Top 250 Expo Team 5 Evaluations

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first session of Illinois's Top 250 Expo occurred at Romeoville Athletic Center on Saturday. Players in classes 2024-2026 were divided into ten teams. In this article I'll be evaluating prospects who suited up for Team 5, check it out!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>De'Andre Graham <em>(Proviso West - 2025)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 5'6" a possessing a wiry frame, the guard showed confidence with his three-point shooting and pull-up attempts. Graham consistently sank numerous threes throughout the event and fearlessly launched deep shots in transition. He flashed the ability to use ball fakes to his advantage which opened up passing windows, and forced defenders to leave their feet, creating valuable space for him to take a shot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jay Parker</strong> <strong><em>(Chicago Tech - 2024)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 5'11" guard exemplified the kind of grit and hustle on the hardwood viewers love to see. Parker's excitement and energy was on full display when he pursued for loose balls. He holds the skill to either connect on spot up threes or create his own shot with possession of the ball. Parker also displayed his capability to transition the ball from coast to coast while avoiding contact when driving to the rim. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874852' first='Myair' last='Thompson']</strong> <strong><em>(Kankakee - 2026)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'0" and boasting a strong build, Thompson emerges as a promising playmaker on the rise. He dismantles defenders in the paint, utilizing a skilled spin move to create separation near the rim. His passes were delivered with precision, threading through tight windows and hitting teammates in stride. Powerful rip throughs quickly gave Thompson an edge over his defender. He's still developing a consistent perimeter shot, but it's worthy noting Thompson already demonstrates the ability to connect on three-pointers with defensive pressure. Defensively speaking, Thompson has exceptional lateral quickness allowing him to stay in front of swift opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552410' first='Danny' last='Sepulveda']</strong> <strong><em>(Plainfield East - 2026)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sepulveda left an impression with his determination, making an impact in both offensive and defensive aspects. The 6'2" forward consistently pursued missed shots, providing his team valuable second chance scoring opportunities. His effort in fighting for offensive rebounds was something that wasn't unnoticed. He had a knack for finding open lanes around the rim, positioning himself to receive easy passes and convert them into points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='1552399' first='Donovan' last='Cobbs'] (St. Viator - 2026)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the 6'2" guard struggled with his shooting, he impressed with several other aspects of his game. He possesses a fluid shooting form and consistently utilizes off-ball movement to create space for his shot. Cobb is a strong driver, with a speedy first step, and determination to beat his defender. He finishes plays through contact despite being physically outmatched. Cobb's basketball IQ was on full display as he executed back-cuts, kept the offense in motion, or positioned himself effectively as a scoring option. Furthermore, Cobbs excels in on-ball defense, showcasing tenacity and stinginess when guarding his opponents. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598700' first='Ethan' last='Gay'] <em>(Bolingbrook - 2024)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'3" guard delivered a standout all-around performance on the court. His ability to read passing lanes was exceptional, frequently disrupting plays by causing deflections or gathering steals. He displayed active and pesky defensive hands, making a presence all over the court. His keen focus on defense enabled him to anticipate passes effectively. In transition, Gay added a touch of style to his game, grabbing a defensive board, slicing two defenders, and completing an impressive coast to coast play. Notably, Gay showcased accuracy from three point territory, with proficiency all around the arc. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas']</strong> <strong><em>(Mt. Carmel - 2025)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas, a 6'3" guard, delivered consistently stunning performances in every game. He possessed a coast-to-coast mentality, often spearheading fast breaks. His tenacity in securing rebounds was impressive, showcasing his determination on both ends of the floor. Thomas boasted a pure and deadly jumper, excelling from both inside and beyond the perimeter. He displayed exceptional elevation on his jump shots. His court awareness was top-notch, as he had a knack for making timely cuts and positioning himself effectively. Additionally, Thomas showcased his athleticism with several dunks throughout the event. His leadership qualities shone through as he maintained vocal communication with teammates and displayed an unwavering competitive spirit, exemplifying a constant motor on the court.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Mellican <em>(St. Charles North - 2026)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Standing at 6'3", Mellican's length was evident on the court. He demonstrated a keen ability to navigate and cut into open spaces within the paint, showcasing a soft touch around the rim. His versatility was on full display as he exhibited the capability to drive and finish with either hand, even when faced with tight defensive coverage. Furthermore, Mellican exhibited excellent transition play by getting ahead of the defense. His mid-range jumper possessed a gentle touch, adding another dimension to his offensive repertoire.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dustyn Collins<em> (Centralia - 2025)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins, a 6'5" forward, relies heavily on his physicality as a cornerstone of his skill set. He establishes a commanding presence in the interior, contesting shots vertically and disrupting opponents' attempts. Collins showcases speed on both ends of the floor, sprinting the court with intensity during offensive and defensive transitions. His aggressive and robust approach to rebounding is a standout feature of his game. He times his blocks impressively and can effectively swat away jumpers. Collins possesses the ability to find openings in the paint and reads his defender before making decisive moves. His tenacity shines through in tough finishes while absorbing contact, and he exhibits the necessary athleticism to convert put-backs effectively. He's also a reliable rim runner, adding versatility to his skill set.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->