Chi-Town Tip Off: Max’s 2025 And 2026 Standouts
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Seven of the top 2025 and 2026 prospects I saw over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off! Al Brooks IL #4 SF #1 HEIGHT 6'6" POS SF CLASS 2025 View Player Boost Profile Download Image Al…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the top 2025 and 2026 prospects I saw over the weekend at the Prep Hoops Chi-Town Tip Off!
It was my first time seeing Al play, and he really impressed on both ends of the floor. Defensively he’s a major rim protector as he moves really well at 6’7, has an imposing wingspan, and is really quick off the floor to get up and swat shots. Also has the agility at his size to defend on the perimeter against wings while also using his length to defend forwards inside. Offensively he can handle the ball in a way that not many 6’7 players can, allowing him to go coast-to-coast in transition on his own while also being able to create his own shots in the half-court. Brooks showed he can stretch the floor from three and also finish in a variety of ways at the basket.
Valin Ramberg
Valin Ramberg
Valin put together some impressive individual performances for Wisconsin Crusaders 2026 over the weekend. At 6’6 he has such a smooth shot from beyond the arc, and was connecting on a handful of threes in both games that I watched. If you leave him enough room to catch and get squared up, he’s likely putting three points on the board. He’s also skilled enough to handle the ball in the open floor, and although he may not blow you away with quickness, he was able to get an edge on his man and then keep him on his hip as he got to the rim. Also not afraid to use his body to bump defenders off and work his way into deep position around the rim to finish.
Carter is a skilled frontcourt player who showed a versatile game in a win for United Hoops. He’s so dangerous with his back to the basket because he has a strong frame to back his man down into deep post position and finish over the top, but he can also hit a turnaround jumper off one foot. Really soft touch to convert in the paint. Also has the patience and vision to catch on the block, see the floor, and find an open teammate when a double-team starts to come at him.
Andre was one of the best passers I saw all weekend, and will be one to watch for moving forward in Chicago. He has a long and lanky frame at around 6’3 now, and possesses a shifty handle to get by his defender and force an extra man to step in on him. Was making the simple kick out passes to open shooters, was tossing it ahead in transition, and was also threading the needle on some bounce passes. Towards the end of the first half against Wisconsin Crusaders there was a period of time where it seemed like every bucket Team Rose got was being assisted by Andre. I really liked the energy he brought to the floor, and he was working on the defensive end to try to pick up turnovers and get his team out in the open floor.
Kenyon knows how to run a team and it showed on Saturday morning as the floor general was making an impact as a facilitator. He can make the simple passes to get his team into their sets, but can also make something out of nothing with his ability to drive and dump it off at the last second. Dangerous in the pick & roll because he can turn the corner and get downhill towards the rim, but can also slip a bounce pass through a small gap to his big man. Defensively he has the lateral quickness to sit deep in a stance, pressure the ball, and fight through screens on the perimeter.
Highlights
Luke put together a dominant first half to help his team run out to a lead against a tough Wisconsin Crusaders team. He could pretty much get to any spot he wanted to off the dribble, and was able to stop on a dime in the mid-range to elevate for jumpers or shot fake and bounce pass in to one of his forwards. He made accurate post entry passes to his big man, and was making smart reads with the ball when he got out in transition. Also has the body control to hang in the air and finish over size at the rim. Defensively he drew two charges as he was constantly working hard on the ball and putting himself in the right spots off the ball to make plays.
Highlights
Not sure I saw a quicker player all weekend than Jaiden. Although his team ultimately came up short in the game I watched, Jaiden was constantly creating open looks for his teammates with his ability to beat his defender and get two feet in the paint. Holloman can make difficult passes look routine as he was accurately dishing it out from a variety of angles all over the floor. His shot wasn’t falling on this particular game, but his ability to get to the rim and consistently draw contact leading to free throws was impressive. Not many teams are going to have someone quick enough to stay in front of Jaiden, and he should be in for a very productive spring with NEBC.