in his matchup with top power forward [player_tooltip player_id="1157230" first="Morez" last="Johnson"].  Scored on face up moves, fluid post takes, rim runs, and dives.  Quick explosion off the ground.  High level rebounder with his athleticism in traffic along with his shot blocking.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1285486" first="Tristan" last="Ford"] (Team Rose)</strong></p> <p>Slick ball handling lefty point guard.  He absolutely loves the James Harden step back game.  Side stepped several times for shots along with using his ball handling to get in the lane for finishes at the cup.  Smooth operator off the bounce that finds creases in the defense and exploits them for buckets!  Active hands on the defensive end.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1157223" first="Nojus" last="Indrusaitis"] (Meanstreets)</strong></p> <p>Straight bucket!  The Lemont star is the top wing in the 2024 class and it was on full display over the weekend.  What you have to like about his game is how easy he scores it and from all over the floor.  Elite shooter from deep that can do it off the catch while also creating his own shot when needed.  Got to the rim in transition and on explosive straight line takes in the half court.  Makes regular trips to the charity stripe.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1157230" first="Morez" last="Johnson"] (Meanstreets)</strong></p> <p>Johnson is making a strong case for #1.  The Illini commit is a board shouldered four that has filled out his frame with strength.  Such an explosive athlete around the hoop with his bounce off the floor for finishes above the rim which several times we thought he might bring the whole thing down.  Tremendous rim runner and dive theat.  Love how well he gets up and down the floor.  Snatches rebounds in traffic, defends all over the floor, and protects the rim.  Illinois got a good one early on!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1428908" first="Brady" last="Chambers"] (Big 3 Hudson)</strong></p> <p>Intrigued by this 6’6” power forward from Lyons.  He shined in their final game of the weekend.  What we liked most about him was his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor.  Offensively was efficient around the hoop with touch on a hook shot and skilled post moves.  Was also comfortable stepping out to hit a three.  Defensively he swatted an array of shots and showed overall toughness on that end along with the boards.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>AJ Levine (Big 3 Hudson)</strong></p> <p>The York sophomore guard can really light it up from the perimeter.  Went for 16 points in the game we saw.  Plus three point shooter that plays with a ton of basketball savvy.  Will be so impactful for York the next two seasons.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id="1432254" first="Jack" last="Dabbs"] (All-In Athletics)</strong></p> <p>Dabbs was outstanding in their win against the Fire.  The skilled 6’5” small forward ended up netting the game winning points on a post-up where he went to work for the score.  Displayed a crafty scoring game along with being able to stretch the floor hitting multiple threes in the victory.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Ehi Ogbomo (Illinois T-Wolves)</strong></p> <p>Explosive combo guard at 5’11” that had several huge outings over the weekend.  The Plainfield East guard is crisp ball handler that consistently creates his own shot working well around ball screens.  Loves to get in the mid-range to knock down one or two dribble pull ups.<br /> <br /> </p>