#PHChiTownTipOff: Max’s Friday Standouts
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Seven of the prospects who stood out in Friday night’s action at Wintrust Sports Complex! Deuce Burkes WI #2 PG #1 HEIGHT 6'3" POS PG CLASS 2026 View Profile Deuce Burkes Twitter State: Wisconsin School: Milwaukee Academy Of Science Deuce…
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Continue ReadingSeven of the prospects who stood out in Friday night’s action at Wintrust Sports Complex!
Deuce battled with some injuries during his sophomore season at MAS, but looks to be back into a rhythm with Team Herro. Last night against Indiana Game he was on fire from the very start, draining three after three to help his team build up a strong lead in the first half. Deuce is one of those players who can change a game in a hurry with his shooting, and that’s what he did against Indiana Game. After his team fell behind early in the game, Deuce knocked down 3 or 4 threes in a row to push his team in front, and from there they only extended that lead the rest of the game. His quick release and range well beyond the arc make him a constant threat to catch and shoot.
Highlights
You don’t see many guys who impact a game defensively like Al does. At 6’6 he has no problem moving his feet on the perimeter with smaller wings, and his long wingspan allows him to pick the perfect moments to extend and poke the ball free. Really good timing and instincts to pick up steals on the ball. Off the ball he’s a big time shot blocker as he’s quick off the floor and puts himself in the right spots to make plays at the rim. At his best offensively looking to get downhill and attack the basket. Running with Hoops4Health this weekend, he had no problem playing through contact and seemed to embrace it in the game I watched.
Vaugh has one of the highest ceilings in Wisconsin’s 2026 class. He’s an extremely long and lanky 6’5 wing who can jump out of the gym off one foot. The first bucket of the game for Team Herro saw Vaughn cut backdoor and elevate for an alley-oop dunk. Throughout that first half he went on to swat a pair of shots at the rim, knock down a three, and pick up a steal leading to a high flying transition dunk. If Vaughn gets anywhere near the rim he’s going to look to dunk it, and his physical tools make him a defensive playmaker as well.
Brady Scholl could not be stopped on Friday night. The 6’6 big man is a physical presence inside, and was using his size to consistently establish deep post position and create easy angles for his guards to get the ball to him. Once he caught on the block, the possession was pretty much over as Brady was going to power his way to the rim and either finish or draw a foul. Soft touch to finish off the glass, and his strong frame allows him to stay balanced even with defenders trying to bump him off his spot.
Highlights
Kevin may not put up any eye-popping scoring numbers, but he made a big impact defensively for Team Herro. In the second half alone he blocked 4 or 5 shots, and was doing so without picking up any unnecessary fouls. Good understanding of where he needs to be defensively to step in and make plays around the rim. Will have to get more comfortable stepping out to defend screens on the perimeter, but as a rim protector he showed moments of dominance.
Highlights
Valin got off to a strong start on Friday night showing off his versatility at 6’6. He knocked down an early three, had two impressive chase-down blocks, and was spending time handling the ball for his Wisconsin Crusaders team. Really good at stretching the floor with his shooting at 6’6, but he’s not afraid to play through some contact and attack the rim. Has a solid combination of size, skill, and mobility that will make him a name to watch in the 2026 class this spring.
If you watched Yusef play for the first time, you’d have no idea he was just finishing up his sophomore year of high school. He plays with a composure well beyond his years, which allows him to stand out even more when a game starts to get too fast and sloppy. Yusef just provides a calming presence when the ball in his hands, and he’s able to recognize exactly what the defensive is giving him, allowing him to score with efficiency while also creating good looks for his teammates. Gray has a knockdown jumper from mid-range, and with his size at 6’4 he has no problem finishing over the top of opposing guards at the rim. Helped lead his Team Herro squad to a big win on opening night.