Summer Challenge 2026 Glue Guys

Joshua Burish July 5, 2023 @ 07:53 PM

Oftentimes in basketball, non-scorers become forgotten over the course of a game or tournament. But, the players who display maximum effort every possession are hard to disregard. Those players are described as glue guys, players who unite the team, and hold a fine understanding of the game. Even though these 15U players are young and still have a bunch of learning ahead of them, they showcased their ability to never give up and compete until the clock hits zero.   Jacob Johnson 6'0" G / Hillcrest / Aquafina   Johnson was quick and active on defense flying around all over the court disrupting passing lanes along the perimeter. His broad frame and muscular physique out muscled opponents on the glass where he was especially effective hauling in offensive boards. Johnson's constant hustle every moment he's on the court, where he's not afraid to put his body on the line, will be a major piece of success for Hillcrest's future program.   David McFadden 6'2" W / Larkin / Team DUP   McFadden is another exciting, young prospect to keep an eye on. The long and lean framed, 6'2” wingman from Larkin is a physical defender, who absorbs contact straight into the chest, held his ground against taller opponents and established good position for taking charges. He used his length to slice through defensive gaps extending for finishes at the rim. Plus, another bonus of McFadden's style is battling in the lane for offensive boards.    Ben Biskupic 6'1" G / Riverside-Brookfield / Chicago Lockdown   Remember the name Ben Biskupic for future reference. The Riverside-Brookfield product was a workhorse for Chicago Lockdown each game. His motor never seems to run out of energy. Ben sprints the floor, scrambles and dives on the hardwood, and plays gritty inside the key. His offensive skill set isn't consisted of self-created shots, but rather the IQ to display hard back door and baseline cuts, and knockdown an occasional catch and shoot three when the opportunity presents itself. A genuine and tough competitor who does the dirty work, and receives much pride for his effort.   Prim May 6'1" G / Thornton Fractional North / Calumet City Thoroughbreds   May did a little bit of everything for Calumet City. The 6'1” guard was active around the rim, sneakily grabbing offensive boards turning them into second chance points, and crept his way into open gaps for easy scores under the basket. May even displayed the ability to create scoring opportunities for himself when the offense lost its flow. He ran in transition well, placed himself ahead of the defense, and connected when teammates advanced the ball up court. One of the small things that I believe was overlooked was the trust teammates had for May. He wasn't afraid to get physical on defense, cover an opponents superior player, and presented himself as a security option if an offensive possession broke apart.   Jacob Harvanek 5'10" G / Glenbard West / M14 Hoops Nat'l 1   Harvanek may only stand at 5'10”, but he has a stocky build, and the quickness to cut past defenders and maintain leverage guarding on-ball. He has a sharp eye to make timely reads in jumping passing lanes, and that exact skill was shown when he started in the middle of the lane and darted to the top of the arc blocking an opponents three point attempt. Harvanek showed the hustle to battle for offensive boards, and the strength to convert second chance opportunities close to the rim. Adding to his offensive skills, Harvanek can use a solid head fake to gain a step past defenders, and he made some smart passes when engaged in pick-and-rolls. A good shooting form and in game rhythm should help him become a more reliable shooter as he progresses.

Oftentimes in basketball, non-scorers become forgotten over the course of a game or tournament. But, the players who display maximum effort every possession are hard to disregard. Those players are described as glue guys, players who unite the team, and hold a fine understanding of the game. Even though these 15U players are young and still have a bunch of learning ahead of them, they showcased their ability to never give up and compete until the clock hits zero.