Freshman Showcase: Team 9 and 10 Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Prep Hoops Freshman Showcase was a great opportunity to evaluate prospects in the 2028 class!&nbsp; Here we break down a pair of the camp teams and which prospects were the top performers on those squads.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Team 9</u></strong></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>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.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194655' first='Braydon' last='Porter'] (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter is a 6'3” shooting guard that has all the projection that you like to see in a young wing prospect.&nbsp; Explosive takes with the ball off the bounce.&nbsp; Loved going on the baseline for strong takes.&nbsp; Plays above the rim throwing down alley oops and is excellent in transition.&nbsp; Can really create his own shot both on drives and from distance hitting threes.&nbsp; Defensive versatility with upside as a multi positional defender. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Angelo Adams (St. Rita)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a>Adams is a small guard at 5'5”, but he has major game!&nbsp; Plus pull up jump shooter from beyond the arc draining several threes both pulling up and off the bounce.&nbsp; Mixed in mid-range jumpers as well.&nbsp; Nifty finisher around the hoop with scoop shots.&nbsp; Plays with a lot of confidence.</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2310787' first='Kyrie' last='Hart'] (Decatur St. Teresa)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hart is a two guard from St. Teresa in central Illinois at 6'1”.&nbsp; He is a broad shouldered wing with good length.&nbsp; Has some intriguing skill with his passing and finishing ability in the paint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><u>Team 10</u></strong></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>Joey Jakstys (Yorkville)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jakstys is the younger brother of Illini freshman Jason Jakstys.&nbsp; There are some intriguing tools to like with the Yorkville 6'6” post.&nbsp; Plus athlete that runs the floor very well getting up and down the floor as a rim runner.&nbsp; Fluid athlete that can also handle it off the defensive glass pushing it on his own.&nbsp; Solid passer that can also step out to hit a three.&nbsp; Like the mobility he brings as a post defender being able to switch.&nbsp; Bright future for this Yorkville big man.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ashton Smith (Kenwood)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith is a 5'10” guard that had a strong showing!&nbsp; He can really shoot the basketball knocking in four triples in the game we saw.&nbsp; Crisp and clean shooting mechanics.&nbsp; Good in transition being able to finish around the rim with euro steps.&nbsp; Ultimately what position he ends up being will depend on his height and development on the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->