Made Hoops/Recruit Look Showcase: Under the Radar Performances

CHICAGO -- Taking a closer look at some of the very subtle top performances from this past weekend at the Recruit Look Chicago Showcase and Made Hoops Spring Warm Up.     [player_tooltip player_id='1412881' first='A.J.' last='Bender'] - 2025 - G - Wisconsin Playground Club   You never know how some of these small school guys are going to react when they get the call to play for shoe company team. Right away, you noticed that Bender did not lack confidence, even going up against Mac Irvin Fire to start things off. The 6-foot-4 guard did what he does -- penetrate into high percentage areas, get some open 3's, dictate the flow of the game, and make plays for others. Bender is more of a true point guard and has really good size for it, but he'll play comfortably at the '2' or even the '3' if needed. Bender showed some good toughness in Chicago as well. He probably didn't shoot it from deep as well as he'd like and countered by attacking the rack hard and creating three-point play opportunities the old fashioned way. A skilled, intelligent, and versatile prospect, Bender is one of those guys who can impact the game across the board and you feel his presence even if he's not packing the stat sheet just from a leadership standpoint.    Latreveon Fenderson - 2025 - SF - Wisconsin Playground Club   Playing up in 17U, Fenderson showed some different sides to his game. The 6-foot-6 wing is vastly improved as an off-the-dribble scorer, looking very confident in the 12-18 foot range. Fenderson is coming off a big sophomore season for Racine Park. Think he's got the size, strength, and budding skill to be an all-around type of prospect. Defensively, Fenderson has the right attitude and want-to on the floor. His measurables also give him a chance to guard multiple positions. Want to see more, but Fenderson looks like a kid we have ranked too low right now.    [player_tooltip player_id='1908410' first='Pryce' last='Gregoire'] - 2025 - SF - Team Herro   Probably the biggest surprise from the weekend, Gregoire showed a lot of good things for Team Herro. In the De Pere games I watched this season, I almost didn't notice Gregoire, but he's quietly a nice prospect and should have a sizable role as a junior. The 6-foot-5 wing/forward has some really nice length and shooting ability from 3-point range. He's very smooth with an effortless release. Also very lanky, Gregoire can score it a bit from inside and has a soft touch. Where he really catches you by surprise is in transition. Gregoire is a long strider with some sneaky above the rim bounce as well. Still just scratching the surface, think Gregoire has a chance to be a versatile floor spacer, positionless type player in the next few years. While he's unranked right now, I kind of see Gregoire competing for a top 30 spot in this class.    [player_tooltip player_id='1371733' first='Juan' last='Guerrero Hernandez'] - 2025 - G - Meanstreets   He's going to be asked to be more of a pure point guard for Meanstreets, but Guerrero Hernandez showed he belonged in the EYBL. Meanstreets has a lot of wing/forward scorers. That being said, the shots may not always be there for Guerrero Hernandez, but he definitely elevates this group. A highly athletic combo guard who can also defend and rebound, Guerrero Hernandez has established himself as a top five prospect in Wisconsin's 2025 class. Outside shot can be a little streaky at times, but JGH has breathaking athleticism when he puts the ball on the deck and gets airborn. Although he's a dynamic scorer, liked how JGH showed a different side to his game, facilitating, looking to get his teammates great looks, and running the show offensively while still picking his spots.    [player_tooltip player_id='985667' first='Wyatt' last='Nausadis'] -2024 - G - Wisconsin Playground Club   Nausadis was the No. 11 ranked player in Michigan in the class of 2023. He will attend prep school in Boston next season. The lefty was a terrific help off the bench in Saturday's win over Full Package. Nausadis plays extremely hard and elevates those around him with his effort and energy. Attacking downhill and finishing against contact, Nausadis is very shifty on the ball and often left defenders in the dust. Defenders just don't speed this kid up either. Getting physical or up into Nausids's shorts is exactly what he wants. He really gets after it defensively too. He'll guard for 94 feet in the press. Might be more comfortable on the ball, but Nausadis did a fine job of playing alongside PGC's stud point guard and working as a spot-up shooter.

CHICAGO -- Taking a closer look at some of the very subtle top performances from this past weekend at the Recruit Look Chicago Showcase and Made Hoops Spring Warm Up.