Chi-Town Tip Off: Top Illinois Defenders

<!-- 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: Top Illinois Defenders</strong>!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2383971' first='Tyler' last='McConnell'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2075532' first='Illinois' last='Bears'] 17U and 16U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McConnell was a force on the defensive end with his rim protection on straight up blocks, weak side swats, or LBJ turnarounds in transition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2405260' first='Daniel' last='Odhiambo'] ([player_tooltip player_id='2391665' first='Kessel' last='Heat'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Uber bouncy power forward from Vernon Hills jumped off the floor at us with what he brought as a rim protector on the first night of action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2542413' first='Alvin' last='Robinson'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and rangy wing defender that was active getting in passing lanes and using his quick hands to get steals and blocks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Terrance Davis ([program_tooltip program_id='2452456' first='Mac' last='Irvin Fire'] 15U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another Fire 15U highly ranked wing that brought it on the defensive end was this Libertyville shooting guard.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1900158' first='Stephen' last='George'] (Chi-Town Bulldogs 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>George is a huge body inside and the St. Francis de Sales post was a junk yard dog in the paint rebounding and defending.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2437681' first='Richie' last='Darr'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2219307' first='1' last='Dream Basketball'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Long and lanky tight end prospect that can also play hoops at the next level in part because of his rim protection.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2105376' first='Colin' last='Stack'] ([program_tooltip program_id='2078374' first='Full' last='Package'] 17U)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stack might be the premier shot blocker in the 2026 class.&nbsp; He has timing and anticipation.&nbsp; He also isn't afraid of potentially getting caught as he goes after them with aggressiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->