Summer Challenge: 2024 Illinois Top Performers Pt 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Summer Challenge was held over the weekend in Chicago.&nbsp; I was at Wintrust all weekend taking in the action on Saturday and Sunday.&nbsp; Which rising seniors made the biggest impression?&nbsp; Here we examine them in <strong>Summer Challenge: 2024 Illinois Top Performers Pt 1</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1284852' first='Chris' last='Riddle'] (Mac Irvin Fire)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Riddle is one of the more intriguing wings in the 2024 class.&nbsp; He has all the physical tools you could ask for with his strength, athleticism, and skill.&nbsp; Came off the bench in their game against Greater Purpose to give them a spark.&nbsp; Hit the glass, won off the bounce, drained a three, and showcased one of the more underrated parts of his game which is his passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104829' first='Mitch' last='Humphrey'] (Greater Purpose)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Humphrey was lights out from three against the Fire connecting on seven of them.&nbsp; The St. Viator small forward has size for position and a flame thrower from distance which he showcased in this game recording 24 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598740' first='Darshan' last='Thomas'] (Greater Purpose)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new Marist small forward is a versatile prospect that brings a little bit of everything to the table.&nbsp; Plus shooter from three that finishes sweeping layups and can post up smaller defenders.&nbsp; Quality wing defender that can guard multiple positions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1764717' first='Camden' last='Cerese'] (Greater Purpose)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lake Park lead guard is a skilled floor general that gets others involved with his crisp passing.&nbsp; Great running a team and can also really score it.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that has a soft touch finishing game, scoop shots, and is a good pull up shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978594' first='Corey' last='Lee'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oak Lawn guard has emerged with a couple strong months for [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'].&nbsp; The combo guard is at his best getting downhill off the bounce scoring in the paint while being able to pull up from 10-15 feet.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1404027' first='Drew' last='King'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>King recorded a double double in their game against [program_tooltip program_id='2075467' first='ET21' last='Buckeyes'].&nbsp; Like what the Joliet West center brings as a defensive rebounder and rim protector on that end.&nbsp; Offensively he is athletic out of the dunker spot, has a sweet hook shot, and an emerging three point shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598677' first='Connor' last='Williams'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is a sharp shooter from Stagg that showed there is more to his game.&nbsp; Plus shot maker that also scored off the bounce, dished the rock, and played good defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>David Vargas ([program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vargas is a plus shot maker that made threes all weekend.&nbsp; Sneaky microwave type scorer that has been emerging over the last few months.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978582' first='Jaziah' last='Harper'] (Illinois Flight Athletics)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harper is a prospect that has helium heading into the high school season.&nbsp; Long and rangy small forward from OPRF that has a sweet lefty three point shot off the catch and major bounce finishing in the paint.&nbsp; Also very quick with his second jump on the offensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1541243' first='DJ' last='Strong'] (Illinois Flight Athletics)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bolingbrook lead guard is a smaller PG that is pesky on the defensive end with his active hands creating turnovers.&nbsp; Big time shot maker that makes them especially off the catch from three at a high rate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157205' first='Dekwon' last='Brown'] (Denard Bros)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new Simeon lead guard showed off his complete game at Summer Challenge.&nbsp; Plus three point shooter that can create his own shot and hit off the catch.&nbsp; Loves the step back and pull up in particular though.&nbsp; Shifty handles and showed he could create for others at this event finding his teammates for scores and organizing them in the half court.&nbsp; Brought intensity on the defensive end with his aggressive on ball defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Mbouombouo (Denard Bros)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Latin shooting guard is a slender built and wiry combo that was at his best being slippery through traffic scoring in the paint along with showing a decent passing feel.&nbsp; Potential as a perimeter defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978583' first='Will' last='Ashford'] (M14 Adidas Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ashford's stock keeps going up each time we see him.&nbsp; He was rock solid again over the weekend.&nbsp; The Metea Valley small forward is a broad shouldered wing that scores in transition, hits the glass, is skilled with the rock in his hands, and has greatly improved as a shooter.&nbsp; Multi positional defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295644' first='Treshawn' last='Blissett'] (M14 Adidas Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blissett is a wiry small forward that showed a lot of grit in a 15 point outing on Saturday.&nbsp; Scored in the open floor on coast to coast takes, hit the defensive glass, slashed in the half court, and got to the foul line.&nbsp; Plus wing defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545137' first='Jalen' last='Crues'] (M14 Adidas Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crues was a force in their win against Illinois Flight recording 17 points.&nbsp; Strong bodied power forward from Wheaton North is a workman like force on the interior.&nbsp; He plays with a high-motor which translates to rim runs, put backs, dunks, and rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295542' first='Bryce' last='Welch'] (M14 Adidas Gold)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Naperville North point guard is a high IQ guard that makes those around him better while also being able to score with floaters, acrobatic layups, and stop and pop threes.&nbsp; Primed for a big senior season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->