Freshman Showcase: Scotty B’s Top Wings

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the early going it seems that the strength of the 2028 class are the shooting guards and small forwards!&nbsp; We dive into the wings that impressed at the Prep Hoops Illinois Freshman Showcase!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DeAndre Higgs (Thornton)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Higgs was one of the breakout players of the event.&nbsp; The strong and athletic 6'3” wing is built like a middle linebacker.&nbsp; He won on straight line takes on a regular basis with his crisp ball handling and power.&nbsp; Such a physically imposing wing that plays with a high-motor.&nbsp; Also had a few mid-range jumpers, but didn't shoot it much from three.&nbsp; His ability to impact as a defender and rebounder take his game to another level.&nbsp; Higgs is a plus plus rebounder for a wing that snatches boards in traffic and brings tenacity on the defensive end guarding multiple spots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531981' first='Cole' last='Kelly'] (Neuqua Valley)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 6'5” Kelly is a plus shooter with a sweet lefty stroke.&nbsp; At times on Saturday he was dominant.&nbsp; The explosive athleticism, size, and skill combination make him special.&nbsp; Can take it from the high post off the bounce for finishes at the rim with ease.&nbsp; Crashes the offensive glass for tip dunks.&nbsp; Hits the offensive glass for put back when around the basket.&nbsp; Very smooth feel for the game pushing it in the open floor passing well for a wing.&nbsp; Complete package at a young age!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2125627' first='Ethan' last='Vahl'] (West Aurora)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the premier prospects in this class coming into high school!&nbsp; Vahl is such a smooth shooting guard that can score from all three levels.&nbsp; He has a long and rangy frame where he should continue to spurt up from his current 6'2” height.&nbsp; The skill set is so advanced at a young age.&nbsp; He is a high level playmaker off a live dribble that gets others involved with his passing.&nbsp; Silky smooth ball handling that allows him to get anywhere he wants on the floor.&nbsp; Hit several deep threes creating his own shot.&nbsp; Creative finisher at the rim and rebounded it as well as we have seen him in his young career.&nbsp; A lot of Max Christie to his game!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531973' first='Brady' last='Pettigrew'] (Bolingbrook)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pettigrew is one of the top wings in the 2027 class.&nbsp; Unfortunately he went down early in 3 on 3 play during their first game so we didn't get to see him a ton.&nbsp; I did get to see him some during the early portion of the game of 1 on 1 action where the size, fluidity, and ability to get a bucket with ease was shown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531972' first='Bonheur' last='Balita'] (Lycee Francais de Chicago)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the first time I had heard of Lycee Francais de Chicago as they had several prospects in the two camps during the day.&nbsp; Balita was by far and away the most impressive.&nbsp; He is built like a truck at 6'3” with the ability to play bully ball downhill in both the half court and transition.&nbsp; Scored on slashes over and over again.&nbsp; Solid ball handler that can get past his man and convert through secondary defenders.&nbsp; Later in the camp he showed range off on a three point shot!&nbsp; Super impressed in our first look at him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194657' first='Josiah' last='Hall'] (St. Ignatius)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hall is a 6'0” shooting guard that had a breakout performance with how well he shot the ball from beyond the arc.&nbsp; The Ignatius guard shot lights out in the game we saw him.&nbsp; In the first 5 on 5 game he rained in four triples.&nbsp; Deep range on his three point shot that consistently went in.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2538631' first='Grant' last='Smith'] (Lyons Township)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith had a massive performance in the opening 5 on 5 game of the event.&nbsp; The combo forward showcased his entire game at a high level and had a ton of buzz among scouts and fans in the house.&nbsp; His strength and frame at 6'4” along with his big time athleticism really shine.&nbsp; Long strides and consistently took it off the defensive glass going coast to coast where he finished above the rim with explosiveness.&nbsp; Straight line takes off the bounce, crisp ball handling, and got on the offensive glass.&nbsp; We liked him at UAA when we saw him in July and he elevated his stock even more here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was my first time seeing Porter play and I was extremely impressed.&nbsp; The 6'3” small forward is a broad shouldered wing with long arms and plus athleticism.&nbsp; Tons of physical projectability to like here.&nbsp; Explosive athlete that plays above the rim.&nbsp; Shot fakes and blows past his man.&nbsp; Puts it on the floor going baseline with such purpose.&nbsp; Threw down alley oops.&nbsp; Got on the offensive glass.&nbsp; Pushes in the open floor like a running back to transition finishes.&nbsp; He just jumps off the floor at you as a future prospect with a bright future!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2532031' first='Roosevelt' last='Thomas'] (De La Salle)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Thomas is another well built 6'3” wing in this class.&nbsp; Strong small forward that loves to attack downhill.&nbsp; Did it over and over again in the game we saw as he attacked off the bounce in the half court and transition scoring in the paint.&nbsp; Can play bully ball, but has a solid overall skill set including his ability to pass it very well from his wing spot.&nbsp; Should see key minutes right off the bat for the Meteors that are reloading this year!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2406440' first='Noah' last='Corro'] (St. Laurence)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is some buzz building around Corro as a wing to watch in the 2027 class.&nbsp; He is a player that brings an even brighter future to St. Laurence.&nbsp; At 6'0” the two guard brings plus athleticism to the table along with a SUPER smooth handle creating his shot in whatever way he wanted.&nbsp; Has go to scoring potential!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2362360' first='Anfernee' last='Moore'] (Peoria Richwoods)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore is a big and physical 6'3” small forward that jumps off the floor at you.&nbsp; Really liked the energy he brought to the table along with his tenacity for the game.&nbsp; Finishes with athleticism at the rim and has some passing flair.&nbsp; Chance to be a big time wing defender!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->