Holiday Tournaments: New Names Underclassmen
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One of the best parts of watching volume games at holiday tournaments is the uncovering of new prospects. These are based on purely the 40+ games I evaluated from the tournaments at Jack Tosh, Hinsdale Central, Pontiac, Pekin, and Collinsville. …
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Continue ReadingOne of the best parts of watching volume games at holiday tournaments is the uncovering of new prospects. These are based on purely the 40+ games I evaluated from the tournaments at Jack Tosh, Hinsdale Central, Pontiac, Pekin, and Collinsville. Here is Holiday Tournaments: New Names Underclassmen!
Maharri Thatch Maharri Thatch 5'10" | PG Glenbard North | 2026 State IL (Glenbard North – 2026)
Thatch caught our attention for Glenbard North as a guard that just kept making plays. Nose for the ball and can shoot it a little bit from three as well finishing with 9 points.
Adam Flowers Adam Flowers 6'1" | SG Hinsdale South | 2026 State IL (Hinsdale South – 2026)
We had heard some buzz about Flowers coming into the season and over the holiday’s we got our first look at him against York with his high school team. Despite their team losing big we saw some things to like with the 6’1” shooting guard. Long arms and an athletic frame. Clean release on a catch and shoot three. Athletic finisher at the rim. Went for 7 points against York.
Evan Brewer (Granite City – 2026)
The 6’5” post from Granite City made an impression in their first round game recording 11 points. Good strength and knows how to use his body down low. Seals on the interior, put backs, and finishes out of the dunker spot.
Luke Smith Luke Smith 6'1" | PG Belleville Althoff | 2026 State IL (Belleville Althoff – 2026)
Smith was the other Althoff 2026 we really liked. The 6’2” two guard is a plus shooter from three draining a pair of them with a quick release. Has a nose for the basketball and once he sees his role grow he will be an even more impactful player. Had 10 points vs Mundelein.
Tyler Thompson Tyler Thompson 6'6" | SF Triad | 2026 State IL (Triad – 2026)
Thompson was one of the breakout performers at the Collinsville event. The 6’6” four man has a long and thin frame. Sound shooter from three that let it fly from deep a little bit too much settling for those shots. Had the game winner in their one point victory over Carbondale on a finish out of the dunker spot while scoring 10 points. Lot of projectability to like here.
Jerrance “JJ” Howard (Carbondale – 2027)
Howard is the son of SIU assistant coach Jerrance Howard Jerrance Howard 5'9" | PG Carbondale | 2027 IL . The 5’9” floor general banged in a three early on. Plays with good pace and is a solid passer.
Jaxon Marlow-Evans (Carbondale – 2026)
Marlow-Evans is a 5’11” point guard that has a good mid-range game along with being able to hit from three. In their first round loss to Triad he had 8 points.
Jalen Coleman (Belleville East – 2026)
Coleman stands at 5’10” and made noise in the final game of the first round against Collierville (TN). The scoring combo guard hit a pair of threes and mixed in a couple drives to the rim for 12 points.
Karson Komnick Karson Komnick 6'3" | SG Lincoln | 2026 State IL (Lincoln – 2026)
This rangy shooting guard is worth keeping tabs on. Wasn’t super productive in either game we evaluated, but like the frame, length, athleticism, and overall skill set.
Alex McKie (Morton – 2026)
This is a sophomore wing worth keeping tabs on as he can really shoot the basketball knocking in several in their win against PND.
Trey Brost Trey Brost 5'10" | PG Bolingbrook | 2026 State IL (Bolingbrook – 2026)
The coach’s son is getting major minutes coming off the bench as a sophomore. In the championship game he drained a pair of threes and looks to be the next in a long line of talented shooting lead guards for Coach Brost.