Chi-Town Tip Off: 2028 Illinois Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Annually the Chi-Town Tip Off is a must attend event for competition and coverage for Illinois teams.&nbsp; This year was no different.&nbsp; PHI had all five of our scouts in the gyms for this event.&nbsp; We continue our examination of the prospects here in <strong>Chi-Town Tip Off: 2028 Illinois Top Performers</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531961' first='Amarion' last='Smith-Holley'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Smith-Holley was the best 15U player at the event and it wasn't particularly close.&nbsp; The Richwoods point guard ranks #4 overall in his class and #1 at the lead guard spot in Illinois.&nbsp; I really liked what we saw previously and were aggressive with his ranking, but he took it to a whole different level at Chi-Town Tip Off.&nbsp; I saw two full games and he completely dominated the with his shot making, creative handles, scoring in the paint with crazy finishes, and his passing.&nbsp; Also is an active and aware defender.&nbsp; Leader that plays with air of confidence.&nbsp; The 6'0” lead guard is a complete point guard already that if he gets a couple more inches is going to be a nationally ranked prospect.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2834463' first='Amari' last='Williams'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams is the top ranked big man in the 2028 class in Illinois.&nbsp; Great pick and roll threat that is so mobile for his age.&nbsp; He seals well in the post for scores on the block.&nbsp; Gets on the offensive boards for put backs.&nbsp; Ton of upside on the defensive end of the floor with how well he protects the rim and is switchable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531962' first='Amir' last='Tucker'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tucker was the second most impressive 2028 performer of the event behind Smith-Holley.&nbsp; The St. Ignatius point guard played up at the 16U level with [program_tooltip program_id='2414566' first='Mike' last='Glennon Elite'] where he went up against quality competition.&nbsp; In a Sunday matchup with the Fire he rained in jumpers at the highest rate we have seen in his career.&nbsp; Was letting it fly with a ton of confidence from mid-range and three.&nbsp; Works well around ball screens slithering to the rim for finishes with either hand.&nbsp; Plays with such a great pace and feel for the game.&nbsp; More than willing to get others involved with his crisp passing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2465620' first='Brandon' last='Otten'] (M14 Gold 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After he made some noise the previous week I got my first look at 6'3” Benet small forward [player_tooltip player_id='2465620' first='Brandon' last='Otten'].&nbsp; Intrigued by the long and lanky frame as he should continue to grow.&nbsp; Plus athlete that runs the floor extremely well and can handle it a little.&nbsp; Quick to the offensive glass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2834508' first='Halil' last='Pekovic'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rolling Meadows has another good one coming up in Pekovic.&nbsp; The 6'3” shooting guard for [program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] is a southpaw that can flat out put the ball in the cup.&nbsp; He did that against M14 pouring in bucket after bucket. Creative ball handler who makes plays in the lane, gets to the line, and passes with flair.&nbsp; Also flashed as a shooter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2834186' first='Nigel' last='Moore'] (AyoDosElite 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Really big weekend for this 5'10” Peoria High point guard.&nbsp; Lefty shot it at a very high clip all weekend from distance including draining four of them in the first game we saw him with AyoDosElite over the weekend.&nbsp; Slick finisher in the lane that also is a pesky on ball defender putting pressure on the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2834050' first='Jaivyn' last='Richardson'] (AyoDosElite 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Whitney Young 5'8” guard is definitely on the smaller side, but has game.&nbsp; He can fill it up with deep threes along with nifty floaters.&nbsp; Very active on ball defender that gets steals and turns them into points on the other end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531995' first='Eze' last='Nwagwu'] (AyoDosElite 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nwagwu caught our attention during the high school season for St. Rita.&nbsp; He is a slick handling lead guard that can drain floaters, hit threes, and has a great feel for running a team at a young age.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2531964' first='Angelo' last='Adams'] (Chi-Town Bulldogs 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Adams is a point guard from St. Rita that was playing up on the 17U level for Chi-Town Bulldogs.&nbsp; He can really shoot the ball from deep as he did in multiple games we saw throughout the weekend.&nbsp; Also has a solid float game and passes with flair.&nbsp; Ultimately his long-term potential will be determined by if he grows.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2396333' first='Sean' last='Souter'] (Chi-Town Bulldogs 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Souter is a guard from Walter Payton that played up with Chi-Town Bulldogs over the weekend at the 17U level.&nbsp; He is a plus shooter that can really pour them in from distance along with mixing in his soft touch finishing game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2194657' first='Josiah' last='Hall'] (Geek Squad 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hall is a prospect from St. Ignatius that I personally didn't see, but our staff was raving about his play.&nbsp; The two guard shot it at a super high level all weekend including several 20+ point performances.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->