Chicago Summer Challenge: Saturday Superlatives

<p>A highly competitive and deep field kicked off the summer AAU period just outside of Chicago at Prep Hoops Summer Challenge. </p> <p>Following is a breakdown of Saturday performers by superlative skill sets. Lots of hard cuts from this list. If I was to do honorable mentions. This report would be a novel. </p> <p><b>Best Post- [player_tooltip player_id="1215285" first="Matthew" last="Moore"] 6-8 2023 Joliet West (IL) (pictured) </b>and <b>Seth Joba 6-8 2023 Bridgton Academy (ME) </b>Going to start by taking the easy way out. These two matched up and traded blows in classic old school post battle. While Joba’s Corey Graham Elite squad took the victory. I’m going to call their matchup a draw. Two very different players but both highly effective. Moore showed off his typical above the rim athleticism. Simply put if he is around the rim. He is putting it down. However he also showed the ability to play out on the perimeter. Had a nice mid range jumper and was able to get to his spots off the dribble. Joba has a thicker frame and plays slightly below the rim. He has excellent touch around the basket. I “think” he is left handed. The think is in quotes because he appeared ambidextrous around the basket. Uses frame well and fights hard to establish deep position. The Buffalo area player plays at a prep school in Maine against some very good competition. Exposure should not be an issue for either player. Moore has recently transferred to Joliet West which has the potential to be one of the better teams in the Chicago area. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Tyler-Van-Gorp.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1430430" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/04/Tyler-Van-Gorp-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p><b>Best Rim Protection- [player_tooltip player_id="1048311" first="Tyler" last="Van Gorp"] 6-10 New Trier (IL) </b>A still developing post prospect who is knocking on the door of two guys above him. The offense isn’t quite there yet. However he has rim protection in spades. Has eye opening length. Also plays with verticality and is able to avoid fouls. Doesn’t fall into the trap of swatting down at the ball. Coordinated and has good lateral quickness. Able to stay in front of players on the perimeter and hedge out on ball screens away from the basket. Bigs typically develop at a slower pace than wings and guards. Van Gorp has a lot to work with. Could be a late bloomer and make a college coach very happy. </p> <p><b>Best Shooter [player_tooltip player_id="1048322" first="Collin" last="Wainscott"] 6-1 2023 Marmion Academy (IL) </b>Shot the lights for IBA Illinois Stars in a close victory over Wisconsin Playground Club. Wasn’t simply hitting simple threes. Was pulling them from very deep range. In constant motion off the ball and came off screens well. While he didn’t play the point showed good ball handling ability. Was equally adept at shooting off the dribble. Received the total denial face guard treatment in the second half. Didn’t seem to faze him at all. Used five threes to finish with 28 points. </p> <p><b>Most Explosive- [player_tooltip player_id="1089678" first="Tayshawn" last="Bridges"] 6-2 2024 Milwaukee Academy of Science (WI) </b>I’m running out of adjectives from this national blue chip prospect. A simply electric performer. A highlight reel waiting to happen who also plays winning basketball. Posted two 28 point performances for the Mac Irvin Fire on Saturday. Explodes to rim off the bounce. Aided by a tight handle that makes him difficult to turn over. Appears to have a clutch gene and a flair for the dramatic. Finished the day with buzzer beating mid rage game winner over a good Ohio based OBC squad. Seems to be settling in nicely with his new team after spending most of the spring with a Wisconsin AAU squad. I think his national profile could take off even further in the next two years. He is that special of a player. </p> <p><b>Best Athlete- [player_tooltip player_id="1048310" first="George" last="Bellevue"] 6-5 2023 Lincoln Way East (IL) </b>Without a roster for his squad. Bellevue really racked my brain on Saturday. I knew I had seen him play before but he looked like a completely different player. Having recently joined Fundamental U. He is now playing more on the wing. Seemed to play a little more in the post in the spring. Had multiple above the rim finishes. Doesn’t need much of a run way for take off. Had a nice tip dunk against a very good Full Package squad. Handled their large front line well. Doesn’t have the typical lean leaper frame. Has a thick upper body and absorbs contact well. Young for his grade. Recently turned 16. Like his former AAU teammate [player_tooltip player_id="1048311" first="Tyler" last="Van Gorp"]. Could be a late bloomer with potential to pop at the next level. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/82CE6F56-2B1C-41A0-B05E-A78CB1FF9294.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1500832" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2022/07/82CE6F56-2B1C-41A0-B05E-A78CB1FF9294-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p> <p><b>Best Scorer- [player_tooltip player_id="1373000" first="Camden" last="Fall Thompson"] 6-4 Whitehall (MI) </b>Young Michigan wing helped his Hardwood Midwest squad stay undefeated on the Prep Hoops Circuit. Did it all in a nail biting victory over Fundamental U. Scored at all three levels. Has the size and leaping ability to shoot over defenders in the post. Quick second jump makes him a presence on the glass. I was impressed with his defense. Used good anticipation and long arms to pick the pocket of ball handlers at the top of the key. Finished off one with a emphatic dunk in transition. Those two plays really changed the tenor of the game. Finished the victory with 23 hard earned and needed points. One of the top prospects from a very deep 2025 class in the state of Michigan. </p> <p><a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Kai-Rogers-Wisconsin-PGC-14u-1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1264406" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/08/Kai-Rogers-Wisconsin-PGC-14u-1-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" /></a></p> <p><b>Best Long Term Potential- [player_tooltip player_id="1240335" first="Kai" last="Rogers"] 6-10 Wauwatosa West (WI) </b>What a difference a year makes. Completely different game and frame then when I first saw him at this same event last summer. Has shed probably 30 pounds in the past year. However still has eye opening size and has not sacrificed any strength. Has good mobility and does not shy away from contact in the post. If he catches it on the block it is pretty much a bucket. Has a soft touch and is also a good kick out passer. Standout play was a reverse dunk out in transition against the Mac Irvin Fire. Showed toughness by playing through an injury in that contest as well. The newly minted top ranked 2025 player in Wisconsin has been accumulating a stream of Division 1 offers during the spring. When you see him play, it is easy to see why. </p>