GameChangers: Chi-Town Tip Off

At the conclusion of each tournament, a new recurring article will be the ’GameChangers’ series – sponsored by GameChanger. 

GameChanger brings you the best scorekeeping, live video streaming, and team management services of any mobile app on the market. This is a product every grassroots team in the country can use to better serve their players and their families.

How do you get into the GameChanger article? By being a difference-maker for your team, being unselfish, diving on the floor, playing hard all game, boarding up, getting D-stops, being a glue guy, scoring timely buckets, and many others. 

17U GameChangers

Cooper Walls |5’9 G| 5 Star 2023 Windy

He stood out to me as a hustler and a full effort player. Walls was very active on both ends of the court. He is not the biggest player on the court but he does not shy away from contact. I liked his skill set and determination. Copper is also a serious shooting threat from the perimeter. I liked the looks of his quick release. 

Lorenzo Aquino |5’10 G| All in Athletics 2023 Mason

He looked to be a rock for his team. I liked the pace that he played with. Aquino has smooth fundamentals and a nice feel for the game. Aside from being a solid PG that takes care of the ball, Aquino can also hit triples. I like the way he attacked the D off the bounce and set up teammates for good looks. I like this kid, he did not try to do too much but fulfilled his role.

Jayden Small Jayden Small 5'10" | PG Thornton Fractional North | 2023 IL |5’10 G| Up Now 2023

He was a playmaker and a difference-maker for his team on Friday. Small is a strong player and high-quality athlete. I liked his handles and the pace that he played with. Jayden had the ball in his hands a ton and he was constantly making good decisions. He scores off the bounce and he can shoot it. I liked his resilience, he never gave up. He and his team made a nice comeback, took the game into OT, and Small hit the game-winner!

Brett Gomez |6’1 G| All in Athletics 2023 Kay Black

He moves well without the ball and he is very active on both sides of the ball. Gomez stood out as a very good defender. When guarding man-on-man he is extra tough.  His overall skill is polished. Brett has a knack for getting open in a timely manner. He had a productive game scoring the ball when I saw him on Saturday. Gomez also has a sweet floater. 

Owen Guest Owen Guest 6'4" | SG Chesterton | 2023 State IN |6’4 G| Ignite Hoops 2023

He is a big and strong player with long arms that handled the PG duties for his team. Guest plays with a calm demeanor. He is a skilled guard that throws 1-handed lefty passes off the dribble. He has a good-looking stroke, Owen nailed multiple 3-pointers and pull-up jumpers. He also got after it by grabbing offensive rebounds and by creating TO’s on D. When his team was making a comeback, Owen made a very smart play. He shot the ball flat and hard off the front of the rim, the ball came directly back to Owen and he scored quickly. It was one heck of a clever play!

Quentin Heady Quentin Heady 6'5" | SF Hillcrest | 2023 State IL |6’5 F| God’s Gift 2023

He is a powerful athlete that made many splashy plays. Heady is a shot eraser and a rim protector. When he was not blocking shots, Quentin was constantly contesting and altering. He showed excellent anticipation and timing. Quentin is a quick leaper. He also stretched the floor and hit a 3-ball. On the glass, Heady was dominant by grabbing numerous offensive rebounds. 

Fountain Thomas |6’1 G| The Work Foundation 2023

He is young (2024) and playing up an age vision. This youngster showed great strength when finishing with a defender all over him. Thomas is an impressive athlete that skied up for rebounds. He also led fast breaks after he grabbed a D board. I liked how Fountain drove into the paint and kicked to open shooters. He is a slasher and a creator. Thomas also scored in transition. 

Demarco Hawkins |5-11 G| The Work Foundation 2023 

He is a spark plug and a full-court player. Hawkins is quick and speedy. He plays fearless and his handles are impressive. Hawkins looked like a playmaker on Saturday. He threw soft-touch passes when the situation called for it. Demarco did a nice job of kicking the ball ahead in transition. Hawkins also looks to be a knockdown free-throw shooter. 

Ralph Clark |5'10 G| IL Rockets 17U

He showcased a great baseline runner. Clark's shot is soft and accurate. Ralph scored in a variety of ways. He is one heck of an athlete and very strong. Clark is a tough overall player that works hard on both ends. He also stuck out to me as a playmaker.  He is not a huge guard, but Clark is a physical player. 

16U GameChangers

Cole Arl Cole Arl 5'10" | PG Naperville North | 2024 IL  |5’7 PG| My Journey 2024

He was a primary ball-handler for his team and he took care of the rock. Cole had many nice assists on Friday night. I thought his court vision and sharp passes were impressive. He did a nice job of handling the pressure that was put on by the defense. He also boarded well for a shorter player. Cole is a hard worker that will do what it takes to help his squad. 

Thon Bill |6’8 F| ET21 Buckeyes 2024

He is a young player (2025), playing up an age division. You could not tell, Thon held his own and stood out. This lefty has super long arms and he was snatching up rebounds all Saturday morning. Bill finished smoothly with O-board put-backs. He also looks to be a solid shooter from the FT-line. Bill ran the floor hard and boarded up on both ends. He also showed a great finger-roll finish in overtime.

Cale Cosme |5’5 PG| ET21 Buckeyes 2024

He was a clutch performer in an OT win on Saturday morning. Cale finished with 25 points and he went 5-5 from the charity stripe when it really mattered in overtime. Cosme is a hardworking PG that is aggressive off the bounce. I really liked how he handled the defensive pressure all game. Cale is a skilled player with smooth ball skills. This kid plays fearless!

15U GameChangers

Nas Z Jackson |5’11 PG| Next Generation 2025

Is an effective playmaking PG a GameChanger? Absolutely! His handles were outstanding, he broke the press, escaped pressure situations, moved the ball on offense, created for others, and had multiple assists. Jackson also added a scoring punch from the perimeter and at the basket. He worked hard on defense and he scored timely baskets.