Grit Region Finals: Top Illinois PG/Combos

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PHI was at the Grit Region Finals over the weekend in Indianapolis.&nbsp; This event featured a lot of quality talent from the state of Illinois.&nbsp; In our post event coverage we examine the top prospects at each position from the Land of Lincoln.&nbsp; Here is <strong>Grit Region Finals: Top Illinois PG/Combos</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br><strong>Jeremiah Fears ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fears was the top prospect at the event and averaged well over 20 points a game for the event.&nbsp; The recent Illinois decommit is an electric athlete with the ball in his hands.&nbsp; During the event he did a nice job of trying to get his teammates involved early in the game and then taking over as the contest went along.&nbsp; Deep three point range on his shot, slithered through the defense, and was active on the defensive end getting steals along with several impressive swats.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2323599' first='Jamarri' last='Fears'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075515' first='Hoops' last='4 Health'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Fears is the younger brother of Jeremiah.&nbsp; The lefty is a 2027 prospect playing up on the 17U level.&nbsp; Slick ball handler that got in the lane for floaters and layups on jump stops.&nbsp; Active on the defensive end getting a couple steals a game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1502193' first='Evan' last='Salvador'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Salvador is a sleeper point guard from Mundelein.&nbsp; He is a lefty that brings some creativity with the ball in his hands. &nbsp;Plus shooter with a sweet stroke off the catch.&nbsp; Gets to the rim off the bounce and in transition for nifty layups.&nbsp; Projects as a good small college prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105287' first='Braylon' last='Gray'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray is an athletic combo guard that is at his best using his quickness and athleticism getting downhill for layups.&nbsp; Can also hit an open three and is a quality defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2442146' first='Mac' last='Doyle'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doyle is a guard from Benet that made a name for himself playing with the champs over the weekend.&nbsp; Crisp ball handler that is a sound shooter pulling up from mid-range and hitting off the catch.&nbsp; The point guard knows how to run a team and make the simple plays consistently.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403932' first='Connor' last='Fitzgerald'] (Big 3 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This York guard had a breakout performance on Friday night.&nbsp; The broad shouldered guard is a quality defender that brought intensity on that end.&nbsp; Offensively he played with physicality off the bounce finishing and-1s and getting to the line.&nbsp; Technically sound player that does most of his damage in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403941' first='Andreas' last='Sassaris'] (Big 3 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Conant guard is crafty with his ball handling scoring in the paint and getting to the rim for conversions.&nbsp; Flashed as a shooter when left open.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598647' first='Aidan' last='Nilsson'] (M14 National 1 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nilsson caught our attention with the way he shot the ball from the perimeter.&nbsp; Combo guard that is best at this stage utilized as a spot up shot maker from distance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davee Edwards (Clippers Nation Elite 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edwards was the go to player for Clippers Nation Elite.&nbsp; Combo from Bolingbrook that was effective as a shot maker from three along with getting in the lane for soft touch finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2406549' first='Makai' last='Mandley'] (Flight Athletics 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Fenwick 2025 guard put his name on our radar over the weekend.&nbsp; Smooth with the ball in transition making plays in the open floor getting to the cup for layups and soft touch finishes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2444443' first='Max' last='Justic'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Crisp lefty lead guard that plays with good pace and instincts.&nbsp; The Brother Rice rising senior is good at getting in the lane making plays for himself or others with his passing, mid-range shot, and floater game in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2218166' first='Liam' last='Dunn'] (All In Athletics Gilbert 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dunn had a big shooting outing for AIA in the game we caught.&nbsp; Hit an array of triples with a clean release.&nbsp; Also scrappy on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jonathan Dickinson (All In Athletics Gilbert 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Evanston product with a smooth slasher that scored on sweeping takes and layups on the regular.&nbsp; Also hit a three in one of the games we saw.&nbsp; Has some projectability.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598786' first='Willie' last='Felton'] (1 Dream 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Felton has certainly raised his stock as the Bishop McNamara point guard continues to play well for 1 Dream.&nbsp; He is an athletic and slick handling lead guard that makes quick decisions with the ball off a live dribble.&nbsp; Good distributor that plays above the rim and can create off the bounce getting in the mid-range for a sweet pull up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2217950' first='Cole' last='Czako'] (1 Dream 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Czako is a plus shooter that had a strong showing for 1 Dream.&nbsp; Very good three point shooter that can also hit a mid-range jumper off the dribble.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Donovyn [player_tooltip player_id='2389565' first='Riley' last=''] (Illinois Warriors 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2389565' first='Riley' last=''] is a lefty combo guard that has a crafty game.&nbsp; He hit multiple threes off the catch along with a nice baseline two.&nbsp; Solid ball handler.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2403028' first='Jeffrey' last='Cade'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2076265' first='Next' last='Level 24'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This HF point guard has some tools you have to like as a young 2027 prospect.&nbsp; The guard scored 17 points against EG10 in their quarterfinal loss.&nbsp; Fluid ball handler that can get to his spot and is a sound shooter from both two and three.&nbsp; Good slasher finishing multiple acrobatic layups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->