Top 250: Scotty B’s 2025 Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Illinois Top 250 Pt 2 was held on Saturday!&nbsp; The event featured prospects from all over the state.&nbsp; We dive into the prospects here by class looking at the top performers!&nbsp; Today we look at <strong>Top 250: Scotty B's 2025 Standouts</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2044507' first='Brent' last='Taylor'] (Lincoln Way East)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor was the prospect that I came into the event most looking forward to evaluating when the rosters came out.&nbsp; He exceeded my expectations with his play!&nbsp; Long and rangy shooting guard at 6'3” that can really shoot it with a feathery touch from three.&nbsp; Hit triples in bunches over and over again.&nbsp; Drained six of them in one of the contests we saw.&nbsp; Legit three level scoring pop as he sliced and diced in the lane for scores and was good pulling up from mid-range.&nbsp; Length played well on the defensive end as he had quick hands and was able to create turnovers with his active hands.<br><br><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217959' first='Dustyn' last='Collins'] (Centralia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collins has emerged this fall with his play at both Top 250 Camps.&nbsp; The Centralia power forward stands at 6'5” and has a strong body.&nbsp; Good athlete that has pop at the rim!&nbsp; Face up four man won off the dribble pretty consistently putting it on the deck one or two dribbles for scores.&nbsp; Very good mid-range shooter that can stretch to three on occasion.&nbsp; Good motor on the glass and played well through contact in the paint.&nbsp; Poured in buckets each game we saw him play!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ryan Clemons (Homewood Flossmoor)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clemons opened eyes at the first PHI Top 250 this fall and was back for more!&nbsp; He has good size, strength, and athleticism on the perimeter.&nbsp; Strong with the ball in his hands attacking the basket on explosive straight line takes.&nbsp; Excellent shot maker from mid-range and three as he rained in threes and pull up twos all day long.&nbsp; Athleticism shined through in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Chris Tacher (Elgin Academy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tacher was one of the most pleasant surprises at the event.&nbsp; The 6'4” two guard has a rangy frame and plus athleticism.&nbsp; He showed that off over and over in the open floor finishing in transition with acrobatic conversions and speed to the rim.&nbsp; Good skill set as well with tight handles and a clean shot off the catch and connected on a sweet turnaround fade away.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1385307' first='Cameron' last='Thomas'] (Mt. Carmel)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is one of the more intriguing combo guards in the 2025 class after moving back to Illinois from South Carolina.&nbsp; Strong and broad shouldered combo that slashes off the bounce with burst and strength where he finishes through defenders with power or athleticism. &nbsp;Did most of his damage scoring in the paint at the camp.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598681' first='Daniel' last='Loza'] (Lake View)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loza was absolutely lethal with his perimeter shot making as the Lake View 5'9” point guard was money from three including hitting six of them in one of the games we saw.&nbsp; Quick and concise release.&nbsp; Off the catch he was always ready to let it fly with great shot prep.&nbsp; Kid is going to put up points this season!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217980' first='Phoenix' last='Childs'] (Phillips)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Childs emerged with a strong performance at the camp.&nbsp; The 6'4” wing is a plus athlete that plays with strength.&nbsp; Sound shot maker that hit a corner three off the catch and another pull up two.&nbsp; Crashes the glass with his athleticism from his wing spot!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1713735' first='Omari' last='Kamal'] (Lindblom)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kamal is a 5'10” scoring guard that was smooth with the ball in his hands. Played with good pace. Had the ability to shoot it from distance with consistency. Nifty finishes at the rim for the Lindblom junior guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Peyton Hess (Pekin)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4” small forward showed some intriguing tools.&nbsp; Won off the bounce with long strides scoring off the bounce.&nbsp; Was best at getting in the lane for scores at the cup.&nbsp; Has some projectability with his frame and athleticism.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598738' first='Kaiden' last='Taylor'] (Bishop McNamara)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Taylor is a 6'2” undersized four that gets everything out of his ability.&nbsp; Strong and stocky prospect that is built more like a football player than hooper.&nbsp; He gets the job done especially on the offensive glass.&nbsp; High-energy rebounder that loves to crash the glass with physicality for second chance points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1874733' first='Hayden' last='Hodgson'] (Genoa-Kingston)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Undersized 6'4” post that has a strong body.&nbsp; He finished well on dump off passes, got on the offensive glass, and showcased shooting including hitting one from the top of the key.&nbsp; Great glue guy!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elijah Smith (Oak Lawn)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a small guard from Oak Lawn that was good defensively putting pressure on opposing guards.&nbsp; Offensively he has some speed to his game getting in the lane for his soft touch finishing package.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->