Chicago Elite Classic: Stock Risers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chicago Elite Classic was filled with 10 games featuring high level basketball from Chicago and the suburbs.&nbsp; PHI was in the house from start to finish.&nbsp; We break down the event from all angles including here in <strong>Chicago Elite Classic: Stock Risers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545128' first='Dalton' last='Scantlebury'] (Lane Tech – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Scantlebury has a lot of intriguing tools to work with as a sophomore power forward.&nbsp; He is a very good shot blocker that has a feel for it.&nbsp; Good area rebounder.&nbsp; Crafty finisher around the hoop especially when on the move in the pick/roll.&nbsp; Ball mover as a big man making several nice passes.&nbsp; Finished with 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545121' first='Justin' last='Bowen'] (OPRF – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bowen just produces.&nbsp; The sophomore wing is a well built small forward that brought scoring off the bench for Oak Park.&nbsp; Finishes well in the paint and in the open floor.&nbsp; Did hit a corner three.&nbsp; Solid all-around skill potential here as he scored 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1194776' first='Max' last='Johnson'] (OPRF – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Johnson was on fire to begin the game!&nbsp; The point guard got out in transition with his speed and then drained three early bombs to give his team some early momentum getting their crowd behind him.&nbsp; Solid passer and like his active hands on the defensive end.&nbsp; Johnson had 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1371085' first='Brady' last='Kunka'] (Benet – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kunka is a strong bodied two guard that is going to be an excellent small college player at the next level.&nbsp; Sound shooter who hit four of them in this one along with using his toughness to finish at the rim for 20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537986' first='Brayden' last='Fagbemi'] (Benet – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fagbemi showed a high IQ passing the rock and setting up his teammates throughout their win.&nbsp; Plays with nice pace and makes sound decisions in the half court.&nbsp; Mixed in a couple crafty drives and is a capable shooter netting 9 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1285492' first='Lee' last='Marks'] (Mt. Carmel – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Marks is a rangy small forward that we were monitoring closely.&nbsp; Versatile defender that can play inside and out.&nbsp; Did most of his damage on the offensive glass and finishing around the rim on slick takes taking it right at the hoop going for 16 points.&nbsp; D1s should monitor him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939066' first='Jackson' last='Kotecki'] (St. Ignatius – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Miami (OH) commit is a face up four man that had a nice first half against Gonzaga.&nbsp; It was nice to see him rim run, use his spin move in the paint, and get on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Also had a nice dunk on a dump off pass.&nbsp; Struggled in the second half but still had 14 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1056104' first='Chikasi' last='Ofoma'] (Curie – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Top uncommitted post in the state was really the only bright spot for Curie in their loss.&nbsp; Strong bodied and undersized post plays with a lot of energy on the glass.&nbsp; Scored his buckets on junk plays around the hoop and on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Works well out of the dunker spot and is a solid defender.&nbsp; Went for 11 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939072' first='Marcus' last='Pigram'] (Whitney Young – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Citadel signee had a solid all-around outing for the Dolphins in their win.&nbsp; Scoring 12 points he was effective working in the mid-range on runners and short jumpers along with getting to the charity stripe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='939068' first='Sam' last='Lewis'] (Simeon – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Toledo commit looked very comfortable in his first big game with Simeon.&nbsp; Wing with good size, strength, and athleticism.&nbsp; Played well in transition above the rim on dunks and slashed with aggressiveness to the rim.&nbsp; Best we have seen him in a while as he scored 20 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1401824' first='Tyler' last='Smith'] (Kenwood – 2023)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great outing for Smith in a primetime game.&nbsp; More of an off guard, but with Ames in foul trouble he played quite a bit on the ball and made good reads for assists in the half court while still getting his buckets especially on dump off passes.&nbsp; Hit a couple threes along with slashing to the rim for 17 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1373437' first='Justus' last='McNair'] (Joliet West – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McNair has been quietly outstanding to begin his junior campaign.&nbsp; The Fears brothers get the attention, but McNair has established himself as a no doubt LM/MM prospect.&nbsp; Plus shooter off the catch drained two of them early in the contest and had it going from there.&nbsp; Seems to always make the smart play.&nbsp; He had 16 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->