The Last Dance: Scotty B’s 2024 Top Illinois Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Last Dance was held over the weekend in Chicago.&nbsp; There were teams from all around the United States and world at the 380 team event.&nbsp; Here we focus on rising seniors from Illinois that stood out in <strong>The Last Dance: Scotty B's Illinois 2024 Standouts</strong>!</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 wing that has maintained his play pretty consistently throughout the spring and summer for Lockdown.&nbsp; The Stagg shooting guard brings toughness and grit to the table along with plus shot making.&nbsp; Closed out the weekend with a big shooting performance.&nbsp; Best off the catch and is a more versatile player than I think many at first glance think as he can dish it and can score off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598687' first='Deshawn' last='Nolan'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075386' first='Chicago' last='Lockdown'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nolan is an athletic wing that burst on our radar first by what he brought on the defensive end.&nbsp; Brought a spark to his team with lockdown perimeter defense while turning those steals into points on the other end of the floor as he really excelled in transition with his athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598709' first='Germaine' last='Benson'] (Illinois Hoop Stars)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benson is a big bodied combo guard from Hyde Park that can score from all three levels.&nbsp; He had a big performance in the game we saw against Starks Elite dropping 26 points legitimately scoring from all three levels.&nbsp; Multiple threes, mid-range shots, and used his strength to finish at the cup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750613' first='Nick' last='Popovic'] (Illinois Hoop Stars)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Popovic is a Lake Zurich wing that caught our attention last fall and we have been tracking since.&nbsp; You are buying the toughness, grit, and creative scoring in the open floor with Popovic.&nbsp; Also is a sound spot up shooter that hit several threes while netting 13 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157220' first='Sean' last='Brown-Coley'] (Team Ten Jabari Parker)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown-Coley just produces!&nbsp; The Whitney Young small forward is a strong bodied small forward that had 13 points in their game.&nbsp; He impacts the game with his toughness, rebounding, and scoring around the hoop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1507492' first='Alex' last='Miller'] (Illinois Stars)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller is a skilled and tough small forward that will be a key piece for a DGN team that has legit state championship chances this season.&nbsp; What we like about him is the size on the perimeter and shot making ability.&nbsp; Plus three point shooter that moves well without the ball. &nbsp;Solid athlete that can deck it every now and then and really competes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104957' first='Kaleb' last='Sims'] (Illinois Stars)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>New name on our radar here as the Andrew 6'4” small forward has size for position, good strength, and multi level scoring ability.&nbsp; Finished at the rim consistently winning off the bounce and has range out to three in a 15 point outing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aiden Hinton ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hinton is a well built and undersized combo forward that plays really hard.&nbsp; He competes at a high level on the glass and finishes well through contact on the interior.&nbsp; What we were most pleasantly surprised with was how well he shot it from three knocking in an array of them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1428864' first='Mason' last='Shubert'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Breese Central shooting guard has a very skilled all-around game.&nbsp; He can score off the bounce, get to the rim in transition, and is a plus shooter off the catch moving very well without the basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295535' first='Jordan' last='Brooks'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brooks is another small college gem that is worth tracking for those programs as this southpaw can really score it.&nbsp; The lefty hit an array of threes in the game we saw along with crossing over defenders for scores and using his creativity in the open floor for buckets.&nbsp; Has some sneaky passing flair as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1295470' first='Colin' last='Gerrity'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078376' first='Illinois' last='Attack'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gerrity is a smooth shot maker that knocked in an array of mid-range jumpers stopping and popping in that 15-18 feet range.&nbsp; Had a put back and flashed some athleticism around the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1500289' first='Klaidas' last='Paskauskas'] (Lituanica)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a show this Lemont guard put on!&nbsp; The 5'11” lead guard can really shoot it from beyond the arc knocking in an array of them in a 20 point outing on Sunday.&nbsp; Crisp passer and does everything with precise movements.&nbsp; Look for a big senior season out of him as the ball will be put in his hands!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1978581' first='Taylor' last='Powell'] (Illinois Orange)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This East St. Louis rising senior is a broad shouldered and athletic small forward that can really put pressure on the rim.&nbsp; Got downhill for scores, crashed the offensive glass for put backs, and drained mid-range jumpers on a consistent basis.&nbsp; Solid wing defender that will be a major contributor for the Flyers this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1750610' first='David' last='Marshall'] (Illinois Orange)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Belleville West wing that can really shoot the basketball from distance.&nbsp; When he gets rolling the metro east scorer can rack up the points in a hurry from the perimeter.&nbsp; Good rebounder as well from his wing position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->