Illinois’ Best Kept Secrets: Part 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321368' first='EJ' last='Horton'] 6'3 G Phillips 2025:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recently transferring in from out of state, EJ has had a huge impact on the Chicagoland area in a short period of time. He has great size for the guard position and possesses all of the prerequisite skills for the position that makes him a strong candidate to play at the Division 1 level. One of the more explosive guards in our state, and plays with great intensity at the defensive end. Coach Paris Martin may have the next great player to come out of the "P".</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374540' first='Kai' last='Fogelson'] 6'4 G/F Walter Payton 2024:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kai is a name that many may not know about but will soon. He has prototype size for the position. The part of his game that stands out, is that he is arguably one of the best knock down shooters in Illinois. It is not uncommon to see Kai knocking down shots from all over the floor. He is exceptional in the classroom and will likely attend a high academic school. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105222' first='Chayse' last='Turner'] 6'4 SF Lincoln Park</strong> <strong>2025:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This kid has been cruising under the radar for a couple of years now. The 6'4 explosive wing had an extremely productive summer playing for [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] this past AAU season. Chayse is a high energy two way player, who has a very "Shawn Marionesque" game. Chayse plays above the rim, defends multiple positions, and attacks the offensive glass at a high rate. I'm intrigued to track his progress this coming year. His next level projectability hinges on his improvement as a perimeter shooter, but all the tools are there.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2104971' first='AJ' last='Thomas'] 6'2 Pg St Patrick's 2024</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AJ "The Hooper" as he is referred to in the basketball community enters his senior campaign on a team that has a really good guard play ([player_tooltip player_id='1385287' first='EJ' last='Breland'], [player_tooltip player_id='1469251' first='Cooper' last='Kavanaugh']). That being said, it appears to be AJ's ball as a senior. He consistently breaks down defenders off the dribble creating havoc for defenders. As of recently I have seen him really locking in defensively as a two way guard. His continued growth finding a balance between scoring and facilitating is key. But he is definitely a next level guard that colleges need to look at.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1157351' first='Christian' last='Brockett'] 6'2 Pg Curie</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Could very well be the best defensive guard in the state of Illinois. Christian suffocates opposing guards defensively. Offensively he is a savvy point guard, who generally makes excellent decisions with the basketball. Coaches talk about having intangibles, and Christian epitomizes that. For the next level his growth as a perimeter shooter is essential, but you win with players like [player_tooltip player_id='1157351' first='Christian' last='Brockett'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1819713' first='Niko' last='Quaranta'] 6'1 PG Wheaton St. Francis 2025</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I evaluated Niko over the summer and there was a lot to like about the wiry point guard playing for [program_tooltip program_id='2075622' first='M14' last='Hoops']. When looking at a player I'm always conscious when analyzing a players skill set. Nikko was extremely crafty with the ball in his hands which allowed him to get to his spots with ease. When he got to those spots he excelled at making the proper reads on the basketball court. When trying to obtain victories, you want to have a high level of trust in the person with the ball. Nikko certainly provides that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->