Teddy’s Top 6 Teams to Watch Ahead of R-B Shootout

<p>The Riverside-Brookfield Shootout features some of the most elite high school talent throughout Illinois in an NCAA certified live period. Here’s a look at some of my top high school teams to watch this weekend. Games start Friday</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>St. Rita</strong></p> <p>The Mustangs picked up the biggest transfer of the summer so far. Adding Top 5 2024 Wing [player_tooltip player_id="1157223" first="Nojus" last="Indrusaitis"] was crucial. He’s been arguably the most productive player in his class during his first two seasons. Now, you pair him in the front court with the top two prospects in his class, [player_tooltip player_id="1157228" first="James" last="Brown"] and Illinois commit [player_tooltip player_id="1157230" first="Morez" last="Johnson"]. Having the top three Illinois prospects on your team will create serious problems for opponents over the next two years. They also have 2024 point guard [player_tooltip player_id="1157213" first="Jaedin" last="Reyna"], a very crafty ball handler who’s ranked #5 in his class and #1 for his position. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id="1385285" first="Melvin" last="Bell"] showed so much potential his freshman season. He’s got great size and athleticism as a winger.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Brother Rice</strong></p> <p>The Crusaders are a well-coached program who showed so much potential last season. A slump at the wrong time of the year cut a potential playoff run short. But the nucleus returns. 5’9" 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="1048307" first="Ahmad" last="Henderson"], leads the way. He a super quick point guard who passes really well and makes his teammates better. There probably isn’t a better, more consistent shooter in this class than [player_tooltip player_id="1215297" first="Nick" last="Niego"]. Last summer, I saw him hit almost every shot from behind the arc. When I saw him with Chicago Lockdown in Iowa, it was the same thing. 6’5" F [player_tooltip player_id="939074" first="Khalil" last="Ross"] brings length and athleticism to a Crusaders team looking to make a run in next year’s postseason.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Whitney Young</strong></p> <p>The Dolphins were one win away from hoisting a state championship. Falling one game short against a legendary Glenbard West squad. Like usual, Whitney Young brings back a ton of talent ready to make another run. 6’0" 2023 PG [player_tooltip player_id="939057" first="Dalen" last="Davis"] will lead the way. He’s currently ranked #4 in his class. I expect big things from 2023 Wing [player_tooltip player_id="1048324" first="Daniel" last="Johnson"]. His stock has risen heavily over the past year or so. Look out for 2025 F [player_tooltip player_id="1385300" first="Antonio" last="Munoz"] to make a big leap forward this summer.</p> <p><strong>Rolling Meadows</strong></p> <p>Rolling Meadows has shown a tremendous amount of improvement lately. This will surely be the strongest team they’ve had since NBA-bound Max Christie arrived 5 years ago. His younger brother, 2023 G [player_tooltip player_id="939055" first="Cameron" last="Christie"], is a top 3 player in his class. Christie can play either guard or wing, and can score from all three levels. Big man [player_tooltip player_id="1215298" first="Mark" last="Nikolich-Wilson"] has had his stock rise tremendously this spring. He had an excellent spring with Full Package, and I’m excited to see what he does this week. 6’5" 2025 F [player_tooltip player_id="1385299" first="Ian" last="Miletic"] is a rising prospect to watch. He’s a lengthy forward who scores inside. Miletic was very productive as a freshman last season. </p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Simeon</strong></p> <p>The Wolverines added two high-end 2023 transfers this week. Point Guard [player_tooltip player_id="994687" first="Kaiden" last="Space"] is one of them. Coming from St. Rita, Space brings three years of varsity experience. Forward [player_tooltip player_id="939068" first="Sam" last="Lewis"] is the other big transfer. He comes from OPRF. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id="1048305" first="Wesley" last="Rubin"] and [player_tooltip player_id="1048306" first="Miles" last="Rubin"] will look to create problems in the paint. 5’10" PG [player_tooltip player_id="939059" first="Jalen" last="Griffith"] brings lots of experience. He’s a crafty player who can create his own shot. I’m looking forward to seeing how this group blends with one another. Legendary coach Robert Smith will have plenty of experience on the roster for his final season.</p> <p><strong style="font-size: 1rem;">Kenwood</strong></p> <p>The Broncos were surprisingly not in this event last season. 2023 PG [player_tooltip player_id="939050" first="Darrin" last="Ames"] is a top-50 player nationally and ranked #1 in Illinois. He can get buckets from all three levels and an elite playmaker. 2025 W [player_tooltip player_id="1385293" first="Bryce" last="Heard"] might be the top player in his class too. He had an excellent weekend at the Chi-Town Tipoff in April and has played well all spring for the Mac Irvin Fire. 2023 F [player_tooltip player_id="939069" first="Davius" last="Loury"] is an athletic forward who gets up and down the floor at a fast rate. He does an excellent job scoring inside. 2024 C [player_tooltip player_id="1157346" first="Jaden" last="Smith"] is another big man who plays excellent defense and has a great touch down low. </p>