Chi-Town Tip Off: Top Illinois PG/Combo Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chi-Town Tip Off over the weekend in Chicago featured many of the top prospects in the state of Illinois.&nbsp; We examine the event from all angles including here in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: Top Illinois PG/Combo Performers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Machi Nelson (M14 Adidas Gold 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nelson had a big weekend emerging as a prospect to watch going forward.&nbsp; He is a smaller guard that is lightning quick with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; The Proviso West guard is a shifty ball handler that got where he needed on the floor.&nbsp; He finished with toughness and athleticism at the rim.&nbsp; Also knocked in pull up mid-range shots at a good clip and can stretch to three on occasion.&nbsp; Pushes pace with speed in the open floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321399' first='Rae'Qwon' last='Rogers'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075957' first='The' last='Work Foundation'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bowen product is one of the least heralded lead guards in the Illinois 2025 class.&nbsp; Brings strength and big time athleticism to the table.&nbsp; Excels in the open floor where he can use his speed, explosiveness, and athleticism getting to the rim.&nbsp; Solid passer showing better instincts than we had previously seen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Max Justic ([program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lead guard from Brother Rice that is a southpaw.&nbsp; He did a nice job of controlling the game with his pace, passing, and creative scoring off the bounce.&nbsp; Soft touch finishing game in the lane and has a nice pull up.&nbsp; Sound distributor with crisp passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2321459' first='Tristian' last='Saunders'] (Flight Athletics 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Saunders had an eye opening performance when we saw him on Saturday.&nbsp; The Joliet West combo guard has good size along with plus length.&nbsp; Shot it very well from three hitting four of them in a 16 point outing.&nbsp; Length played well on the defensive end and he showed some playmaking feel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1552475' first='Marquis' last='Clark'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 2026 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ultra smooth combo that is best as a scorer.&nbsp; Struggled a bit in the first game, but played well in their second contest on Saturday.&nbsp; Smooth combo from Whitney Young that handles it well.&nbsp; He is at his best when getting downhill for scores at the rim where he can finish with a nifty soft touch finishing game and acrobatic layups at the rim.&nbsp; Plays off his defense getting steals for buckets and can hit a mid-range shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1766469' first='Khalil' last='Jones'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076904' first='Chicago' last='Hoops'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a rock solid lead guard from St. Laurence that has an excellent feel for running a team.&nbsp; Makes sound decisions and is a good ball handler.&nbsp; That was shown on one shake when he went behind his back making his man fall before putting the ball in the hoop.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1545140' first='Drew' last='Barrington'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barrington is a steady force at the lead guard spot.&nbsp; The Carterville point guard was excellent in the game we saw slicing through the lane for runners, floaters, and tough layups.&nbsp; Got to the rim or was fouled on several takes.&nbsp; Also did a good job of setting others up with his passing in a 14 point and 5 dime performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 2027 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Davis is a lead guard that ranks among the best prospects in the state of Illinois' freshman class and one of the best period.&nbsp; What we like about the Warren 2027 guard is the poise that he plays with.&nbsp; Shifty off the bounce winning one on one with the rock in his hands.&nbsp; Also shook his man off the bounce before draining a three.&nbsp; Shot it well from beyond the arc and was good taking it to the rim.&nbsp; Excellent passer and decision maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] (Mac Irvin Fire 2027 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cleveland is among the elite prospects regardless of class.&nbsp; The Kenwood lead guard is a long and rangy prospect with deep range on his shot.&nbsp; Made some NBA range threes in the game that we saw where he scored 27 points.&nbsp; So free and fluid off the bounce getting to his spots or to the cup.&nbsp; Pushes in the open floor, works well around ball screens, and impacts defensively with his length.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dariontez Monroe ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Monroe is a 2027 guard from Sparta that put his name on the map late in the high school season.&nbsp; Lefty combo that brings strength to the position along with the ability to get downhill.&nbsp; Sound three point shooter especially off the catch and uses his length defensively to create turnovers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->