Chicago Summer Challenge: Saturday Superlatives

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The summer AAU season kicked out in a big way with a deep and talented field at the Chicago Summer Challenge. Following are five standouts from the host state that caught my eye from Saturday's action</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Clutch Performance: R'moni Beals 6-0 2025 Zion Benton (pictured) </strong>An absolutely electric second half performance from this bouncy guard was easily my performance of the day. After only scoring two points in the first half. Came alive in the second to finish with 22 points. Including the game winner against a good Illinois Elite squad. Just kept attacking the basket without fear. Was able to finish through contact. Earning more than one and-1 opportunity. Bouncy guard who exploded to the rim to earn said contact. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><span><b>Best Ball</b></span><strong> Handler</strong>: <strong>Kyle Cualing 5-11 2025 Lemont </strong>Speaking of clutch. I could have easily went with this prospect. When you hit two free throws with virtually no time on the clock to win a game. That is the definition of clutch. However it was how he got there that caught my attention. Cualing dribbled into the defense and drew the critical foul. He is an elusive player with excellent change of direction ability. He's not very big at this point of his development. However has a good skill set and intangibles to build upon. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Rim Protector: [player_tooltip player_id='1882238' first='Drey' last='Black'] 6-6 2025 Auburn </strong>Black did not produce the scoring output that I had witnessed previously. However he continued to flash the tantalizing physical upside. Uses his length and broad shoulders to be a bog presence at the rim. While the scoring wasn't there. He did continue to display a soft touch around the basket. Runs the court well for his size. Also showed good ball skills. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Shooter: Cason Newton 6-0 2025 Byron </strong>Like his backcourt opponent Beals (see above). Newton came alive in the second half of the nail biting loss. Hit several deep threes with a trigger quick release off the dribble. Even took on contact and converted the rare four point play. Finished with 25 points from the point guard position. However wasn't a selfish player. Did a good job of finding open teammates as well. Got to his spots easily with efficient ball handling ability. Rose above defenders with a text book perfect jump shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Best Long Term Potential: Mykell Mueller 5-10 2028 Stephan Mack Middle School </strong>I really try and avoid writing about middle schoolers. I only try to reserve it for special performances. I was given a heads up on this prospect the last time the circuit came through the Chicago area. Having caught him in person on Saturday. There could be something special here. Nothing about his game or frame says “soon to be eight grader”. That being said he is not some big physically advanced “bully ball” prospect. He is able to play two grade levels because of an uncommon maturity and court sense. Definitely a prospect keep on your radar for further down the road. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->