Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Top 2025 Performers
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PHI was at Midwest Melee all weekend for a big time event! This week we will have a full examination of the event and prospects in it. Here are Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Top 2025 Illinois Performers! Blake Fagbemi Blake…
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Continue ReadingPHI was at Midwest Melee all weekend for a big time event! This week we will have a full examination of the event and prospects in it. Here are Midwest Melee: Scotty B’s Top 2025 Illinois Performers!
Blake Fagbemi Blake Fagbemi 5'10" | PG Benet | 2025 State IL (Illinois Attack 16U)
Thought I was seeing déjà vu with Fagbemi as there are so many similarities to his older brother who led Benet down state. High IQ guard that understands the game and made sound decisions as a passer over and over especially in the half court. Ran the show while still mixing in some scoring and defense, but it was his floor general skills that jumped off the floor to us.
Donte Montgomery Donte Montgomery 6'2" | SG Oak Lawn | 2025 State IL (The Work Foundation 17U)
Long and rangy two guard that has a thin frame. Smooth scoring game. Can be a bit streaky with his perimeter jumper, but has great form and when he is on a heater can take over a game. Slick scorer in transition and plays well off his defense going the other way. More than able to handle playing up an age.
Daniel Pauliukonis Daniel Pauliukonis 6'8" | SF Benet | 2025 State IL (Full Package 16U)
Benet skilled 6’7” four man continues to be very intriguing to us. Really thin and will need to add strength, but we are so impressed with his all around skill set. Showed his ability to put it on the deck from the high-post on spin moves, use a quick second jump on the offensive glass, and use his length on the defensive end. Quality area rebounder.
Samuel Hirsch Samuel Hirsch 6'3" | SG Fremd | 2025 State IL (Full Package 16U)
The 6’3” Fremd two guard is a plus three point shooter with good strength. Crisp mid-range game and proved to be a quality passer for an off guard.
Mitchel Edwards Mitchel Edwards 6'6" | PF Carmi | 2025 State IL (Indiana Ambition 16U)
Edwards is a face up four from Carmi that brings grit, skill, and mobility up front. He can stretch the floor with his shooting, run the court with ease, take his man off the bounce from the high-post, and rebounds well in traffic.
Al Brooks Al Brooks 6'6" | SF Hansberry | 2025 State #239 Nation IL Jr (Chicagoland Grit N Grind 16U)
Brooks is a top 10 2025 in the state. Small forward that has a ton of ability to be a star. The Hansberry wing can tend to drift in and out of games, but when engaged he is an absolute force. Scores with burst off the bounce often taking it coast to coast off his own block/steal for scores at the other end. Jumper was streaky in the games we saw. Stat sheet stuffing wing with athleticism and versatility.
Ikee Brooks Ikee Brooks 5'11" | PG Hansberry | 2025 State IL (Chicagoland Grit N Grind 16U)
The Hansberry lead guard played the best we have seen him over the weekend. Played with his speed, but was more under control. Made good decisions as a passer for the most part and we loved his stellar pull up game as he drained them in bunches!
Anton Strenlnikov Anton Strenlnikov 6'6" | C Lake Zurich | 2025 State IL (Team Rose 16U)
Lake Zurich post has one of the best back to the basket games in the 2025 class especially with his spin move which was unstoppable when he went to it. Can space the floor a little and rebounds in his area. His ability to score down low was what made the biggest impression on us.
Zerrick Johnson Zerrick Johnson 6'2" | PG St. Laurence | 2025 State IL (Team Rose 16U)
Johnson is a strong bodied combo guard that is built like a running back. He is at his best using his burst and brute strength to finish at the cup. An area we saw growth was his passing with bullet passes and slip dishes in traffic. St. Laurence is primed to be a CCL contender this year.
Ben Schneider Ben Schneider 5'11" | PG Prospect | 2025 IL (Greater Purpose Athletics 16U)
This Prospect 5’11” lead guard lit up the nets for 21 points in a win against Team Rose. Plus shooter from three that was active on the defensive end creating turnovers. Had a nice soft touch finishing package throughout the event.