Made Hoops Warm Up: Parham’s Perspective

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some notes from the Made HOOPS WARMUP event held in Libertyville this past weekend.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 15s Backcourt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's obvious who has the better teams in the state for grassroots. The one with the top two prospects in the 2027 class playing together in [player_tooltip player_id='2323571' first='Jaxson' last='Davis'] ([player_tooltip player_id='2412774' first='Warren' last='']) and [player_tooltip player_id='2323624' first='Davion' last='Thompson'] (Bolingbrook). When you see them both on the court together you can't help but think back to the [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] days of Derrick Rose and Eric Gordon who were always the most dominant players on the court. With these two players Davis is the smooth operator who creates space and opportunities for others before he gets his baskets. Thompson is a certified basket. Also very smooth and precise when looking to score. Again I'm not saying these two are like Rose and Gordon but they have that same aura when they are on the court together it's something special.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Fire Duo</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We know a lot about the Mac Irvin Fire 2026 players Rajon Roberts (Kenwood), Jamson Coutler (Rich Township), and [player_tooltip player_id='1845350' first='Stephen' last='Brown'] (Marist) but two players that can't go unnoticed are [player_tooltip player_id='2105360' first='Lincoln' last='Williams'] (Kankakee) and [player_tooltip player_id='1552478' first='Jadin' last='Schilb'] (Champaign Centennial). Lincoln is an athletic three-level scorer who looked great finishing plays in the open court. He's learning how to keep his motor running and is adding some wing skills to his game. Jadin is a lanky guard who is also smooth with the ball in his hands. He seems to never be rushed and is a very consistent shooter from three. Both of these guys have games that can see them land at the top of the rankings.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fire 2027 Backcourt</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As much as scouts rave about the [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] 15U guards. The Fire has a dynamic duo as well. [player_tooltip player_id='2125612' first='Devin' last='Cleveland'] (Kenwood) and [player_tooltip player_id='2323675' first='Michael' last='Woods'] (St. Francis de Sales). Woods is a workhorse at the guard spot. He does a lot on the court besides scoring. At most times Mikey may be the smallest player on the court but he always ends up with rebounds. He just has a knack for being wherever the ball is supposed to be. Another aspect of his game that was impressive was how he passed to his teammates. He is always a threat to score from the lane and three when he's finding players off the bounce he's that more dangerous. Devin is known as a silky smooth shooter who can finish at the rim in various ways. Cleveland will be the player who gets the attention with his long arms and his above-average basketball knowledge. These two players will make a huge mark during the EYBL play in the upcoming weeks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] Program Getting it Done with Small Guards&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What do the [program_tooltip program_id='2078408' first='Team' last='Rose'] 17U and 16U have in common? They are both led by two guards who had trips downstate this past high school season. Another thing is both are under 5'10. Phillips' [player_tooltip player_id='1385290' first='Amari' last='Edwards'] as many be known as a flame thrower on the court, but he is also quick with the ball coming off screens and getting paint touches. Amari has reached a good balance between scoring and facilitating. As for Tyjuan Hunter he's the epitome of heart over height. Tyjuan is an elusive point guard that gets to his spot. He is good at iso breakdown or pick-and-roll situations. When teams lay off him for fear of him penetrating he knocks down deep shots. What makes him so fearless is his knack for getting in the lane amongst taller players and continuously making plays. He's a player who will gain lots of attention this spring.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emerging Talent in 2026</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was impressed with Oswego East's Mason Lockett's game. Mason showed his worth early on as a 6'4 guard made some of the toughest shots in the game. Lockett scored the first 12 points for his 16u YnR squad. As a prospect he's a three-level scorer who will dunk on you if you give him the space. He just received his first D1 offer UIC this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Horton with [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last='']&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was our first look at the breakout player of the state tournament Phillips 2025 guard [player_tooltip player_id='2321396' first='EJ' last='Horton'] with [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] and he didn't disappoint. Horton checks all three boxes as to his scoring ability. He gets to the rim with precision not using more than two dribbles. He's so athletic that he can maneuver in ways most players can't to finish layups. As the teams adjusted their defense in the lane he made deep-range shots from three. As a lefty Horton has improved on his off-hand at driving to the rim and finishing with it. He will be trending up this spring.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Future Prospects in the 2028 Class</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I was able to get a glimpse of Cole Kelly the 6'6” 8th grader playing two age groups up for [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] during the travel season. He's fun to watch. As a younger player with size, it's rare to see a kid play with so much confidence and skill. Cole is a lefty who can put the ball on the deck and make strong moves for finishes at the rim. On the wing he can stretch defenses with his shot-making ability and is very tough when he's connecting on his mid-range. Kelly is also competitive on defense guarding one of the better players in the 2026 class and holding his own. Initial reports were that he was headed to Neuqua Valley for high school but later found out he was still open. Whatever the case it will be fun to track his career starting next season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Acclivus Sports&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a new travel team in Chicago and it's built mostly with CPS players. Acclivus Sports had a pretty interesting team that was exciting to watch. Class of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2538974' first='Danny' last='Bennett'] (Butler Prep) is an active wing player who scored well from 15 feet and in. He had several drives where he outworked guys to get to a spot and raise for shots. 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2217980' first='Phoenix' last='Childs'] (Phillips) still fresh off that strong state run, is a physical wing that gets in the lane and bounces guys off while looking to score. He's an athlete that can catch you off guard with dunks if you are not careful about how to defend him. Fellow 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='2217984' first='Rickey' last='Coleman'] (Dyett) is a pure athlete who gets up and down the court making finesse plays around the rim. Ricky is a slasher who will dunk on players when he gets space an opportunity. It was a good showing for a program looking to get some traction in this flooded Illinois market.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Other Notes</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2026 shooting guard [player_tooltip player_id='1552476' first='Nasir' last='Rankin'] was spotted playing with Wisconsin-based Power 5 program. He faced his former team [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] where he got the win. Still very athletic and good at using upper body strength. Rankin was a dog on both sides of the ball. Nasir got the win and also announced that he had transferred from Whitney Young to Morgan Park High School to play football and basketball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2025 Anton Strelnikov (Lake Zurich) was a force in the paint against the 17U [program_tooltip program_id='2078449' first='[program_tooltip program_id='2076910' first='Meanstreets' last='']' last=''] squad. He's a crafty low-post player who uses angles well and finished consistently over taller defenders. He had a team-high of 23 points for [program_tooltip program_id='2076459' first='Breakaway' last=''] 17U</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1766460' first='Al' last='Brooks'] Jr. (Hansberry) continues to do what he does best with his travel team Grit N Grind. The 6'7 wing is a jack of all trades. Al scores at the rim, he defends in the paint and on the perimeter, along with grabbing a handful of rebounds consistently. Will be interesting to see how coaches evaluate him during live periods.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class of 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='1598733' first='Jordan' last='Tunis'] (Schaumburg) had a good showing in his game. Playing at a perfect pace no matter how hard the team tried to speed him up. Tunis can get past guys with his first step almost any time because he plays at a controlled speed and before you know it he gets to his second gear. Shoots the ball well and likes to mix up floaters when necessary.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Out-of-State Players that Impressed</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Lance Stone - Michigan United&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1501903' first='Deuce' last='Burkes'] - Team Herro&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 [player_tooltip player_id='1959723' first='Lamont' last='Hamilton']- Power 5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Jamrion Bateman - Power 5&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->