Chi-Town Tip Off: 15U Friday Standouts

Friday's 15U slate at the Chi-Town Tip Off brought early energy, with prospects stepping up and setting the tone from the jump. The opening night gave us a glimpse of who's ready to make noise this spring. Here are a few names that stood out under the Friday night lights in Batavia.    I first watched Kamal at our last Freshman Showcase and since then he has made strides. Kamal made an early impression against [program_tooltip program_id='2075622' first='M14' last='Hoops'] with a relentless motor and high-energy approach on both ends of the floor. He showcased a quick release from beyond the arc, confidently stepping into threes when given space. In transition, his wiry frame and speed made him a constant threat, both as a finisher and a facilitator. Defensively, he was vocal and disruptive, using active hands and lateral quickness to pressure ball handlers and force mistakes. His ability to make hustle plays and impact the game without needing the ball stood out throughout the first game.     Khoshabe displayed an efficient offensive game and strong instincts around the glass. He showed a subtle but effective ability to get downhill and finish through contact, including a tough and-one drive in traffic. On the offensive boards, he kept the ball high and finished quickly before the defense could recover. His feel in the high post was evident — using a reverse pivot to create space and find open teammates with smart interior passing. He consistently flashed to the right spots, staying active off the ball and keeping defenders engaged. The under-sized forward's energy on the glass and willingness to make team-first plays made him a steady presence throughout the day.     Though undersized, Haley played with grit and feel well beyond his frame. He consistently made smart reads off the dribble, including a sharp shot-fake into a dish underneath that showed his vision. A tough rebounder for a small guard, he wasn't afraid to battle in traffic and secure second chances. Offensively, he did a great job finding and attacking gaps in the defense, and he made defenders pay when left open — knocking down multiple spot-up corner threes with confidence.     Habashy brought toughness and energy to both ends of the floor. The combo guard consistently found ways to get downhill, showing no hesitation driving into the teeth of the defense and finishing among bigger bodies with a soft floater. Defensively, he played with great activity — constantly involved in tipping passes, getting deflections, and disrupting rhythm. His motor and quick hands made him a valuable on-ball defender and a tone-setter for his group.     Vandenbergh is a traditional-style big man who brings size and presence around the rim. He provided scoring with quick buckets from close range and showed a solid understanding of his role. Still developing consistency with post seals and could benefit from more nimble footwork, but those are reps away from improvement. Started to run the floor better late in the second half, flashing some upside as a reliable rim-runner.     Creedon showed good control with the ball in his hands, keeping things steady in the halfcourt. He made a strong impression on a baseline drive, using a smart shot fake to set up a clean finish. Flashed some craft off the bounce and showed glimpses of a smooth-looking jumper. Would like to see a quicker first step to consistently create separation, but the foundation is there for a confident, skilled backcourt presence.

Friday's 15U slate at the Chi-Town Tip Off brought early energy, with prospects stepping up and setting the tone from the jump. The opening night gave us a glimpse of who's ready to make noise this spring. Here are a few names that stood out under the Friday night lights in Batavia.