Chicago Elite Classic: New Names Emerge

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chicago Elite Classic was held over the weekend.&nbsp; The event featured some of the best talent from the state of Illinois and beyond.&nbsp; Here we dive into prospects that put their name on the map in <strong>Chicago Elite Classic: New Names Emerge</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kas Nelson (Simeon - 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson emerged as a 6'5” small forward in the sophomore class in the first game of the event.&nbsp; Looks the part with his broad shoulders and strong frame.&nbsp; Transition finishes, active on the offensive glass, good transition athlete, and shined as a quality defender.&nbsp; Didn't make any jumpers, but the shot looks clean.&nbsp; He had 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 steals.&nbsp; Very intriguing name in 2026!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323251' first='Max' last='Carmicle'] (Hillcrest – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First look at this power forward with a good frame and strength along with long arms.&nbsp; Active around the hoop.&nbsp; Gets on the offensive glass for put backs.&nbsp; Even hit a turnaround jumper.&nbsp; Carmicle had 11 points, 7 rebounds (3 offensive), and 1 steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321451' first='Jovohn' last='Ratliff'] (Hillcrest – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ratliff also caught our attention for Hillcrest.&nbsp; The guard hit a couple of threes, rim runner, nifty finish, and is a solid defender.&nbsp; He had 12 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323300' first='TJ' last='Tate'] (Marist – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tate is a smaller lead guard for Marist that brought them a lift in the first half of their game.&nbsp; Getting to the rim off the bounce, hitting pull ups from 15 feet, and even stretching it out to three for 10 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321448' first='Deonte' last='Meeks'] (Fenwick – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The smaller guard from Fenwick came off the bench to provide a major spark for his team.&nbsp; Shifty ball handler with speed got to the line at a high rate (7-12 FT) racking up 11 points while making plays in the lane.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zack Mazanowski (Lane Tech – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and lanky small forward that is listed at 6'7”.&nbsp; Has some athletic pop to him with his rangy frame.&nbsp; Put back, scoop shot, seal on the block.&nbsp; He had 8 points while showing some intriguing upside.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217973' first='Kolby' last='Capers'] (Lindblom – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Capers is a wing that stuffed the stat sheet.&nbsp; Southpaw is a physically built prospect that did his damage in the lane off the bounce.&nbsp; Rebounds well for a guard and is a quality defender.&nbsp; Compliments Lindblom's stars.&nbsp; He had 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323237' first='Aamir' last='Shannon'] (Joliet West – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shannon was one of the prospects I came away from the event super excited about.&nbsp; Athletic two guard that at about 6'3” projects well long term.&nbsp; His pop showed all over the floor playing above the rim for dunks, rebounding on both ends, and getting after it defensively.&nbsp; He had 10 points (5-16 FG) and 5 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321459' first='Tristian' last='Saunders'] (Joliet West – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 2025 combo guard was efficient while getting buckets recording 15 points on 5-7 shooting from the field.&nbsp; He also made both of his three point attempts.&nbsp; Good length and can play on or off the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321424' first='Immanuel' last='Brown'] (Warren – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brown is a 6'4” two guard that has plus positional size.&nbsp; He was a force on the offensive glass recording seven of them in the game getting second chances for himself and teammates.&nbsp; Finished dump offs inside and got out in transition.&nbsp; Loved the energy that the wing played with.&nbsp; He had 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2291830' first='Javerion' last='Banks'] (Warren – 2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Banks was more of a perimeter shot maker for Warren as a banged in four triples in their win against Bolingbrook.&nbsp; What you have to like about him is he isn't just a shooter.&nbsp; Also distributed the rock and crashed the defensive glass from the perimeter throughout the game netting 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 dimes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2318209' first='Mason' last='Minor'] (Curie – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Minor is a senior that has emerged for this year's Curie squad.&nbsp; Like how he plays within the team concept while attacking with his athleticism at the cup.&nbsp; Also is an adept off ball passer going for 6 points and 4 assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2374552' first='Layshawn' last='Scott'] (Thornton – 2024)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a breakout performance for Scott in the marquee game!&nbsp; I honestly didn't even remember him from the Richwoods game a week ago, but he made a major impression in this one.&nbsp; Got Thornton going with his shot making from beyond the arc.&nbsp; Wing with size at 6'5” that has a clean shot and was excellent rebounder especially offensively snatching 9 on that end.&nbsp; He had 6 points and 12 rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552417' first='Jordan' last='Walker'] (Kenwood – 2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Walker brought something off the bench for Kenwood.&nbsp; Good shooter that hit in a couple threes coming off the bench in limited minutes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->