M14 Workout Notebook
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PHI kicked off a big weekend of hoops at M14 Academy on Friday night. We got to see their players workout in a competitive environment and a lot of prospects caught our attention. Some we knew coming in while others…
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Continue ReadingPHI kicked off a big weekend of hoops at M14 Academy on Friday night. We got to see their players workout in a competitive environment and a lot of prospects caught our attention. Some we knew coming in while others where new names on our radar! Check it all out in our M14 Workout Notebook!
M14 2025 Big 3 Look Primed for Big Junior Years
The core of last year’s M14 16U team is back and they were dynamic in the workout on Friday night. Batavia 2025 combo forward Jax Abalos Jax Abalos 6'7" | SF Batavia | 2025 State IL did what he always does as the 6’6” sharp shooter was absolutely lights out from the perimeter with his quick release from three. The lefty is one of the premier catch and shoot guys in the state with quality size and the ability to impact with improved passing. Oak Lawn 2025 shooting guard Donte Montgomery Donte Montgomery 6'2" | SG Oak Lawn | 2025 State IL is a flat out three level scorer. Silky smooth with a long and rangy frame. Drained a plethora of feathery triples from beyond the arc while mixing in scoop shots and acrobatic layups on the regular. Oswego 6’5” wing Dasean Patton Dasean Patton 6'4" | SG Oswego | 2025 State IL is a 2025 that won on straight line takes and mixed in a few threes off the catch while showcasing a ton of physical tools.
Lemont Wing 2025 Duo Bring Skill and Size
A pair of Lemont junior wings both had nice showings. We saw Matas Gaidukevicius Matas Gaidukevicius 6'5" | SG Lemont | 2025 State IL over the summer emerge as a top 100 prospect. We know that the 6’4” wing can really shoot it, but it was nice to see his athleticism shine through on runners, reverse layups, and in transition. Alanas Castillo Alanas Castillo 6'5" | SG Lemont | 2025 State IL broke out with a big performance as the 6’4” Lemont wing displayed a smooth shooting stroke from three knocking them in on a regular basis along with scoring in transition.
2026 Riley Steals the Show with Elite Vision and Feel
What a show Jayden Riley Jayden Riley 6'1" | PG Yorkville Christian | 2026 State IL put on. The former Oswego guard is now at Yorkville Christian. He was spectacular with his passing. Liked what we saw out of him as a distributor during the summer and it continued even more in this setting. He was the MVP of the night with the way he ran the show and got everyone involved. Worked tremendously well in the pick/roll game, feeding the post, throwing lobs, and kicking to shooters. His athleticism off the dribble shined on acrobatic finishes. His growth as a perimeter shot maker was what caught our attention as he shot it better than we had previously seen. Looked like a D1 prospect.
Romeoville 2026 Posts Emerges as Major Upside Play
The biggest new name to jump on our radar was Romeoville 6’9” center Jayden Madden Jayden Madden 6'9" | C Romeoville | 2026 State IL . Long and rail thin five man that has off the charts potential. We first noticed him when he walked in and he shined in the games. First aspect that caught our attention was how well he ran the floor. Up and down the floor with ease. He was excellent on the offensive glass getting second chance points. Played well in the pick/roll, sealed on the block for scores, and even flashed some shooting touch on a mid-range jumper along with a three. Rim protector on the defensive end. Without question looked like a D1 guy.
2026 Wing Trio Ready for Breakout Years
There were three highly ranked 2026 wings on the floor. Romeoville 6’2” shooting guard Mickeis Johnson Mickeis Johnson 6'3" | SG Romeoville | 2026 State IL is a strong wing that can really get buckets. Plus athlete that showed it off in transition and on cuts in the half court throwing down dunks. Also shot it at a high clip from three. Always been a good mid-range shooter, but it was nice to see him drain them from beyond the arc. Glenbard West 6’2” shooting guard TJ Williams TJ Williams 6'2" | SG Glenbard West | 2026 State IL is a long and rangy wing that plays with creativity off the dribble and gets to the rim in transition. Their highest ranked prospect Oswego East wing Mason Lockett was nursing a wrist injury but was eager to get out there for a few minutes so he grabbed a jersey, banked in a feathery three, and then took a seat.
St. Ignatius Duo Leads 2027 Group
The 2025 and 2026 prospects were definitely the show, but a few 2027s did catch our eye. St. Ignatius 2027 point guard Chris Chittaro is a lefty lead guard that passes ahead in the open floor and can really shoot it from three! His teammate at Iggy Duke Ross Duke Ross 6'3" | SG St. Ignatius | 2027 IL is a long and lanky wing with projectability that flashed a shot and some athleticism. Keep an eye out for Wheaton Warrenville South 2027 shooting guard David Showman David Showman 6'2" | PG Wheaton Warrenville South | 2027 IL . Plus shooter with good length and a nice frame.
Sleeper Prospects to Track
Who were some of the sleepers at the event? Geneva 2025 6’5” power forward Hudson Kirby Hudson Kirby 6'5" | SF Geneva | 2025 IL is a tough and gritty four man that ran the floor, had a turn around hook, and played with physicality inside. Southland College Prep 5’10” point guard David Shaw gets to the rim off the bounce and finished well in traffic. Oswego East 2026 6’5” power forward Marc Sanchez presents good size and strength on the interior. He rebounded well, rim ran, and was a good defender. Plays within himself and lets the game come to him. Romeoville 2026 point guard Adrian Ivy is a lead guard that can score with spinning layups, and hit an occasional open jumper. Lake Forest 6’4” 2026 forward Burke Konz shot it well from three with an over the head release point. Good on the boards.