Summer Challenge: 2024 Illinois Top Performers Pt 1

The Summer Challenge was held over the weekend in Chicago.  I was at Wintrust all weekend taking in the action on Saturday and Sunday.  Which rising seniors made the biggest impression?  Here we examine them in Summer Challenge: 2024 Illinois Top Performers Pt 1!

Chris Riddle Chris Riddle 6'5" | SF Kenwood | 2024 State #163 Nation IL (Mac Irvin Fire)

Riddle is one of the more intriguing wings in the 2024 class.  He has all the physical tools you could ask for with his strength, athleticism, and skill.  Came off the bench in their game against Greater Purpose to give them a spark.  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.

Mitch Humphrey Mitch Humphrey 6'6" | SF St. Viator | 2024 State IL (Greater Purpose)

Humphrey was lights out from three against the Fire connecting on seven of them.  The St. Viator small forward has size for position and a flame thrower from distance which he showcased in this game recording 24 points.

Darshan Thomas Darshan Thomas 6'6" | SF Marist | 2024 State IL (Greater Purpose)

The new Marist small forward is a versatile prospect that brings a little bit of everything to the table.  Plus shooter from three that finishes sweeping layups and can post up smaller defenders.  Quality wing defender that can guard multiple positions.

Camden Cerese Camden Cerese 6'2" | PG Lake Park | 2024 State IL (Greater Purpose)

The Lake Park lead guard is a skilled floor general that gets others involved with his crisp passing.  Great running a team and can also really score it.  Slick ball handler that has a soft touch finishing game, scoop shots, and is a good pull up shooter.

Corey Lee Corey Lee 6'2" | PG Oak Lawn | 2024 State IL (ET21 Buckeyes)

Oak Lawn guard has emerged with a couple strong months for ET21 Buckeyes.  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.

Drew King Drew King 6'10" | C Joliet West | 2024 IL (Chicago Lockdown)

King recorded a double double in their game against ET21 Buckeyes.  Like what the Joliet West center brings as a defensive rebounder and rim protector on that end.  Offensively he is athletic out of the dunker spot, has a sweet hook shot, and an emerging three point shot.

Connor Williams Connor Williams 6'2" | SG Stagg | 2024 State IL (Chicago Lockdown)

Williams is a sharp shooter from Stagg that showed there is more to his game.  Plus shot maker that also scored off the bounce, dished the rock, and played good defense.

David Vargas (Chicago Lockdown)

Vargas is a plus shot maker that made threes all weekend.  Sneaky microwave type scorer that has been emerging over the last few months.

Jaziah Harper Jaziah Harper 6'6" | PG Bosco Institute | 2024 IL (Illinois Flight Athletics)

Harper is a prospect that has helium heading into the high school season.  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.  Also very quick with his second jump on the offensive glass.

DJ Strong DJ Strong 5'9" | PG Bolingbrook | 2024 State IL (Illinois Flight Athletics)

Bolingbrook lead guard is a smaller PG that is pesky on the defensive end with his active hands creating turnovers.  Big time shot maker that makes them especially off the catch from three at a high rate.

Dekwon Brown Dekwon Brown 6'3" | PG Simeon | 2024 State IL (Denard Bros)

The new Simeon lead guard showed off his complete game at Summer Challenge.  Plus three point shooter that can create his own shot and hit off the catch.  Loves the step back and pull up in particular though.  Shifty handles and showed he could create for others at this event finding his teammates for scores and organizing them in the half court.  Brought intensity on the defensive end with his aggressive on ball defense.

Ryan Mbouombouo (Denard Bros)

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.  Potential as a perimeter defender.

Will Ashford Will Ashford 6'5" | SF Metea Valley | 2024 State IL (M14 Adidas Gold)

Ashford’s stock keeps going up each time we see him.  He was rock solid again over the weekend.  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.  Multi positional defender.

Treshawn Blissett Treshawn Blissett 6'5" | SF Waubonsie Valley | 2024 State IL (M14 Adidas Gold)

Blissett is a wiry small forward that showed a lot of grit in a 15 point outing on Saturday.  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.  Plus wing defender.

Jalen Crues Jalen Crues 6'6" | PF Glenbard North | 2024 State IL (M14 Adidas Gold)

Crues was a force in their win against Illinois Flight recording 17 points.  Strong bodied power forward from Wheaton North is a workman like force on the interior.  He plays with a high-motor which translates to rim runs, put backs, dunks, and rebounds.

Bryce Welch Bryce Welch 6'2" | PG Naperville North | 2024 State IL (M14 Adidas Gold)

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.  Primed for a big senior season.