Spring Scouting Report of Chicagoland Prospects

<p>Spring is in the air, and with the high school season in the rearview, basketball is far from over. The grassroots season is fast approaching, bringing new opportunities to discover emerging talent. Lately, I've been diving back into the past season, taking a closer look at some under-the-radar prospects across all classes. As the next wave of competition heats up, it's time to see who's ready to make a name for themselves.</p>    <p class="text-gray-700">Lincoln Park put together a strong season, finishing 23-7, though they faced a tough stretch late in the year, ultimately falling to Whitney Young in the Regional Finals. The former top-ranked 8th grader in Illinois made an impact as a freshman on varsity, showing flashes of his potential.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Offensively, he has a smooth shooting stroke from three, which, with continued development, could become a more consistent weapon. However, I'd like to see him attack the defense with greater confidence and expand his offensive versatility. On the defensive end, his length is a clear asset—he plays with his arms wide and utilizes his reach effectively to disrupt plays.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Miller set new school records for three-pointers in a season (76) and in a single game (8), earning SouthWest Prairie All-Conference honors. It's clear he's a serious threat from deep, and his shooting ability is something special to watch develop. Beyond his perimeter game, he has the athleticism to get up for dunks and the length to contest shots and disrupt passing lanes on defense.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">With the ball in his hands, he shows flashes of being a playmaker, capable of creating for himself and others. His pocket passing in pick-and-roll situations is a valuable skill, and as a young lead guard, he's already making a strong case for himself as a player to watch.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kj_miller_1/status/1904560339099754498 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Greer averaged 21 points and 10 rebounds per game and brings a dynamic presence on both ends of the floor. He's got serious bounce, making highlight-level plays as finisher and shot-blocker with great timing. His energy is contagious.</p>   <p class="text-gray-700">Offensively, he's a versatile scorer—capable of finishing inside, creating off the bounce, and stretching the floor with a smooth three-point shot. His body control and strength allow him to navigate contact effectively, and he plays the wing position with confidence. A <strong>1st Team South Suburban All-Conference</strong> selection, he's proven himself as a high-impact player with plenty of upside.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Darrongreer12/status/1897647653841744312 </div></figure>     <p class="text-gray-700">Explosive presence off the block, Harris brings energy to the interior with his defined frame and athleticism. He's an active rebounder and does well mirroring the ball with his hands. Defensively, he shows IQ in contesting shots vertically and competes inside despite being a slightly undersized forward. Offensively, he flashes well to the high post and makes strong dives to the rim. To take the next step, he should refine his touch around the basket for more consistent finishes and work on creating better passing lanes for post entries. Developing more patience in screen-setting will also elevate his impact in half-court sets.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">A unanimous West Division All-Conference selection in the Upstate Eight, Cwik plays with pace and confidence. He's quick off the bounce (no pun intended) and excels at setting up defenders with crafty crossovers to get to the rim and create space for a quick jumper. His hesitation move in transition keeps defenders off balance. Continuing to refine his decision-making and finishing consistency will help maximize his effectiveness as a lead guard.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">A sharpshooter with a knack for finding open space, Ivy moves well off the ball to spot up along the perimeter for quality three-point looks. He's a strong catch-and-shoot threat from deep, forcing defenders to stay attached. His quick first step adds another layer to his offensive game, and he brings energy on the defensive end by applying pressure to ball-handlers. A three-point shooter that opponents can't afford to lose track of.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AJhoopsAJ/status/1897825116672716864 </div></figure>

Spring is in the air, and with the high school season in the rearview, basketball is far from over. The grassroots season is fast approaching, bringing new opportunities to discover emerging talent. Lately, I've been diving back into the past season, taking a closer look at some under-the-radar prospects across all classes. As the next wave of competition heats up, it's time to see who's ready to make a name for themselves.