The Last Dance: Scotty B’s 2025 and 2026 Illinois Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Last Dance was held over the weekend in Chicago.  There were teams from all around the United States and world at the 380 team event.  Here we focus on rising seniors from Illinois that stood out in <strong>The Last Dance: Scotty B's 2025 and 2026 Illinois Standouts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Class of 2025</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545141' first='Kyrese' last='Lukens'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the best we have seen Lukens play.&nbsp; The Herrin lead guard had it all working on Friday afternoon.&nbsp; Compact guard that got to the line, drained threes, and mid-range jumpers.&nbsp; Drive and kick dishes.&nbsp; Acrobatic finishes in the lane.&nbsp; Went for 21 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1838836' first='Jayden' last='McCoo'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy 6'1” point guard from Mascoutah that is slippery off the bounce and can get to the rim with an array of soft touch finishing moves.&nbsp; Can shoot it from three especially off the bounce.&nbsp; Potential as a defender at either backcourt spot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545140' first='Drew' last='Barrington'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrington is a high IQ guard that lived at the foul line throughout the event.&nbsp; He is a crisp passer that makes sound decisions as a distributor along with being able to shoot it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545135' first='Shaunassey' last='Hatchett'] (Capital City Teamwork)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Springfield Lanphier small forward is one of the more consistent forces for Capital City.&nbsp; Strong bodied small forward that plays with a very high motor.&nbsp; Strong slasher off the bounce that gets to the line, crashes the offensive glass, and is a physical defender.&nbsp; Flashes as a shooter.&nbsp; If he can take another step there it takes his game to another level.&nbsp; D2 schools should really look into him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105187' first='Amaree' last='Burries'] (Capital City Teamwork)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burries was stellar against [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] scoring 24 points in the win.&nbsp; Long and lanky 6'2” point guard with a lot of projectability to his game.&nbsp; The Jacksonville lead guard is a slick driver that made plays off the bounce in both the half court and in transition.&nbsp; Plus perimeter defender.&nbsp; Flashed as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385286' first='Derek' last='Bishop'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop is a Mundelein combo guard that was one of the few 2025s on [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 16U team over the weekend.&nbsp; Strong guard with a crisp shooting game hitting several threes between the two games we saw.&nbsp; Decent passing feel and can convert spinning layups at the cup.&nbsp; You are buying the toughness and shot making here as well as a connector on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105284' first='Kaiden' last='Chatham'] (Powerhouse)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Niles North 6'2” shooting guard caught our attention as a long and lanky wing that scores with creativity off the bounce.&nbsp; Sweeping layups, scoop shots, and got to the foul line at a pretty high clip.&nbsp; Very good transition player that pushes in the open floor.&nbsp; All out attack mode getting to the rim.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105191' first='Hunter' last='Gawron'] (Powerhouse)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 6'6” four man from Niles North caught our attention during the high school season and we liked what we saw out of him on Saturday in a 16 point performance against Wisconsin Playmakers.&nbsp; Works well in the pick/roll game, is quick to the offensive glass, rim runs, and hit a 12 foot baseline jumper.&nbsp; Also liked the potential we saw defensively including closing out the win with back to back blocks on jumpers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Class of 2026</u></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552393' first='Gabriel' last='Sularski'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sularski was solid, not spectacular throughout the weekend.&nbsp; A strong contender for the top spot in the 2026 rankings the Benet small forward has super long arms and a rangy frame.&nbsp; The lefty is a plus shooter off the catch can loves to create in the mid-range with pullu</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark continues to make a case for the top lead guard in the 2026 class.&nbsp; Silky smooth guard that can anywhere on the floor he wants with his handles.&nbsp; Regularly gets to the rim for reverse layups, floaters, and just acrobatic finishes using his burst off the bounce.&nbsp; Vision and passing feel were shown in the open floor over the weekend along with his activity level on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nas Rankin ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the best we have seen the Whitney Young shooting guard play in his young career.&nbsp; Strong and athletic off guard that is a solid defender.&nbsp; Makes plays in the open floor with that athleticism and shot it well from distance throughout the weekend.&nbsp; Seemed to be playing much more free and easy in this event.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552479' first='Rico' last='D'Alessandro'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''])</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is the work horse four man for [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] and Whitney Young that does all the little things.&nbsp; Rebounds, good passer, plays with physicality, and can deck it from the mid-post area.&nbsp; Nice combination of skill and strength to go along with the production component that he is already known for.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->