17u Grit Region Teams to Watch in July
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The month of June is all about prospects getting back with their high school teams. There are weekly leagues, college team camps, showcases, and much more happening in states all around the country. However, as we churn out content from…
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Continue ReadingThe month of June is all about prospects getting back with their high school teams. There are weekly leagues, college team camps, showcases, and much more happening in states all around the country. However, as we churn out content from high school events around the state of Indiana, we also want to continue to give shine to the Prep Hoops Circuit Grit Region participants. Here are five teams at the 17u level that both fans and college coaches alike will want to make a point to watch in the month of July. Grit Region events in July include the Summer Challenge in Chicago from July 1st-3rd, Prep Hoops Live Atlanta from July 8th-10th (live period), Grit Region Finals in Indianapolis from July 15th-17th, and The Last Dance in Chicago from July 22nd-24th.
Full Package Black
This Full Package Black team might have been the most consistently successful team on the Prep Hoops Grit Region Circuit through April and May. They even went up against some of the very best in the country from the shoe circuits at the Bill Hensley Run ’N Slam in Fort Wayne. Led by 6’3″ guard Jake Fiegen Jake Fiegen 6'3" | SG New Trier | 2023 State IL (New Trier H.S. 2023), who recently earned his first Division I offer from Navy, this group simply knows how to win games. Despite losing Nikola Abusara Nikola Abusara 6'5" | SF Benet | 2023 State IL (Benet Academy 2023) to Team FVV on the UAA Circuit for the summer months, they still have a ton of talent. Along with Fiegen, one of the best shooters on the circuit, 6’7″ versatile forward Mark Nikolich-Wilson Mark Nikolich-Wilson 6'7" | C Rolling Meadows | 2023 State IL (Rolling Meadows H.S. 2023) was a fixture on All-Tournament teams throughout the spring months.
Hoops 4 Health
There is a lot of talent on this Hoops 4 Health team that was a fixture at Prep Hoops events throughout April and May. In the backcourt, dynamic guards Sonny Williams Sonny Williams 6'1" | PG International Sports Academy | 2023 OH (Notre Dame College Prep) and Xavier Sulaiman Xavier Sulaiman 6'3" | SG Oak Lawn | 2023 State IL (Oaklawn H.S. 2023) lead the way. Williams is a stronger guard with a really well-rounded skill set off of the dribble. Sulaiman is one of the best pure athletes on the circuit that can finish above the rim at the end of his drives. Inside for Hoops 4 Health, they feature 6’10″ forward Tyler Van Gorp Tyler Van Gorp 6'10" | C New Trier | 2023 State IL (New Trier H.S. 2023). Van Gorp is a thinner forward but has a good skill set both around the basket and stretching out to the perimeter. He brings some rim protection to the table as well. Along with that trio of rising seniors Hoops 4 Health also features the best young prospect on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Playing up two full age groups is Jeremiah Fears Jeremiah Fears 6'1" | PG AZ Compass Prep | 2025 State #31 Nation AZ (Joliet West H.S. 2025) who has had no issue competing with players older than him.
Team GRIII Elite
Similar to Full Package, Team GRIII is losing one of their top prospects to the UAA Circuit for the summer. However, even without Bellarmine commit A.J. Lux A.J. Lux 6'3" | SG Crown Point | 2023 State IN (Crown Point H.S. 2023) this team has a plethora of really good players. Heading into the summer circuit the top prospects for Team GRIII will be Mason Jones Mason Jones 6'7" | PF Valparaiso | 2023 State IN (Valparaiso H.S. 2023) and Cooper Farrall Cooper Farrall 6'5" | SF Culver Academy | 2023 State IN (Culver Academy 2023). Jones is one of the most versatile forwards in the state with excellent athleticism and driving ability. As for Farrall, he is a physical wing that can really catch-and-shoot. Brandon Trilli Brandon Trilli 6'5" | SF Munster | 2023 State IN (Munster H.S. 2023) was the third Indiana Junior All-Star, along with Jones and Farrall, from Team GRIII Elite. The 6’5″ forward is excellent from 15-feet and in with an ever-improving outside shot that will really take his game to the next level.